Hilarious Givers

Friends. And humility.

2011-05-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

One of the really neat things about being called to lead a mission is the friends you meet, make and cultivate. Someone once told me that you can earn as much money as you want during your life, but you only have the friends with whom God crosses your path. I don't think that's exactly scriptural, but it is a reminder to cherish your friends.

Juan Acevedo lives in Lake Elsinore, a city in Riverside County about 1-1/2 hours' drive north of Tijuana. Juan has a full-time job, but travels south to feed kids breakfast. He drives a big white pickup, wears a big white sombrero. When Juan looks at you, you sense a man with a deep, burning mission. He often has a shy grin on his face, even while there is a tear forming in the corner of his eye. You just KNOW that Juan is a man of considerable character.

As we grew to know Juan, we learned that his special mission is to single out those who live in the municipal dump of Tijuana. Children sort through refuse to find edible or usable garbage - from this they earn their livelyhood. Juan has a dream to build a Comidar, or feeding kitchen, to serve these from 'the least among us'. We at Hilarious Givers are truly blessed to be able to support Juan in his mission.

Juan has suffered setbacks and roadblocks during the months we have known him; there was a period during which he was unemployed - simply not enough work for him to do. There was a time when his volunteer cooks walked off the job in Tijuana. I'm sure he has suffered other obstacles he simply kept to himself. But through it all, Juan never fails to show up during a scheduled distribution, or to volunteer to help organize between times we pass out food. He is a regular source of financial support to Hilarious Givers, even though I know he needs every penny he earns. When I question him, he gives his characteristic shrug, a little smile, and says "It's God's. Take it!"

We learned last month that Juan was to be honored - his hard work, steadfast struggle, and years of study had earned him an ordination - Juan was to be given the formal position of being a Pastor! We were thrilled. Our Brother Juan certainly deserves the recognition. I sent him a short congratulary e-mail on the big day - the day of his ceremony. Here is his response:

"Guess what Judd. I did not go to the ceremony. I had a call from Calvary chapel to meet with David Hacking personally to show them of my mission, and to me it is more important to let the world know. There are still out there millions of people lost and hungry for the Word of God. We need to reach out for and take the Gospel to them.... a few days ago after my prayers I opened my bible, and I read Isaiah's 61:1-3. That moment I felt that God spoke to me true his Word and I realised I already have my title from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No man will ever give me a better one. Humble faithful and obedient to God I will pick up my cross daily and follow my Lord. I belong to God. He wants me in the fields. not in a building and that's where I'm going, with my brothers. in the dump. God bless you. I thank you for being my friend. my brother, in Jesus Christ, Glory to our father in heaven......."

Nothing more to say.

testimony

2011-03-06T08:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a full day for Debra and me. Food went out to hundreds of kids, mattresses, chairs, adult diapers to missions, churches and hospices, new missions added (current count - 52 feeding programs, orphanages, daycares, churches supported!). We were bone tired when we got home - but the following e-mail was waiting for us. Makes it all worthwhile!

Hi Judd and Debra,

It was such a blessing receiving the food today. My husband Larry and I delivered almost all the food today to Rancho De Sus Ninos orphanage in Tecate, Mexico. A small portion was left behind but we'll deliver it to the orphanage when we go down again this month.

The kids loved the food! Actually they went crazy over it. I wish you could have seen their faces. We gave the snacks to each of the 4 orphanage houses (where the 55 orphans live) and the staples to the cafeteria kitchen.

When I went inside one of the boys home and asked if they had any food, they said no. So I asked if I could take a picture of their refridgerator, it was basically empty except for a tub of margarine (pictures attached). Their pantry was also empty. The kids were all extremely grateful to receive the snacks + food. I told them to thank God for Him making it possible for a Christian organization to donate the food. They said that they were going to thank Him.

Please email us about the Packing Party. My husband and I would also like to help. God bless you for all you do! Thanks

With the roses there come thorns

2011-02-23T06:52:00.000-08:00

This has been a week of introspection for me - some sadness, some reflection. Gotta look at the other side once in a while.

We lost a dear friend a couple of weeks ago - Steven Hibler was a guy with boundless energy and a heart for the kids. And he had a way of getting under my skin. So when he unexpectedly went to be with the Lord, I had some issues I had not settled with Steven. As so often happens, I didn't stop to think how much I really loved the guy until it was too late to share it with him. My bad. See you soon, Steven! We love what you did while you were here, and will pick up where you left off.

Debra and I went to eastern Tijuana last Sunday to help celebrate the founding of a new church. It was a real blessing - we met some new friends, and got to put the loving on some precious kids in a poor - poor - poor neighborhood. This church is a plant by another church nearby, in a somewhat more affluent, but still hurting, neighborhood. Heart warming to be able to help in our own small way - food we had earlier collected in the U.S. was being used for a pre-service dinner. Then back to work; one of my co-workers remarks something like 'why don't they just get off their lazy backsides and help themselves?' Of course, I want to shout at her and thereby persuade her that she would benefit so much by just putting aside her perceptions and reaching out to help - but I didn't. Probably the best thing is to smile and walk away. I'm happy that we had the experience of seeing 'them' getting off their backsides and planting a church.

We are often told by friends that they would like to help, but are afraid to cross the border because of the violence. There has been violence at the Texas/Mexico border, but no (that's right, NO) reports of violence or threats against missionairies in Baja. Meantime, 12/23/10 a man shot to death at the San Antonio de Padua church in L.A. while police watched, 12/20/10 a man found shot to death in a church parking lot in Visalia, 11/27/10 two shot leaving a church in Santa Ana, 11/16/10 a man shot to death on the steps of a church in Oakland. That's just SoCal, and just the past couple of months. I feel much safer among my hermanos y hermanas in Mexico than in many neighborhoods here. And there is plenty to be done on this side of the border - packing parties, raising awareness of the Hilarious Givers mission of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ by sharing our abundance. Donating. Making introductions. All necessary, and all without risk.

So, there is plenty of evil around us, and even within us. But there is hope. And love. All there for the asking - just have faith and reach out, and there it is.

God is good!

Starting off the new year right

2011-01-24T07:03:00.000-08:00

Saturday was our first food distribution of 2011, and the first general distribution from our new facility. We had earlier facilitated 180 cases of high-nutritional-density "Manna Packs" to Club Dust, who serves working poor families living along the railroad tracks just east of Tijuana. That was a fairly simple exercise for Hilarious Givers; the food had been obtained by People Helping People, and Club Dust picked it all up at once. Piece of cake. But Saturday was different.

We missed a month in December; during Christmas season many churches get involved in outreaches of their own, and we were occupied with moving into our new digs. So we were apprehensive over what success we would have in our first distribution from our new facility. We shouldn't have been; things went smoothly, two new missions were added to our list of supported programs, and kids are being fed.

The numbers: 14 missions and feeding programs supplied, 1,428 kids being fed, roughly 2 1/2 tons of food distributed. But the numbers are only an imperfect measure. Better to think of the lives touched, the children who are being fed; not just rice and vegetable soup, but fed spiritually. Kids learn of a loving God, who cares about their needs and meets those needs through the kindness of strangers.

What a blessing to be called to serve these little images of God!

Hilarious Givers: Packing Party Musings

2011-01-17T10:36:00.000-08:00

Hilarious Givers: Packing Party Musings: "We had our first packing party at our new warehouse on Saturday. For the first time, we could open our doors to families who came ..."

Packing Party Musings

2011-01-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

We had our first packing party at our new warehouse on Saturday. For the first time, we could open our doors to families who came to volunteer - not just the teen and near-teen sons who come with their dads to learn about serving and giving, but actual families. So besides the youngsters moving bags of vegetable soup mix from 300 pound drums to 50 pound sacks, there was a young mother herding her toddler around the office. Instead of just the guys who came to hurry through the task to get on with their Saturday routine, the ladies came and had a chance to fellowship with other hilarious givers.

What makes this important? I think it shows a certain maturing of our mission. No one would have even thought of bringing the little ones before. But now, nobody thinks a second thought about it. Kids are watching, and parents are building memories of Mom and Dad stepping up to help the less fortunate among us.

So, we prepared loads for something like 20 missions and feeding programs for this month, probably about 6,000 pounds of nutrition for needy kids. And we helped prepare our own kids for a future of service in His name. Not bad for a couple of hours on a Saturday morning!

The Family of God

2011-01-11T07:06:00.000-08:00

What a joy to share this weekend with my family! Not the one I grew up in, not the one I married, but the one that God has led me into.

Not that I dislike my birth family or my wife or kids - quite the contrary. I cherish all that, and am thankful for each of them. But Debra and I spent this weekend with our church and mission families. We laid the foundation for this year's outreach to the orphans and other needy kids in Baja. We were joined by groups from Eastlake Church, Rancho Vista Church, Momentum Church, and an Assembly of God church whose Spanish name I don't recall. Friends from Lake Elsinore and Ramona in Riverside County made the trip to help out. We started early Saturday morning and worked through Sunday evening. And now, this morning, our first shipment of food will be arriving at our new warehouse.

This is what it must have been like when our ancestors held community barn-raising parties - everyone working toward a common goal, nobody seeking the easy way, but rather searching for the difficult task to complete. It was a lot of hard work, and could not have been accomplished without the dedication and motivation of a lot of generous folks.

We're changing lives in Baja, and feeding hungry kids. Thanks, God! Good job.

Just like Christmas Eve.

