JULY 2008ISSUE NO. 46

—PHONE NUMBER—Sharing Hope Ministry

358-7803

—ADDRESS—P.O. Box 19985

Amarillo, Texas 79114

—WEBSITE—www.sharinghopeministry.org

—STAFF—April Riggs, Executive Director

april@sharinghopeministry.org

Susan Lewis, Development Coordinatorsusan@sharinghopeminstry.org

Leigh Link, Secretaryleigh@sharinghopeminstry.org

—STATISTICS—Total Life Recovery Bibles Distributed:

52,070

Total Bible Study Workbooks Distributed: 26,584

—VOLUNTEERS—Pen Pal Volunteers: 11Office Volunteers: 39

Prayer Group Volunteers: 4Stepping Stones Volunteers: 7

Jail Ministry Team Volunteers: 17Special Event Volunteers: 150

—BOARD OF DIRECTORS —Sammye Stark, President

Cheri Boyd Chris BradyJim Burgess Brenda BurnsShirley Daniel Dan HetrickConnie Hodges Becky LogsdonKyle Powers Jim ShelburneVonnie White

Newsletter Design Courtesy of

806-622-8399

The story of the woman at the well is a greatBible story. The Samaritan woman wasshocked that Jesus would talk to her. Thiswoman was shunned by society for her sinfullife. The whole village knew her sins. Theysaw her as unworthy, unlovable and someoneto stay away from. At one point even the dis-ciples asked Jesus why He was talking to thiswoman. Yet Jesus not only acknowledgedher, but shared His love and the gift of salva-tion with her. The best part is that thiswoman ran back to the village to tell everyoneabout Jesus. The Bible says the people camestreaming out from the village to see Him.The impact that Jesus’ actions had on this“unworthy” woman reached further than justher life. It touched those in her village.

I like to think that Jesus created Sharing Hope Ministry for the 2008 version of this story;simply replace the well with a jail cell. Today’s incarcerated woman is looked at by socie-ty as less than worthy. We know she has had a sinful life by the fact that she is in jail. Bysocieties standards that’s enough reason to shun her. If we leave it at that then we’vemissed the point of Jesus’ example with the Samaritan women. In His eyes, He doesn’tsee the sinful woman. He sees the masterpiece God created, the chosen child of God,someone who is fearfully and wonderfully made. His desire for her is for forgiveness andsalvation and to affect others with her witness.

We all mirror characters in this story. The choice that we have is which part we will play.We as Christians can be like the disciples and not want to be associated with the sinfulwoman or we can model our actions after Jesus and offer the way to salvation and achanged life through Christ.

The need is great. Sharing Hope Ministry now sends Bibles, Bible studies and encourage-ment to women in twenty-eight states who are searching for that same living water thatJesus offered the Samaritan woman. Our volunteers serve with their talents, their prayersand with their financial resources. Our financial supporters allow us to send Bibles andstudies to the over 1400 women we serve each month. Is there a place here for you toserve? Always! I hope you will take a minute to read about several volunteer opportuni-ties that are available at Sharing Hope Ministry.

TTTTHHHH EEEE WWWWOOOO MMMM AAAA NNNN AAAATTTT TTTT HHHH EEEE WWWWEEEE LLLL LLLLThe 2008 Version

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OUR VOLUNTEERSSend Bibles and Bible Studies

I’ve been clean for 2 years but I relapsed 4 weeks ago andlanded in jail the next day. I thank God for being herebecause He could have left me in the streets suffering andcausing havoc in my family. My Bunkie has a “LifeRecovery Bible” and I know this Bible can be a help to mein my walk with Christ. Would you please send me one?~Michelle

Each incarcerated women who writes a personalrequest for a Bible will receive the Life RecoveryBible, the plan of salvation, a list of emergency vers-es and a short Bible study. Our volunteers read theletters, write a short note, say a prayer for eachwoman and send a Bible.

OUR VOLUNTEERSPray and Write Encouragement

I am 36 years old and never been in trouble before but amnow facing felony charges. I’ve turned my life over to God.Please pray for me and my three girls who need their moth-er to be clean from drugs. I need to start being the mother Ishould have never stopped being.

