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Hey Deacon Hodge,
Here's my 2 cents:
I truly enjoy being a servant for Manna. Without sounding corny or cheesey,
I feel better after serving at the shelter; it's really my stress reliever.
Everyone is nice and the overall atmosphere is fun-loving and easygoing. You
know that you're really part of the team when Deacon Hodge picks with you:)
I'm 25 years old and to see men who look like they could be my age- living
in such circumstances- is truly an eye opener. It sometimes makes me
question God, "Why me? What about me keeps me from those situations?" Then I
realize that it has nothing to do with me, rather it has everything to do
with God's grace. To God Be the Glory!
Janice M. Dickson
I applaud you for feeding the less fortunate. Because of Manna I appreciate
being able to open my refrigerator anytime. I pray you receive increase in
finances very soon to meet the demand.
Sis. Joyce
NEW
Deacon Hodge,
I am greatly honored to be able to serve the kingdom of God in such a
wonderful way. Serving at the shelter is the highlight of my week. Sometimes
we come when we are not scheduled to come because we have developed the
heart to serve and do it humblyand with alot of pride. And we learned that
from you Deacon Hodge. You and Brother Dave are the perfect people for that
job and the homeless community is better off for having two very committed
men like yourselves. We have so much fun when we are there with you.
Sabrina(Stephanie) and I love you both so much, but you know that all ready.
Everyone that walks through that door you except with alot of love and
kindness you treat everyone not like it is there first time coming but like
they have been coming for along time.
I don't know what God has instore for me but where ever I go and whatever I
do I will always come back to the shelter to serve beside you and Brother
Dave. I know that we have to be the only ones at the shelter with alternate
names especially when we are not acting right.
With Much Love , Grace and Peace
Tracy Johnson(Tiffany) and William
and Stephanie Tyree(Sabrina)
NEW
Deacon Melvin,
The time spent with the group of spirit filled folks that take out of their
busy day is a true experience to be a part of, the laughter and comradely,
we share as we work to prepare the food for those who are lest fortunate
than us, is humbling.
I remember coming down and my husband had to drop me of and I came to the
wrong door, and a guy I went to school with looked at me and said Girlena
with that same smile , asked what I was doing there, I explained and he was
ever the gentleman as he was in school I did not change my facial expression
but hugged him as I did not want to hurt his feeling , or to show an
expression of "what happened to you" As we talked about the semi-together
that was taking place that night, he escorted me through the front door and
announced to the guys "Hey watch your mouth a Lady is with me."
What a day that was for me, we both acted as though we were walking the
halls, of the ole East Tech he was still a gentleman, irregardless to what
life had dealt him, deep down I could not imagine what turned his life to
where he is now at a shelter, but I prayed for him as I can not be
judgmental; for the God we serve says there will always be the poor and
afflicted with us and God watches how we treat them the lost souls.
Then seeing another person a girl I knew . boy 2 people within a the same
year, she to looked at me and I tried to get in contact even came to the
shelter and left my name, as I wanted to give information for transitional
housing and other information.
I give God the praise that I am his child , he loves me guides me , cares
for me Whew I can get worked up as we are sheltered and have heat lights
food clothes, friends that love me I love them back, a church that has many
ministries to assist those in need as I see the many faces that are sitting
in that room on Payne & the women's shelter, I am privileged to serve
humbled , as it could be me , so I just want to say Thank you you Deacon
Hodge for taking the torch set before you as God has long since anointed you
for just a time as this, I am glad we can joke and kid around and still get
the job done . Team work is key... but know as the Ole song goes This is how
we do it!!!
Sista Girlena , Member of "The Word" Church
NEW
Dea. Hodge, Sis. Hodge, Bro. Dave:
I applaud you, your family members and all your supporters for feeding the
less fortunate. The Manna Experience makes me appreciate being able to open
my refrigerator anytime. I will never forget the cold Saturday in 2007 that
I helped with lunch at one shelter then served dinner at a different one and
the "customers" recognized me. It hurt my heart because I realized those
were the only places they could go and some had children. I do enjoy the
teamwork and comraderie that goes on in the kitchen like a family reunion
:o) I pray for increase in your resources & finances to meet the growing
number of needy people! While I really wish the problem of homelessness
could go away I know it would be more realistic to wish for you to get a
huge kitchen of your own one day to serve as you like.
God bless you!
Jocye Puryear-Robinson, Outreach "THE WORD" Church
Serving at Manna on Saturdays is a wonderful experience. I really look
forward to going when it is my turn. It is so amazing to see all the men
that come out to get meals and how they really do appreciate the people that
are serving and preparing the food. You really don't know your blessings
until you see how others are lacking. I have always felt that outreach was
my calling, but I really enjoy going to Manna. It warms my heart to see how
we all come together, even if it is just for a couple hours and put other
people needs before our own.
