Even I as I write this now, I am still amazed and humbled by the thankfulness, appreciation, and love our team was shown tonight by our guests...
As usual, we parked and were greeted by those who have grown faithful to help unload and set up. As I walked over to the tables, one of the women came up to me and handed me an envelope. With a bright smile, she said "This is from all of us. It's not much, but it's all that we can give."
It was the most beautiful Christmas card! It was full of names signed by our neighbors. I was completely taken back for a moment and started to get teary-eyed, so I had to walk away. Talk about the effect love has on people...
The night went without any problems. In fact, everybody seemed to be on their best behavior. There are times when we can not only feel the presence of GOD, but there are also those times where we feel the thickness of oppression lingering in the air. Tonight was not of the latter.
Our team has gained a few more volunteers which has allowed others to freely be available for prayer needs (as they come) or for opportunities to simply sit and minister to one another. One of our newer volunteers, Nicole, has come from Horizon Christian Academy, where I was privileged to speak at chapel a few weeks ago. It is so encouraging to see young people catch the vision to love our neighbors through action and not words.
As the winter air strikes the our coastal sands, it's a reminder of how cold it can get on the streets without any shelter. The biggest demand at the moment is for SLEEPING BAGS. (If anybody reading this, feels like helping to meet that need... please contact us through email.)
Tonight GOD really showed me something... two things actually.
The first is very sad. Our dear brother in Christ, Quentin, has fallen back into alcoholism and is once again back on the streets and has given up on hope. (I urge all prayer warriors to please pray for him!) GOD showed me the importance it is to dilgently seek Him, not only each day, but every hour, every minute, and every breathe that is given to us, because we are all at risk of falling if we're not.
The second thing He showed me that it's not always about the outward appearance that defines 'bearing fruit', but how the hearts of those we serve has transformed.
I am truly humbled by their act of kindness to us.
