The Path Wish List BOARD OF DIRECTORS JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2010

1 THE PATH NEWS

Board Members - are called too! This position is often
underestimated as a volunteer and is required by non- profit law. You Gary Bryant
are asked to serve in counsel with a growing, vibrant charity and an
executive director who has been asked to serve with a national vision.
President
We will train, if you are willing. For more information, visit our website at (352) 344-3100
www.pathofcitrus.org and click on the Volunteer page, or call DuWayne Sipper
A Publication of The Path of Citrus County www.pathofcitrus.org Issue 1 - Volume 4
at 352-527-6500. Connie Lobel

2 Signs of The Times

G.E.D. Tutors - We have a computer program onsite to help our Treasurer
men and women prepare to take the G.E.D. exam, but many need (352) 726-3200
guidance and extra help with challenging sections. If you have the
skills and heart to mentor someone in this area, and can be available
As we travel the road of life with its many twists and turns, there are many “signs” to give us direction along the way.
between 4pm and 7pm on an evening during the week, or between
Maria Converse Some choose to ignore the road signs and find themselves lost as a result. Others detour, and find themselves traveling
the hours of 2:30 and 5pm Saturday or Sunday afternoon, give us a Secretary a difficult, inconvenient road only to end up where they might have traveled in the first place. Jesus gives us many
call at 527-6500, option 5. (352) 586-5087 signs throughout our lives to guide us in the right direction. Read these reflections by Path graduates and clients as

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Volunteer Coordinator - Assist us with finding the right volunteer for they share their journey with you . . .
the right position or activity. With potential to become a paid position eventually, Stuart Green
the Volunteer Coordinator will require approximately 20-30 hours a month Board Member Dead End - Roger, Path Graduate “In my distress I called to the Lord;
coordinating volunteers to help them be productive and utilize their time efficiently,
(352) 637-3585 I cried to my God for help.
following up and keeping records up to date. Phone and computer
skills are required, good communication skills a plus. Paid training to I came to the Path on June 4, 2009. From His temple He heard my voice;
attend Volunteer Coordinator training for the right person! For more Mark Stone My job had been affected by the
information, visit our website at www.pathofcitrus.org and click on the Board Member economic down turn. I had My cry came before Him into His ears.”
Volunteer page, or call Kathryn Sipper at 352-527-6500, opt. 5. (352) 746-2626 worked on the average, 6- 6 1/2 Psalm 18:6

4
Child care volunteers - We need women available early days a week, around 10-12 hours a
evening hours during the week at the shelter to care for children day. My life was on an even keel by all
Dick Windle
during night programs for their parents. Number of children and
Board Member
appearances, but without God in my life,
I was doing a good job of ruining it. That is
Detour - Dale (not his real name)
ages vary. Specific hours and evening of the week would depend
on your availability and The Path program scheduled for the parent. (352) 489-4167 until I hit rock bottom: broke, without a home, food, I made a decision to take a detour,
These special volunteers would be scheduled on a week- to- week shower, and reduced to living in my truck. This went thinking I knew my own direction in
basis with as much advance notice as possible, since clients with DuWayne Sipper on for 6 months until I had no more money, gas, or life. You see, I was at The Path before.
children may arrive or leave at any time. For more information, call Executive Director food. I was broken. This is my “second chance.
Kathryn Sipper at 352-527-6500, opt. 5. A good friend pointed me in the direction of

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(352) 527-6500 God made a way for me to come back
The Path. I spoke to DuWayne to The Path again, but this
Consider sharing an evening meal, Sipper (Executive Director), and
fellowship and devotions with our Administrative Offices time I’m noticeably different.
the next day I had a bed to sleep More determined–and humbled. My attitudes
men and women at the shelter. 27 S. Melbourne in, food in my body, a roof over my and goals are different. After leaving The
Beverly Hills, FL 34465 head, and a shower. Things I took Path with my own agenda rather than God’s,
Path Farm and Local for granted, until gone. You see,
when you leave God behind there
I eventually returned so deep into sin that my
Phone: (352) 527-6500 spirit acknowledged that I couldn’t live my life
Businesses Join Together Fax: (352) 746-6746
is an empty hole inside you are the way I had been. My relationship with Christ
We are pleased to announce The Path farm now supplies trying to fill with things. I came to has grown slowly, but would stagnate if not for
several businesses in our community with surplus organic produce the realization you only need God. the deliberate
grown on the 10 acres loaned by Hernando Church of the
Mailing Address That is the most important thing in effort to be
Nazarene. Recently, The Farmer’s Market produce stand (operated by Chris Burns, PO Box 3024 my life today: Jesus. He has more more active in
Chuck & Jennifer Priest) across from the church (2101 N. Florida Ave in Hernando) has Inverness, FL 34451-3024 riches than my money can buy. prayer, worship
begun selling our vegetables, and plans are underway to supply Withlacoochee Technical and service
Institute—thanks to Chef Hap Hough. At least one local restaurant, Mango Grill (North I am grateful for what
Bargain Store work. Church and Bible study
Citrus Springs Blvd) purchases our vegetables regularly to serve their customers. He’s done in my life. The
1729 W. Gulf to Lake Highway are certainly good, but not
Our organically-grown produce is also provided to the We Care Food Pantry and peace and serenity I have
other feeding ministries in the community. Even the manatees at Homosassa Springs
serving God can put us in a
Lecanto, FL 34461 been given through God. dangerous position.
Wildlife State Park have benefitted from the nutrition-rich bumper crop of bok choi Hours: Mon - Sat He has established my
this winter! Don’t be as foolish as I was
9 AM - 5 PM direction in life. He gave to take a detour and choose
The Path uses environmentally-friendly methods to “organically grow” vegetables to my life a new purpose.
feed the homeless at our shelter, as well as provide healthy food to our community and For pick-up, call: my own direction. Even though (continued on pg. 2)
The staff members at God used it to bring me to Him, you never
business partners. By supporting The Farmer’s Market, Mango (352) 746-9084 The Path have given me know whether you will be blessed with a second chance…
Grill and other local businesses purchasing our produce, you are
www.pathofcitrus.org wisdom and guidance to
helping The Path’s work program!