2011-01-07T06:55:00.000-08:00

When my brothers and I were kids in Washington, Christmas Eve was a delicious combination of anticipation and frustration. We were not allowed to even peek at the presents under the tree. Mom would get upset with us for shaking presents to see if they rattled. We wanted to stay up to check out the sleigh-and-reindeer thing, but Dad would shoo us off at 8:00 or so to go to bed. We wouldn't sleep, of course, but we were out of the way.

Six decades later, here I am. I woke up this morning thinking it was Saturday. Nope, it's Saturday Eve! Tomorrow morning I get together with some of my mission family to kick-start our 2011 program. We're going to descend upon the Borders Bookstore and claim a bunch of warehouse shelving, desks, office chairs, and odds and ends to take to our now-empty warehouse. Then off to the warehouse to set it all up. I scarcely can wait! And another brother has located some additional heavy-duty shelving which he will bring to the warehouse tomorrow, as well.

On Tuesday, our first load of food is scheduled in, and sometime next week we hope to move the food we have at our Pilot Freight/Miramar Transport location down. We'll have about 20 pallets ready for a packing party next weekend. 6 pallets are already designated for feeding programs in the La Mision area, and the rest will go quickly - some to Maneadero and La Zorrillo, some to Tijuana, some to Tecate. Lots of hungry kids will get fed. And so the year starts!

Debra has hired a team of exterminators to make sure no food goes to rodents - a pair of warehouse cats. All we need is a fireplace and it will be just like home. (I wonder what kind of animals we men would be if God had not given Adam his tender partner, Eve.)

As a kid, I don't remember ever being disappointed on Christmas morning, even though during some of those years finances were pretty slim. I was delighted with new clothes and school supplies. Now, the blessings are grown-up. I have never been at a place in my life where I have been more blessed than during these past few months. Side-by-side with Debra, circled by generous and helpful friends, with a family of thousands of precious kids. And directed each step of the way by a loving and caring God.

So, God, are you going to tell me what's in store for Hilarious Givers this year? Not even a peek? How 'bout I shake it to see if it rattles? No? OK - I'm off to work. I wish I knew what gifts are in store for us, but I have faith that they will be beyond my wildest expectations.

The Secret is OUT!

2010-12-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

Prayers get answered.

On Friday I signed an agreement with the owner of the warehouse we have been using. We are going to be staying at our new warehouse for an additional 12 months!

This is a tremendous gift to our kids. It is a real encouragement to us at Hilarious Givers, and to the tireless directors, drivers and volunteers of the missions and feeding programs we serve. Instead of an hour round-trip from the border to our Miramar warehouse, the new warehouse is just five minutes from the border. We can host distributions, packing parties and other events without worrying about imposing on a busy business.

Of course, we now have responsibilities that have, until now, been carried by our generous corporate sponsors Pilot Freight and Miramar Transportation. We have the expenses of utilities, insurance, trash and the like. And when there is a delivery or pickup we can't just rely on the warehouse folks to take up the slack; we will have to arrange to take time away from our everyday activities (like earning a living - we're tentmakers here) to be at the warehouse.

All this is part of God's plan - I am absolutely confident that He will provide for our needs in carrying out His mission for us. Already we have been blessed. Our neighborhood Borders Bookstore is closing its doors. We were able to get warehouse shelving and office furniture to completely outfit our new digs for a few hundred dollars. A misfortune for the folks at Borders, but a real blessing to us and our kids.

So, keep Hilarious Givers in your prayers! It works!

Congratulations! and Thank You.

2010-12-16T09:22:00.000-08:00

2010 has been an amazing year for all of us at Hilarious Givers. You have continued to serve thousands of orphaned and needy kids in Baja California and Sonora. The generosity of our donors has enabled us to provide medical supplies to earthquake victims in Haiti and Mexicali. Your continued prayers and support have resulted in more than a thousand mattresses being donated, trucked and distributed to folks, many of them blameless children, who used to sleep on the ground, in doorways, or huddled in makeshift shanties on farms or in the midst of a disused garbage dump in Baja. Our feeding program flourishes, and remains the central thrust of our outreach. As you read this, hungry kids are enjoying nutritous meals you have helped provide.

Mattresses and Clothing
Ready for pickup!

And our outreach has expanded - and continues to blossom. We have been called to help launch a program which provides comfort to the urban homeless in Los Angeles - just last week that program kicked off by providing beds for a shelter for abused and battered women and their children. And through your generosity and thoughtfulness, the men at a recovery home here in San Diego are all sleeping in new beds, and have gotten new clothing for the upcoming winter season.

Another Mission Added:
Rancho San Juan Bosco

We add new missions almost weekly to the list of those we serve. A hospice. Another orphange. A recovery house for those ensnared in drug addiction. An amazing mission that kicks in doors to rescue child prostitutes from their slavemasters (yes, right here, right now, in 2010!) and leads them to a wholesome live in Christ. A home with 35 profoundly handicapped children led by a Christian couple from California. Each of these missions has a story to tell that would bring tears to your eyes - and none of them would exist but for the generosity of cheerful givers in our God blessed country. What a blessing to be a part of His work!

You are in good company.

Donors during the past year include international feeding programs such as Feed My Starving Children, Children's Hunger Fund, Gleanings for the Hungry, Convoy of Hope, and Save the Children. And there are food packers and manufacturers who have asked to remain anonymous. Two cruise ship lines, Holland America and Princess Cruises, who donated mattresses. On the warehouse and cartage side, Pilot Freight, Miramar Transportation and A&O Logistics have been very generous and encouraging in their support. The Hamann family and Pan American L.P. are recent additions to those who provide warehouse space - without them the mattress ministry would not have happened. Innovative Waste Solutions stepped up at a time when an important part of our ministry was about to fail and provided logistics, trucking and good counsel and encouragement.

We have shared monetary support from corporate sponsors and dozens of individuals. South Bay Volkswagen has been very generous, and the owner, Rudy, is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and devote a Saturday to schlepping cartons. A & O Logistics has helped to defray costs of cartage, and Jeremy, a partner, has stepped up to juggle pallets from the seat of his forklift on more than one Saturday.

Individual support included dads who got out of the house on a weekend to help build pallets with their teen-age kids, families who packed up and travelled to Baja for a day trip to serve an orphanage and put the lovin' on the kids, and church groups who were able to 'adopt' orphanages to provide year-round support, with the help of donated product from Hilarious Givers.

We have been able to run a 'lean and mean' charity because of the selfless help and generosity of all these angels. Financially, we've been able to provide nutrition for literally pennies per meal. I really don't think there is a more efficient feeding program than ours when measured by meals-per-dollar-donated.

Every penny has been pinched until it squeals! Just when I started to feel comfortable at one point, the director one of our supported missions pressed an envelope into my hand. Inside was a crumpled bill, taken from the collection at a poor urban church in Tijuana. The very people to whom we were reaching out scraped together a few dollars to support Hilarious Givers. What a reminder God gave me of the responsibility of our stewardship of His gifts!

Here's the 'Congratulations' part

If you were one of our 'prayer warriors', your prayers provided guidance and encouragement to us from God. Your prayers helped us cross the border safely and with a minimum of governmental interference. Your prayers crossed our paths with others of the saints who helped our mission in some unexpected way. Don't stop praying!

"Our pantry is getting full!"

If you were a food donor during the past months, your nutrition helped thousands of kids grow straight and strong. A warm meal goes a long way to bringing comfort and solace to our precious orphans and needy kids. Plenty of panzas were full and comfortable at bedtime because of your generosity, and young minds were receptive to hear the Good News rather than worrying about their next meal.

If you donated time and talent, thank you, thank you, thank you! There is absolutely no way our mission could function without plenty of elbow grease. You dads who brought your kids to the warehouse to help prepare food for crossing the border are an absolute inspiration. You ladies who helped sort donated clothes - hundreds of kids are in school now because they have uniforms to wear. You have helped break the cycle of poverty. Those of you who shared a link with e-mail lists or on your blog or facebook or twitter - you have not only helped our mission, but you have blessed those with whom you shared.

If your contribution was to share awareness of Hilarious Givers at your workplace or in your church, please know that you have made a difference.

And, of course, no organization can function without financial support. Our financial support grows with each passing month - Praise the Lord! Some have contributed regularly, and some have been moved to give a one-time donation. Some have encouraged friends to give by launching facebook campaigns or contribution chains on a blog. Every penny received has been applied to the mission, and multiplied by others who have donated time, talent or treasure. We grow in numbers only as our financial ability allows. Please consider making a one-time, year-end, tax-deductible contribution to support this wonderful cause. And for those who have committed to regular donations through the new year, our heartfelt thanks.

Congratulations for what you have helped accomplish, for being the hand of God on his mission here on earth. But the job is not done - and will not be until we hear the words "Well done, oh good and faithful servant!"

On His path,

Judd and Debra

http://www.hilariousgivers.org/MakingaDonation.dsp

The Amazing Trips: shall yourselves find blessing

2010-12-05T05:03:00.000-08:00

What can I say... I'm overwhelmed with emotion ... I'm reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

Please read this beautiful blog and watch the video that our Dear Friend Jenna has put together.

We asked Jenna, her husband Charlie (and their triplets) to join us on a venture that would probably change their life. Well, after much discussion between Jenna and Charlie they felt the best decision for their family (at that time) was to have Jenna go to Mexico with us and leave Charlie home with their amazing trips.

So, early one Saturday morning in December 2009, we picked Jenna up. Christmas gear on, passports in tow, lunches packed, camera's charged and ready to go and so were we.

We met up with a group of people from Rancho Vista Church, we then loaded cars up with food, clothing and toys and headed south to "Campo De Esperanza" Maneadero, Mexico.

