Loving Neighbors - George's Story

George Casarez is one of the Deacons at Ventura Missionary Church. If you have spent any time with George, you know about his beaming smile and servant's heart. Recently, George was instrumental in sharing the love of Jesus and Christmas joy with of some his neighbors...a lot of them! We asked him to share about his experience:

God placed it in my heart to buy gifts for the children and teens in the mobile home park where I work and live. Javi, the maintenance man, and I planned and tried  to come up with ways to raise money. We didn’t think it was possible to provide Christmas gifts for all the kids.  I told Javi we’re going to pray and ask God to step in and do what only He can do. We’re going to dream big. This way the community can know ONLY Jesus could have done this. I reached out to Ventura Missionary and asked if they could help in any way and they contributed to the effort. I reached out to brothers and sisters in Christ and friends and family who were also willing to donate. God blessed us with enough money to buy every child a gift . Also, members from the Church stepped in and helped organize what we needed to accomplish.
 
Before we started shopping, we gathered together and prayed, and asked for God's guidance in choosing gifts. While shopping, we were touched by how these gifts will help families come together in these hard times, so we focused on things they could do together. We’re hoping they all sit at their tables and play as one big happy family. We also hope they know they are loved by many, not only in the park community, but outside of it as well.  We want every child to know that JESUS loves them, especially during this pandemic when many of the families were effected by loss of employment and reduced hours.  My kids, co-workers, church members, and some residents of the mobile home park all played a vital role in sharing the transforming love of Jesus!

"For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command “'love your neighbor as your self.'” Galatians 5:14

"No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:24

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Thanks, George, for being an example of that kind of selfless love!