Partnerships are the life-blood of our community.  George Fox University provided an amazing intern from the Organizational Communications department to coordinate Love INC’s latest pain management clinic.  This intern was able to find 36 medical professionals and church volunteers to help make this our most successful pain clinic to date.  Here is one of many love stories from the event:

“Matt” came to the pain clinic in hopes of getting help with back pain he has had for the past seven months. The pain was so bad that he was unable to work, and also unable to afford chiropractic services.

After his appointment, Matt’s back pain was relieved and he felt so much better. Not only was he in much less pain than before, but he was also in a condition where he could go back to work.  Matt, along with many others, was blessed by the generous doctors and volunteers who helped at the pain clinic.

This last month Elizabeth was able to get a 2^nd job, which would allow her to be able to afford to live in her own place.  She is now living her dream, something she could not have imagined when she step foot in the Newberg Community Shelter two years ago.

“Miguel” has been using the daily expense book given to him in class to record everything he spends money on.  He was able to realize exactly how much he was spending, correct the problem areas, and last month he had funds left over in his account.

Help us celebrate with Miguel as he makes steps towards independence and peace!

Just one more example of people in our community doing what they can to make a difference.

For the last nine years Love INC has been serving our community, any way we can.  Without easy access to the Clearinghouse for people in wheelchairs or walkers, we’ve sometimes had to resort to completing their intake in the front yard!

Habitat for Humanity saw our need for wheelchair access.  A group of volunteers built a ramp for the Clearinghouse at only the cost of materials.  This a perfect example of our community uniting to make a difference.

A most remarkable tag team was assembled when x-rays were needed on a patient who had a very clingy toddler who cried when he had to leave his mommy. One student quickly carried the child out, who immediately began screaming, while the other student pushed the button for the x-ray. As soon as the child was returned to his mommy (all four times) he stopped crying. That is teamwork!

“The patients gave hugs – even the ones who we least expected, because they were so thankful” – Lori Aus, RDHEP, MA

“When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.  Philip answered, “Two hundred silver pieces wouldn’t be enough to buy bread for each person to get a piece.”  One of the disciples—it was Andrew, brother to Simon Peter—said, “There’s a little boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But that’s a drop in the bucket for a crowd like this.”  Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” There was a nice carpet of green grass in this place. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread and, having given thanks, gave it to those who were seated. He did the same with the fish.  All ate as much as they wanted.” – John 6:5-11

“I was in the supermarket last week at the checkout counter and had just paid with food stamps.  I didn’t want to spend my money because I owed my buddy $5.  This really old man came to the counter behind me, I looked on the counter and you could tell that he had dinner with spaghetti noodles and sauce, hamburger, and some garlic toast.  The employee rang it up for him and it came out to $18.22.  He opens his wallet and has $11 cash and starts to count his change totaling $2.22.  I watch his eyes drop, the clerk ask him if he wants to put something back.  The man looked like he was starting to cry.  I reached into my pocket and gave him $5.  He gave me a hug, crying.”

The spirit of giving is alive at Love INC!  We can’t wait to see what will happen next.