Backpacks of Hope

“Many people don't want to help the homeless. We've all heard the reasons.. They're just going to sell it and buy drugs. Why doesn't he get a job? I work, why should he live for nothing? Well, you know what? All of that is true. They should get jobs. They should check into rehab. They should do a lot of things. The fact is though that when Christ said that the first would be last and the last would be first, what he was really saying is that we are ALL GUILTY. The 60 year old man who took my first backpack that night, standing on market street in the rain, grabbed me and hugged me tight with both arms and he was crying. Another good reason to show love and compassion to the homeless is because Christ loves them, just as much as he loves us. It's the people who suffer and come out of the darkest places who are most appreciative of the light. Yesterday, a homeless man climbed up on the edge of the Market St. bridge and threatened to kill himself, within eyesight of the spires of two churches. He was up there for hours, refusing to come down. When the negotiator finally got him to come down, he did it under conditions that he be given a warm jacket and a subway sandwich. It's a travesty that this man should want to die within eyesight of two churches over the lack of a sandwich and a coat. Sometimes it doesn't take much to improve ones outlook on life. Sometimes the hand of human kindness reaching out can shine a light into even the darkest place.”

~ Writer is from Portland

Last year, we decided to do something different on Christmas morning. At the crack of dawn, instead of opening the gifts that Santa had left underneath the warm glow of the evergreen’s colorful lights, we opted to go outside with the kids and take a drive—a drive into downtown Portland to bring what little we had prepared in the way of ditty bags and scant survival kits to those who had to spend Christmas Eve outside in below freezing temperatures.

Within an hour, we gave out over 50 kits and received more than a season full of blessings in caring for another precious human, broken, yet made in the image of God. Within an hour, we gave out over 50 kits and received more than a season full of blessings in caring for another precious human, broken, yet made in the image of God.

This year, we know we must go out again with the hope of another day, a very special day. The heralded day that represents the hope and promise of grace through the birth of a Savior. We would like you to consider donating something, anything really, that could be put into one of these kits.

~ Gloria, Darren, Kabrina and Macy

Items needed for each backpack:

Below is a list of items, just remember, anything helps.

• Used Backpack
• Winter socks
• Scarf and hat
• Gloves
• Tarp - 5x7
• Blanket - like a wool, Army surplus
• 6 pack Hand-Warmers
• Canned Food - Beef Stew, Tuna in oil, Soups, Sardines, Fruit
• Can opener
• Large Bottle of Water
• Ditty bags — comb, nail clippers, Kleenex, toothbrush, toothpaste, non-alcoholic mouthwash, deodorant, razors, soap, hand lotion, chapstick, Q-tips, washcloth.
• Pocket Bible
• Garbage Bag

Get InvolvedIf you'd like to touch someones life in a very special way this Chistmas, someone who may not have the chance to enjoy a Christmas dinner like you and I, then please contact us here. And fill out the Contact form mid-page.

Advent Conspiracy

What is it? And how can it make a world of difference this Christmas?:
• Advent Conspiracy is about putting the focus of Christmas back where it should be, on Christ.
• They believe that the kingdom of God isn’t about denominations, religion or whatever barriers we’ve placed on our faith. It’s about celebrating Jesus and loving others the way He does.
• Learn more about Advent Conspiracy and how they are helping the Church as a family, reach the world for Christ.
• Complimenting this focus, of acting out our Faith in God, Pastor Scott O'Haver will be teaching on a series entitled, Advent Conspiracy. Listen to the messages on our Podcasts page

How is Daybreak participating in the 'Advent Conspiracy'?

This Christmas why not enter the story? Spend Less, Give More , Worship Fully.
Below is a list of areas that Daybreak is focusing this Christmas season.
• There is a need for Food Boxes for the church and neighborhood
• Daybreak is committed to giving $400 to the North County food bank for holiday meals
• The Blanket Drive
• And as you can see below, Daybreak is supporting the 'Christmas in the Congo' project.

Christmas in the Congo

Christmas in the Congo

Rethinking Christmas

Most Popular Gift Ideas for keeping Jesus as the focus of Christmas:
• One mother presented each of her children with a special ornament she had made. Each one represented an aspect of their God-given character.
• Send a belated Thank You letter to one, or all, of your relatives that recalls a memory of your youth where you missed the opportunity to say 'Thank You'.
• Instead of presents, each member of your family creates 3-6 scrap book pages showcasing the events of the year as well as one new recipe that they tried during the year. The results: your family scrapbook grows each year and the whole family has a scrapbook that is fun and interesting.
• Get more great gift ideas for this Christmas at rethinkingchristmas.com

Daybreak Family 'Giving Presence' Ideas:

We have a couple of Christmas "traditions." One is doing special activities with family such as: playing games (especially "Apples to Apples" and "Trash Train") and going to light shows ("Winter Wonderland" or "Zoo Lights"), and the other is picking names off the "Giving Tree" and purchasing the needed item(s)

Becky I keep a Christmas scrapbook/journal of memories. The only thing in this album is Christmas memories. We get the album out every Christmas so we can see who was visiting in certain years, when we started certain traditions and why, etc. Our family journal even includes favorite Christmas recipes and a log of when we got special sentimental Christmas ornaments.

