99 for 1 Ministries In Action: You can help us make a difference!Mission Statement: 99 for 1 exists to serve the under-loved in our cityand beyond by showing the love of Christ in practical ways and bytraining others to do the same. We will seek to befriend the sinner andthe saint by sharing with them that which God has provided to us andthrough prayer for their afflictions. Above all, we will show those whosee us how true Christians live. Newsletter Edition November 2011501 (C) 3

Check Us Out: www.99For1Ministries.comA Dance With Eternal Impact!* By Pastor Lonnie

(*Names have been changed throughout to protect the privacy of those involved.)

Very recently I was asked to bring some clothes for a little girl (7 years old) whose family was having a difficulttime — in fact, they’re one of the families we're trying to gather Christmas money for. I had no informationother than that her name is Lindsey, her dress size was a 7 and that she wanted either sleeveless or short sleevesdresses and/or shirts. I was also told that she liked things that 'poofed-out' when she spun around. I was assured thateven if I couldn't find short-sleeved shirts that her mom could hem them.

Armed with only this information I went to our storage shed (which is bursting with clothes for children thanks toYOUR donations). Admittedly, I struggled to find clothes for a little girl with whom I'd never had contact with(I didn't know her favorite color or how tall she was or the 'type' of material she'd really like — factors which I'mhighly aware are very important to girls because I have an 8-year-old daughter myself). In any case, in about twohours, I was able to find about a half dozen dresses, about the same amount of pants and a nice, warm coat (it'sgetting cold in this part of the country so I thought she or someone she knew might be able to use it).

It took me over an hour and a half to find Lindsey’s house (it’s kind of out in the boonies). When I drove up I wasimmediately greeted by 3 dogs (big dogs), all of which were barking and growling and wagging their tails at thesame time. Not being exceptionally brave — especially when it comes to animals that can take chunks out of me —I decided to call the family on their phone from the safety of my truck. As luck would have it, their phone wasbusy. I tried redialing and even honking my horn a couple of times (which stirred the dogs up into a slobberingfrenzy) but no one came to the door. After about 10 minutes I was annoyed. Annoyed to the point that I thoughtabout just leaving and having the family meet me somewhere that was more territorially friendly (such as anywheretheir three dogs wouldn’t be able to size me up as a snack food).

Just as I was about to put my truck into reverse I saw movement from inside the trailer I was parked in front of. Thecurtains parted a bit and I saw a little girls face beaming from within. She quickly disappeared then, a few secondslater, her little face popped back into view and I could tell she was calling out to someone inside the trailer.

Soon enough a woman came to the door, called her dogs inside and then yelled to me to wait just a few minuteswhile she put them in their crates. I was more than happy to do so. A couple of minutes later she walked out of herfront door, walked to my truck and invited me inside. I grabbed the plastic bags I’d brought the clothes in and as Iwalked towards the door of their home I heard Lindsey excitedly ask, “Dad, is that the white pastor who is bringingme the dresses?”

Though I didn't hear her father’s response I knew that he’d affirmed that he thought so because I heard the squeal ofdelight that only a little girl can make (the kind that’s so shrill it can only be matched in decibels by the wail of asiren).

As soon as I walked into the door I was greeted by a man in a wheelchair whose hair was still dripping wet (as itturns out his wife had been in the bathroom helping him get out of the bathtub when I first arrived which hinderedthem from coming out to meet me — and it also explained the short ramp his wife and I had just walked up).Darlene and George (the girl’s mother and father) are huggers, just like me, so I immediately felt at ease. But,Lindsey wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

2After explaining to me that Lindsey was extremely shy around strangers Darlene went to collect her daughter.George and I talked while I laid the clothes I’d brought his daughter onto their couch. Several minutes later Darleneappeared with Lindsey peeking out from behind her as they walked towards me.

“Hi,” I said. “I didn't know what kind of dresses you liked so I picked the ones I thought my own daughter wouldlike.”

When Lindsey finally spied all of the clothes that were behind me (I’d knelt down to her level) her eyes came to lifeand, without warning, she ran to me to give me a hug.

Folks, I've got to tell you, I can't remember ever feeling as awkward as I did in that moment.

Lindsey ran to me so quickly that I wrapped my arms around her before I realized that she had no arms.Instead, she laid her face against my neck and kind of snuggled with me. The hug was over in a moment andshe asked Darlene, “Mommy, can I try this one on?”

Lindsey had chosen the brightest, most multi-colored dress in the bunch (my daughter calls them gypsy dressesbecause of a play she was in once). George told Lindsey that she could try them on after I left because he wascertain that I had a lot of other business to take care of. As just about any seven year old who is excited would do,Lindsey pleaded and, after I said I could spare a few minutes, her parents capitulated and the little girl picked thedress up in her lips and ran towards her bedroom — her mother following behind.

