Vision For The New Year!

One of our goals this year is to train others to evangelize and expand the areas of ministry with follow up programs.  We love to be the spark that ignites the flame in others.  So many people are in desperate need.  We want to double our food programs, because we know that food is a necessary tool to reach people with the gospel message.  Statistics show that more than 80 percent of the children we come in contact with end up in the foster care system.  We’ve witnessed the tragedy of far too many dying violent deaths at an early age.   There is a tremendous opportunity to reach these children for Jesus Christ.  Nothing else compares to the work He can do to mend their torn and broken lives.  Our heart’s desire is to bring the reality of Jesus to every child in need.  “…to look after orphans in distress.”  James 1:27

Is This My Real Home Now?

Recently we heard about a little six year old boy called Andrew.  He had languished within the foster care system for most of his life. Those who knew him described him as a peacemaker, a real angel, with a loving spirit.  Every time Andrew was moved to a new house he would ask his foster parents, “is this going to be my real home?”  They would reply, “no, we’re sorry Andrew.”  His young life took a terrible turn for the worse when he was placed in the care of a cruel and greedy women.  She would abuse, ridicule him and accuse him of wetting the bed. Her remedy was to withhold water from him as punishment.  One night out of desperation, she awoke to find him drinking the water from a glass at her bedside.  She then commenced to beat him until he was dead.  Can you imagine the terror of that poor child.  As he entered heaven we can almost hear him as he asks Jesus, “is this my real home now?”  Taking little Andrew in His arms, Jesus would reply, “Yes, Andrew this is your real home now.”  Psalm 12:5, “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”

“The Disaster Corps…”

“Yes, you used to be,” was our reply.  We recently met with six of our rescued diamonds for a reunion lunch.  We’re saying that with affection because these men and women were the outcasts from society.  Most people had given up hope on their kind.  They were drug addicts, alcoholics, felons with wasted lives living a terrible existence.  The difference was Jesus, five years ago He rescued these lost souls, changed their lives and as amazing as it may seem, transformed them from sinner to saint. Sitting with them at lunch, it seemed incredible to believe that they were the same people we once fed and preached to in the parks and on the streets.  Now they were working, productive members of society, leaders in their churches (three were even officials within the Salvation Army Corps), taxpayers with cars, homes and families they support.  Psalm 51:13, “then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.”

You Can’t Feed Felons!

No one seems to want the poor and the outcast of society on their doorstep.  It’s interesting, many major cities are now trying to implement regulations prohibiting charities, such as Angels for Christ, from feeding felons. They are requiring charities to obtain permits in order to feed the poor.  Once you get a permit, they can then impose all their regulations on what you can say or do.  That means, we wouldn‘t be allowed to share the gospel message.  The bible says that,“the name of Jesus is an offense to those who do not believe.”  We will never compromise the message, or bow the knee to Baal.  When Jesus tells us to feed the hungry, or share the gospel with those who need to hear it, we must obey His command.  Please note:  Angels for Christ does not receive or solicit any government funds.

Outreaches Continue to Yield Results:

Last Halloween, on Satan’s evil night, we felt a special anointing of the Lord.  Even in a gang infested area with angry glares from onlookers, the convicting presence of the Holy Spirit was present.   These outreaches resulted in scores of women, children and gang members making commitments to Christ.  At Christmas, we had several outreaches in Orange and Riverside Counties and distributed over 1000 of the most beautiful presents to needy children.  We took some 85 poor children in Orange County for a buffet lunch.  Two of the little boys came without shoes (it’s hard to believe there are children on our doorstep without some of the basic necessities of life)…but they went home with new shoes and socks.  (All of these children are now being mentored weekly by one of our supporting churches).  Recently these same children broke out in spontaneous praise on the bus!

This special event was captured on video and can be seen on our website.  You’ll be blessed to watch, especially at the end when they all asked Christ into their hearts.  There was a special anointing that day…we could almost feel the brush of Angels wings as they prayed.  Mother Theresa once said, “you can find Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor.”  How true.

A Little Goes A Long Way-

We were recently asked how it was possible for us to do so much with so little.  We have weekly food distribution programs in Orange and Riverside counties, emergency funds for the needy, new shoes, toys, coats, bibles and backpacks for the children, evangelistic outreaches every week, and special benevolent programs as needed throughout the year as the Lord provides.  Our answer was simple, “with God all things are possible.”  We pray over every offering, every gift that is given to Angels for Christ.  The Lord blesses and multiplies (just like the loaves and fishes in Jesus’ hands) so that even a little goes a long way.

Believe For The Impossible…Miracles Still Happen!

We’ve seen Muslims, homosexuals and gang members come to Christ.  Marriages irrevocably broken and shattered with no hope of reconciliation have been mended, healed, and love restored by the power of the Holy Spirit. Heroin dealers and addicts who have been changed, cleaned up and transformed, and recently water baptized. Our dear friend, author Frank Eiklor, wrote in his latest book, Experiencing God’s Extravagance that someone once said, “people may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.”  We stand in the shadows and give Christ all the glory.

President Bush in his State of the Union message saluted all who helped the widows, the fatherless, the orphans and addicts, that’s you!  We also thank you for your continued support of this ministry.

In His Service,

Don & Carol Ann Waisanen