Another In The Fire

  By: Theresa Laddusaw | Director of Local Compassion

It’s okay to not be okay.

I think I have heard this a million times in the last how-ever-many days that we have been in quarantine. I don’t disagree. It is absolutely okay, to not be okay. Times are scary, and there is a lot that is unknown, but one thing I do know in this unconventional season is that as Christians, while everyone around us feels fear, we CANNOT bow to the things of this world. 

This virus is affecting so many of us in ways that don’t even include having the actual virus. Schools are closed, weddings are canceled, jobs have been lost, and heroes are risking their life everyday on the frontlines of this virus to protect ours. The purpose of our Outreach efforts at VantagePoint have been to help those around us to know that they are not alone. Besides, how can we say we are living proof if we are not willing to stand in the fire to walk alongside people in need. 

In an effort to support those around us we have created a Living Proof Response Team. We started by creating a spot where ANYONE can express their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs to us and we will dispatch someone to meet them in that place. In addition, we have made 3,722 personal phone calls to check in on our local community. So far we have received 81 forms and have been able to meet the needs of the people around us. If you are reading this right now and thinking, I don’t want to ask for help, know that we genuinely want to stand alongside you and do what we can to ease your doubt during this time. Don’t hesitate to Click Here and let us know how we can help. 

We have also had the opportunity to send over 300 care packages to our local hospital staff to thank them for risking their safety and health daily to protect us. There are no words that measure up to the gratitude we feel for the people on the frontlines and we will continue to do whatever we can to support them in this place. 

What’s Next? Currently 43.3% of the Corona Norco Unified School District is on free or reduced lunches, that is 22,947 students who were guaranteed a meal 5 days a week, that are now feeling insecure about where their next meal will come from. We’re fortunate to have a district and team that is doing whatever they can to provide meals to these students, and we want to support them and thank them for taking care of our kids. 

Lastly, we will be kicking off two campaigns that will take care of essentials needs of families who have suffered loss of any type due to this crisis. If you would like to get involved in any of our Outreach projects, or you know of another way we can care for our community, please Click Here. 

So much is currently unseen right now, will we find a cure? Will we ever be let out of our houses? Will things ever be the same again? I don’t know the answer to any of those questions, but what I do know is that our God is unshaken. He has and will continue to bear these fears and burdens for us and our team will continue, long after we are out of crisis, to stand with you in the fire, to help hold back the waves, and to be living proof of a loving God.