This was a day that changed the lives of thousands, bonds were created, memories were made, people accepted Christ, kids got toys, clothes and hot meals were served that day...

A life changing event happened for many people on that day,

because of caring people.

Jenna, taking food from her packed lunch to feed a hungry, crying baby.
A Mother's Instinct at work.

Jenna giving lessons in photography

I hope you will enjoy this particular blog of Jenna's as much as Judd and I did. This is the link to Jenna's Blog: The Amazing Trips: shall yourselves find blessing

Jenna is one of the most Beautiful Passionate people I know. God has blessed her in many ways, her heart is amazing, her spirit is uplifting, she has the most adorable, intelligent, kind and loving triplets (in this world if you ask me) and a wonderful husband. You'll realize this when you read Jenna's blog.

Oh and while you're at it, enjoy the rest of her blogs. However, I must warn you, Jenna's blog is like a good book that you just can't put down. So, get your hot cocoa ready, a comfy blanket and curl up by a fireplace if you can...

Merry Christmas!

Jenna even managed to buy a few Christmas presents on the way home without stepping out of the truck.
She's Amazing!

November 31

2010-12-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

Last week marked a full month of having been blessed with the generosity of Hamann Property Management and Pan American, L.P. And what a blessing it has been! We have been able to provide ‘gently used’ mattresses to hundreds upon hundreds of needy kids in Mexico. Thanks to the generosity of the Hamann group, Holland America Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Miramar Freight, Innovative Waste Solutions, South Bay Volkswagen and others, kids are waking up well rested after having slept on comfy beds; these are children who have known nothing but sleeping on the ground, insulated from the dirt and cold by a sheet of cardboard from a box salvaged from the dump or perhaps a fragment of builder’s plastic sheet. What a gift!

We are also helping to launch an effort to supply beds to the urban poor and homeless community here in the U.S. We have teamed with ‘A Good Night’s Sleep’ based in L.A. and been able to provide more than 100 mattresses to a women’s shelter – providing a sanctuary for abused and homeless women and their children. And a local men’s recovery home asked for 3 dozen mattresses for their patients; we were able to provide them on the spot. This outreach was not part of our plan, but evidently part of His.

Each mattress is a blessing and a true gift to the person who received it. And each gift fulfils the biblical admonition to reach out to the least among us – to care for the widows and orphans – to raise the poor from dust and the beggar from the dunghill. Each of these gifts would be in a landfill now but for the selfless generosity of our supporters and volunteers. The mattresses are given to any who ask who have a need, and at no cost.

The owner of a "99 Cents and Up" store retired and closed his doors. The inventory of his store, largely kids' clothing, was generously given to Hilarious Givers to distribute. Debra and the ladies sorted the goodies for distribution during this Christmas season. Most has already been given out - the rest will go to needy folks before year's end.

We have been offered an additional supply of mattresses from other cruise lines. At this point, my response has been ‘we’ll see’. I would love to be able to continue this ministry into the new year, but of course that would depend upon the continued generosity of our gracious benefactors.

Please pray for the continued viability of this worthwhile ministry.

2010-11-19T22:20:00.000-08:00

Opportunities to Serve …

November 20th & 21st, 2010.

Fellowship…

Help needed November 20th, and 21st, 2010 at the following locations:

Saturday Morning, November 20th from 9:00 to 10:30 at the Miramar Warehouse. We will be making food pallets for the Thanksgiving weekend pick-up.

Saturday Morning, November 20th, from 11am to 1pm at the South Bay Warehouse. We will be unloading mattresses from a 53’ Flatbed.

Saturday Morning, November 20th, from 11am to 1pm at the South Bay Warehouse. We will be packaging presorted new clothes in preparation for our Christmas Gifting.

Sunday Morning, November 21, from 9:00 to 10:00am at the South Bay Warehouse. We will be unloading mattress inside the warehouse.

For Mattress information, contact Judd at 619-534-6801 or at Judd@HilariousGivers.Org

For Clothing Organization, contact Debra at 619-534-6801 or at Debra@HilariousGivers.Org

Warehouse Locations:

Miramar / Pilot Freight, 9340 Cabot Dr. Suite G, San Diego, CA 92126

South Bay Warehouse, 1405 30th St. Suite E, San Diego, 92154

Thank You For all your Help!

Judd and Debra Wheeler

Pre-Christmas note

2010-11-17T06:27:00.000-08:00

Here are excerpts from an e-mail I sent to a supporter this week; I can't seem to find the time to update our blog, so I'll take the lazy way out.

Dear *****,

I thought I'd take a moment to share with you what we at Hilarious Givers have been up to. Remember the store inventory you helped pack up and load onto a bobtail? Tens of thousands of dollars worth of kid's clothes, grown-up clothes, kitchen items, toys and the rest have been sitting on pallets in boxes waiting to be sorted. Debra organized a group of ladies (and a couple of guys) on Saturday to sort all that precious gift in preparation for Christmas. We will be able to supplement the Christmas outreach of several local churches by providing gifts of needed clothing and the rest. I have attached a few photos of this weekend's activities.

This has been a weekend filled with His grace. We distributed a 53-foot truckload of mattresses to orphanages within our Mexico ministry from a warehouse recently so generously donated to us. Somewhere near 500 mattresses have passed through those doors on 30th street since we got the keys last month, and about 300 more are coming from Holland America Line before year's end. And as if that's not enough, Princess Cruises is donating an additional 100 mattresses; we received the first 50 on Saturday and expect the remaining 50 this week. I fully expect that we will have provided more than 1,000 comfy mattresses to deserving kids and their families before Christmas. What a blessing! None of this would have happened but for the generosity of our selfless donors. Hundreds of deserving kids are now sleeping on comfy mattresses instead of cardboard on the dirt. Praise God!

The need is unrelenting. The generosity of our donors is limitless. We feel so blessed, so gifted, to be able the be the hand of God in this endeavor, and to have been introduced to many who have had a part in making it all possible. Over and over I feel overwhelmed, fail to see the solution to problems presented, and ultimately surrender the problem to God . And over and over someone like you sees the need and steps up. The ultimate earthly reward is to see the gratitude in the faces of the kids we serve; I pray daily for the ultimate heavenly reward - to hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Bless you and the continued success of your business.

Christmas Gift Preparation

2010-11-10T14:31:00.000-08:00

Pre-Christmas Event...

When ? 9:30 am, Saturday, Nov 13, 2010

Christmas Gift Preparation

Where ? 1405 30th St. Ste E, San Diego, CA 92154 (Beyer Exit off I-905, Between I-5 and I-805)

Ladies, Ladies, Ladies…

Hilarious Givers has a deal for you!

We have an Opportunity for you to Serve, Fellowship and Help those less fortunate in a third world country, without leaving the comfort of the United States.

The holidays are coming up and a generous donor has donated the entire inventory of his store to Hilarious Givers. In his offering there are new shirts, slippers, toothbrushes, undies, school supplies, . . ...

Think of this as an opportunity to go shopping and give gifts without spending any money! And, an opportunity to get together with old friends and to make new ones. Your giving of your time will help to enrich the lives of kids this Christmas in a way that cannot happen without your selfless sacrifice of a couple of hours’ time on Saturday morning.

We will be opening boxes of Christmas treasures, sorting the contents by age and sex, and preparing to distribute these items to churches and groups who will be sponsoring Christmas Fiestas this Christmas Season.

If you have folding tables we can use to sort on, please bring them along. If you have folding tables but can't make it, and would like to let us borrow them...let's talk to make arrangements so we can borrow them.

Have Questions??? Please feel free to contact Debra or Judd…

Thank You!

P. S. If you feel guilty about the ‘shopping without spending money’ thing, Hilarious Givers could use your financial support, especially during this special season. Your tax-deductible donations are sincerely appreciated.

Hilarious Givers

Phone: (619) 534-6801

Email: Debra@HilariousGivers.org

Distributing food and mattresses this Saturday morning, October 30,

2010-10-25T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hilarious Givers

We will be distributing food and mattresses this Saturday morning, October 30, starting at 8:30. We hope to be finished early - please plan to pick up before 10:00.

Please note that Mexican authorities are no longer accepting our documents to cross the border. This means that either you have to have an arrangement to cross the food or you have to pay duty at the border. Please give this some thought before you place your request.

We will be distributing the following items on Saturday:

10 Cases 'Manna Pack' enriched rice and soy meals (36 pouches, 6 servings per pouch)

3 pails of dried fruit (Peaches, cherries)

9 cases assorted canned vegetables (no labels)

10 bags dehydrated vegetable soup (from Gleanings for the Hungry - mix 10:1 with water)

1 case face masks (cold and flu season is coming!)

Each load is approximately 700-800 pounds.

We also have mattresses, both full-size and twin to distribute. If you don't want food, just mattresses, or if you have questions, please e-mail me at Judd@HilariousGivers.org

Please go to our website http://www.hilariousgivers.org/ , click on the link (or paste it into your browser's address window) to place your request for food.

The food pickup will be at our warehouse at 9340 Cabot Drive, San Diego, CA 92126

We appreciate your time and thank you for all you do for the kids!

On His path,

Judd and Debra Wheeler

Mattresses! And more mattresses!

2010-10-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

We just confirmed another delivery of mattresses from Holland America Line for Saturday. And a generous donor has provided a warehouse near the border - no cost, no strings, except we need to show evidence of liability and property insurance. Of course, we don't have any. We really haven't had a need up until now, but now we need it. NOW. So if anyone has an inside track to a couple of months' of business liability and property loss insurance, now would be the time to let us know!
Saturday is going to be a big day. We're praying for some help for a couple of hours to unload a truck and move 120+ mattresses into our newly-acquired warehouse in South Bay. Give us a call if you can help.