Our prayer volunteers receive a weekly emailed list ofwomen and their prayer requests. The office suppliesthe prayer card and a stamped envelope. Volunteerspray at their convenience and send a short note ofencouragement to the woman. All correspondence iskept anonymous.

OUR VOLUNTEERSVisit Potter and Randall County Jails

Does leading Bible studies or visiting with strangersbother you? No? How about leading a Bible studybehind bars? Still not fazed? Our teams go intoPotter and Randall County Jails on a weekly basis towork with our local women.

OUR VOLUNTEERSWork with Released Women

Recently released women to the Amarillo area mayrequest a basic bag of hygiene items and a list of area

agencies as they work to get back on their feet. Areyou interested in being a volunteer “Runner”? Thesehusband/wife teams deliver hygiene bags and offerinformation about the Stepping Stones program tointerested clients.

Life after prison is overwhelming and is a difficulttransition to make. The Stepping Stones AftercareProgram provides trained female mentors to partnerwith recently released Sharing Hope Clients for indi-vidually care giving. Interested volunteers must com-plete training classes prior to serving.

OUR VOLUNTEERSHave Computer Skills

The ministry receives 45 – 60 letters a day. Eachrequest has to be checked and entered into a data-base to ensure we don’t duplicate services. Do youhave a morning or afternoon free and aren’t afraid ofthe computer? Come on in and let us put you to work.

OUR VOLUNTEERSKeep the Ministry Running

Packets get assembled, Bibles get stacked, mailingsneed to be folded and copies need to be made. Howimportant are these jobs to the ministry? Everythingstops when we run out of prepared packages. We valuethe volunteer that is willing to help where needed.

OUR VOLUNTEERSHelp with Fundraisers

Over 40% of our revenue comes from fundraisingevents. It takes over 100 volunteers to make theseevents fun and successful. No need to worry if youhave the skills. There is a job for everyone. Watchour newsletters to see where you can help!

OUR VOLUNTEERSProvide Financial Assistance

A donation of as little as $15.00 a month can send aLife Recovery Bible and Bible study materials to awoman who is incarcerated or in drug rehabilitation.A donation can be made in honor or in memory ofsomeone special, or be automatically withdrawn fromyour account each month without the hassle of writ-ing and mailing a check.

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Christmas in October is scheduled forOctober 28th and 29th at the

South Exhibit Hall of the Civic Center.

There will be many volunteer opportunities and we would love for you to call the Sharing

Hope office at 358-7803 and let us know where you would like to serve. We are looking for

volunteers in the following areas:

• Sponsors who are willing to underwrite $500.00 or more of expenses for the “Christmas in October” fundraiser.

• Gift cards from Hobby Lobby and Michaels for “Christmas in October” supplies.

• Workers during the event.

• Those who can provide items for the Bake Sale

• Women to make bows before the event.

• Helpers to decorate the bake sale items on October 27th.

• Women to provide Christmas or Fall containers, clear cellophane, decorations and ribbon for the Bake Sale.

• People who are willing to pray for the event and those involved in planning.

EXPANDING OUR BORDERS!

Sharing Hope Ministry welcomes Idaho, Indiana andKentucky to our area of service! We are now providingBibles, Bible studies, prayer and encouragement to womenin twenty-eight states!

Our expansion is possible through those who supportSharing Hope financially, and by the volunteers that give theirtime to send each woman a Life Recovery Bible, studies, andwords of encouragement.

� Speaking opportunities~ Let us speak to your

women’s club or civic group.

� Volunteers to do data entry for 1-2 hour a week.

� Volunteers to pray over inmate requests.

� Brushes and combs for our hygiene bags.

