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AWAKE COFFEE COMMUNITY
AUGUST 2018
WHAT IS COMMUNITY INITIATIVE ?
A C O M M U N I T Y C O M M I T T E D T O S E E I N G Y O U T H R I V E
Toni Kelecheck Board Member AWAKE Communities Int .
Community ( noun ) - A feeling of fellowship with others , as a result of sharing common attitudes , interests , and goals .
Initiative ( noun ) - An introductory act or step .
Conyers is a diversified city made up of people of various religious beliefs , socio-economic status , race and political views but we are still a community . You only have to attend a local event like a parade or festival , and you will see a community enjoying the city together .
Behind the scenes , people in our community care for each other , friends and strangers alike . I have the privilege of witnessing this first hand on a regular basis by being involved with the AWAKE Community Initiative program . Just recently , people in our community stepped up to answer a call to help a young family with twins . They were struggling financially and had been without their car for weeks . They were unable to work , to repair their vehicle and they could not provide for their family . A local business owner agreed to fix the car at a significantly reduced price with low monthly payments . A local church preschool is helping them apply for a scholarship for the children to be in preschool so the mom can work as well . Money which was donated to AWAKE helped to cover the cost for towing as well as vital material needs for this family . A local hairstylist gave the mom a new look which gave her more confidence . These combined acts of kindness were life-changing for this family .
Some volunteers recently worked tirelessly to help a local business owner by making repairs to her building . The building renovations will contribute to educating young lives in this community . The same volunteers have walked the streets and parking lots of Olde Town , picking up trash . Some of them do a weekly prayer walk . They pray for our local businesses and people in our community . Many times , when you walk into AWAKE , you will see someone listening intently to another community member who just needs someone to care .
That is what community is all about . Caring for each other . A smile , a handshake , a listening ear or a handup . Don ’ t get distracted by crime and negativity . There is positivity in your community . Good things are happening behind the scenes . Compassion is all around , and you can help promote that . Donate your time , your services or your financial resources to the AWAKE Community Initiative and help make Your community shine ! Darkness cannot exist in light . Be the light .
For more information , contact Alexandra or Toni at AWAKE Coffee Co by calling 678-392-2400 .
Join this faith-driven adventure to discover your God-given destiny and become an influential leader where ever you go .
DEVOTIONAL
awakecommunites . org / ASML
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
I will never forget 2016 . It was one of the most difficult and painful years of my life . Between March 29th and November 1st , five of my loved ones died , I lost 2 jobs , 2 cars , my dog died , and I had a massive heart attack . They call it a Widowmaker heart attack . It is a miracle that I am alive today . As I consider all the pain and heartache , there is one shining light that carried me through it all . That one thing is community .
You may wonder what that means . Community is the circle of family and friends who gathered around me in a very sad , painful and difficult time . They loved , prayed , encouraged and helped me until I was stable again . I wouldn ’ t have made it without them . Though my faith is strong and amazingly has not wavered , I believe wholeheartedly that faith by itself is not enough . This is , in my opinion , a definite God thing . The Bible says to love God and to love people .
When I went through my trial , the reason these precious , wonderful people were so key to my well-being , is that when my thoughts and feelings turned dark and depressed , they were there to speak the truth . They loved me through the darkness of grief and pain , and when things got better , they also shared in my joy .
Some might ask how do I cultivate community ? Perhaps joining a ministry through your place of worship ( church ). Community service and civic organizations are also an option , or maybe a support group will fit your personal needs . If you can ’ t find it in any of these ways , you can also go to AWAKE Coffee Co because community is their core value . I encourage you to reach out to others . You just may be the lifeline for someone else .
Carry each other ’ s burdens , and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ .
Galatians 6:2
Jesus ,
Help me learn how to be in community . You designed us for it , and you knew we would need it . As we walk through this life , we encounter hardships , and I ask that You would lead me to where I should go to find community . Help me cultivate good relationships and teach me how to love like you . Thank you , for the people you have placed in my life .
Amen
Tammy Eskew Awake Coffee Community