After being sincerely thanked by George and offered a cold drink, he and I began to talk. To make a long storyshort, here’s a synopsis of what I found out while Lindsey was changing into her new clothes:

Darlene and he had been married for nearly 12 years before Lindsey had come along. Due to some type of birthdefect, Lindsey had been born without her left arm and only a partial right arm (which, eventually, had to beamputated because the bone in it was severely deformed and was causing their daughter agonizing pain). Georgehad lost the total use of his right leg and only had partial use of his left leg after being involved in a car wreck.Darlene is a stay-at-home mom who homeschools Lindsey (who should be in the 2nd grade but who is doing 4thgrade work — that should sound familiar to any homeschooling parent) and George is on partial disability becausehe still teaches welding part-time. I was also told that Lindsey loves to dance.

They’d been having a difficult time due to the fact that George can’t teach full-time and they’re still paying offmedical bills related to Lindsey’s rehab. Due to the cost of rehab, they’d lost the house they had lived in for nearly10 years and they currently live in the trailer because of the kindness of Darlene's brother (whom I have since metand who is a terrific guy). To say that George was thankful that I’d driven all the way from Mobile to deliverclothes to his daughter (a little girl I’d never met) would be an understatement.

After several minutes, Lindsey bounced back into the living room and she was absolutely beaming! Excitedly sheasked if I wanted to see a ‘new dance’ she’d recently made up to one of her favorite songs. Of course I said “Yes.”

Immediately she went to their stereo system, used her forehead to pop-open the glass doors and then took a pen inher mouth and began manipulating the controls on the stereo with amazing precision. Soon enough she’d found thetrack she wanted, pressed play and ran out into the middle of the living room. For several minutes Lindsey dancedand pranced around the room, whirling and twirling so that the ‘gypsy dress’ flared out in different directions andmade plumes of color around her caramel-colored legs. By the time Big Daddy Weave’s Audience of One was doneI was in tears but was smiling from ear to ear. I stayed at the trailer long enough for Lindsey to model each one ofthe dresses I’d brought for her.

After a few more hugs and being introduced to each on of their dogs, I was escorted to my truck by the three ofthem, given one final snuggle by Lindsey and I was off to see someone in a local hospital.

As I drove away from their home I became completely overwhelmed by emotion and had to pull my truck over. Isat, alone in a parking lot, weeping. I wept not only because God had allowed me to make contact with such aprecious family but also because my children are, by and large, whole. I thought of the way Lindsey had dancedwith such joy and I realized that after a few minutes of seeing her dancing that in my mind I was ‘seeing’ my owndaughters hands and arms making motions in the air — fluid strokes of pure passion that I see her do almostevery day when she dances for my wife and I. Then I began crying more because I realized that Lindsey doesn’trecognize herself as ‘handicapped’ and, because of that, she really isn’t.

Please simply list:Christmas Gift

In the memo field!

3Since that day I’ve been approached by someone who wanted to contact the ‘Extreme Makeover’ people so that thisfamily could be introduced to the nation. After asking them if they’d want this opportunity I was told by bothGeorge and Darlene (paraphrased): “Thanks for the offer but no thanks. We’re doing okay and Lindsey doesn’treally see herself as being handicapped even though she’s aware of her physical differences. We’d rather livewith less than others have while being able to build into our daughter so that she grows to understand thestrength she can have as long as she loves Jesus.”

As a nation, Americans just celebrated what we call ‘Thanksgiving.’ But, I think that's it’s rare for us to reallyknow what we're thankful for. I know what I’m thankful for and it’s more than the fact that God has given mebeautiful children (all children are beautiful). Rather, I’m thankful that He has allowed me to become infected withHis love for others and that He allows all of us who will to share His love to others and to meet people who will beeternally impacted by this love and we, in turn, will be changed by the same. My question to you is: “What areyou thankful to God for?” — Pastor Lonnie (RevLon)

Families In Need Of Help!As you know, Christmas is FAST approaching (a fact that hasn't escaped the big marketers such as Wal-Mart —which put up their ‘Christmas Shop’ BEFORE Halloween). In any case, regardless of how you feel about thecommercialization of the Christmas holy day, we had 6 families with a total of 12 children (ranging in ages from7 years to 14 years old) who are in need of help this year. Fortunately, we’ve already got enough donations in toprovide for one of the families but we still lack the funds for the other five families. We’re trying to get $200 perfamily (for the kids only — we’ve talked to the parent(s) and they understand that this is only for their children andare fine with that).

Three of the families have been chosen because their parent or parents have completed a drug rehab center (andhave been completely clean for at least 6 months) and three others have been chosen from our local area.

Unfortunately, the parents of these kids aren’t going to be able to provide much (ifanything — in the case of one family) in the way of toys, games, etc.. This is the casedespite the fact that ALL of the parents are working (with the exception of one motherwho is pregnant and has gestational diabetes and one who has a neck injury) full or part-time jobs. I’ve personally met with ALL of the families and can vouch for their need.

