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Pathfinder
of the Month
"Do not go
where the path may lead,go instead where there is no path and leave a
trail."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Everday
Angels
Wow!
What an amazing end to 2004! Everyday Angels, with the support of our
generous readers, was able to assist eight families who would have had
little or no Christmas gifts or dinner. We are grateful to our faithful
readers and to Enterprise Rent-a-car for their donations and compassion.
What is equally amazing is that our hotline has been busier in these past
six weeks than it's ever been. We have been bombarded with calls from
loving friends who are genuinely concerned for their friends and neighbors.
We honestly do not know how to begin to help everyone, but God willing,
we will do our best.
For
the month of February, we feel we need to assist several different families.
We must tell you that there are so many families who are dealing with
divorce, who have sudden job losses, and who are packing in anticipation
of their home being auctioned on the court house steps. Do you also realize
that there are many families and children who live in the local lodges
that live week to week? We only wished there was more that we could do
for these folks during these uncertain times and we plea to our readers
to compassionately give so that we can reach outside of our $425 monthly
maximum. It simply isn't enough right now.
We
will begin by featuring a mother of five children ranging in ages 3 to
18 years. While pregnant with her 3 year-old, this mom suffered a stroke.
Nine days after her stroke, her blood clotted too fast leaving her with
cognitive, visual and memory problems. During these trials, her husband
passed away. She is unable to work due to her disabilities and takes life
one day at a time. We will help her with her utilities and groceries.
We
also received a call from a caring friend of a newly divorced mom of three
whose husband left with little financial support. Her strength and courage
is inspiring to those who know and love her and her children. It is always
so admirable to hear of a woman or man who can outwardly rise above his
or her emotional trauma and be strong and secure for his or her children
during times of divorce. It is our prayer that through faith, she continues
on this path and that the Lord will give her grace and direction until
these tough times are behind her.
As
we start a new fresh year, remember to focus on all of your many blessings.
Please allow the Lord to live through you so that you may touch and encourage
the lives of others in some way. Choose to make a difference!
Everyday Angels is a non-profit organization
that provides short-term funding (currently up to a maximum of $425 per
month) to those in our community in need. If you know someone in need
or would like to contribute, please call (770) 517-8210 ext. 580.
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Donnah
Wilson
Every
now and then, you come across someone who follows the path he or she was
truly intended to follow, all the while making a difference in the world
around him or her. Donnah Wilson is such a person, and the difference
she makes is done quietly and humbly. Donnah was nominated as this month's
Pathfinder by Lorraine Allen Rose because of the mission work Donnah has
done with Hillside United Methodist Church and currently with Liberty
Hill United Methodist Church. "Donnah's work is all about trying to reach
those who need help," Lorraine said. "She's built cement floors for people
living with dirt floors and she's carried water miles to workers in the
hot Honduran sun. She's a great lady and very genuine," Lorraine continued.
Donnah
began doing missions when her oldest daughter, also named Donnah, expressed
an interest in it. They were attending Hillside UMC at the time, and Donnah
started the fund raising wheels in motion to fund the mission trips. She
held dinners, auctions, chili cook offs and a consignment sale. The annual
consignment sale became such a big money maker that it remains the number
one fundraising activity for the missions and is now held twice a year.
The Hillside Mission Trippers was born from these early fundraising efforts.
Mission Trippers' goal is to raise funds to send willing members of the
congregation on mission trips. When Donnah first started the mission program
in 1997, four people participated in missions. Since then, hundreds of
missionaries have gone to countries such as Honduras and Mexico. While
Donnah's daughter may have spurred her to do mission work, Donnah honestly
feels it was a calling, which is why she continues her missions today.
In
2003, Donnah and her family left Hillside to join its sister church, Liberty
Hill UMC in Canton, where she serves as the Mission Shepherd for the young
church. She coordinates local, national and international missions. Locally,
the church has partnered with an Hispanic Church, Iglesia Pentecostas
"El Faro." Their efforts have included holding a garage sale to raise
money for the church. Donnah also teaches ESOL (English as a Second Language)
once a week at this church. Nationally, Donnah and the mission staff have
partnered with One Way Ministries in Arizona to work with Native Americans,
and they most recently went to North Carolina to provide disaster relief
from the hurricanes. Internationally, Donnah has traveled to Honduras
and Mexico and hopes to go to Latvia in the future. She also would like
to go to India to assist with tsunami relief efforts. Liberty Hill's Pastor,
Josh Loudermilk said, "Donnah has a quiet, yet firm strength that is based
upon her love for Christ, missionary heart, and her undying passion to
help people in whatever way they need. She is a behind-the-scenes kind
of person and is marked with a deep-seated humility that I have found
in very few people. She has a way of wearing her faith on the soles of
her feet. She does more walking than talking."
Donnah
is married to Larry, a Pediatric Nurse Practioner who is a partner in
Cherokee Custom Script. They have four children, Donnah, Mariah, Courtney
and Luke. In addition to her mission work and volunteering at the Hispanic
church, Donnah also works part-time as a hand therapist in Buckhead. Donnah
was truly humbled by this recognition and said, "This is not about me
- it's about how I worship Jesus after Sunday. Everything I do, I try
to be a witness."
Thank
you Donnah for everything you do to make our community a better place
to live.
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