How One Woman Is Making A Difference: Finding ministry right where you are

I {Mandy} met Kelli online about a year ago. We connected through my blog Suburban Stereotype and hit it off immediately. A couple of months ago she sent me a letter that she has been sending out to a ministry that she saw a need for and created. I was blown away by her generous heart and willingness to give to others--even at her own expense. Without further explanation, I'll allow Kelli to introduce herself and tell you all about her amazing ministry. 

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This is real love - not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
~ 1 John 4:10

My name is Kelli Maynor. I am a mother of many and the wife of a very courageous man. In December of 2011 God led me to start a ministry for single moms. My mind was full of things I wanted to do for them! Having been a single mother of 5 for a couple of years, I remembered many areas I could have used the help. God pulled the reigns a little and simply asked me to write letters of encouragement for the moms and to send birthday cards to them and their children. I started to make a list of the single moms I already knew. It's hard to believe that I knew 40 personally. God showed me that there definitely was a need in this area. If I already knew 40, how many more could there be? He was about to show me! I began reaching out to anyone God led me to speak to and the number of families grew. Over the past few years the ministry has grown more than I had ever imagined it would. 

I now send out over 150 letters every month or two, and mail more than 500 birthday cards each year. God provides for each and every card and stamp! In the mother's card I add a small encouragement notecard, and in the children's cards I add stickers or encouragement cards (I try to make what is added in the card age appropriate). God has also blessed me to be able to see some of the other ideas on my heart come to pass...Valentine's cards, mother's day cards, father's day weekend picnics, monthly giveaways (kind of like an indoor garage sale where everything is free :)). Not all of my moms are without help from the father of their children, but many are and I want them to feel special and appreciated throughout the year. 

The main purpose of this ministry is to share God's Truth with the moms and help them to know of His great love for them. I want them to know they aren't alone in their walk as a single parent, most of all because God is with them. However, I also want them to know they have each other. There is a secret ministry page on Facebook where they can get connected, receive encouragement and prayer, as well as list items they are in need of or items they are giving away. Family friendly (financially friendly) events are also posted in the group. The desire is for them to see that they have a community of moms willing to help each other. 

I want them to know of His passionate pursuit of their heart, and to know what Real Love is. 1 John 4:10 is the key verse for this ministry. "This is real love - not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." Many times as a single mom, I lost my way looking for "real love" in the wrong places. I believe an intimate relationship with The Father is important and necessary in every person's life, but I know that it can make a great impact in the lives of these ladies. And, my hope is that it will trickle down and be a life changer for their children. Glory to God! 

There are still many things I'd love to be able to do, but if God has shown me anything during these last few years it is that 1) His timing is perfect, 2) He Who called me is faithful, and 3) He indeed WILL equip me with everything I need to do HIS will in this ministry (and every oth
er part of my life). God bless!

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Kelli Maynor

If you would like to contact Kelli to find out more information about her ministry, to see about joining the Secret Facebook group or to find out how to donate to the ministry, you can email her at: [email protected]