Good afternoon antiques board! My name is Jack R, and I work for a non-profit organization called Union Gospel Mission in the inland Northwest. We partner with the Inland Northwest to reach the poor with the love and power of the gospel so they may become God-dependent, contributing, members of society. Our organization doesn't take any money from the government, so we support ourselves through donations, applying for grants, and business enterprises such as thrift stores and a used car sales lot. I'm a donation pick-up driver and drive around the area with three other coworkers going to scheduled donation pick-ups (think furniture, glassware, kitchenware, appliances, tools, beds, clothing, et cetera). We occasionally come across items we feel it is more fitting to research before giving to our thrift stores to sell to steward some of our donations well. So I joined this board in order to get information whenever we come across such items. Glad to meet everyone here! I already got some very helpful information regarding a ceramic Korean "coffee" set from Icheon, thank you to the posters that took time to get back to me in that thread. Godbwye
"so they may become God-dependent, contributing, members of society." interesting..... I've never heard it said in such an unvarnished way before..... We don't do values here, but we can help you to understand the nature of your items..
Quite surprising to me too, it is a phrase you wouldn't come across here in Europe. Jack, no judgement here at all, just a different culture.
We can be far more blunt here in America, especially depending on what region you live in. Homelessness and poverty in America end up happening through a variety of situations, but it is never solely a financial issue as our government treats it. People often enter these places broken and without support from good relationships with others because they often don't have good relationships. So the organization I work for is committed to seeing people restored and living lives dependent on the God of the Bible and also in loving, healthy relationships with those around them. That's as far as I'll go for the values talk. If you're interested you can always search up Inland Northwest UGM and the website will tell you more than I can. I appreciate the warm welcome everyone and the willingness to help a common cause despite differences that may exist.
Not getting into it, but I've been on the International Missions team at my church for 25 years. Poverty is a side-effect or a side issue being treated as a root cause. Treating a side effect is never a bad idea, but if you don't fix the root cause it'll just come back. That said... post some stuff!
Secular or religious, we can agree community, individual connection, therapy, medical assistance, housing and financial assistance is important to everyone. Getting that to people who don't have it is a good thing.
No, not a usual American term. They must have coined that one themselves. Raised Christian and lived coast to coast and Hawaii. Self relying, independent, and God fearing, Those were my terms.
