Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. – James 4:14 (KJV)

As we start this new year, I can’t help but reflect on years gone by….

In 2000, we lost one who was so special, my father-in-law (Frank Tune). He was like a dad to me.

Then, in 2001, we spent the first 16 days of January in the hospital, sitting by Mom’s bedside. When we lost my Mom (Winnie Baker Neff), such a strong presence – the spark that lit up our world – had gone out.

One year later, my mother-in-law, Alma Tune, was gone – more heartbreak.

Uncles, cousins, and dear friends… It continued.

Then, in 2009, a precious nephew left us entirely too soon: Joe Don Baker, a strong, handsome young man.

Before we caught our breath, tragedy struck again. My bubbly, smiling-faced niece, Christi Wilder VanVickle, was yanked from our hearts.

I woke up in the night. My thoughts went to them – and my mom. I wonder how we go on playing life’s song, when the strings to all of our hearts are broken? With broken strings, we seem so out of tune, but with us all going on together we – as family and friends – can still make a beautiful melody. It just seems we changed keys, or maybe we changed songs.

As life goes forward – and it must – we will  continue to:

sing (and play) on…

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Photo Credit: Irotts

We are still working to help end homelessness in our community, and surrounding area. In our last post, we talked with Kevin; a homeless man with a strong message for you.

Our fundraiser – to raise $80,000 for the first Momma’s Houses facility – is still going. We set the end date as January 27th. Of course, we’ve raised around $40 so far, so we will be re-launching the fundraiser once it ends – if we haven’t met our goal by that time.

$80,000 may seem like a giant chunk of money, but not if:

only…

16,000 people give just $5 each (16,000 x $5 = $80,000).

Or, if only 8,000 people gave $10 (8,000 x $10 = $80,000).

Eight to ten thousand people isn’t a huge number – especially considering how many people exist in our world.

If you want to make a one-time donation (no matter how small or large), feel free to use the following button.

And, in case anyone wants to continue supporting our efforts to help others, we have created a monthly pledge club.

Introducing…

Momma’s Houses Pledge Club

$5 – Widow’s Mite Club

The story of the widow’s mite fully represents that you don’t have to have a lot of money, in order to give….

The following scriptures are taken from Mark 12:41-44 (KJV).

⁴¹And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

⁴²And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

⁴³And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

⁴⁴For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Monthly Pledge Club

Widow’s Mite Club

$10 – Meal Barrel Club

How miraculous is the meal barrel story? It’s one I’ve always loved, as it shows God’s ability to bless our willingness to give, by supplying our needs abundantly.

The following scriptures are found in 1 Kings 17:10-16 (KJV).

¹⁰So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

¹¹And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

¹²And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

¹³And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

¹⁴For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.

¹⁵And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

¹⁶And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

Monthly Pledge Club

Meal Barrel Club

$20 – Redeem the Homeless Club

This is the “Redeem the Homeless” Club because the number 20 represents redemption. What better gift, than to redeem the homeless from the gutters of poverty, despair, and hopelessness?! For years, my family and I have been intrigued by the Biblical value of numbers. A book we’ve enjoyed immensely, that explains the math, is Biblical Mathematics: Keys to Scripture Numerics by Ed F. Vallowe

“The number TWENTY is found 288 times in the Bible and it stands for REDEMPTION. The males of the children of Israel had to offer a ransom for their souls at the age of TWENTY. In connection with this ransom TWENTY gerahs are mentioned. (Read Exodus 30:12-14). The money that was given for their RANSOM was SILVER money. SILVER is a symbol of REDEMPTION.” – Ed F. Vallowe

If you sacrifice dining out once a month, you can help end homelessness!

Monthly Pledge Club

Redeem the Homeless Club

$50 -Hope for the Homeless Club

Give hope to the homeless by listening to the Holy Spirit….

“FIFTY is the number connected with the Holy Spirit and His work. The Holy Spirit was poured ou on the day of Pentecost, which was FIFTY days after the resurrection of Christ. In Leviticus 23:9-16 there is a beautiful and enlightening passage on the resurrection of Christ and the coming of the Spirit FIFTY days after His resurrection.” – Ed F. Vallowe

The following scriptures are from Leviticus 23:9-11

⁹And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

¹⁰Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

¹¹And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Monthly Pledge Club

Hope for the Homeless Club

$100 – Children of Grace and Promise Club

The number, 100, Biblically represents “God’s Election of Grace” and “Children of Promise.”

“ONE HUNDRED is the number that stands for GOD’S ELECTION OF GRACE, or THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE. Isaac, a child of promise, was born when his father was a HUNDRED years old.” – Ed F. Vallowe

Mr. Vallowe shares scriptures and further explains the numerical meaning of 100, in his book: Biblical Mathematics: Keys to Scripture Numerics by Ed F. Vallowe.

