We are on the right track because Satan is at work in our community. Last Thursday evening, our JJ house and storage trailer was broken into and all the appliances were taken from the house and tools taken from the storage trailer. Glass in one of the windows was broken out, some damage was done to the air conditioner units. A terrible, terrible thing to happen just before the last inspection and our new home owner was to move in. But this is the community we are living in, these are the attacks we face from time to time, the question is how do we respond? Do we jump ship and run or do we give God the glory and move forward. The answer is we move forward. We learn from our mistakes, make adjustments in the way we do things and on Monday, we poured the slab on house number 2!
Saturday was a beautiful day, just right for visiting and working in the garden. Turner, Robert and Smokey were fine. Richard was not around. Tim and Matt brought one of our new friends, Brian back with them to wash clothes at the center. Robert was already there washing his clothes. Momma T got them involved in working in the garden. More beds are cleaned up ready for planting. Momma T gave out heads of broccoli to mr brian and Dr Phil, delicious.
Our afternoon school participation activities continue to be small. Wednesday we did have some of the Mitchells and the Smalls doing craft things together, very nice.
Tuesday evening the men of the community met in the chapel, sharing their stories. Matt read from Job chapter 2. Lots of good conversations about how do we respond when times get tough. Do we have pity parties for ourselves or do we seek God's guidance in our lives.
Wednesday evening, we enjoyed our community gathering at the Bright House. We were treated to homemade chili prepared by Lomax and fried rice served up by Joey. Always good to gather and talk, sharing what God is doing in each other's lives.
Prayers for Ms Patty as she is dealing with the illness of her dad. She is spending as much time with him in Houston as she can. Prayers for William. He knows he should not drink, he does not want to drink, but he still drinks. A terrible addiction. Continued prayers for the Bollingers as they Cari continues her chemo treatments. Prayers for those who broke in the JJ house.
On Thursday, chapel was lead by Heather and Derrick leading us in songs, then a new speaker, Aaron Money, youth pastor shared his testimony. He grew up in church as a youngster, but strayed as he was growing up. It was not until he cried out to Jesus for help, did his life change. He realized, it is about your relationship with Jesus that changes hearts.
Mr Tom provided supper for our community, yummy. We had a special visitor, not really a visitor, but an old family member, who wanted to come home. Mary Thoma joined us for the evening, what a treat. We hope she will continue to join us when her schedule allows.
We ended the evening, by Ms Lisa hosting a Board meeting. Ms Lisa, needed Board approval of the upcoming budget. I am not much on numbers, so if you want to know more about the numbers, please contact Ms Lisa. Words can not express the gratitude we have for all the work Ms Lisa has done and is doing for us. Much of what she does is at her home or at her office, not seen by many of us. But if it were not for all her hard work, none of what we see and have experienced, would have taken place. Please let Ms Lisa know how much we appreciate all her hard work and dedication to our community.
Some points brought up during the meeting. We have our last payment for the roof job coming up in March. Ms Lisa has the money but will have to borrow from our operating funds, which will leave us short for the coming year. We need to have a fundraiser, auction, garage sale or something to come up with $7500. Be thinking of ways to accomplish this.
Ms Patty is working with a local nursery to get the needed items for the greenhouse to make it a working operation, very exciting. Ms Lisa and her grant writer, Ms Georgeann have written grants for this area. The potential of producing a sustaining garden is in our near future. Can you imagine having fresh vegetables to cook with at our meals, have fresh vegetables for our neighbors, maybe even have enough to sell! Wow, the possibilities are endless!
Some discussions about where we go with our children afternoon activities were talked about. It was brought up to maybe establish a list of guide lines for volunteers to follow. How do we get the needed volunteers? Church groups, school service clubs, colleges were talked about. Maybe contact the VOA and Community Renewal to see if they would consider opening up one of their schools at the center. The youth area is so nice, with the different rooms, computers, library, it is a shame for it to go to waste by not being used by our children.
Ms Beth brought up an idea of having library and sewing times available for the community during the day. Plans are being worked out.
Mr Matt talked about having something to give out to our neighbors as we make our visits into the community. We have had pot holders made by Ms Beth and Ms Dawn, flowers from the garden, all met with great joy from our neighbors. Maybe have books for the children, an assortment of things we could bring with us.
Discussions were talked about opening up the sanctuary. We have had many requests asking us to do so, maybe it is time.
It was talked about we focus our prayers on God's directions for our community. So maybe in the coming weeks, we can take one of these items and make it our focus for the week.
Relationships, seems to be the theme this week. Job had a relationship with God. God knew Job and said to Satan, test him. The youth pastor, Aaron said, he tried self help books, counseling, nothing worked until he cried out to Jesus on the side of his bed. His relationship started and his life changed. We talked about how nice it is to see a face on Thursday evening and to be able to say their name. Relationships are being established. Moving out into the neighborhood is all about starting relationships with those who do not know us.
What will those relationships allow us to do? When we say, lets go to chapel, or lets go to the sanctuary, or lets talk about Jesus, they will know we are sincere and they will come. Our jobs, our calling, our command is to lead the sheep to the shepherd, so He will get to know their names. We will not change hearts, Jesus will do that. When their hearts are changed, then the darkness that surrounds our community will grow dimmer as the light grows stronger. How awesome to be a part of the building of God's Kingdom! Want you come.
Next Tuesday, February 12th at 4pm behind First Methodist church at the head of Texas street, we will have a memorial service for Dale. Pastor Chuck will lead the service.
Saturday, February 16th, breakfast 8:30.
Valentine's Day, this coming Thursday. Flowers would be nice!
Thank you all for allowing the light to shine through you. As Momma T said, we are in the "planting" season. Seeds are being planted by each one of you. How exciting to get to experience the fruits of your lvoe and God's grace. Amen.
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