� Paper towels, copy paper, large trash bags for

the office

Sharing Hope MinistryHas Several Needs:

Christmas in October

More questions about Sharing Hope Ministry?Check us out at wwwwwwwwwwww....sssshhhhaaaarrrriiiinnnngggghhhhooooppppeeeemmmmiiiinnnniiiissssttttrrrryyyy....oooorrrrgggg

Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDAmarillo, TexasPermit No. 237

P.O Box 19985Amarillo, Texas 79114

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Sharon AlbrachtAmbassador's ClassAnonymousBetty AtkinsonBrent and Jennifer AuvermannDon and Caron BabcockJames and Reba BaileyTracey BaileyLaura BairdArt and Jo BakerLetha BanksJerold & Karlena BarrySid and Leta BaylessAnita BellieuRon & Cheri BoydMarie BraboyLisa BradshawEddie and Gayle BrasherRickey and Joy BrennemanDoug & Mindy BriggsJoe and Sherre BrogdonLinda BrownCraig and Donna BurrissBob and Ginny CallanDarrell and Mary CameronLeona CarawayRoger & Cheryl CastleberryJerry & Perky CatesRuthie ChandlerDeVonna ClarkKeith & Frances ClarkShannon CornellLarry & Dolores CrossGary and Peggy CulpShirley DanielFrank and Patty DeRightFrances DolcaterJames and Jennifer DowellAlicia DowneySandy DuncanKen and Doris EdenPaul & Linda EndresFaith City MissionRobert and Marty FileFisherman ClassJudy Fuller

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Penny LawlisDorothy LeeCeleste LeimerBarry and Judy LynchElizabeth MaddoxWilletta MarchPat MathisBill MckeeAmy McOwenGordon McOwenEddie and Leta MeadowsHarold and Neva MyersMargaret MooreDanny and Vicky NaborsJean NeelNew BeginningsJohn and Beverly PaetzoldHelen PiehlShan and Katrina PhillipsGary & Jody PurserPat QuillinStan and Jennie RaefJim and Kathy RayEmmett and Nancy RiceRichardson ConstructionSam and Debbie RigdonDave and April RiggsJohn & Laurie RiggsAllison RobertsLydia RodriguezDale and Carolyn RollinsBruce & Molly SadlerClaire SadlerRobin ScottMaggie SchakelMendell SchelinKenneth and Diana SchmidtmanScott and Gloria HerrickFoundationDonnie and Connie SealeBenjamin and Gail ShoemakeTrent and Sharla SisemoreCharlotte SlayGeorge and Bonnie SnellKen and Linda SorrellsLinda Stafford

Catherine StargelDon & Sammye StarkByron and Earlene StilesLarry and Yvonda StokesStout Gold & SilverJudy StubblefieldAnn SturdevantBill and Kathy SumerfordFrank and Angela TaylorJuanita TaylorShirley ThomasDouglas ToulouseDorothy Van DeventerEvelyn Van DeventerLana VasquezScott and Jodi VernerBill and Linda WalkerWade and Helen WalkerJolena WatsonWestcliff Bible ChurchKin & Vonnie WhiteMargaret WillisMarvin and Wilda WillisJune WilsonMickey and Judy WilsonMarvin and Norma WintonWomen of GraceDerek Wood

PATSY’S PLACE:Charles and Kathy Bratton

IN HONOR OF:Dr. John and Becky Logsdon by Mrs. Bob Callann

IN KIND:Graphic Designs by KimHerring BankHillside Christian Church

IN MEMORY OF:Dorthy Hunterby Dixie Fultonby Gene and Carole Boyer

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Betty Nallby John and Beverly Paetzold

Wanda FinchumBy Jerry and Perky Cates

Dr.William Stoutby Jimmy and Carolyn Williamsby Gary and Jody Purserby Dave and April Riggsby Priscilla Stickselby Mary Altby Ginger Pearson Nelsonby Michelle Egglestonby Lisa Heldby Wynellaby Luisa Marchbanksby Joy Brennemanby Debbie Phillipsby Michelle Wilsonby Lindsey Williamsby Vianey Earthmanby Dr. Heidi Hawkinsby Barbara, Karly, Jamie, Kimby Fran Joinerby Sam and Debbie Rigdonby Jean Childs by Nola Cummingsby Terry and Betty Bibreyby Bob and Tammy Currieby Ben and Chris Garrettby Wanda Gruverby Tom and Teri Rollerby Richard and Susan Sharpby Gary and J'Melle Fletcherby Byron and Earlene Stilesby Maurice and Mary Schoolerby Buddy and Leigh Link by Greg Mitchellby Elaine and Wayne MaGouirk