Monthly Pledge Club

Children of Grace and Promise Club

$200 – His Grace is Sufficient Club

The number 200 actually means insufficient – but as we know, God’s grace is sufficient!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

Monthly Pledge Club

His Grace is Sufficient Club

$1,000 – The Divine Completeness Club

“This number is connected with DIVINE COMPLETENESS AND THE GLORY OF GOD. It is usually used with angels especially in the book of Revelation. It reveals His Divine care and protection to those who are in Christ Jesus.

The Hebrews had no number for million so they used thousand thousand to represent a million. Always we see the GLORY OF GOD in the number THOUSAND.” – Ed F. Vallowe

Monthly Pledge Club

Divine Completeness Club

$2,000 – The Promised Land Club

The number 2,000 represents the Promised Land. In the book of Numbers, we read about the boundary of the Promised Land.

The following scriptures are found in Numbers 35:1-5

¹And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,

²Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

³And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.

⁴And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.

⁵And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.

Monthly Pledge Club

The Promised Land Club

One-Time Donation

If you would rather make a one-time donation (no matter how small or large), feel free to use the following button.

References:

Bible, KJV

Vallowe, Ed F., Biblical Mathematics: Keys to Scripture Numerics

Let’s work harder than ever in 2010 to help end homelessness – we’ve already started!

We spent New Year’s Eve delivering handmade scarves, hats, and prayer pillows to a homeless shelter.

This box of scarves are handmade (crocheted) by a very special teenager we know – who just happens to have a very big heart. (We love you!)

9 Crocheted Scarves

And a precious friend – who we love lots, and have adopted into our family! – donated….

5 Crocheted Hats

9 Scarves (5 crocheted, 4 fleece)

and…

Over a 100 Prayer Pillows

Our dear friend was VERY busy sewing and stuffing these prayer pillows and making the above scarves. She also donated those hats she had made. She and her husband are a huge help to us and we appreciate them so very much. They were right there with us today, delivering to the homeless shelter!

Thank you to our special helpers!!

About the Prayer Pillows

In case you’ve never heard of a prayer pillow, I’ve included the information page we use to explain them. We left one at the shelter today so anyone who wanted one (or was just curious) would understand what they represent – and just how powerful they are…

Highways &

Byways Ministries

www.highwaysandbywaysministries.com

Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth

as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for

them of my Father which is in heaven. – Matthew 18:19

Prayer Pillows

Prayer pillows are very special. They’re also very powerful. People from all over the world, of all denominations, of all ages and walks of life, pray over the prayer pillows daily.

Everyone who holds these prayer pillows prays for:

1.  Everyone who has a prayer pillow – and all of their loved ones – to have salvation.

2.  That God will heal all sickness and disease.

3.  That God will restore finances.

4.  You add your prayers to these.

Our prayer is that in 2010, God will move the mountains that are in your lives and restore your hopes and dreams. We will be working harder than we’ve ever worked – we’re on a mission to house the hurting, and the homeless.

You are loved by God,

and The Tune Family

Prayer does change things – Jesus makes the difference!

Momma’s Houses Fundraising

We wanted to update you on the total amount we’ve raised for the Momma’s Houses cause. So far, we’ve received $30.81 via the ChipIn button, and one donation via the PayPal button.

Also, a $20 donation came in toward Momma’s Houses today. Praise the Lord!

Many people think small amounts don’t add up quickly, but it takes the first step to run a marathon!

 

So, with the PayPal donation, the ChipIn donations, and the $20 cash donation, the balance still needed (for the building) is:

$79,933.37

Let’s work harder than ever in 2010 to help end homelessness – we’ve already started!

Homelessness is not a never-ending problem. There is a solution in the majority of cases. Homelessness would decrease dramatically with this solution I speak of. Why? Because there is a root source of homelessness that is being overlooked. While passing out food and toiletry bags is a good thing to do, it doesn’t help the people get off the street. It’s like putting a teeny Band-Aid on a huge wound – it doesn’t cover it, or help it heal.

What is the solution? The solution is that these people simply need adequate time – while maintaining their dignity and integrity – for transitioning back into their own housing and employment.

They need living quarters where they can rest, take a shower, plan their future, and pull themselves together. It doesn’t have to be huge. It doesn’t have to be fancy – something clean and good will work.

Without having to “sleep” in a crowded, loud shelter or having to worry that their time is running out at that shelter, they need a transition house that they can call home until they are able to move into their own (permanent) housing. They need to know they can go to sleep at night and wake up the next morning in their own living space. They need to know that whether it takes them 6 weeks or 6 months to get a job and find their footing in the world again, that they are secure until then.

Yes, there are those who are too proud for assistance. Yes, there are those who choose the streets over alternatives. But homelessness has many faces: it is not just about drug addicts or alcoholics; these people are moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, Veterans, plumbers, electricians, carpenters – people who just lost their jobs, were in debilitating accidents, or are from broken homes.