KIM TOLLIVER, MEMBER OF "THE WORD" CHURCH
Deacon Melvin,
All types of perfect praise is for God Almighty! Anytime we can serve our
fellow man is a blessing. Me, my wife Mira, and my daughter Paris were very
excited about assisting you at the mission Saturday. We look forward to
volunteering at the mission on a regular basis. It is our responsibility to
serve others. To those who have been given much, much is expected to be
given.
May God continue to reward you and the other volunteers for your tireless
efforts.
Ceylon J. Breathett
Thank you, my experience at the shelter is a blessed one. I
enjoy working with you guys everyone have a wonderful spirit. I just love
helping people and you and I believe his name is David have such a sweet
spirit and when you have a sweet spirit like you and David have with people
nobody wouldn't mind chipping in and helping the dinners to be a success
plus you guys have jokes and that make it fun and your sweet with everybody.
I just have a ball there working with my brothers and sister of Christ.
Your sister in Christ for life. Cynthia
Deacon Hodge,
It is always a pleasure for me to come down to the shelter and be of
service. My daughters Lashelle and Lashay loves coming to help out. As soon
as we left on Saturday they asked when we were coming back. It gives me a
wonderful feeling to help out in anyway that I can as well as seeing my
daughters excited about helping. Take care and God Bless. Tamika McCall
Brother Hodge, I am so happy about working at Manna because
the spirit of God is so evident there. I enjoy working with people and most
important giving back to others. It's so good to work with you brother Hodge
because you are a true giver. There is nothing more gratifying than doing
God's will and having fun doing it. I love the praise music too!!!!
God Bless, Sister Sharon
Hi Melvin,
I truly enjoyed coming to the shelter, helping prepare the food and serving
the men in the shelter. It was quite an eye opening experience to see the
quantity of food that is necessary to feed the hungry. And to work with
others coming together to prepare the food on a timely basis. It made me
very thankful to God to have a roof over me and my family and to have food
to eat. Sometimes we take those things for granted. I am truly enjoying
being a part of the Outreach Ministry. It is growing me as a Christian and a
person.
Thank you Jesus!
D
My name is David Sims and I've been apart of Manna from day 1 and it still
isn't easy every other week seeing the same faces coming through the line
for food, and the sad part of it is, some of those faces have been there
from day 1. There's the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in every situation if you
really take the time to ponder over it. My experience with this ministry has
taken my emotions on one ol' roller coaster ride at times. I remember when
we first started before the name Manna Food From Heaven Ministries was
established, there was an older gentlemen out on the street that we all took
an instant liking to and wanted to help get off the street, but like so many
of the people on the streets of Cleveland, this is all they know and live
for and they can't handle living in confined quarters w/rules and
regulations to follow. We tried, but sorry to say he died right where we
first met him, on the streets of Cleveland. When I think about all the
people we've come in contact with and helped, knowing that for some we were
there last hope, a true sense of purpose is relevant and makes the push to
continue worthwhile. Yes, I've wanted to quite many times because it can
become a bit much for just a few people to try to do, but it always seems
the Lord know exactly who to send your way to be the voice of reason to give
you the strength to continue until you get fed up again.
My Manna Experience,
Partnering with Manna Food From Heaven was a blessing! The
Singles' Ministry at The Word Church was given the opportunity to donate
toys during the Christmas season. It was our intent to organize a full event
to get multiple ministries involved, however, our plans did not come to
fruition. We did however, donate several toys and Deacon Hodge was as
gracious for our donation as if we had given 1000 toys! I learned something
personally also, it is the heart of the gift wrapped in the sincere love of
Christ that matters...not the size. Thank you Manna Food From Heaven for the
opportunity! We look forward to partnering and ministering with you again
this year!
Dear Hodge Family,
We wanted to let you all know how much of a blessing you all have been in
our lives. From the moment God allowed us to meet it has been nothing but
love. We observed how you all have a tremendous burden for the homeless and
through this God has opened so many doors. We are so privileged to be apart
of your family. Just observing the call of God on your lives it has been
mind blowing seeing how God (still today) performs Mighty Miracles! You all
step out on Faith and God shows up and shows out EVERY TIME. In experiencing
this we have gained more confidence to step out on faith and follow the Holy
Spirit whole heartedly. Manna continue to Walk by Faith and not by Sight,
you all have no idea what God has in store for you all. We love and
appreciate you.