Hilarious Givers: We are, once again, the beneficiaries of nearly new mattresses from a luxury cruise ship!

2010-10-19T01:52:00.000-07:00

Hilarious Givers: We are, once again, the beneficiaries of nearly new mattresses from a luxury cruise ship!

We are, once again, the beneficiaries of nearly new mattresses from a luxury cruise ship!

2010-10-19T01:49:00.000-07:00

NEWS FLASH...

Friends of Hilarious Givers,

We are, once again, the beneficiaries of nearly new mattresses from a luxury cruise ship!

The last shipment of mattresses were a huge success; many of you have been praying for more because we just ran out of mattresses. Well, He is sufficient. We have been Blessed and given more.

Next Saturday, and every Saturday for the next few weeks, we will receive a truckload of about 100 mattresses. These are mattresses that have been in use since early this summer. We don't know for sure the pickup location for you - we're still in the process of making those arrangements. About 10 mattresses will fit in a pickup or van - the last time the duty was about $10 U.S. per mattress to cross the border.

We need to know if you are going to pick up Mattresses (somewhere in the San Diego area.) If this week will not work, let me know and we'll set aside mattresses for a future Saturday. I need a count for this week ( 10-23-2010 ) ASAP.

E-mail me at Judd@HilariousGivers.org - please include your name and the name of your mission and how many mattresses you can use. If you are not picking up this Saturday, tell me which Saturday you will be available.
We appreciate your time and thank you for all you do!

On His path,

Judd and Debra Wheeler

July 29, 2010 (posted 7/30)

2010-07-30T06:37:00.000-07:00

God answers prayers – not just sometimes, but faithfully and with unbounded grace. I have been asking for guidance – the ‘what’s next’ – for Hilarious Givers. Discouragement and disappointment had come to the fore. Obstacles seemed to spring up in my path despite my best efforts – and sometimes even because of my best efforts. My plans were just not working. I resolved to sit with my helpmeet, my most faithful supporter on earth, my beautiful wife, and discuss the facts. The facts were that no matter what the depth of our devotion to the mission, we simply could not go forward without financial support. And it was becoming clear that needed resources were just not going to be forthcoming. Oh, there were some encouraging signs on the horizon, but without ‘here and now’ support we just couldn’t get the job done. So, I resolved that on Saturday I would make some time to discuss with Debra the facts: We need to stand down for a few months until I can figure a way to find time to raise money.

Then came a telephone call. An anonymous donor had made a substantial gift. Completely unsolicited, absolutely unexpected, and large enough to meet the immediate needs of the mission. It was like lighting a candle in a dark room.

So. I had not explicitly been praying for money, nor had I embarked on a campaign to raise funds for Hilarious Givers. Instead, I had fervently been praying for some guidance, some direction, some way to be able to meet God’s direction to share his Good News by sharing our abundance.

God knows our prayers before they reach our lips. I don’t know why I continue to be surprised – I suppose it’s a matter of my lack of faith. We continue in His work by His grace.

To our anonymous donor: Thank you. To God: Please forgive my doubting mind, reach my skeptical heart, and accept my deepest thanks for your grace. And please, God, cause our nameless benefactor to rejoice in the absolute joy that comes from giving to the least among us.

Answered Prayers

2010-06-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

June has been an awesome month. I know - I say that every month. What can I say? We have been blessed with tons of food to give out to needy kids, and hundreds of volunteers to give it out. Generous corporate sponsors keep donating warehouse space and trucking, not to mention manpower. Debra and I keep things together on the home front because I have a reliable job (a mixed blessing, but a blessing none the less). How could it get any better?

A few months ago I had a chat with the director of one of our supported missions. When the subject turned to school for the kids, he related that it was a real challenge, because although school is mandatory for kids in Mexico, the reality is that they can't attend unless they have uniforms, and many, if not most of the families he supports just can't afford to buy school uniforms. So the kids stay home or work in the fields - a tough reality. Of course, Hilarious Givers is primarily a feeding ministry and a serving ministry, not a school-clothes-providing-and-teaching ministry. Or so I thought.

Then, a brother from our church offered the inventory from a store that had gone out of business as a donation. He said there were lots of kid's clothes, among a lot of other stuff. Debra and I visited him last week to see what was being offered. Sure enough, there was lots and lots of stuff. Clothes, t-shirts, jeans, shoes and undies, most in kids' sizes. And miscellaneous goods like baby oil, shampoo, backpacks, and dolls. Oh, and school uniforms. Lots of school uniforms. About 60, he thinks. Both black and white and blue and white - the colors kids wear to school in Mexico. (Are you reading this, Greg?) So now we have to arrange cartage and volunteers to sort - but the bottom line is that dozens of kids who would be working in the fields or just staying home this autumn will instead be attending school, and helping to break the cycle of dependency in which they are now enmeshed. Very cool. We took a few boxes with us for the planned trip south the following day - some baby oil, shampoo and a few other items.

Some weeks ago Debra discovered a non-profit in Florida that recycles bath soap from hotels. http://cleantheworld.org/ After some push-and-shove, and the support of friends and a church near the warehouse in Florida, and donated cartage, and all the rest, we received a pallet of brand-new bars of bath soap. Not the skinny kind from Motel 6, but nice, fragrant hand-sized bars of bath soap.

We visited an orphanage near where we live on Sunday, just outside the Mexican town of Tecate. This home had been suggested as a candidate to be sponsored by a church we are helping to establish an orphans outreach. We were hosted by Pepe, the adult son of the founder of the Children's Home. We had a great time making new friends, connecting the U.S. church with the orphange, playing a few games with the kids, and just "puttin' the love on" the precious children. Of course, we had a few hundred pounds of food to give them, but we saved that bit of information until the end.

I chatted with Pepe, and described the Hilarious Givers ministry. Of course, he was grateful to be asked to become one of our sponsored programs. His kids are well-fed, but donations have dropped off recently, and whatever we can do to help would be appreciated. But, he went on, what the kids really need today is soap. And baby oil. And shampoo.

When we opened the back of the truck and started unloading food, we soon came to the cases of soap and baby oil and shampoo. I don't think I will ever forget Pepe's beaming face as he exclaimed "Mira! Jabon! Aceiti de bebe! Champu!" (Look! Soap! Baby Oil! Shampoo!) So we not only filled their pantry, but were able to be the hand of God in answering a prayer.

So, once again I'm given a lesson in humility. My plan is to feed kids. But God has so much more in mind for me. And he keeps reminding me.

When you ask if your prayers are going to be answered, the question is not well phrased. Your prayers are answered before they ever spring to your mind. Pepe's prayer for sanitation supplies were answered weeks ago, when Debra was touched by the soap salvage ministry. Greg's prayer for school uniforms was met when the business closed and its inventory went to storage. My prayer for the means to support my family and fulfill our mission has been answered - I just don't yet know what that answer is.

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

Isaiah 65:24 (NLT)

Hilarious Givers: Time, numbers, dollars and what counts. They're not all the same.

2010-06-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Hilarious Givers: Time, numbers, dollars and what counts. They're not all the same.

Time, numbers, dollars and what counts. They're not all the same.

2010-06-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

The month of May has been incredible for Hilarious Givers. We distributed about 23,000 pounds of nutritious food, sanitation supplies and water to needy kids and their families during May. Several missions and feeding programs have allowed us to come alongside them and expand our outreach. Two churches have invited us to get involved with them to enlarge their efforts in Baja California.

It seems there is never enough time to get done what needs to be done. To prepare a 15-minute presentation requires hours of time. Sending a pallet of food south takes assembling, from tons of food, a meaningful variety; otherwise we end up giving some orphanage a twenty-year supply of toilet tablets instead of the soup mix we had intended.

Adopting a new orphanage in Baja requires getting to know its directors, procedures, and morals.

If that time is not invested, we would end up supporting the cause of some superstition-following cult or a commercial venture whose goals are contrary to ours. The enemy is always testing our doors.

Fortunately, we have been blessed with volunteers without whom we could never accomplish what we have - but it still takes time and money to keep this mission going.

Still, the number of tons of food distributed is not the important measure. It's the joy that comes from feeding a hungry kid.

It's the knowledge that our efforts have somehow brought the message of Jesus Christ to a family who didn't know Him.

It's falling asleep at night knowing that there are hundreds of folks sleeping on comfy mattresses we have distributed, instead of on plywood beds - or in the dust of a dirt floor. These are the things that are important. This is what counts.

So. If these are the important things, why is there never time to get them done? It's because I spend my precious time on things that are necessary, but not important. I get up and go to the office to earn money so I can fulfill my duty to my family. Mortgage needs to be paid, bills satisfied, food purchased. "He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?" 1 Ti 3:4-5

But I can't seem to be able to find the time to introduce Hilarious Givers to those who would be willing to donate the money needed to run the charity. Instead, I spend my precious time at the job. God has called me to reach out with this ministry and spread the Good News; still, I get up and go to work. It's easier than asking for help. ". . .ye have not, because ye ask not." James 4:2

Today, I begin knowing I am doing the Lord's work, reaching out to the nations and spreading the news of the grace of Jesus Christ. Still, I am not satisfied. I must do better. I should set aside my pride. I should ask. Not just for help, but for money. Because this ministry will not grow and flourish without it.

So, I am asking. Please go to http://www.hilariousgivers.org/MakingaDonation.dsp and make a donation. Experience the joy of selfless giving. Your donation will help us do the important things - feeding hungry kids, spreading the Gospel, introducing people in our community to the joy of serving Him. "The Lord loves a cheerful (Hilarious) Giver"!