If YOU would like to bless these families by helping us provide Christmas gifts for themhere's what you can do:

1) Send a donation (in the Memo Field place the word: Christmas Gift).2) Purchase a Wal-Mart gift card (make certain you either write on the back of it theamount it’s for or, at least, write on the envelope or a piece of paper the amount you'veplaced on it).3) If you’re local (in the Baldwin/Mobile Alabama areas) and would like to actually buy a present for any (or all) ofthe children, contact Pastor Lonnie (251-421-4166) and he’ll have a list.

Frankly, a gift card is probably the easiest and best way to provide for these families for a number of reasons:

1) The Dads and Moms can go with us and will be able to choose the gifts they’d like to get for their children.Since we live in the REAL WORLD, someone from 99 for 1 Ministries WILL accompany each family tomake certain that the monies donated is not spent on cigarettes, etc..2) A gift card will require less ‘leg work’ on our part (i.e., we won’t have to convert the monies we receive into giftcards).3) Because a couple of the kids (2) are older, a gift card removes the pressure to find the ‘perfect gift’ because acard can simply be wrapped and presented on Christmas morning (again, we’ll go with them to make certain thatthe gift card is used properly — plus, it’s a BLAST to shop with people!!

In case you’re wondering: We’ve got ALL their clothing needs MORE than covered!!!

If you’d like to give to any of the families (detailed on the next page), please send donations to:

99 for 1 MinistriesP.O. Box 180932

Mobile, AL. 36618

41) Harvey Family Shown in Picture: Timothy — 14 years old

His story: Tim, as he prefers to be called, is a very well-spoken, polite young man who plans onattending the University of Mobile a degree in Intercultural studies because he wants to be amissionary. Partially, this desire comes from the fact that his brother (Delphonse) is amissionary in Mexico and Tim wants to follow in his footsteps. His mother, Alice (not pictured),whose husband left them two years ago, is a recent graduate of a drug & alcohol rehab program(she’s been clean and sober for over 9 months). She works at a local convenience store.

3) Taylor Family 3 children — 7 years old (female), 12 years old twins (male)

Shown in Picture:Mom: Rebecca Dad: Johnnie Grandfather: CharlesBoys: Dylan and David Girl: Charlye

Their story: Charles, the grandfather, moved in with his daughter and son-in-law last yearbecause he’s suffering from mild-dementia and could no longer take care of himself properly.Unfortunately, about the same time, Charlye, the little girl, got sick and had to be hospitalizedand Johnnie was told his hours were going to be dramatically reduced and they were. Johnnienow works his primary job (as a welder) and a job as a cook at a local diner. Rebecca worksat night for a cleaning service. Together, they make their bills but that’s about it.

5) Gonzales Family: 2 children — 9 years old (male), 10 years old (female)

Shown in Picture:Mom: Rita Dad: Ricardo, Sr.Baby: Maria (deceased)Girl: Eliana Boy: Ricardo, Jr.

Their story: Rita and Ricardo lost Maria (the little girl in Rita’s arms) to a car wreck (theircar was struck by a drunk driver) as they were moving to Alabama from Texas three years

ago. Both of them were hurt in the accident but Ricardo had been able to find work in the shrimp industry until theBP spill. Since that time he’s worked a full-time job and a part-time job just to make ends meet because Rita isunable to work (her neck was severely injured) at this time but she’s making good strides and may have a jobanswering phones for a local business at the beginning of 2012.

2) Johnson Family 2 children — 8 years old (female), 14 years old (male)

Shown in Pictures: Tasha and Demetries

Their story: Their mom, Sharlen (not pictured), is a recovering alcoholic and drug-userwho has completed a drug/alcohol program, is currently on parole but has been clean forover a year. While Sharlen is going to school to become a nurse, she currently works asa maintenance worker for a cleaning company — she just got a raise that brings herincome up to just above minimum wage. Her mom, who recently died, had raised bothTasha and Demetries for the last 5 years of their life and had zero insurance. Both Tashaand Demetries are happy young people even though their dad is still in prison for a major felony.

4) Whitley Family 2 children — 11 years old (female), 13 years old (male) Shown in Picture: Devana

Their story: Devana’s mother (Dana) and brother (Tyree), didn’t want their picture taken because ofburns they’d sustained in a fire. Due to the pain she was in at the time, to cope Dana turned to drugs.She lost custody of both her children until this July after she’d she completed an out-of-state drugrehab program and has voluntarily submitted to weekly drug tests to prove that she’s clean. She’scurrently employed by a fast-food restaurant and is attending night school to obtain her GED afterwhich she plans on continuing her education in school (she’s already applied for and gotten — uponcompletion of her GED — a partial scholarship.) Tyree and Devana, who go to school in Baldwin

county pretty much have nothing to their names except the clothes on their backs and school supplies. We met theWhitley family while we were delivering food for them from local food pantry.