Love Ya,
Min. Kevin and Sis Elaine Barclay
One of the Many Workers that Work at Manna for the Lord.
What I enjoy about working at Manna is the fellowship with the other
workers. We work together, have fun and get the job done. I see the way the
Lord is increasing my Faith. I enjoy the miracles that the Lord performs
every time I am at 2100 Lakeside. The way the Lord moves in the people
life's. God always has a word for someone at the shelter every time I am
there. That is a blessing to be able to witness the work of the Lord. To be
able to stand back and thank God that He allows me to open my mouth and
speak into someone's life. To know that it is the grace of God and nothing
that I have done that allows my to have a home and a family.
God Bless!
Minister Charles Dicks, "THE WORD" Church
HI I AM DEACON MELVIN HODGE AND THIS IS MY MANNA EXPERIENCE:
MANNA FOOD FROM HEAVEN MINISTRIES WAS BORN MARCH 4, 2001, WHEN I DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT WAS PLANNED FOR ME. I THOUGHT IT WAS TO JUST FEED AND CLOTHES THE
HOMELESS. JESUS TELLS US THE POOR WILL BE WITH US ALWAYS. . . SO IT WAS MORE
TO DO THAN JUST FEED THEM FOOD THEY NEEDED THE FOOD OF LIFE; THE GOSPEL.
MANNA FOOD FROM HEAVEN JOINED FORCES WITH "THE WORD" CHURCH ONE STEP TO
RECOVERY MINISTRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED AT EACH FEEDING.
ON ANY GIVEN SATURDAY WE PREPARE 800 MEALS FOR MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN. I'VE
SEEN PEOPLE THAT I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH OR GREW UP IN THE HOOD WITH; BUT THE
MAJORITY ARE PEOPLE THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE SOME DISPLAYING AN ATTI T
UDE LIKE THE WORLD OWE THEM SOMETHING. THE BLESSING COMES FROM SEEING AND
HEARING THE GRATITUDE OF THOSE THAT REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT WE DO. I PRAY AT
THE END OF EACH FEEDING ASKING GOD TO SUPPLY WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE NEXT
ONE.
My name is Brelinda (Bre) Greer and I've been helping Manna
Food From Heaven just about every Saturday that they feed for almost a year
now. Mainly I serve at the women's shelter and it has been very
inspirational to my life. I love seeing that my time means so much when I'm
able to brighten the lives of others. First we drop off food that has been
prepared for the Mental Health Men's shelter. Then at the women's shelter I
prepare the plates and serve the food to them as they enter. I talk to them
as I serve and just try to be a positive influence while I'm there. After
it's all said and done I really feel like I've made a difference.
Robert Greer
The role I play has grown over the time I've been able to be involved. My
day starts around 9:00am when we get our van in position to be packed. I
love this time in the morning because even though it is early, you can just
feel the love for what we do. Helping others is just something that has to
be done and I'm proud to be apart of every moment. When we get to the
shelter we unpack and begin to prep the food we are serving for diner.
Around now for me I could be just about anywhere- cleaning chicken, boiling
water or preparing all the sides we need to start cooking and getting all
the teenagers rounded up to their particular sections. I assist where ever
I'm needed and that's how my day usually remains. After the foods all cooked
and ready to serve I just go where I'm needed. After serving I try to get
everything in order so we can pack the van and go. Now I'm tired but pleased
knowing that all the effort during the day is greatly appreciated. The men
always thank us for coming down and we know they are more than welcome,
since it's God's work and not ours.
MY NAME IS NICOLE LA TANYA HODGE.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MANNA FOOD FROM HEAVEN SINCE DAY ONE. MANNA PROVIDES
FOR THE (LESS FORTUNATE) IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY. MANNA PROVIDES CHRIST FIRST AND
FOREMOST, PRAYER, FOOD AND CLOTHES AND IT DON'T STOP THERE WORDS OF
ENCOURAGEMENT. ITS BEEN A BLESSING AND GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE TO HELP OTHERS.
IT'S HARD SOMETIMES AND IT HURTS. ON THE 2ND AND 4TH SATURDAYS I GO DOWN TO
THE WOMEN COMMUNITY SHELTER TO SERVE THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN. IT'S A GREAT
FEELING WHEN YOU CAN PUT A SMILE ON SOMEONE AND SEE THE APPRECIATION. WE
JUST DON'T FEED WE COLLECT TOYS AND GIFTS FOR THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AT
CHRISTMAS TIME.. IT GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO EMBRACE THE THOUGHT AND
FEELING TO SERVE OTHERS.
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