God's Emergency Response Team
G.E.R.T. Ministries
   Sowing   Acts of Kindness       Fruit of His Love

G.E.R.T. is blessed to be used for the lives of so many wonderful people. Here are some stories that we hope you enjoy as much as we enjoyed surrendering to His Love.

Sowing                    Acts of Kindness

Ministry holds first Random Acts of Kindness Day (Video has been moved to video page)
By BRIDGET MEADE
Bedford Now

The idea was formed more than four years ago. Margaret Raker, founder (steward) of Temperance-based God's Emergency Response Team (GERT) Ministries, was sitting at a gas station when she saw two older women struggling to put gas in their car. After getting out to help them, she got the idea of setting aside an entire day to performing random acts of kindness. From Feb. 17-April, GERT Ministries held its first of many Random Acts of Kindness Days. More than 30 volunteers dedicated part or all of the day to performing acts of kindness in Toledo, Monroe and Bedford Township. The volunteers had a schedule, but the places where they volunteered were chosen at random. "I just started calling random places and asking them if we could come in and serve," Ms. Raker said. The group had a full day. They arrived at the Cherry Street Mission in Toledo before 7 Saturday morning to serve breakfast to the homeless at the shelter.  After serving the meal, cleaning up and singing to the people there, they traveled to the Humane Society of Monroe County, where volunteers cleaned out animal cages. They grabbed a quick lunch and then visited the residents of Aspen Grove Assisted Living in Lambertville, where they handed out balloons, did crafts and ministered to the residents. The volunteers came from all over. Some were family and friends of Ms. Raker's, and others were fellow church members who she barely knew. Brian and Lori Matthews heard about the event from an announcement at Bedford Christian Community Church. The couple is new to the area and thought the day would be a good opportunity to meet people. "We wanted to get out of the house and do something for someone else," Mr. Matthews said. "We wanted to meet people who want to help the same way we do." Cherrise Gayle, chairman of the University of Toledo's Association for the Advancement of African American Women, spent her afternoon at Aspen Grove with four other members of her association. She had met Ms. Raker just days before when she noticed her wearing a sweatshirt advertising GERT Ministries. "I checked out the Web site, and when I found out about today, I thought it would be neat to do acts of kindness," she said. "I talked it over with our co-chair, and some of our other members wanted to come out, too." Ms. Raker was overwhelmed by how many people turned out to volunteer. "For all those people to show up — that was all God," she said. GERT ministries was formed when Hurricane Charlie hit Florida. Ms. Raker felt called to take supplies and minister to some of the victims. Since that day, she has made trips to other disaster areas, taking supplies and praying and ministering to victims. But she wants people to see that GERT doesn't just minister on the national level. "This helps get that view back that we're local," she said. "There are just as many needs here as there are everywhere else in the world."  Ms. Raker's daughter, Precious Wagner, also participated in the day and took her three children to Aspen Grove to pass out balloons. The two older children dressed up as clowns. "I just know that elderly people enjoy seeing kids," she said. "It's so neat to see them light up when they see a kid." Mrs. Wagner remembers when GERT Ministries was only a vision of her mother. "It's amazing to see what we were — me, my mom and my immediate family — and to see it bloom into so much," she said. "It's really cool to see her just follow what God has laid on her heart." Instead of looking at the day as a sacrifice, the group of volunteers viewed the opportunity to serve as a privilege. "Just being able to feel used by God is such a beautiful thing," said Johnnie Patterson, a volunteer from Bedford Christian Community Church. "It just seemed so awesome to serve people in need." "It's exciting to be the hands and feet of Jesus," said Kathy Trombley, another volunteer. Ms. Raker was amazed by the response she received. "What an awesome day. To watch the vision come around full circle, it was huge," she said. The day was such a success that GERT Ministries plans to hold a Random Acts of Kindness Day once a month. The next day is planned for March 17. "I'd like to have enough people to spread across the cities," Ms. Raker said. "That's the big picture: to reach the cities for Christ."


July 2009
Fundraisers, acts of kindness, bible studies and Convoy of Hope
The Body of Christ came together in acts of brotherly kindness throughout the month.

G.E.R.T. was blessed with 2 fundraisers during the month. During both of these events, Wendy's in Lambertville and Bedford Hills golf club, we were able to Love the children and receive Love from the Body.  Praise God.

