WORDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR         Rev. Duane L. Sich

“Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” I John 4:7-8

These words have been the scriptural foundation of Friends of the Carpenter from the very beginning back in October of 1998. The ongoing mission of FOC has been to provide a place and a program where God’s love is proclaimed and practiced in such a way that it is personally felt by everyone who comes through the door. It is not only those who are homeless who desire and need this message and experience. When volunteers leave the Friendship Center, they also express thanks for their time here and the opportunity to give AND RECEIVE God’s love. Scripture clearly states, whenever we are around love, we are with God! The pages of this Annual Report compile numbers and stories that record God’s love in action through the ministry of Friends of the Carpenter. Each number and each story reports a touch of God’s love. What’s the value of a mere touch or even a story? Well, when Jesus touched someone, healing occurred. No … we’ve not raised anyone from the dead at Friends of the Carpenter, but I am confident that people have left the Center with “new life.” Nor have we cured anyone’s blindness, yet without a doubt everyone who has been a part of the love shared during the events sees things a bit different, with a new perspective and a better path to follow. And a story embedded with this past year: One of our friends was given permission to stay overnight on FOC property, otherwise he’d have had no alternative but to walk the streets and suffer the elements. It was a modest and virtually cost-free gift for which we apologized for not being able to provide better provisions. His response, “It may have seemed small to you, but precious to me! Thank You!”

Each number, each story, each touch, is a testimony of God’s grace and transforming love. I give thanks to the many who have given of themselves to this ministry. Particularly to the staff, but also to the Board of Directors, the many volunteers whose touches of God’s love is the living hand of the Body of Christ; I thank God and thank all who have contributed to the countless numbers of prayers, the donor dollars and the desire and dedication to make a difference through Friends of the Carpenter. I encourage the reading and study of this document. It is an expansion of the Apostle John’s words, “Dear friends, let us love one another,” and an explanation of God’s very presence in our midst through loving one another.

Love & Peace,