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A GREAT GIVEAWAY STORY It is my great pleasure to work with Amy Proctor who heads up The Great Giveaway. Amy has maintained a resource ministry of her own here in Columbus for over 9 years. She gets to see the faces of the women and families who receive your donations everyday. This week Amy shared this story about a mother who benefitted from your donations for the Great Giveaway. This past week Amy received a phone call from a grandmother named Margie, who was looking for resources for her pregnant daughter, Bethany. Bethany recently fled from her home state and an abusive husband with her two young daughters (ages 5 and 9) and is now in the hospital because of her at-risk pregnancy. Bethany unable to bring anything for her baby with her and between her and her grandmother, had spent over $2000 getting her home, so there wasn't anything left to purchase baby supplies. Well, The Great Giveaway was scheduled for this weekend, and so we happen to have a warehouse space (generously donated to us by Vista Community Church) FULL of your donated supplies for babies and moms right now. "When I told Margie I would meet her at the warehouse the next day and that she could have anything she wanted, she started to cry," Amy said. "We talked about God and how good He is and that He loves and cares for us always." The next day, Amy loaded up her minivan with a pack n play, high chair, bassinet, stroller, car seat, changing table, bouncy seat, toys and clothes for the baby. And wouldn’t you know it, there were also clothes there for the 5-year-old girl. "Margie and her husband were speechless," Amy said. " They were overwhelmed and so grateful." Amy wanted to share the text conversations that have transpired between them since she delivered the donations. It's a real-life example of how God works through postponements, quarantines, grandparents, hospitalizations, pain and suffering and your generosity to show people who he is: Good. Kind. Loving. Present. Provider. Comforter. And almost all the time, he uses US. Even our gently used baby stuff. Here is the text chain between Amy and Margie: Margie: God has definitely brought a precious blessing. My daughter couldn’t talk, she was crying uncontrollably with happiness. She said to please tell you that this is a precious answer to her many hours of prayer for her little family. She feels abundantly blessed. See you tomorrow, God bless you. Thank you. Amy: I’m so grateful God has brought us together as well. Its an awesome answer to my prayers as well that God would use the present trials of the world to draw us closer to the One who cares and is in control of it all. Margie: Thank you for everything that you are doing. You are showing God’s love to others and blessing them. Amy: It’s for His Glory Margie: Amen, Praise God. You are an angel Margie: Amy, I have to reach out to you to thank you for making my babygirl able to relax and rest worry free about her needs for baby Harry. Emily and Larissa are so happy with the back packs, stuffed animals, and games, God has blessed us so very much. Prayers have been answered from your faithful efforts. Thank you. Thank you for your precious prayers and all your efforts to help others. You are doing His will in all your time and efforts. I'm still trying to take in all of the blessings of today. Amy: Honestly, the privilege is all mine. It was such a joy to meet you guys and to know that your trial has been made a little easier. Thank you so much for your sweet text. I am praying for you all. Margie: Thank you my sister in Christ. Amy: Yes, He is my savior and my strength. Margie: I was in the habit of praying every morning, evening, and whenever needed…now I seem to spend more time in prayer than anything else. Isn’t God GREAT!!! Amy: He loves it when we draw nearer to Him! Margie: He is all we truly need! With God nothing is impossible Amy: Amen. Thank you for being a part of this story by donating items for young moms like Bethany.

QUARANTINE HOPE You know, I’m tired of all the bad news. I’m getting loads of emails filled with tips on surviving the quarantine, what I should be doing, what I can and can’t do and who wants to sell me something while I’m in quarantine. I want some good news!!!! At The Table we hear stories of people who have gone through really hard stuff and came out the other side better off. They have seen God show up in their situations, they have been an eye witness to a quality or attribute of God. They have experienced God. I want to see God in this quarantine! You probably know that The Table hosts an event called The Great Giveaway every April. This event is for young moms who have made the difficult and brave decision to keep their baby. Last year we had over 300 young moms come through our give away and get all the stuff they needed for their nurseries. Pack N Plays, strollers, high chairs, bouncy seats, toys, books, clothes… you name it. All for young moms – all for free. This year, that event will have to be postponed – we hope to reschedule this summer. But in the meantime, we have a warehouse full of baby stuff. And, due to the quarantine, we have single, young moms all across our city that have been laid off – financially stressed. This could be an opportunity! This could be a way for God to show up in the middle of their stressful situation and perform a “miracle”. We have the opportunity to help them experience God. We are going to share stories through our blog of young moms that are being supported by The Great Giveaway even now. Right now, as you are bound to your home with nowhere to go, you can donate. Go through those closets and basements and donate your gently used baby gear to young moms in need. You can be a part of this! You can change a young girls life forever. We have four drop off locations around Columbus that are taking donations. Now is the time these young girls need your help. Visit our website for drop-off locations www.thetablegatherings.com/greatgiveaway Gratefully, Chel Kissler Founder, The Table Gatherings