My world is shaken.

2010-04-11T09:43:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday afternoon. It's another beautiful Southern California day - brilliant blue sky, temperature smack in the middle of the comfort zone, and my sweetie and I are celebrating Easter at the home of our dear friends in nearby Bonita. Great company, good food, all is right with the world. He is risen! Thinking of maybe slipping into the swimming pool for a bit.

Whoa! What is this? The concrete patio is moving - sliding back and forth: east - then west - then back east - back and forth for what seems like a long time, but is really less than a minute. 45 seconds is a long time, when you're trying to orient yourself. The surf is definitely up - in the swimming pool! The jacuzzi is sloshing over, trying to empty itself. Some bend down and touch the ground with one hand, seeking some stability. Then it stops. We all look at each other, as if to get assurance that all is back to normal.

Of course, this is not our first earthquake. We live perched at the meeting place of the Pacific tectonic plate and the North American tectonic plate. Each is hundreds of thousands of square miles in size, and each is moving - slowly, inexorably moving, a few millimeters a day, with respect to one another. On the geologic time scale, these plates are continuously, violently grinding against one another, making mountains and changing the shape of continents. In the human time scale, where our lifetime is but a blink in the geological eye, this grinding occasionally results in a noticable temblor. Last Sunday's shaker resulted from a minor rift to our east, about 100 miles from us. Last Sunday we got a reminder of the temporary nature of what we want to think of as permanent. The very ground - the foundation of everything we have built on this earth - moved. And kept moving. And didn't stop until we were reminded of how fragile everything we built over the years is.

Our Easter shaker measured 7.2 on the Richter scale. That's twice as powerful as the recent 7.0 Haiti quake. It tore a fault beneath the urban center of Mexicali/Calexico, on the border between California and Baja California. There was some damage to structures, some injuries and a couple of folks died. (One died as the result of running panic-stricken into the street where he was struck by a car.)

Hilarious Givers supports several missions, orphanages and feeding programs in the area hard-hit by last week's earthquake. Families who before had little now have even less. Children who had been living in homes made of packing crates and cardboard now live out-of-doors. But they are self-reliant, and resilient, and are rebuilding. And we have the privilege of coming alongside, as brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, and giving them assistance. We will continue to provide food and drink, and now mattresses, to these children of God.

And you can join us. Our mission is possible only because of the help of our faithful supporters. Your prayers are earnestly requested, your volunteer time is cherished, as is your continued financial help.

Hilarious Givers: Mattresses!

2010-04-09T20:35:00.000-07:00

Hilarious Givers: Mattresses!

Mattresses!

2010-04-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

Me: This is a FEEDING ministry, not a MATTRESS ministry! Got to keep my eye on the ball and not get distracted by mattresses. We're out of food!

God: Thanks for sharing, Judd. Now listen: there are these mattresses on a cruise ship that we've got to get under the kids you serve for me. You're going to be blessed, just trust me.

We were blessed with 210 mattresses last month - the Holland American Line ship Oosterdam is replacing all its mattresses, and the (not so) old mattresses are ours to pick up if we want them. The first 210 came off 3 Saturdays ago, and picking them up turned out to be somewhat of a hassle. As did storing them. Likewise, getting them across the border. But nearly all of them are now gone, and the last will be under our kids and others we serve before the week is out. So now, the second load of 210 will be ready this Saturday.

The first challenge: get a semi onto the cruise ship terminal property in San Diego. Passing security is a chore. Finding a 45-footer for Saturday is a challenge. Plan A - didn't work. Found out Monday our truck and driver wouldn't be available on Saturday. And it has to be Saturday. Go to Plan B - cartage from a past donor who has been a big help before. Found out Tuesday the decision-maker/underwriter is out of town and very likely not going to be able to help this time. In the meantime, the 'arranger' called to get my assurance we would pick them up - of course I said 'Absolutely!' But I'm really feeling uneasy about this whole exercise.

Wednesday morning found me in a funk. I have to get this whole thing turned off, and soon. People are depending on me to do things that clearly are not going to be done. Started an e-mail to let everyone know it was not going to happen, that the mattresses would go to a landfill, and maybe we'll get some at some future date. I give up. But God made these mattresses available; surely he doesn't want me to quit. Or does he? Maybe I'll send the e-mail Thursday - I'd rather just not think about it now.

Later on in the morning, I got a telephone call - someone I'd never met, nor even heard of. Wants to know if there's something he can do to help Hilarious Givers. Has a flatbed truck, does business with the cruise lines all the time, hauling stuff off the pier. Not only Holland American Line, but all the cruise lines. Mattresses, ping pong tables, televisions, video games, all the stuff they take off the ships when they upgrade - he would really like to hook us up to help the orphans. I ask - how 'bout Saturday? He responds - love to! I'll let you know for sure tomorrow. Thanks, God. Plan C with frosting and a cherry on top.

An acquaintance overhears my conversation. He has a large open trailer with a truck to pull it. Happy to loan it for the weekend - it might take a couple of round trips to get all 210 mattresses, but it will work. Wow! Plan D - just to make me feel more comfortable. God is great!

Now all we need is a small working party - sure 'nuff - volunteers are e-mailing me.

Oh. And the food? got a call Tuesday - we have a commitment for a full semi - 42,000 plus pounds of nutrition coming from Minnesota - Gain International, Feed My Starving Children, Campus Crusade for Christ, Strong Tower Ministries - all involved. We expect delivery next week.

Came home yesterday evening - e-mail from a ministry who is helping earthquake victims in Chile - do we have any mattresses? And a bible college in the Baja needs mattresses. And a nursing home in TJ needs 100. Can we help?

"Then you will call and the Lord will answer. You will cry for help, and he will say: 'Here am I.'" Isaiah 58:9

Door of Faith Baby's Home

2010-03-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

Green valleys, pounding surf, sparkling skies, muddy roads. That was Sunday.
Pounding rain, visibility next to nothing, soaked to the skin. That was Saturday.
Guess which day was the long-awaited dedication of the nursery at the Door of Faith Orphange?

Something like a hundred hardy souls showed up at La Mision B.C. on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the new nursery. Cold and wet on the outside, but warm and fulfilled on the inside.
Most of the volunteers who have been laboring over the past months and years come from Strong Tower Ministries, headquartered in Orange County, 80 miles or so north of Chula Vista.
Saturday morning was a distribution time for Hilarious Givers. Before heading south, we distributed six pallets of nutrition to missions from our Miramar warehouse. Then we loaded up our truck with food and set off for La Mision. It soon became apparent that we would never get to the Door of Faith Orphanage in time for the grand opening - the rain was falling in deluges. Traffic on the U.S. side was being slowed to a crawl in some places - when I passed the third spin-out accident, this one involving a jacknifed big rig, we decided that tomorrow would be early enough.

So Sunday, right after church, we headed south. It turns out that while crossing the border is relatively pain-free on Saturdays and weekdays, Sundays are a different matter. The Mexican authorities don't staff the inspection station as fully on Sundays, so folks with donations aren't allowed the courtesy that they enjoy the rest of the week. A couple of harried inspectors, while polite and deferential, were unloading everything to check for contraband. The export documents we had carefully FAX'd on Friday helped not at all. So we waited.

And waited.

An hour and a half later, we were back on the road. The drive down the coast was beautiful. The surf was up, traffic light, and the company was great. There's something wonderful about being in a small 4-wheeled metal container with your best friend for an hour or so, listening to music, enjoying the scenery and just being together.

Then off the new road, on to the old highway for a few miles, then off the old highway . . . .

. . for a mile or so

to the Door of Faith Orphange.

Hearing the laughter of the kids, seeing them care-free and playing in a loving and safe environment made the trip worthwhile. We arrived just in time for the evening meal.

It's easy to forget that each of these precious kids had endured some personal tragedy early in their lives. Some have lost both parents, so are truly orphans. Some have been placed with Door of Faith because their parents were not able to provide for them, so were forced to abandon their son or daughter. Still others have been rescued from abusive homes. But each is now safe, secure and cared for in a loving environment.

And now, there is a magnificent new nursery - a place to care for the most vulnerable of these beautiful kids. And what a nursery it is!

Congratulations to the Strong Tower Ministries crew and to all who gave freely of the time and treasure over the months to make this happen.

It is truly humbling to be a small part of this blessed ministry. The Door of Faith Orphanage is one of dozens that Hilarious Givers is privileged to support with its feeding ministry.

We took some time to tour the grounds, play with some of the kids and get to know a recent addition to the staff, Becca. Then, with the sun setting, it was time to head back north. But not before stopping for tacos and tortas!

The drive home through the gentle Mexican night was a time to reflect upon the events of the day. What greater sense of accomplishment can there be than this - reaching out to influence young lives? We give so little, they need so much, and we take away so much more than we give.

Then, sooner than we want, we're back to reality. Waiting in line at the garrita to get back to the U.S. Not so long this evening.

Then, the 20 minute drive home. Two different worlds. So far apart, and yet so near.

You, our supporters, make all of this possible. Without your generosity, your volunteer time, your prayers, without your encouragement - none of this would be possible. And Debra and I would be another ageing suburban couple watching television on Sunday afternoon. And kids would go to bed hungry.

Please, take a few moments to visit our website and learn more about our mission. Put yourself on our mailing list so we can keep you up-to-date. Pray for us, send an e-mail of encouragement. Or make a tax-deductible donation to help sustain us. It doesn't cost much to support our food outreach - a couple of dollars per month per child fed. But it does cost something, and you can help.