Family

We are the family of God; doers of the Word; the living Word in action. It’s time people (all of us in general) stop talking about the Bible and start putting the Word in to action.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. – James 1:22-23 (KJV)

The homeless are real people. They see and feel and hear and hurt. They feel the cold wind whipping and beating them. They feel the glares and judgments as people drive by in expensive vehicles, criticizing them. They also feel lost. They need family. And that’s what our family is to them. We are their family – someone they can hug, make eye contact with, share their dreams, goals, pasts, present.

Our daughter, Michele, shared her heart about the homeless on her health blog. (Click the following link to read more.)

Holidays and Homelessness

When I asked where they go if their limit is up on a shelter and no place will take them in, the shock on their faces was unbelievable.

 

“Nobody asks that question.” They said, in disbelief.

“They don’t want to hear the ugly answers.”

And isn’t that sad, that people turn their heads, close their eyes and ears, and ignore the growing problem of homelessness.

The truth is ugly. But that doesn’t mean we should wimp out and ignore it. We need to face the truth head-on and work toward the solution….

Fundraiser

We are trying our best to secure funding for our first Momma’s Houses facility. I’ve mentioned before how the dream for Momma’s Houses came about.

We’ve decided to end this fundraiser on January 27, 2010, because we’re rushed to purchase this building for a few reasons:

1) We want to secure the building before someone else does (because it’s perfect for our purpose).

2) Each day that goes by means another bitter cold day/night the homeless we’re trying to help are braving the elements.

3) The sooner we can get the building, and move people in, the sooner we can put a dent in ending homelessness.

Only the Beginning

The $80,000 we’re trying to raise is merely the beginning of this process. This amount will purchase the first building in our Momma’s Houses goal. But then the building has to be renovated. We are rolling up our sleeves and are willing to do the nitty-gritty work that has to be done.

Please help us end this vicious cycle of homelessness.

If you aren’t comfortable donating electronically, feel free to send your donation to:

Highways and Byways Ministries

P.O. Box 115

Diggins, MO 65636

Yes, $80,000 is a LOT of money to raise in 30 days – but not if a lot of people give a little.

In the previous article, we mentioned our Valentine’s Day idea for a nursing home in our area — it led to 60 bags of love…

What’s in a Valentine?

It’s things money can’t buy such as a hug or smile that touch hearts beyond measure, or just time spent with someone who doesn’t have anyone that make the most valuable, memorable gift. Time and caring doesn’t take a lot of money….

Spreading the Love

To show our love and appreciation, Highways and Byways Ministries recently put together — and personally delivered — 60 custom Valentine’s Day gift bags. These bags were filled with various old-fashioned candies, chosen to spark warm memories in the residents. They also contained needed items, such as socks to keep their feet warm, and a handwritten Valentine card to make them feel special and show they are loved and thought about.

One of the employees pushing the cart filled with Valentine goodies into the nursing home.

Valentine’s Day bags nestled in boxes, sitting on a cart, waiting for the residents’ party.

A close-up of the gift bags and socks snuggled in a decorated Valentine’s box.

It’s the Thought that Counts

It didn’t take a ton of money to purchase the items necessary for assembling these Valentine bags. And, it didn’t take that much time to toss the stuff in the bags, or to stop by the nursing home and carry them in.  The weathered faces that greeted us when we walked in have worked in the fields, raised children with morals, been wonderful grandparents, friends, neighbors, and citizens. Some fought for our country; others taught our children. They deserve respect, and to be remembered.

Our Valentine Gift

The smiles and excitement on the residents’ faces was worth it all. There is no monetary amount or materialistic item that could replace what we felt in our hearts and souls as we watched the gratitude glowing from the faces of those who sacrificed their life and time for others, who now spend their days longing for visits from someone they love, or anyone — even someone they don’t know, just to sit with them for a spell and keep them company on those long, lonely days.

Keep your money and spend yourself. — Sister Deborah J. Tune

Hello!

I’m Sister Debbie and this is the website for Highways and Byways Ministries--my family’s ministry. This website is a work-in-progress and we’ll continue to add features, articles, updates, and even songs and videos.

In the meantime, I’d like to welcome you and thank you for visiting. As this site grows and we are able to share more information with you, you’ll learn about all the many great things Jesus Christ has done in our lives. He has performed miracle after miracle and continues to bless each and every day.

I look forward to sharing with you testimonies, scriptures, recent ministry news and events, and so much more.

One of our favorite things to do is to reach out to those who are homebound, in nursing homes, hospitals, etc. We’re excited to let you know we have something special planned for Valentine’s Day for the residents of a nursing home in our area. I’ll be posting about it soon in an upcoming article, so stay tuned.

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