Inside this Issue

ASSOCIATION OF GOSPEL
Contact DuWayne Sipper at 527-6500, opt. 4, if interested in RESCUE MISSIONS
learning more about our farm, organic farming methods, or how www.agrm.org
to become a Path Farm business partner.
Newsletter design:New Eden Graphics -352.860.2146
get me from where I was to where I am today. I
hope you listen to God as well as I do. He will give
you new eyes to see, new ears to hear, new words V
The Path Spotlight.........2 V
Path Wish List..................4
to speak, and fill you with thoughts of pure ivory.
V
Director’s Corner............3 V
Farm Partners...................4
... and more
(continued from cover)
One Way - Amy (not her real name)
I felt at peace and fearless when I walked through The
Path shelter’s gate. A sense that God had brought me to
this particular place to better my life and to renew my
relationship with God and His Son. My anxiety has left me
completely, at least for now. The environment here is in
harmony and the programs to follow are obtainable.
My heart is grateful, abundant with hope
and joy. I appreciate all that has been
received to this day. I give thanks to the
blessed food, water and shelter.
The Path Spotlight
WOR
ETHI
NEW LIFE
SPECIAL THANKS
TO OUR WINN DIXIE GROCERY COLLECTION VOLUNTEERS
FOR DECEMBER: DON PHILLIPS, DENISE LAY AND YOUTH FROM
1ST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF INVERNESS!
To find out more about our volunteer activities and needs, contact Kathryn Sipper
at 352-522-0514 or visit our website at www.pathofcitrus.org
2 – The Path News
Yield - Katie (not her real name)
Director’s Corner
I have been at The Path for about ten days. I know nothing about
the Bible or scripture, even though I grew up a Catholic. It is all a Dear Friend,
mystery to me.
Love. So many definitions go with that simple
I am now learning about God and Jesus and feel the spiritual connection
yet complicated word. A mother’s love . . .
since giving my will and my life over to the care of God. I have felt myself
surrender. I can’t go through the world alone. I need God. I need to know love from your children . . . a dear friend’s
about Jesus. I want to learn the scriptures and study the Bible. It’s been a slow love. To love someone as Jesus loves us, to
DuWayne Sipper
process, but I am willing to learn, keep an open mind and an open heart. obey Christ’s command and thereby discover
that we are not alone, only requires that we submit the feelings of
I don’t know what God’s plan is for me, but I know it will be
our hearts and the attitudes of our minds to the wisdom and the
good. Trust in the Lord. I need to always remember He is there
for me. No matter what, no matter when. Prayer and learning counsel of God.
to pray is something kind of new. Living one day at a time,
sometimes one moment at a time, is absolutely essential. Yet to love someone as Jesus loves us
does not require that we understand
them; nor does it entail we approve of
“For the joy of the LORD
ACHIEVEMENT their lifestyle or their decisions. But this
love is the toughest love to submit to.
As we offer hope to the many that enter
is your strength.”
The Path’s doors every day, we also
Nehemiah 8:10 offer love. This is the love of our greatest
challenge: one that is not disparaging
but the most compassionate we can offer.
A love similar to the love our mothers
offered us as we grew and developed DuWayne Sipper with
under her nurturing. Christmas- day volunteer
Cynthia McNally
OUR “CHRISTMAS ANGELS” SHARED THEIR TIME AND
FINANCIAL BLESSINGS TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE PATH’S MEN, And sometimes love means being firm about a work ethic or
K WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN FELT LOVED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. unrighteousness. The tough love that leads to a changed, more
C disciplined lifestyle.
SPECIAL THANKS Through the reawakening of Spring we feel the warmth of the season
TO LINDA WILLIAMS,
SHIRLEY KNOLL & THE WOMEN
both physically and spiritually — and we praise God for what we’ve
AT THERAPY MANAGEMENT been blessed with . . . love.
CORP., SHERRI, KEVIN HOFFMAN &
FRIENDS, PAT & DAVID FLETCHER Thank you for keeping us in your hearts and prayers. And thank you
AND ALL THE REST OF OUR for your love.
COMMUNITY WHO FED, CLOTHED In His Service,
AND CONTRIBUTED TO KEEPING
THE PATH’S DOORS OPEN
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
DuWayne Sipper, Executive Director
Invest in God’s Kingdom…
Make a Lasting Difference in someone’s life.
Remember The Path in your will.
Establish a charitable bequest.
We appreciate your support as our mission grows to meet the ever-
increasing needs of God’s people. Contact The Path to learn more.
3 – The Path News