Week 11

An early night it was.... an early night indeed, but nothing short of remarkable encounters.

Tonight's team consisted of myself, Amanda, Joey, and our friend Jerrica (from home fellowship). It was a real blessing having Jerrica join us for the evening. She was kind enough to bake brownies for the ministry.... and they were a big hit!

Of course tonight had the usual crowd. It's nice to know they'll be there waiting for us, completely willing to help unload the truck and set up before we get started.

Being that it's now summer time, alot more tourists are passing by and stopping to grab a free meal while on vacation. It's neat to briefly hear something about them. It never fails that they all ask why. "Why are you doing such nice things?" I love that it gives me the opportunity to share GOD's love and grace with so many people.

There was this young man that's attended our feeds in the past and tonight he seemed very troubled. He asked me to the side because he wanted to just talk. He claims that he's accepted Jesus into his heart but yet feels nothing, and is so overwhemled with this world beating him down. I asked if he had a bible. What he had was a small, old, torn up portion of the New Testament. I coincidentally happened to have an extra bible handy which he gladly accepted as a gift. We spoke alone for a good 15 minutes. He began to open up and weep. It was sad to see all the hurt bottled inside him pouring out. I encouraged him to lift all his pain to Jesus. We finished our conversation properly with prayer. I'll be picking Alexis up for church this Sunday, Lord willing.

The food went faster then normal tonight. We met with tons of people. One of our guests enjoying a free meal, was very equipped with biblical knowledge. I was stunned when he started spitting scripture, word-for-word. This guy carries around a taranchula and claims to use it as a tool to witness.

I had the opportunity to share some differances in beliefs between Catholicism & Christianity. It seems as though I had a bigger audience than I realized because others started asking me more questions. It's an undescribably awesome feeling knowing that people are interested in hearing what the bible has to say.

A true miracle happened tonight.... Amanda actually allowed a taranchula to crawl on her arm. (Jerrica took pix, woo-hoo!)

Needless to say, tonight was another great night.
Praise Almighty Jehovah!

Faith...

In my own walk with the Lord I am always encouraged when I hear stories of GOD's faithfulness. I have learned to not hold tight to the blessings I have experienced but to share them so others can be encouraged.
It still amazes me that the GOD who created this earth, hears my prayers and is so faithful to answer them! His timing is always so perfect. This week has been a little tough for us (financially). Beau's work has slowed down, as it does sometimes, especially during the summer.
Driving home from work yesterday I started to feel anxious and worried about how we are going to cover our bills and still be able to buy the food needed for Friday. I started praying and giving my fear and worries over to Him. I told the Lord that I am just going to decide to trust Him.
One of my biggest struggles is really trusting that GOD will take care of our needs and resting in that promise. I am such a "fixer" and often feel as though I have to take care of everything on my own.
I came home to find a card from my Aunt. She is one of the most giving and encouraging people I know. Enclosed in the envelope was a gift card for Costco. This will help us to purchase the food that we need! Lesson Learned!
Through this ministry and other areas of my life I am truly learning to rely on the Lord and it is Awesome...

Luke 12:26-28
If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then GOD so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

Thank you all for reading!
GOD bless you,
Amanda

Praise Report! (Monday)

Having been bothered by the knowledge I learned yesterday morning, I came home during my lunch break. I found a detox center in Costa Mesa that was willing to help us out. First Step House of Orange County. I explained to the director that I would be coming from San Diego and he said that under normal circumstances they don't hold spots for anybody, but considering our desperation he would hold an open bed for Jeremy.

It was another slow day at work, so my boss let me off early... Amanda and I went to PB in search of Jeremy and luckily found him. It was heart breaking to see that he was pretty intoxicated. He was very willing to go with us. We arrive at the "Charle House" (as it's known by locals) and we meet with Mike, the director. Mike told us that after I had hung up with him 4hrs earlier, he turned down 7 other men for Jeremy's spot. It's a 10day detox, using no medications (if something should happen and medicine is needed, paramedics are literally 2 blocks away), they provide 3 hot meals each day, showers anytime you like, closet full of clothes to choose from as needed. Mike just so happens to share the same faith in Jesus as us. Mike encouraged Amanda and I to keep doing the good works. If the detox process is successful, Jeremy will be placed in a Sober Living Home, should he choose to do so. All of this is 100% FREE OF CHARGE!!!!! I couldn't help but shed a few tears of joy as my mind was soaking all of this in.

Please I urge those of you to keep this in your prayers. Thank you!

Week 10 (Sunday)

(1 Corinthians 13:3-13) "If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love!"

Yesterday late afternoon was emotionally rough. I received another phone call from the ER regarding Jeremy. He had another seizure from his alcohol problems. We picked him up and immediately tried getting him placed into a detox program... with no luck. Our friend whom we've grown do truly love as part of our own family is suffering and slowly dying! Before dropping him off at an AA meeting, we bought him dinner and prayed for his Deliverance.

I met with him this morning (Monday) so we could see if there were any openings. The facility told us that he needed to have medication in his possesion to help with the withdrawls before the detox would take him. They told us to go back to the ER and then call them once we have what is needed. We did that and then they told us that there are now no beds available and to try back tomorrow. The purpose of the medication is to stop withdrawl episodes from nearly killing him by releasing low doses into his system until he no longer needs to rely on it. The facility requires a full prescription bottle upon entry to their program.

Today they are telling us to call back tomorrow in hopes that there is an opening for him. He has accepted that, but will then need to take the medicine throughout the day today to keep from drinking, which in turn would empty his full bottle.

This is completely new to me and I find it frustrating that our city does not have a better system to help people out. How can one expect to overcome such tribulation when the system itself has no immediate help. This has sadly opened my eyes to the revolving door and I admit that it is very painful for me because I am unable to offer a solution. All I can do for the time being is share the Love that has been put in my own spirit by our Heavenly Creator and let His light shine through me.

Today my soul is weak with grief because of the situation I've come to know.
Readers.... I beg you to please continue to pray for Jeremy and his struggling addiction to the poison that is killing him.