A new Breakthrough!

Tonight something so special happened... actually a few things are worthy of mentioning.
It is customary for our entire team to open in prayer together, before we start the night and I give a message. From the beginning, prayer has always been the focus. We try to primarily keep that prayer circle to our team, but it's been open to others who feel as though they'd like to join in...

Alyse, a woman that Amanda has poured into over the past 19 months, has been opening up to her a lot because of the love shown. Through time, she's made it very clear to us that she does not believe in our God. She has deep emotional pains & bitterness and we've learned how to be gentle & step back when speaking with her.

Well, tonight she joined us in our prayer circle! That is an incredible step forward for her! Please note, that yes I am using exclamation points. We are excited to see this new breakthrough with her!!!! It gets even better though...

Our team members, Marci & Carl, donated a useful tool for the Ministry. A prayer request journal, so that people can quietly write what they'd like said, doing so anonymously if choosing to do so. Prior to the message given, I'd announced that this book was available and there for them to use. At the end of the night, one person took that opportunity to fill something out. Alyse! The good Lord is doing something in that woman's heart, and we're so thankful to be a part of that.

The Ministry has been blessed week after week, with clothing donations; financial support at just the right time; and the extra helping hands. There is no doubt that GOD is still the one orchestrating this Ministry. Due to the abundance of people willing to help serve and pass materials out, it's really freed me to roam around and meet people after the message. Tonight I spoke with several people who were just passing by and wanted to know what was going on. After telling them what we're about, some asked how they could get involved. It is so awesome to see how the act of Loving your neighbor as yourself, has an impact on others.

A man named David, whom I'd met last week, came to help out tonight. I noticed that James could use a partner on the hygiene/clothing table, so I pointed him in that direction. It was another large crowd (especially for the first Friday of the month) upwards towards 70-75 people. To my knowledge, everyone was able to eat and there were only a very few small scuffles between the crowd.

I'm also proud to announce that our church, Horizon Christian Fellowship, has put on a Thanksgiving outreach for the homeless, for a very long time. Normally the shuttles would pick people up from the Downtown areas of San Diego. This year, they have added PB to their pick-up location. When I made that announcement to the crowd, I saw nothing but shining faces... I could almost see their minds imagining the hot showers, hair cuts, and Thanksgiving meals filling their bellies. I am so pleased with the tremendous cooperation & assistance we've received from our home church. I thank GOD the Father, for raising up a strong God-loving, body of Believers, with hearts to help each other out, in the name of Jesus Christ.

One of the women from PB, Tanya, asked about coming to service on Sunday. She inquired about finding a female who could pick her up. I got her contact information (some of them actually have cell phones) and promised to look into seeing what could be done for her. My prayer is that the enemy would not snatch the seed over the weekend, and that she would have her needs met. My wife might be able to pick her up.

Tonight, what I feared would happen, did. One of the neighbors from the area came down and gave us a hard time due to the size of the crowd. He informed us of the permit requirement for large gathering (in a not-so-friendly manner). Please pray for us. It's very possible that we might not be able to obtain a permit for a few reasons... 1) They cost money. 2) We are feeding homeless people with hot meals and are not a resteraunt. We are trusting GOD to take care of this problem one way or another. We are there to love all neighbors, including those who actually have a roof over their heads at night.