Hilarious Givers: Waiting for spring

2010-02-17T11:19:00.000-08:00

Hilarious Givers: Waiting for spring

Waiting for spring

2010-02-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

One of the beautiful gifts I receive by being involved in Hilarious Givers is the group of friends I get to rub shoulders with. These are all folks I would likely not have even known about before Hilarious Givers, but who have so richly blessed my life - just by being a part of it.
Less than a year ago I was introduced to Greg. Greg is the director of Genesis Diez, a children's facility located in a beautiful valley not far from Ensenada.

Genesis Diez exists to give the kids who live in urban orphanages in Tijuana and Ensenada a learning experience. These kids spend their young years in concrete buildings, living in dorms and eating institution-style meals. Typically the population in one of these orphanages is 75-100 kids; they go to school, but beyond that, their existence is pretty much the same as if they were in prison.

The kids come to Genesis Diez for a few days a year and live in a rural environment, rich in experiential opportunies. The bright April day I visited some of the kids were making jewelry, others were painting murals.

Many of the kids were not on campus because they were off on a field trip. To see the joy on those precious faces, the sparkle in their eyes, the excitement in their voices - the couple of hours' drive from San Diego was a tiny price to pay.

Hilarious Givers regularly provides food and sanitary supplies to Genesis Diez. I had met Greg a couple of times since we were first introduced, but hadn't really had a chance to sit and chat with him. Two weeks ago I met Greg at our warehouse, and during a pause in our activities I got to know him, and Genesis Diez, a little better.

Genesis Diez, it turns out, is more than just a summer camp for disadvantaged kids. Volunteers from all over the U.S., and even Canada, come to spend time at the ranch. In addition to the camp I visited, there is another facility for families with handicapped children. And the towns, villages and campos in the valley all benefit from Genesis Diez; not only from their feeding outreach, but in the provision of school uniforms and supplies, and serving as a resource to the migrant families who come to tend the fields.

Numbers don't tell the story - but they help. Our feeding program helps provide nutritious food for 38 full-time residents and staff, plus the families of handicapped kids, plus augmenting the diets of the surrounding populace - over 1,000 people regularly benefit from the generosity and bounty of donors and volunteers from this side of the border! And while Hilarious Givers does not prostelize, it is clear that these blessings are the result of the grace of our Most High God.

And Genesis Diez is only one of the 40-plus organizations Hilarious Givers supports.

We are starting a fund to provide herds of goats and flocks of chickens to some of our supported facilities. Genesis Diez will be among the first - this is a project that definitely has the hand of God on it. Not only will we provide fresh meat, milk and eggs for the kids, but we'll be fostering independence among the families. If you would like to provide financial support to help buy a herd of goats, your generosity will be rewarded. A few tens of dollars buys a goat or flock of chicks, a few hundreds will provide a herd of goats for a small community.

Invitation: Pallet Building Party

2010-02-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

Invitation: Pallet Building Party

Hilarious Givers is having their February Pallet Building Fiesta!

Come One, Come All!

Time: 8:00 am to 12:00 noon

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Miramar Transportation (Pilot Freight)

9340 Cabot Drive,
Suite G,
San Diego, CA 92126

February is a short month with a long weekend. And, we have time-sensitive nutrition that won't be usable in March. Your help is needed.

We will be assembling individual loads for pickup later in the month. This is all food and sanitation supplies that has been donated by the semi truckload and needs to be broken down for our missions.

Reserve your spot now - this is a great way to get your friends, neighbors and kids involved in Hilarious Givers! Space is limited.

Contact Judd at : Judd@HilariousGivers.org, or call him at (619) 534-6801 or Facebook him!
Thanks for any help!

Debra ;o)

Awesome!

2010-02-02T12:17:00.000-08:00

awe⋅some /ˈɔsəm/ –adjective
1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight.
2. showing or characterized by awe.
3. Slang. very impressive: That new white convertible is totally awesome.

January was an awesome month for Hilarious Givers!
We had planned on about a dozen loads of nutritious food and drink for the kids in Baja and their families. Knowing that my planning is almost always overcome by God's plan, we prepared 25% more pallets than we were going to need. 16 pallets of food is a lot! Each pallet is typically about half a ton of food, so a pallet fills a small pickup or SUV.

Then came the rains. Baja California received 7 to 10 inches of rain in a few hours, accompanying by shanty-destroying winds. Villages were cut off, houses damaged, shacks destroyed. Reports of children being swept away, never to be recovered, made the local news. From experience in prior years, we knew of the misery being suffered by those least able to endure.

And then the earthquake in Haiti. As many as 1/3 of the residents of Port au Prince killed or injured. We all had our hearts touched by the suffering and devastation.
We struggled to not be torn by the two centers of suffering. Through the providence of the Lord and the generosity of our donors, we can make a big difference in suffering lives impacted by both disasters.

Our Mexico feeding mission swelled from 12 pallets to 20. Volunteers stepped up, the food was available, and we were able to nearly double the amount of sustenance we expect to provide in a single month. This despite the barriers, natural and man-made, thrown up.

Here's a shot of our truck crossing an arroyo during one of our caravans. Sometimes there is the little stream you see here, but most often it's just dry.

Here's the same crossing last week. Nobody's crossing, and if this is the only way in and out, you're stuck.

Just hearing the torrent rush by inspires awe.

And the kids have to eat every day. So, being able to respond on a few hours' notice is, well, awesome!
Meantime, we were privileged to be able to help move 17 pallets of desperately-needed medical supplies to Haiti, thanks to the generosity of friends and associates of one of our corporate sponsors, Miramar Freight. Totally awesome! And, we're working on a cooperative endeavor with the U.S. Navy to provide continuing relief to that devastated nation.
We never feel we have enough to get the job done, but somehow, some way, some body steps up and volunteers, or donates, or just prays for us.

Awesome.

Why does it take a catastrophic event for the majority us to come together and help others?

2010-01-27T19:09:00.000-08:00

Well Judd, it's been a week since you've blogged...SO...Here I am. It has been a busy week, especially for Judd. Several trips to the warehouse, many phone calls, arranging transportation of goods, working on getting food and sanitary supplies to Haiti, working a full time job, but most importantly continuing to Feed Hungry Families in Mexico.

It’s been a weird week... rain, rain, rain and than more rain. When I think of the material items we have lost this week, due to the wind and rain it doesn't compare to the loss of life in Mexico due to rains and flooding.

It's heartbreaking when you hear about a child that slipped away down the river never to be found...all because of floods and less than sub-standard living conditions. By less than sub-standard living conditions, I mean some of these families live on the streets, along railroad tracks, in fields or along riverbeds. How dare we complain as we sit in the warmth and comfort of our homes!!!

So why do we complain? I'll tell you why...We are a bunch of Spoiled Brats. We've been so spoiled and very selfish in many ways. I don't mean to dismiss those who work so hard for all they have but come on...do we really need all we have? Why can't people just give a little bit more and take a little less?

Americans in general come together and give in a time of crisis give, as they are doing now for Haiti. This makes me proud to be an American and I am proud of all you that are helping in some way. Yet, how the people of Haiti are surviving today due to the destruction and devastation of the earthquake they experienced 2 weeks ago, we have people not far from here, which live that way everyday and without a natural disaster. So, why don’t we help them more? Ponder this, and let me know what you think!

Well, on a personal note, this has been an extra difficult week for Judd and myself. We endured the pain and loss of our 15 year, 6 weeks, 3-day-old King Doberman Pinscher. He was the best dog and friend anyone could ask for. He loved us with unconditional love; he loved putting smiles on our faces and in our hearts. He was smart, forgiving, and a P.I.T.A. some times too, but we loved him and he loved us. A week ago Monday, the first time ever since we lived in this house a HUGE RAINBOW shinned in front of our home, our Granddaughter was so excited, we love Rainbows and I guess he loved it too, so much that he decided to chase that Rainbow and so he did. He crossed that Rainbow Bridge on Jan.21, 2010. He passed in the peace and comfort of our home; I still can’t believe he is gone. It’s so hard for me as there are just so many memories here, the pain in our hearts is tremendous, and my tears are constant. I know in time, the memory of him will be joyous and I can’t wait for those memories of our boy to become a source of joy in our life.

In the meantime, we will continue the path our Lord has provided for us; love our little doggie, our family, and our friends. Dedicate whatever years we have left to helping the less fortunate in Mexico. Continue our mission to feed who ever we can. We’ll put our pride behind us and ask for your support and donations, because without your help another child goes hungry! Your donations are graciously accepted at HilariousGivers.Org.

Debra ((*.*))
http://www.hilariousgivers.org/

After the earthquake and before the rains (well, sort of)

2010-01-19T09:08:00.000-08:00

We jumped on the wagon the second we heard about the earthquake in Haiti and the devastation there. There were lots of others on the wagon - literally hundreds of other NGO's from the United States were reaching out to help. There really is no limit to the generosity of Americans.

We had arranged to have 10 pallets of food and drinking water moved to LAX to be airlifted to Port au Prince. Then came a telephone call - an explanation that medical supplies had priority, and furthermore, the United Nations (with whom our partner was coordinating in Haiti) was not accepting any foodstuffs with an expiration date less than 1 year away. We took that to mean that they didn't expect to actually distribute our precious food within the next year. News footage confirmed our suspicions. The biggest hurdle in Haiti is distributing the food already available, not in getting the food to Haiti. So our donation never left our warehouse.

But, the crisis in Haiti is far from over. This will be a long-term effort - months, if not years in length. There will come a time when the attention of the national media wanes, the consciousness of the public fades, and the pandemonium at the Port au Prince airport dies down. And when that happens, we'll still be here. We are already undertaking making arrangements to move food to Haiti, but after the current panic abates.

