“At the beginning of COVID-19 there was a lot of uncertainty, fear and mixed emotions from our staff, volunteers and us. As we jumped in and quickly made changes to alleviate those worries and continue to help people it’s been amazing what God has done. Boise Corps has some great staff that rallied, came up with ideas and plans and we worked together in those first weeks to rearrange everything. As we gave out food boxes drive thru style we saw the gratitude of so many families. It was a bit of hope in the fear and uncertainty. Our Advisory board and volunteers helped immensely in those first few weeks. It was amazing the number of people we had willing to come out and help pack boxes, deliver boxes and work to provide the lines of cars the food they needed. We also have had an amazing outpouring of financial resources and donated goods from our community. Near the beginning we had a woman donate $50,000. We worked with Albertson’s foundation for a substantial grant which completely funded an emergency child care for 8 weeks, provided some extra support for our food pantry (food and a worker) and funds to keep the Nampa shelter open several weeks longer. Our donations have been up during this time as well. The kids and families who attended the child care were so grateful, and the kids were so sad to leave to return to their original programs when they opened back up. We’ve had board members work with their church to get us 22 pallets of food as well as $6000 worth of food from Winco. We had a local radio station and credit union work together to put on a food drive for us as well. We’ve also been so blessed to go and visit all our corps people to drop off gifts for special occasions a couple of times. Though going to online services and resources was a challenge, we have seen so many people blessed and participate in those things that we’ve been able to share through Facebook. Even more than we’d have in person normally. Women’s ministry meetings and Bible studies on zoom have been a great new thing. We can’t thank God enough for what he has been doing here in Boise and the wonderful staff, Advisory board, corps members and volunteers we have here as well as the giving community that we are a part of. Praise God he is more powerful than any virus and His glory is made known even through difficult circumstances.”
Let’s pray,
Father God we praise you! You are so good for us. We thank you for your goodness, kindness and faithfulness.
Lord through this pandemic, we have faced many challenges but also lots of opportunities and your Holy Spirit has taught us how to serve people in spiritual, emotional and physical need.
We lift up Majors Michael and Nancy Halverdon and the entire community in Boise.
God pour out your blessings and give them the assurance that you are working on them and through them to accomplish your will.
Father we ask for protection, provision and hope during this tough time.
You are everything I hat we need and help us to spread this truth for our community.
In Jesus name.
Amen!
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