Ishmaels Well

Genesis 21:9-21 The Message

One day Sarah saw the son that Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, poking fun at her son Isaac. She told Abraham, "Get rid of this slave woman and her son. No child of this slave is going to share inheritance with my son Isaac!"

The matter gave great pain to Abraham—after all, Ishmael was his son. But God spoke to Abraham, "Don't feel badly about the boy and your maid. Do whatever Sarah tells you. Your descendants will come through Isaac. Regarding your maid's son, be assured that I'll also develop a great nation from him—he's your son, too."

Abraham got up early the next morning, got some food together and a canteen of water for Hagar, put them on her back and sent her away with the child. She wandered off into the desert of Beersheba. When the water was gone, she left the child under a shrub and went off, fifty yards or so. She said, "I can't watch my son die." As she sat, she broke into sobs.

Meanwhile, God heard the boy crying. The angel of God called from Heaven to Hagar, "What's wrong, Hagar? Don't be afraid. God has heard the boy and knows the fix he's in. Up now; go get the boy. Hold him tight. I'm going to make of him a great nation."

Just then God opened her eyes. She looked. She saw a well of water. She went to it and filled her canteen and gave the boy a long, cool drink.

God was on the boy's side as he grew up. He lived out in the desert and became a skilled archer. He lived in the Paran wilderness. And his mother got him a wife from Egypt.

Ishmaels well is a cool drink of comfort for single parents and their kids. This is a focused attempted to make a difference in the lives of single parents and their kids. Throughout 2010 Centerpoint will try to bring relief in three different forms to some of those in need. While no church, government agency or non-profit is the answer to everyones pain in life, there are many simple things each can do to make a difference, here is what we are doing.

1) Mentorship "These boys are growing up to be good men, just like their moms taught them to be" - Coach Bobby Bowden

It is hard to live out something you have not experienced yourself. It is vitally important that kids have an opportunity to be around someone that will model what manhood and womenhood are.  We are providing every willing child of a single parent that is close to Centerpoint with a mentor that will have a consistent presence in their lives.

2. Financial Relief

Who pays for the trips, school clothes and supplies? When you live in a home with a single parent their often isn't enough money for the necessities of life, let alone the extras. Ishmaels well is a designated fund that provides financial support for those close to the Centerpoint family.

3. Household Donations

Donate your household items to be passed on to a single parent family or sold to help with financial relief. For example, recently an entire storage unit of household furniture was donated to Centerpoint to be sold for Ishmaels Well or passed on to help. All sizes of donations are welcome.

Sunday Meeting Address: Annapolis Harbour Center Bowtie Movie Theater (2474 Solomons Island Rd. Annapolis, Md 21401)    Saturday Meeting Address: The Whiskey (1801 West St  Annapolis, Md 21401)  Mailing Address: 626-C Admiral Dr. #517 Annapolis, Md 21401    Phone: 410-610-2278

To make a tax deductible financial donation to Ishmaels Well go to http://centerpointchurch.cc/ContactUs.html and click the 'Donate" link

or contact Molly Sheeler at sheeler.molly@gmail.com to make a household donation.