  • We received gracious gifts from the Convoy of Hope visit - knowledge, wisdom, friendships, guidance, help and most of all, Love between the members of the Body. This visit assisted G.E.R.T. in pursuing to open our first Food distribution location.  There will be more details to follow on this topic in the near future as His blessings are still unfolding.
  • Acts of kindness stories received - Assisting the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA) booth at a community gathering. Supplying an unemployed man with food, hygiene supplies, money and prayers. Held up a brother in-Christ in a time of need by supplying cell phone minutes (was in urgent need to talk to his doctor and case worker).
  • We conducted a bible study at an assisted living retirement center this month.  The topic was on humility and Simon's transformation to Peter.  Scripture used: Luke 22:24-34 and Acts 3:12-15.

June 2009
Reaching out to our Children and Elders
During the month of June, the Love of Christ at G.E.R.T. was compelled to reach out to our beloved children and elders. With a cheerful heart, His servants revealed the Love and Compassion of Christ by volunteering at the following activities. A heart-felt "Thank you!!" to the individuals who accepted G.E.R.T. to be involved in these events. We are so thankful to serve and it's truly a blessing to have such opportunities -
  • Participating in an end of year elementary school celebration with an Assemblies of God church. Events such as making balloon animals, face painting and cup stacking brought much laughter and huge smiles. After receiving a painting of a fish, it was so cool to hear one of His children say, "I know what that is, that's a Christian symbol." Praise God!
  • Revealing the Word of God at a Retirement Center's Bible Study. The study's topic was "Jesus Saves".  The fiery furnace story in Daniel 3:1-30 was the utilized scripture. One of the tenants edified our study leader, with tears in his eyes, "You're not like our other speakers. I can tell that you're sincere, you care." Our leader responded with a loving embrace and a kiss - "It's the Love of Christ flowing. I love you." Praise God for this opportunity. Praise God.

     


  • Bringing joy to the children at a low-income subsidized facility. The Love of Christ showed up and brought laughter and smiles to the children and their parents too! The kids were very happy to spend time with G.E.R.T.'s clown who was doing face painting. The children enjoyed balloons, balloon hats, face painting and candy. G.E.R.T. also offered prayer requests for the parents and their families. Please hold up the Miller family in your prayers. They requested a prayer for a happy and fulfilling life. At this time, it appears that He has blessed us with an opportunity to establish a new bible study at this location. Praise God! Please hold up this bible study in your prayers as well.



  •   God is resourceful! G.E.R.T. was very blessed to have an unplanned opportunity arise. An Assemblies of God church had a neighborhood party and G.E.R.T.'s clown made an unexpected appearance. G.E.R.T. poured out His remaining June resources into this party, which was a fabulous completion to our month for the children. Once again, huge smiles and laughter from the children were plentiful. We are so appreciative for all of the opportunities He blesses us with.

May 2009
Bags of Love from the Lord
Detroit & Lansing, MI Rescue Missions, and Cherry St. Mission (Toledo Ohio)
The Lord truly blessed these 3 outreaches! We had donations from a dentistry - Dr. Clark's Bedford Dental Group, who donated most of the toothpaste and a large portion of toothbrushes. Also, G.E.R.T. received other offerings of Love for additional toothbrushes and toothpaste, baggies, kleenex, combs, candy, emery boards, and bandaids. When fully packed, the Bags of Love contained: shampoo, conditioner, a comb, razor, q-tips, bandaids, candy, emery board, toothbrush, toothpaste, tissues, hand wipes, body wash and Love from the Word of God: 1John 3:16, 1John 4:9-10, John 3:3-5, John 3:16, 2Peter 3:9, Bible Promises and Bible Prayers. His Children were very thankful for the expressions of Love and asked for us to come back. It was amazing to see the Lord place the perfect items in these bags - We were questioned many times: "Do you have razors in there?  I could use some wet naps, do you have any?" The smallest item in the bag seemed to have the largest impact. As one man turned to another "Look, we even got q-tips in here! I needed some q-tips". We were very blessed by having one of the guys sing 2 of his personally written songs for the Lord to us. We all feel very humbled. Bless you Lord. Thank you Lord.





After hurricane Charley left its devastating effects in Punta Gorda, FL, led by the Spirit, G.E.R.T. collected supplies and went to the out lying areas. G.E.R.T. distributed supplies and did intercessory prayer with His Children who were unable to reach relief centers. We worked side by side with Convoy of Hope.




