November Newsletter
SimplyBe Coffee is so much more than a coffee shop – it is COFFEE WITH A CAUSE!
Our purpose is to provide work opportunities to individuals with special needs and so far more than 30 of these amazing individuals have worked or volunteered with us! But that is not the end of the story… #coffeewithacause has meant spreading the love of Jesus to our staff, their families, and our customers!
What our staff says: “With the SimplyBe job, I feel like I have my purpose again. It complimented my strengths and helped my weaknesses.”
What their families say: “They’ve given him the amount of responsibility he’s capable of and it’s given him such self confidence. He feels important and part of a team.”
What our customers say: “From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the most wonderful and friendly staff. I arrived feeling a bit low energy, but their warm smiles and kind service … instantly lifted my spirits. By the time I left, I felt so happy and refreshed!”
Making an Impact
One of the newest families in our transitional housing was struggling with transportation. A Tree of Life volunteer who was familiar with the situation reached out to us and generously offered to donate a car to them free of charge.
We were able to surprise them with the news on the same day they signed the lease for their new home!
They were overwhelmed with emotion and so grateful for God’s provision that came through this generous member of our community. Tree of Life was humbled to play a small part in bringing such joy to someone in need.
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
Proverbs 11:25
It was a beautiful day on Saturday, October 19th, for our Inaugural 5k #racewithacause, made possible by Unity Power Services.
We had nearly 100 runners show up for this event, plus our amazing sponsors and volunteers. A special thank you to Patrick Henry College for hosting us and the Purcellville Volunteer Rescue Squad for their help!
The morning was filled with smiles and fellowship, as well as a deep feeling of community as so many from the local area showed up to support those in need. All proceeds supported our Shelter Branch, which provides transitional housing, mentorship, free clothing, and more to local families.
Thank you again to everyone who joined us – we can’t wait until next year!
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
For our volunteer spotlight this month, we want to introduce you to Jan Nelson.
Jan started his work with Tree of Life about a year ago when we first were able to offer housing to two young men with disabilities. A Deacon at Hamilton Baptist Church, Jan stepped forward to be their mentor. He meets with them weekly both as a mentor and a friend. They have meals together, volunteer together, and his commitment to supporting and encouraging them has helped them grow in confidence and independence.
Jan is so generous with his time and is truly modelling a servant’s heart through his commitment as a mentor and volunteer. We are so grateful he is a part of Tree of Life.
Thank you, Jan!
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
This month we are delighted to tell you about The Good Feet Store in Leesburg!
This team graciously hosted a Tree of Life day at the store, which included donating 50% of the sales from the day to Tree of Life AND blessing one of the people we serve with a free Good Feet shoe system! They also brought in SimplyBe Coffee for all their customers.
Ricky is part of our Still Waters Ministry and he came with his dad Rick to have a special fitting and when Ricky put on his new shoes he said “my feet are smiling!” While they were there, they also did a fitting for his dad Rick and ended up blessing him with a free shoe system as well! We were humbled by their amazing generosity.
To top things off, the Good Feet team then hosted one of our community dinners in Leesburg!
We are beyond grateful for their generosity and commitment to helping those in need.
STILL WATERS NEWS
We have lots of special events planned for the next couple of months – please join us!
November/December Events
11/8 Woodgrove v. Loudoun Valley HS Football Game
12/4 Salon Night – Make up and Hair Lessons for Christmas Ball
12/13 Christmas Ball
12/14 Wreaths Across America
12/16 Movie Night – The Nativity Story
12/19 Christmas Cooke Baking and Crafts
Come share a meal with us!
Our annual Thanksgiving Together event provides hot, homemade dinners for the community on Thanksgiving Day! Join us to either dine in or take your meals home to enjoy with family. We hope to see you there!
If you’d like to help – we still need food donations! Click the button below to learn more.
Christmas at SimplyBe
SimplyBe is going to be full of Christmas Spirit this December! Come see us and enjoy music, FREE gift wrapping, Christmas cookies, and SANTA!
A special musical presentation on December 14th, will include a serenade by the amazing DOMINION4 Quartet! You don’t want to miss it!
We’ll also have great GIFT OPTIONS for the coffee lovers in your life.
www.tolministries.org/simplybe-coffee
Make sure you follow us on social media for all the updates!
WHAT I’M THANKFUL FOR
Psalm 69:30
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.
Psalm 100:4
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.
When I think about thanksgiving, I may think of all the things that I am thankful for on this earth. However, thanksgiving is all about God since He is the originator of the concept of thanksgiving. Setting aside family, turkey and football, what do I have to be thankful for? I have God to thank for divine and eternal things, and most importantly God Himself.
God is the Eternal One, the One who is The Eternal Life. Without Him, life would not exist. I have Him to thank for that. Since God is the Creator of all things, I want to thank Him for that. I sinned against God was separated from Him. God saw my plight and sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins so I can live eternally with Him forever. Not only did God forgive my sin, but He gave me eternal life. Through Him all life was made, and through Him my life will continue into eternity.
I want to come before God with thanksgiving for WHO HE IS and extol Him with music and song.
I want to praise God’s name in song and GLORIFY HIM with thanksgiving.
I want to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise and GIVE THANKS TO HIM AND PRAISE HIS NAME!
May you be blessed,
Chaplain Wayne Ruckman
