We got our week started off Saturday by checking in on all our friends living outside. Everybody seems to be fine, except for Robert, Dale's former camp mate. Robert had just gotten back to camp as we arrived, with tears in his eyes, sharing with us, he has stomach cancer. Ms Dawn, Mr Scott and I sat there listening to Robert talk about his life. He was heading to a rehab facility Monday and then to John's Hopkins hospital for treatment of his cancer. So much emotion was flowing from Robert, worrying about telling his mother of the news, wondering what God was up to in his life and what tomorrow may bring. Robert's mother is a preacher. Robert grew up in church, but as he shared with us Saturday morning, as we were sitting in broken down chairs, under tarps made to keep shade from the heat, swatting away mosquitoes, Robert told us, he never knew lvoe until he met the folks of Common Ground. God came alive for him, by us coming every week to visit with him and his friends, not judging him, but just talking and listening to him. Amazing visit.
Sunday afternoon, we met our friend, John Williams, our electrician. He again worked his miracles and got us light into the second story. God continues to bless us with special people who share their gifts with us. We walked through each room seeing things we had never seen before, what a blessing!
Monday afternoon, Ms Lisa and her newly graduated boys were weeding, mowing, and spraying the weeds around Ms Dawn's house. It will take awhile until the grass can take over but it will happen, so lots of work will be needed to keep the vines from growing back. If you have some time and want to help out, Ms Dawn can always use the help.
Tuesday morning, we had an old friend join us for the week. Ben, from McNeese Wesleyan community in Lake Charles arrived to share his gifts with us. Unfortunately, we did have others come but it was not time for them yet, so we have been blessed by Ben's presence. His main task, has been organizing the second story in preparation of our garage sale June 1st. Ben has worked tirelessly all week and now we have a building where you can walk through and see what is there. Thank you Ben for your heart.
Later on Tuesday, we had our first Summer Feeding Program training session. Under the direction of Pastor Eddie, he shared with the ladies on how to prepare the food, store the food and serve the food to our community. Our supervisor will be the daughter of one of our longtime friends Vonita. Cornisha is a brand new mother with a willingness to support her family. Our cook will be the sister of Ms Dorothy. Gerlien, has worked in the kitchen before and will be able to get everything all organized. Our server will be Gloria. Gloria and her family has been with us for many years. What a blessing to have a program where we can feed our children and give jobs to our community.
We had strong storms predicted for Tuesday evening, so we decided not to have our mens' Bible fellowship.
Wednesday afternoon, we met with the health inspector to get our kitchen certified for our summer feeding program and we passed with flying colors. Pastor Eddie had walked through with us several weeks ago, telling us things we needed to have. We got them all done and the inspector was very impressed. Thanks to all for making our new kitchen the best kitchen ever!
Also on Wednesday, Pastor Steve from Grace, brought supper from the New Room. He wanted to keep the food warm until his helpers could pick it up to serve to the homeless population downtown. Glad we were able to help them out and great that Steve called us when he needed the help.
Joey told us Wednesday, Robert Gibson has finally completed all his requirements and has passed his GED! Yea! Lomax had been working with him in areas he was struggling with and it paid off. Robert is still living at the Grace house on Southern. Robert is now wanting to continue his education and look into getting some college courses done! Wow, that is awesome.
Don't know if you all know, but early every Thursday, Ms Abbey and Ms Abbie and others gather at the community center and get our grocery bags ready, begin to prepare our meals, make sure the clothing room is ready, get our paperwork done, check the center in preparation for our neighbors. What an outstanding job they do behind the scenes, thank you ladies.
Without much rest from all their doings on Thursday, mr brian walks in and asks Ms Abbie and the ladies to bless our chapel time with their gifts of singing and playing. I think I heard Ms Abbie say, she is getting the locks changed to keep out mr brian! What a great way to start chapel, by hearing the ladies sing and Ms Abbie play the piano. Pastor Jackson filled in for us and shared the Word to all. Much of chapel is not planned, but what an experience of the Holy Spirit filling the room each and every week. It is awesome.
With a large crowd of folks, great to see everybody working together to make our supper, clothing room and grocery bag giveaways so smooth. Ms Abbey said we gave out 70 bags of groceries. Thank you all for making it happen.
Prayers concerns this week. William and Robert Harp. William continues to recover at the hospital and not knowing where he is going when he gets out. Continue to keep Cari Bollinger in your prayers. Cari is back home recovering from her stem cell treatment. Everything is looking good but still a long way in the recovery process. Momma T as she travels to see Georgette this weekend. Dr Phil as he returns from his trip. Prayers as we continue our journey that God has laid before us. Let those plans be of God and not ours. As we celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, prayers for all of our military, the sacrifices they have made to make this the great land that it is and the liberties we enjoy.
As far as I know we are planning on opening the doors to the second story and having our garage sale Saturday June 1st. We will need help to monitor, answer questions and hopefully help load items into cars. Start time 7, going to noon. Come if you can and help us out.
Monday June 3rd, we will begin our summer feeding program. Breakfast will be served from 8:15 to 9:15, lunch will be from noon until 2. Come by and say hi, maybe enjoy some Cheerios and support our folks in this new adventure.
Lots going on, God is busy, He is up to something, preparing us for bigger and greater things to come. Won't you come. Won't you share in God's majesty. For those of you who are far away, please continue to pray for us. As Pastor Jackson said Thursday, together, all things are possible through Christ. A favorite saying at chapel time, holding hands with the person next to you saying to them, Neighbor, I lvoe you and there's not a thing you can do about it! Know you are lvoed by us and especially by God, doesn't get any better than that! Have a great Memorial Day weekend and a great week ahead. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment