Ft. Caroline Baptist Carnival

What a God-day we had yesterday at Ft. Caroline Baptist's annual Fall Festival/Carnival. Our Lord provided a beautiful day and the turnout was fabulous. At Christ's Starfish Foundation we are very grateful for the opportunity Ft. Caroline Baptist has given us to be a part of their carnival the last two years. Yesterday we were Blessed with the opportunity to share how our Lord is working through His foundation. The results He provided yesterday were truly a God-thing. We had 27 individuals sign up to sponsor a child that will be in Wolfson Children's Hospital on Christmas day. We also had 19 banks taken to put dimes and other coins in for 3-4 months to fund our work at Christ's Starfish. Here is a thought that came to me last night as I was reflecting on the carnival activity. I believe yesterday 27individuals accepted God's call to answer a child's or their families' prayer. 27 children will have a smile on their face on Christmas day because of these 27 obedient people. How cool is it when our Lord taps us on the shoulder and presents us with the opportunity to do His work. WOW!!!! What a blessing to be used by God. Those who were called to take a bank also are an answer to a hurting child's families prayer. These coins will go to pay an electric bill, a rent or mortgage payment, car payment or any other need a family has due to their child's hospitalization. Thank you to each of you for your willingness to answer God's call.

Journeys With Christ

"Journeys With Christ" is a radio show dedicated to sharing Christ's love through personal testimonies. You can hear "Journey's With Christ" each Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. on 550AM Way Radio. Our guest will share how our Lord is working and molding their lives. These stories will inspire, encourage, and bring you closer to our Lord's purpose for your own life. Please join us each Saturday.

Upcoming Shows

Sept. 26 - Rene Williams -cancer survivor, blogger
Oct. 03 - Johnny Jones, Christian author
Oct. 10 - Christ's Starfish Foundation Story
Oct. 17 - Wolfson Children's Hospital interview
Oct. 24 - Christ's Starfish Foundation partners

Future Shows

Patrick Hayle - Executive Director City Rescue Mission

Mike McCoy - Former homeless person, business owner

If you are not near a radio, Journeys With Christ can also be heard by going to http://www.wayradio.org/ and clicking on 550AM and then click on listen online.

If you have a story to share about how our Lord is working in your life or in the life of someone you know, please contact us at http://www.christstarfish@aol.com/ . Thank you.

"Joshua" Project Update

We are proud to announce that the "Joshua" Project, through our Lord's leading has come to a wonderful conclusion. On Thursday, August 6, 2009, Joshua's parents, Ian and Patrice Fletcher, took ownership of a 2001 Honda Odyssey minivan. The most incredible thing about the "Joshua" project is how our Lord continues to use "His" people to accomplish "His" work. Over twenty individuals contributed to make this dream a reality. To everyone that was obedient to God's call on their life, a sincere thank you comes from Joshua's family and well as Christ's Starfish Foundation. Without you, none of this work could be possible.

As you will recall, Joshua is a precious little boy born June 8, 2008 with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Joshua has endured several surgeries with the last one making it necessary for him to be on a ventilator to assist him in breathing. Joshua's family needed to replace their small vehicle with one that had doors that would open wide to accomodate Joshua while attached to his ventilator and all the other equipment that he required (see previous post). Please join us in continuing to lift little Joshua up in prayer as he continues to endure the effects of this progressive disease.

Dimes for a Difference

One of our annual fundraisers is our "Dimes for a Difference" program. Pepsi has partnered with the foundation to supply us with one liter bottles that we have turned into banks. Our goal is to pass out 1,000 banks in the Jacksonville community to raise funds to help meet the needs of the children at Wolfson Children's Hospital and the families of the non-cancer patient who have needs due to their children being hospitalized. We can not do what we do without partners. If you would like to partner with us and take a bank to fill with coins, please contact us either on this blog or at our email address www.christstarfish@aol.com .You can also call us at (904)612-8522. Please know that 100% of all money donated goes directly to help this cause.

Year-End Reports

FINANCIALS CHRIST’S STARFISH FOUNDATION 2008


DEPOSITS______________________________$31,178.63

PROJECTS 2008 (33 total projects)_________$30,164.94

FEES*____________________________________$31.50

IRS FILING FEE*___________________________$750.00

DEPOSIT CORRECTION______________________$100.00

CARRYOVER PROJECTS_____________________($308.31)

*ALL FEES PAID BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BEN'S STORY

In October 2007, I was contacted by Jim Hutchinson,a social worker at Wolfson Children's Hospital. He wanted me to come to the hospital and meet a young man named Ben McCollum. My first impression of Ben was his looks. I thought he looked like Matthew McConaughey...a good looking kid. I really liked Ben from the first time we met in that room at Wolfson. Due to Ben's cystic fibrosis, he had a high caloric requirement each day of approximately 4100 calories. His busy school schedule and the multiple breathing treatments he had to do did not allow him to go to the cafeteria enough to meet his needs. He needed help with a Publix gift card to allow him to buy his food supplies. Since November 2007, we supplied Ben with a Publix gift card for each month he was in school. He was always grateful and expressed his appreciation. We were able to partner with Ben because you partnered with us. To all our partners, a special thank you for your support. We are making a difference in Christ's name as He leads.


A Tribute to Ben

With our work at Wolfson Children's Hospital we are blessed to meet many children and young adults who exhibit a faith, courage, and an attitude toward life that is amazing. One such individual was Benjamin Jon McCollum. Ben passed away March 30, 2009 at the age of 21 after a life long battle with cystic fibrosis. To Ben's family, his adopted family, and the seemingly hundreds of people that were at his service, our prayers go out to each and every one of you. To Ben...man you ran a great race. It was a privilege to know you. May God just hold you in His arms forever and ever. Breathe easy!

The "Crystal" Project

Last year we took on our biggest project to date. The social workers at Wolfson Children's hospital asked us if we could help provide a wheelchair accessible van for Crystal Jones who was born with Spina Bifida. Crystal had a power wheelchair but her family's van could not accomodate it. This meant that Crystal had to crawl from her chair to their van. We weren't sure we could take on something of this magnitude but God reminded us that although we can't -He can! Thanks to all of the wonderful people who partnered with us we were able to raise $15,000 and the Jones family traded in their existing van for the beautiful van pictured. Crystal was so excited. This van has made a world of difference for their family. It has given Crystal such independence. Her mom states that sometimes Crystal goes out and gets in the van and does her homework while watching a movie. It also has allowed Crystal and her dad, who both play saxophone, to travel and do concerts at different churches. We would like to thank all of the people who contributed to this project for making such a difference in the name of Jesus Christ, in the life of this deserving young lady.