A means to a better life

The Jesus House wants to make fishers of men, women and children.

Small signs posted throughout the vacant Dunlap’s store on Eighth Street during the community garage sale said simply that all money raised would help build the Odessa Women’s and Children’s Homeless Shelter with the tagline of, "We teach them to fish, not give them a fish."

The Jesus House is a men’s transitional home where they are challenged to create a new life for themselves. Leaders of Jesus House follow the adage, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Now, Jesus House wants to provide the same service to women and children.

Kay Hooper, the event coordinator for the garage sale, said Jesus House put out many lines asking for help, and she credits the community for stepping up to the plate and making the effort fruitful.

"The community has just been awesome. We asked the community to help us help them, and they did," Hooper said.

Hooper said early estimates suggest the garage sale raised more than $12,000. Hooper said they are hoping the garage sale will raise enough money to lay the foundation and plumbing of the new women’s and children’s homeless shelter. Donny Kyker, pastor of Faith Temple Fellowship Church and leader of the Jesus House, said they don’t want to put the money in the bank and let it sit there. These funds will quickly be put into action.

"We want people to see some work behind their faith," Kyker said about the faith the community has placed in them to use the money and donations for the betterment of others.

"There are women and children on the streets in Odessa. These women are dropped off, abandoned or just don’t have any family to go to," Hooper said.

The Jesus House accepted just about everything people were willing to give. Of course there was clothing, shoes, kitchen glasses and trinkets, but a few of the more unusual items included a wedding dress, life jackets, bowling bags and exercise videos.

Loys Dunn heard about the garage sale and came to try and track down some things she’s interested in.

"I just love estate sales and garage sales," Dunn said. "I’ve got more than 1,000 books. I love to read."

Dunn said she collects and reads old books, and her favorite are what she called Christian classics. Dunn said she found two books at the garage sale.

The clothing that isn’t sold at the garage sale will be picked up, taken to Mexico and given to people in need, Hooper said. Hooper said they are trying to spread and share the wealth in whatever way they can.

"Once the need is known, it’ll just touch their hearts," Hooper said.