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Backyard Missions After some discussion a few months ago, it was decided to focus our Backyard outreach efforts on the Ferguson Road “village” which is just down Camp Road near the intersection with Riverland Drive. There are probably 30 or 40 households there with about 120 people of all ages. One of the oldest residents that we have made contact with is Carla Ramsey who is an 83 year old great grandmother who lives in a wooden house that sorely needs renovations inside and out. In 2010 it is our hope and prayer that Saint James can do some work to improve her residence. If anyone wants to join this repair project then call Amy Case at 437-8495. We will need some contributions for paint and other materials. In fact, as we familiarize ourselves with the neighborhood on prayer walks and Christmas caroling we can see numerous other small projects that would bless our neighbors. One home had a number of window panes missing and quite a number are in dire need of a paint job. I am sure we can get a number of the locals to help us. Since November, two of us have been attending the Tuesday evening Bible Study at 6.00 pm in the Ferguson Rd. grocery store next to the baseball field. Visitors are welcome, so please come and join us one evening. About 16 people of all ages show up and the Rev Charles Heyworth assisted by Mr. Isaac Washington, deliver the scripture lesson. He opens up the session for questions and discussion and the people join in. To finish we hold hands and pray about whatever is on our hearts. One evening the James Island Presbyterian Church members handed out a hot meal of chicken and vegetables after the study. On December 16th, some of our church members took 12 Ferguson villagers on a ride in the Saint James passenger van to see the county park light show. They had a fun time and there was one man who had never seen them before. There were 3 children who accompanied us, as well as men and women. One man had just been to the Church office to ask for food and was advised about our food donations to James Island Outreach. He went and was able to get food. He was thankful as at the moment he has no job and is having to share a house along Ferguson Road. Keep those weekly food donations coming, especially the apple juice and breakfast cereals. The last backyard event for 2009, which began with Operation Inasmuch in May, was our caroling along Ferguson Rd. On December 20th at 4pm, about a dozen of us gathered at the parking lot by the baseball pitch, where a game was taking place. Four middle school girls came and expressed an interest in singing with us and it was agreed that they would introduce us to homes that would like carols. Brent led us on guitar and Ward gave out song sheets and followed along in a car to bring trays of food, which we presented after the singing. There was one delightful middle aged lady who said that that this was the first time that anyone had ever gathered outside her home to sing. Afterwards she insisted in giving everyone a hug. Our final stop, just before it got dark, was to Carla Ramsey where we all had to pile into her small sitting room as she was not able to stand for very long. It was a blessing to bring this Christmas cheer and to start breaking down the barriers of race and income level. Let’s see what the Holy Spirit will do in 2010 for our community.
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