It helps us get ready for a new Christmas season by reliving the old ones.

I like to think that when I'm gone my kids will like to look back at their childhood Christmases.

Pamela We try to get to the snow and take a few friends to make snow angels on Christmas Eve. This year it looks like Jeremy will miss out again but we would love to invite anyone who wants to come. You may set the time.

Michelle

BATTLE GROUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

In today's world the public school system faces many challenges. Public school administrators often get a bad wrap for being poor managers of tax payer dollars. The reality is that most times they are asked to do a lot with very little. Instead of condemning the schools and those who work there, Daybreak Community Church is seeking to partner with and extend them mercy. Whether its providing playground equipment, serving teacher in the classrooms, or purchasing needed supplies teachers or students can't afford due to budget deficits, Daybreak Community Church is coming alongside principals, teachers, and students in order to help them be successful.

FIRST CLASS HOME SCHOOL MINISTRIES

First Class Home School Ministry was created to assist and support home school families through creating learning cooperatives in Clark County and around the nation. At these co-ops they share education resources and enter into and enjoy relationships with other home school families. Through First Class' vision and efforts, they are reaching the ever growing population of un-churched families in America who are choosing to home school their children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As home school families gather for cooperative classes and conferences that include such activities as worship sessions, bible teaching, and marriage conferences, they are introducing this unique people group to the hope and peace that is available through a life of following Jesus.

FIRST CALL FAMILIES

Did you know that First Responders have an 84% divorce rate and twice the suicide rate of the national average? First Call Families (FCF) was formed to support and strengthen the families of all emergency responder professionals, including firefighters, police officers, emergency medical responders, 911 dispatchers, and others in law enforcement. The primary goal of FCF is to focus on the families of first responders, with a preventative approach to directly reduce the negative effects of the professions they work in. Their primary strategy is to partner with churches, chaplains and other organizations to help accomplish this effort. Daybreak Community Church financially supports the ministry of First Call Families.

Kenya Africa

KENYA AFRICA

God has given Daybreak Community Church the special privilege of forming a relationship and partnership with a pastor in Kenya Africa named George Muguro. Pastor George grew up in the slums of Kibera, Africa which is just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. His goal in life was to get an education and to get out of that horrible place. Pastor George did just that and was on his way to becoming a professional who could make a good living. God stopped him in his tracks and called George to become a pastor. Not only that, God called him back to the people of Kibera and Kenya.

Pastor George Muguro

Since Pastor George surrendered his life to this call, God has been using him in some very powerful ways to touch many people in the name of Jesus. Daybreak financially supports Pastor George to help him accomplish the various ministries God has called him to.

KIBERA MEDICAL CLINIC

In 2007, Pastor George opened a medical clinic in Kibera which is just outside of Nairobi. Kibera is home to the largest slum in the world holding 750,000 people in an area the size of Central Park in New York. Raw sewage flows freely in the streets while children play next to it and health conditions are poor amongst the people. This is where Pastor George grew up hoping one day to never have to come back. God had other plans.

God gave Pastor George the vision to start a medical clinic in this "mercy location" to extend the compassion of God to a people in desperate need of God's mercy. Through offering basic medical treatment, as well as educating the people about good health practices such as regular hand washing and other hygiene issues, God opens the door for spiritual conversations to take place. While people wait to be seen in the waiting room, they listen to a Proclaimer Box where they hear the stories of the New Testament in their own dialect. The medical clinic along with Faith Comes by Hearing have come together in this amazing outreach of compassion.

Due to the devastation of the AIDS disease in Africa, many young children are left orphans. Some parents have come to Pastor George before their death and have asked him to care for their child after they are gone since they have no other family left alive to care for them. As a result, Pastor George has an orphanage of 43 children ages 2- to 5-years old. He trusts God every day for the food, volunteers, and supplies to care for these children. The girl being held by the woman above is named "Anna". She was found in a garbage can outside of a restaurant in Nairobi in 2007. She now lives at the orphanage with George.

MANNA BIBLE INSTITUTE

Pastor George is the President of the Manna Bible Institute which trains pastors from all over Africa and then sends them back to the communities in which they live to equip the people of God and share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Manna Bible Institute Album

KENYA AFRICA-TURKANA

Scott and Dr. Kristi Seidel

The Seidel's minister to a people group in Kenya Africa called the Turkana. They practice something called "Community Health Evangelism" where they both minister to the body as well as the soul with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For more information go to http://seidelfamily.org/

You can also view photos of the Seidels and their life in Africa on Picasa