In the meantime, the rains have started here in Southern California and in the Baja. An old joke is "It only rains ten inches a year here, but you don't want to be here the day it happens!" We got an inch or so yesterday, and expect several inches more starting this afternoon and through the rest of the week. When it rains in Baja, rural communities are literally cut off. Roads become impassable - if you're not where you want to be, too bad. The folks who sleep in the dirt find themselves sleeping in the mud, and there's nowhere dry to go. Shantys made of packing crates and cardboard offer scant shelter.

So, we're doing everything we can to get food down ASAP. We moved about 5,000# last Saturday, and expect to move another 8,000# tomorrow. Saturday will be a big day, as well; we've scheduled two of our larger missions for that day. One of the missions is on paved roads, so we'll be able to get food to them - the challenge will be to distribute the food once it's there. But the other is problematic - the orphanage is actually in suburban Tijuana, but on dirt roads. We'll just have to see if the roads remain passable.

There's a lesson in here somewhere. We need to keep an eye on the horizon, not just on our next step. Mexican orphans get hungry every day, not just during Christmas. And the crisis in Haiti will last far longer than the time the national news networks will allot to it. We tend to become inured to tragedy after the dust settles. But the need will continue on a day-to-day basis.

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." Deu 15:11

A 2,600 year-old lesson, and I'm still learning!

HilariousGivers is sending Supplies to the People of Haiti

2010-01-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

Wow, Looks like 10 Pallets are being shipped to Haiti by Hilarious Givers!
Someone said to Judd, that's all...well, I'm just so grateful we can supply the People of Haiti with 10 Pallets of food, water, muscle milk and some other items we have in our warehouse!!!
I am sickened by what happened to the people of Haiti but we still have hunger and devastation just across the border and people depending on us for food. We only have so much to give. However, every little bit helps, right? Right!

Well, just because we are sending 10 pallets out to Haiti this doesn't mean we're finished helping. We will continue to gather supplies and monetary donations and will continue to communicate with other organizations. Judd has already made connections with other larger Charitable Organizations, which have been around much longer than HG, (all while working a full time 9-5 job.) They have assured us that they have much more to give than we have. They also will be shipping out supplies this week!

I hope that years down the road when HilariousGivers is more established and our connection database has matured, we also can assure the new generation of charitable organizations how to stay focused on their mission, yet help with unforeseen disasters. The Lord will provide!

If you would like to donate to Hilarious Givers or Haiti, please go to our website, www.HilariousGivers.org click on the Donate button and make a donation, please specify if your donation is for Haiti.

Have a Great Day,
Debra ;o)

The least among us . . ..

2010-01-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

We are committed to serving the least among us. Jesus taught that just as we serve the widows and orphans, we serve Him. Until yesterday, finding the least among us has been an easy task. Hungry - no, starving, kids, just a few minutes drive from our comfortable homes were the 'easy target'.

Then came the 'quake. Tens of thousands dead in a moment. Kids wandering the streets, their moms and dads dead. No water. No food. No electricity. No nuthin'.

So now, here we are. The product of the generosity of hundreds of folks waiting in our warehouse, ready to feed hungry kids and their families. I don't think this is a coincidence. In fact, there's not much I think is a coincidence.

On the phone - to our Board of Directors. "Of course! Let's do what we can!"

Then talking to other NGO's who might be heading up cartage to Haiti.

Cut to the chase: The folks up at Operation USA are putting together an airlift out of Los Angeles within the next few days, and would be happy to carry our food and water to those in desperate need. Miramar Freight will deliver whatever we can spare to Los Angeles. 10 pallets of food, water and muscle milk are committed to kids and their families in Haiti. 5 tons of nurtition headed for the Carribean.

I can't remember a time when I have been more gratified to be an American. The face of the Haiti relief operation is going to be the U.S. military. And the muscle and sinew of that operation is going to be American generosity, mostly expressed through NGO's like Hilarious Givers.

I spent some time on the telephone with a counterpart of another aid organization - his response when I told him 10 pallets was "why only 10?" The 'why' is we still have thousands of kids under our wings, who will go hungry if we don't keep our eye on the ball. Our mission is primarily feeding Mexican orphans and the children of migrants right here in our back yard. If we lose sight of that, then the mission is flawed. The 'among us' part is important. The Haiti operation is acute, but will go on for months; the Mexico operation is right here, right now, and for the forseeable future.

So tomorrow morning, I'll be composing Bills of Lading for this month's outreach and transmitting them to Mexican customs. And Saturday, we'll be loading pickups and vans with much-needed supplies for our supported Mexico missions. Life goes on, and so do we.

If you have been considering making a monetary donation to Hilarious Givers, there hasn't been a better time before now. We'll take all the help we can get. We're still tax-exempt, and we're still broke. But God is good, and we take our strength in knowing we doing what we can for 'the least among us'.

Wednesday, January 13

2010-01-13T08:55:00.000-08:00

The word is out! We published our schedule for pickups on Sunday, and we're getting a big response. That means that there are lots of volunteers who will be coming to the warehouse during the next few days to load pickup trucks and vans with food and sanitation items to take to the less fortunate.

Already there are hiccups - a community supported by Club Dust is lacking in transport, but not in need. So, an appeal was e-mailed, and another mission stepped up to volunteer to take a load of food to a community sorely in need. It's really humbling to see the guiding hand of God in our work. We see this sort of intercession throughout our mission.

As an example, we received a shipment of Coca-Cola 'vitamin water' donated by Convoy of Hope on Monday. We had just loaded the last case of drinking water on Saturday. We went from zero drinking water to 42,500 pounds of drinking water. And 'in the nick of time'. Is there a pattern here?

And I got a telephone call from Strong Tower Ministries yesterday. There are 20 pallets of medical supplies which have been donated to serve Mexican missions. Are we interested? You Bet!
These are only two examples of the encouragement we receive every day.

I shouldn't be surprised. Isaiah 58:9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. And all along, I recognize that His will is being accomplished through folks like the readers of this Blog - we're all instruments in His hand.

Sunday, January 10 2010

2010-01-10T07:48:00.000-08:00

It's bright and early, it looks like we're going to have another spectacular winter day in Chula Vista. The forecast is for temps in the low 70's - and although the sun is not up yet, the sky in the east is that beautiful, soft blue we get in this part of the desert southwest. Another blessed day in this greatest country on God's green earth!

I spent yesterday morning in our first excercize of assembling loads of food for pickup by orphanages, churches and other feeding ministries in Mexico. We get tons of food in by the truckload on pallets. One pallet might have half a ton of cases of green beans with potatoes, another 2,000 pounds of rice which have been packed into 30# bags by volunteers from a partner church, and so forth. When a pickup or van arrives driven by a volunteer to take the food to a mission, we need to provide an assortment, based on what we have available and the population being fed, enough to fill the pickup, but not so much that we have to re-stock. And we have to get the pickup loaded expeditiously so we're not interfering with the 18-wheelers which are coming and going during this process. So how to assemble manageable loads?

In the past, Miramar Transportation has been donating the time of warehousemen to assemble loads for us - I would compile a list of what we needed, and they would - presto/changeo - have a pallet ready for the driver to pick up. But our success has gotten in the way. Our volume has become so large, and the demand on the resources of Miramar Transportation has gotten so great, that we are changing our M.O.

Our generous sponsor has given us a warehouse space that is dedicated solely to our mission. Along with that comes the responsibility of assembling loads. Miramar Transport is still donating forklift drivers, a computerized inventory system, pallets and packing, (not to mention free cartage to get the stuff to San Diego). But the task of serving the drivers who pick up food for the kids is now ours.

The first big test came yesterday. Calls for volunteers were sent out, plans for assembling loads were made, and energy was wasted in useless anxiety in an appropriate measure. When I arrived in the parking lot at our new warehouse, I was greeted by a small crowd of enthusiastic men, all ready to get to work. We got the warehouse opened, discussed the plan, made some last-minute adjustments (Thanks, Mark!), and got to work.

It turned out that we had just the right number of volunteers. I am always surprised at how Hilarious Givers is always provided with exactly what we need to fulfil our mission. If a few more had shown up, we would have been getting in each other's way. A few less, and we would not have been able to finish. I don't know why I worry about this stuff.

The result is a full measure of loads, ready to be put in the trucks and vans of volunteers, and sufficient to meet the demand of January pickups. Space is cleared and ready to receive incoming loads for the rest of the month. We have 'a system' for accomplishing this task in the long chain of getting food from donors to kids.

Maybe as important as all of this, several of our adolescent and young adult kids spent a few hours in selfless labor, meeting the urgent needs of needy children in our community - kids that they will never meet, but who, nonetheless, will have a bond with their brothers in Estados Unitas - the most fortunate society in the history of mankind. These volunteers set aside basketball and video games for a few hours and made a difference. And their dads had a chance to show real leadership and serve as examples of what Christian manhood is all about.

And so, at the end of the day, I received the gift of being able to relax and reflect on the events of the morning. I am so blessed to have the support of volunteers, contributors, and my life partner, Debra, in fulfilling this mission.

Thank you, each and all!

Pleas for Help at the Warehouse ;o)

2010-01-09T13:27:00.000-08:00

Well, today is Saturday January 09, 2010 and my Darling arouse early this morning and headed down to the warehouse with fresh donuts in hand. He spent part of the past week creating an invitation/flier, which he e-mailed to a few, used an e-mail server we have to e-mail some out and posted some at his daytime job. All this to raise awareness and solicit help in his mission…Helping the less fortunate in Mexico. I personally wish he would have put in bold letters “FREE DONUTS” in his flier, because we all know Donuts on Saturday mornings are a big hit ;o) Well, for some of us “Carb Addicts” .

