Genesis 9:12-17 And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”
So, as I came home from work and started preparing the meal for my friends, it had been sprinkling on and off. My first reaction was to start worrying (which I do quite well) but then I remembered... In the very 1st few weeks of our ministry I prayed that it would not rain on us during our Friday night feeds. I stepped out of the kitchen and walked to the backyard and took a look out side. I noticed a faint rainbow in the distance, my heart was settled instantly! I felt that GOD was reminding me that I can trust HIM and he does hear my prayers. By the time we got down to the boardwalk, it was beautiful...
The evening went well. We had plenty of food for everybody and enough help to serve (thanks to Randy and Ray). We had a special guest early on in the evening. Lisa, our photographer friend, has been in Germany for some weeks now (we really miss her). Beau was approached by a gentleman asking if he was Beau. The man identified himself as Lisa's husband. Lisa had called her husband and asked him to come down and bring us cookies and check on Chicago for her. We are continually amazed by this woman. Her creative ability, gentleness and generosity are inspiring. It was a pleasure and honor to meet her husband and although Lisa was not there physically we knew that she was there with us in spirit.
Prior to serving the food, Joey went over Psalm 23 and concluded with a prayer emphasizing that the LORD is capable of taking care of us and that we can trust HIM with our lives.
Randy sat post at the "prayer table" up top. He was able to speak to some people and explain our ministry as they passed by. This idea of Randy's to set up this table where people can drop off prayer request, get information on our ministry or just hear some words of encouragement is ingenious. This idea was partially inspired by an unfortunate event that happened 2 weeks ago, when a man passing by wanted to contribute a financial donation to our ministry and mistakenly gave the money to a man that was an attendee of the feed. This person planned to keep all of the money but after being gently nudged to do the right thing, gave some of the money to Randy for the ministry. It reminds me of a great promise written in Romans 8:28-And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
After everyone ate, Beau taught a bible study (John 4:1-26). The study went well, 6 guys stayed to listen.
Afterward, Beau made plans to pick up some of the guys for chair set up at our church as well as to attend service on Sunday morning. We stayed for a little while talking and praying for our friends. It was another great night where the presence of God was undeniably evident!
In conclusion, I would like to express our gratitude.
To all the people who read along and pray for us, Thank You! Without your prayers it would be very difficult to pull this off week by week. Through the power of prayer we have seen- a powerful presence of the Lord in a place that is normally spiritually dark, favor and encouragement from law enforcement and financial support to keep the food, clothes and hygienic supplies coming.
To all of the people who donate to the ministry financially or through the donation of your time, Thank You! You help keep me sane! Your help and donations to this ministry are invaluable to us. One of the biggest blessings for me is to see how GOD uses my brothers and sisters with their gifts and talents for His name.
Thank you all, we love you!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Week 22 (Sunday)
While investing so much time with the men of PB, I've learned a thing or two. These guys realize they don't have much and accept that sad truth, but there is one thing they holdfast... and that is their 'word'. You're word is something that nobody can ever take away from you, it's something that you have the ability to keep or allow to freely let go of, leading to disappointment.
Steven and James both kept their word. Both were sitting along the wall in the cul-de-sac. James told a new friend of his about going to church, and that guy wanted to go too. So... into the truck, piled James, John and Steven. We arrived early, as the norm, grabbed out seats and just started small talk with each other. As James was speaking, he started to weep. He said he had this overwhelming sensation inside and he wasn't sure why. I reminded him that the decision he made 2 weeks ago, was indeed a 'life changer' and it was possible that The Holy Spirit was working in him right then. I discovered that John was very fresh to the street life, as of 2 days ago. I sat and listened to James explain to John how to survive: where to go for free meals; what areas are dangerous to sleep, and where to take showers, and what times. It's definately an eye opener to see how they take care of their own.
After service, Steven went over to the sign up tables and verified that he was still enrolled for the upcoming Christians Foundation Class. CFC is a class designed for new believers, the curious, or those who want a refresher in the basics of Christianity. It's a joy to see how much Steven has grown. In the time he's come to church with us, he's learned where to park his giant luggage bag. (He does not feel comfortable leaving it at the car/truck) Steven is a people person, and has no problem walking up to people during greetings, even those who as far as 10 rows away! I'm excited to hear how his classes go.
Later in the afternoon, having dropped the guys off. I found myself in PB again, this time to have lunch with my younger cousin. I was sharing with him, all that's happened with the ministry. As soon as we turn the corner, we run into 3 people.... all of whom have accepted Christ 2 weeks ago. It was Ryan's 25th birthday, and he was just sitting in front of Ralphs on a bench. I asked if he'd eaten yet, he hadn't. I invited him to lunch with us as a gift. He shared that he was hoping to make it back home to Cincinatti within the week and thanked me for everything. We prayed together and encouraged him to keep seeking GOD. I reminded him that his baptism wasn't to be taken lightly and to get rooted in a bible teaching church when he made it home. He said he'd like to try and make it at least once to our church before he leaves. Weds is that perfect opportunity, and I told him where to meet me and the others in the cul-de-sac.
It was an awesome day!
Steven and James both kept their word. Both were sitting along the wall in the cul-de-sac. James told a new friend of his about going to church, and that guy wanted to go too. So... into the truck, piled James, John and Steven. We arrived early, as the norm, grabbed out seats and just started small talk with each other. As James was speaking, he started to weep. He said he had this overwhelming sensation inside and he wasn't sure why. I reminded him that the decision he made 2 weeks ago, was indeed a 'life changer' and it was possible that The Holy Spirit was working in him right then. I discovered that John was very fresh to the street life, as of 2 days ago. I sat and listened to James explain to John how to survive: where to go for free meals; what areas are dangerous to sleep, and where to take showers, and what times. It's definately an eye opener to see how they take care of their own.
After service, Steven went over to the sign up tables and verified that he was still enrolled for the upcoming Christians Foundation Class. CFC is a class designed for new believers, the curious, or those who want a refresher in the basics of Christianity. It's a joy to see how much Steven has grown. In the time he's come to church with us, he's learned where to park his giant luggage bag. (He does not feel comfortable leaving it at the car/truck) Steven is a people person, and has no problem walking up to people during greetings, even those who as far as 10 rows away! I'm excited to hear how his classes go.
Later in the afternoon, having dropped the guys off. I found myself in PB again, this time to have lunch with my younger cousin. I was sharing with him, all that's happened with the ministry. As soon as we turn the corner, we run into 3 people.... all of whom have accepted Christ 2 weeks ago. It was Ryan's 25th birthday, and he was just sitting in front of Ralphs on a bench. I asked if he'd eaten yet, he hadn't. I invited him to lunch with us as a gift. He shared that he was hoping to make it back home to Cincinatti within the week and thanked me for everything. We prayed together and encouraged him to keep seeking GOD. I reminded him that his baptism wasn't to be taken lightly and to get rooted in a bible teaching church when he made it home. He said he'd like to try and make it at least once to our church before he leaves. Weds is that perfect opportunity, and I told him where to meet me and the others in the cul-de-sac.
It was an awesome day!
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