She's just a fighter    Fundraiser event held by G.E.R.T. Ministries for Abby Berry
By BRIDGET MEADE
Bedford Now
Four-year-old Abigail Berry is a walking miracle. And the fact that she's walking at all is something doctors can't explain. She was never supposed to last the pregnancy," said her mother, Angela Berry, of Temperance. "Every organ in her body is damaged." Abigail is believed to have cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC), a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the genes. A few of her ailments include impaired hearing, abnormal spinal curvature, defective teeth, lung disease, holes in her heart and lack of hair on her skin. In the past year, Abigail has made strides that even her family never thought they'd see. The family used to use sign language to communicate with Abigail and had a special wheelchair they would use to get her around. But today, she's walking and has begun to talk. Because Abigail is developmentally delayed, Mrs. Berry said that the 4-year-old functions as a normal 2-year-old. "She's going through the terrible twos," Mrs. Berry said while trying to keep Abigail out of her purse. "She's a little princess, a girly girl," Mrs. Berry said. "She always wants to put makeup on." Abigail also has a passion for music, and she loves to sing. Her mother described her as strong-willed. "She's very rambunctious," Mrs. Berry said. "She's just a fighter." Abigail has four siblings who range in age from 6 to 16. Because the family is constantly traveling to hospitals, Mrs. Berry home schools her children. One of the hardest things for the mother was admitting to herself that her family's life would never be normal. "The kids have grown up with feeding tubes and IV poles," she said. "Life is very unpredictable for us. Each day I don't know where it could be ending." Over the years, she has learned to keep her car stocked with things such as laundry detergent, toys, overnight bags, quarters for vending machines, water and changes of clothes. "I've been stuck too many times for a week in the hospital," she said. Although Abigail is covered by three health-insurance policies, Mrs. Berry said that much of her money goes for things insurance doesn't cover, such as food, gas and parking when Abigail has to go to the hospital. "I'm in debt millions," she said. But Mrs. Berry believes that Abigail has enhanced her family's life. "When people say to me, 'I'm so sorry,' I say don't be sorry," she said. "We have more things other people will never experience. The kids have just grown up knowing how precious life is." The family has had the opportunity to meet professional athletes and other celebrities when Abigail has been in hospitals, and they will take a trip to Disneyland in March, sponsored by Make-A-Wish Foundation. "We have an exciting life," Mrs. Berry said. "I just had to realize that there is no routine for our family." Mrs. Berry is always with Abigail, refusing to leave her side when she's in critical condition. "When she's too weak to fight, I fight for her," she said. On top of taking care of Abigail, Mrs. Berry is going through a divorce. The mother said that she finds the strength to keep going and help Abigail from several sources. "First and foremost, I have my faith in God," she said. "We're very strong Christians, and I always say she's a testimony that nothing's too big for God." She also looks to her parents and children, her church family at Bedford Christian Community Church, and to supporters throughout the Bedford community. This summer, Mrs. Berry hopes to take Abigail to an international CFC conference in Florida to meet with doctors from around the world. To help pay for traveling expenses, Bedford-based GERT Ministries (God's Emergency Response Team) and Bedford Christian Community Church will host a benefit concert for Abigail on April 27 at the church. Unshaken, a Toledo-based Christian group, will play the concert. Mrs. Berry originally contacted GERT Ministries founder Margaret Raker to see if she could volunteer in the ministry. "The community has been so amazing to us," Mrs. Berry said. "GERT ministries is all about helping people, and I want to be able to give back." She enjoys sharing Abigail's story, and if the little girl gets well enough, she hopes to travel and use the story to inspire others. "Abigail has touched so many lives," Mrs. Berry said. "Wherever we go, people are intrigued. Whenever someone asks about her, I tell her story." Does the mother ever wish she could change things? "Abigail does suffer a lot of pain, and that hurts as a mom to watch your child suffer," she said. "It's a road I would have never chosen, but I would never turn it back. I feel completely blessed that God chose me to be her mother."




Acts Of Kindness

June 2009
Volunteers for our June 2009 Random Acts of Kindness were slim, but that didn't stop us! A single mother contacted a G.E.R.T. representative in response to internet advertising for a random act of kindness. She needed assistance with mulch in her yard. The Love of Christ answered the call and spent a few hours spreading mulch around her home. We were able to spend time in prayer with this mother and fruit was displayed for her neighbors and her young boy. Praise God!

Other random acts of kindness in June were offered but not accepted. They triggered intercessory prayer though!  :)  We count it all joy regardless because we see the building of obedience in being a hearer and doer of the Holy Spirit's voice. Joy is counted in knowing His fruit is displayed, regardless of the outcome.  :)  Glory to God.

May 2009

Throughout the month of May, volunteers at G.E.R.T. surprised brothers and sisters with Random Acts of Kindness. They brought many smiles through expressions of Love, such as: purchasing meals, handing out umbrellas during rainstorms, delivering water bottles to a broken down vehicle, purchasing a small bbq for a homeless man, supplying miscellaneous food and clothing items to the homeless, and assisting a man who was splitting wood. The bewildered smiles and expressions of gratitude are always met with a seed - “Glory to God”.


Fruit of His Love

United Way Thank you
Thank you letter
Thank you letter 2
Red Cross letter
Red Cross letter 2




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