So many people are afraid to cross the border, so this affords people the perfect opportunity to serve the less fortunate in Mexico without crossing the border. Now how cool is that? There’s always more than one way to skin a … apple???

So, this is his first attempt to get volunteers to help organize the inventory at the warehouse and my mind is spinning. Of course I have to let worry enter the equation … what if he gets too many hands, this could be a hindrance for him and if he gets to few hands to help, well… I guess that’s just another obstacle for him to overcome and I want so much for this to be a positive experience for Judd, he pours his heart and soul into this mission. When all I really need to remember is… all things are possible thru God, he may not give us what we want but will certainly give us what we need.

Anyway, there will be many more opportunities to serve in this type of event if you missed this one. I’m real excited and curious to see how his plea for help has turned out. Stay Tuned…

Midweek musings

2010-01-06T08:25:00.000-08:00

I visited our new warehouse location yesterday - and I'm stoked! The level of receipts and deliveries got to the point that we were interfering with the operations at Miramar Transportation, who is the generous donor of our San Diego warehouse space. So, we have been given a new space (near where our stuff used to be stored) where we won't be underfoot. Chris, the warehouse manager, has done a masterful job of building shelving and setting aside space for us to handle our donations. We won't have to struggle with the TSA regulatory requirements, that means we can actually have our volunteers in the warehouse assembling loads of food and other goodies for shipment to the kids! I know - this all sounds mundane. But it's major. We couldn't even come close to paying for the space, manpower and transportation involved, and this is a step forward. There's nothing exciting about logistics, but there sure is something exciting about the gratitude of the kids we feed and the tireless missionaries we supply.
Speaking of missionaries, I got a message from an angel in Rosarito who helps us feed hundreds of working poor families, Cindy Pesina. Christmas is a little different along the railroad tracks and in the migrant camps in the hills of northern Baja. Cindy posted "It's really humbling when people win a raffle and choose soap or toothpaste as their prize!" So, of course, Debra found a source of donated soap and shampoo and we have been working with them (in Florida) to get a supply for our kids. It's a done deal as of yesterday - all the soap we want, but we have to pick up the tab for shipping. We'll raise a few hundred dollars to finish the deal, but we're going to be able to help some impoverished mommies keep their kids clean and healthy.

First post of 2010

2010-01-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

We're at the time of the year when we're supposed to be making resolutions. For the WHOLE YEAR! I don't know what's going to be happening between now and dinner. Why make promises I know I can't keep? (Jesus' half-brother James got it right. Check out James 4:13-15.)
But that doesn't mean we shouldn't reflect on the past year and re-adjust our goals. What are some worthwhile goals for Hilarious Givers during the coming months? How can we best serve 'the least among us'? That will be a topic of discussion at our next meeting of the Board of Directors. Do you have any ideas?
Here are some of the things we've been kicking around:
Refrigerated storage. The produce distribution markets start their days while we sleep. By 4:30 or 5:00 am, their day is over. Fruits and vegetables that are not on the way to your supermarket are garbage. So, our landfills get overfilled while kids are hungry. The irony is that a large portion of that food was harvested in Mexico by the very migrant families we serve. We could make a real impact if we had some way to store days-old produce until we can get it to the kids.
Farm animals. Debra found a wonderful mission which is raising money to buy farm animals for impoverished kids in Africa. Great work! But we don't have to go to Africa to find improverished kids; we feel that our efforts are better spent right here. We have discussed with Pastor Escobar at Village of Hope the possibility of donating a small herd of goats and a few chickens to help his flock be more self-sufficient. Fresh milk and eggs for the kids! Pastor is very enthusiastic at the prospect; he has identified a volunteer to help teach husbandry to the kids.
Improved Outreach. We will continue to search for ways to increase our visibility in the community. We need warehouse volunteers, adventurers to take day trips south to deliver food, contributers to help with the financial burden, and food packers, canners and producers to share their surplus.
So, if any blogsters (did I just make up a word?) out there want to help with these efforts, or have suggestions about how better to spread the Good Word by sharing our abundance, let us know.

Christmas post

2009-12-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isa 7:14

Blessed Christmas, one and all!

'Twas the night before Christmas . . ..

2009-12-24T16:27:00.000-08:00

Time to put Hilarious Givers aside for a few hours. We took delivery of an 18-wheeler with lots of nutritious food for the kids yesterday. Our friends from Gleanings for the Hungry really came through, and Miramar Transportation was there to step in and get the goodies.
We pause to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, surrounded by all the abundance this God-blessed country has to offer. But the greatest gift is that of giving. There are lots of kids who will enjoy the season a lot more because of the generous hearts of those who read this Blog. Nobody wants children to go to bed hungry or cold; you, gentle readers, have done something about it!

Thank you one and all, have a blessed Christmas!

Judd
Judd@HilariousGivers.org

Scurrying around - or 'Tis the season

2009-12-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

Things seem to be heading for a climax.
Debra and I are in the final preparation stages for celebrating Christmas with kids and grandkids - going absolutely nuts wrapping, planning, etc. Never seems to be enough time.
In the middle of it all comes a phone call - transportation is available, an empty 18 wheeler is headed south from the Bay Area. Do we have anything that needs transported? A couple of quick phone calls, and 'Praise the Lord!' 10 pallets (or more) will be ready at Dinuba when the truck gets there. And part of it is a donation we had to say 'no thanks' to last week because we couldn't pay for handling.
So, while we enjoy our abundance here in SoCal, God is gently leading us to sharing with needy kids in Mexico by filling our warehouse with nutritious food. I shouldn't be suprised, but I am continually amazed at how it works out following His plan!
Gotta run - phone's ringing.

Here it starts.

2009-12-22T12:02:00.000-08:00

O.K. I'm being dragged inexorably into the 21st century.

Starting a Web Log. Or, in the vernacular, a 'Blog'. Sounds like something on the sidewalk you avoid stepping in.

How 'bout we call it a 'celebration' instead?

Imagine that you felt led to reach out and help a hungry child. A child who lives just a short distance from where you live, except this kid sleeps in the dirt at night, or curled up in a doorway. Not too far from the city dump, because that's where she's going in the morning for breakfast. Or perhaps she is a little more fortunate, and has a tortilla in the morning. Corn meal. Lard. Salt. That's it.

But continuing with our imagination, we're touched to help feed this precious child. And the food we're going to feed her is not even food we've paid for, it's given to us for the kids.

Now, if you accepted that invitation, if you took that donated food and filled the empty stomach of a hungry child, you'd feel pretty good about yourself, wouldn't you?

Multiply that good feeling by 4,000 kids, and by 365 days of the year. Now how do you feel?

That's EXACTLY how Debra and I feel while fulfilling our calling to Hilarious Givers. That's what we mean by finding fulfillment in our lives by giving with wholehearted joy. That's what St. Paul meant when he said 'The Lord loves a cheerful (hilarious) giver'.

You're welcome to join the adventure! Follow this Blog celebration during the months to come, check out our website (http://www.hilariousgivers.org/ - shameless plug), get on our mailing list. Pray for us. Volunteer to help. If you can't volunteer, write a check. But share with us the pure joy that comes from selfless giving.

Blessings to you all!
Judd

2009-12-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

NINOS DE NATIVIDAD, Maneadero, Baja Mexico December 19th 2009

How lucky are we?

Well, it’s that time of year again, the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season. We, Hilarious Givers, awoke early Saturday morning to travel south across the US Border into Mexico with our church group and other caring people for the event” Ninos De Natividad” which our church holds as an annually. It’s a big event for everyone.

How lucky are we? Funny you should ask.

Spend a day with the Mixteco Indians in Maneadero, MX, at an orphanage, or with the children working in the fields and you’ll soon realize how lucky we are. No, I take that back, you’ll recognize how “Blessed” we are.

Picture your life with no running water, having to use a communal “out house” which consist of a hole in the ground, no toilet paper, sleeping on the ground, in a hut made out of blankets, cardboard and some blue plastic tarps if you’re lucky.

Speaking of luck, if you are lucky enough to have something to cook, let’s see, you would get a fire started…on the ground of course with some sticks or what ever you have to burn.
You bathe in the dirty water you washed your dirty clothes in or your cooking utensils in. Life is not easy for the Mixteco Indians.

So for a few hours a group of Americans pull together, load our vehicles up, crossing the International Border with thousands of toys, some clothing, food. We'll provide live music, give them a hot meal and a message that God loves them.

Then we head back to the United States, wait on line sometimes for many hours to cross the US Border, Ugh! We finally make it home, and the kitchen light is burnt out, or the toilet bowl clogs, or it rains…

So how Lucky or Blessed are we?

Let’s see, we drove in a pretty comfy vehicle to Maneadero, Mexico and the views were spectacular. We have a place to call home, clean running water, electric, cars, phones, televisions, computers, we don’t have to work in fields with our babies tied to our back for hours on end (although it may feel that way at times!), we have child labor laws and the list goes on.

So once again I ask; how Lucky or Blessed are we?

Next time you think you have it so bad, think of those poor Mixteco Indians, the Orphans, the 2 or 3 year olds working in the fields, the homeless, the Seniors which have been cast away in Mexico, better yet, go with us on our next venture into the Land of the Poor and I guarantee you this experience will definitely change your life, hopefully forever! I know my life has been changed.

Just doing his work,
Debra
Debra@HilariousGivers.Org