Last Friday we had our new friends from Bossier, with Mr Billy and Mr Matt leading the way as they continued to scrap, prime, pick up paper, clean up around the center. In all the heat, they continued to laugh, tell jokes, work without ceasing, what a group of young people.
Saturday, we made way around the camps. Our visits concluded early because Richard and Robert were not home. Richard was in the hospital he said, Robert, we do not know where he is? I think the highlight of the morning, was seeing Turner laughed as we talked about our visits.
Later on in the afternoon, Ms Vicky hosted a baby shower for Octavia at the center. Very nice of her to take time out of her busy schedule to help Octavia out. While that was going on the inside the center, Matt and Tim were working with some of the guys from the Macroni finishing up our work on the Bright House II. I think it was one of the hottest days of the year, but all the guys were out there working, very inspiring!
Monday, we got our summer camp started off by hosting the youth from Brookwood Baptist church. The youth sang, danced, drew art, read Bible versus, hugged our children for three days. Mylie, said to them Wednesday as they were leaving, please don't go, can't ya'll stay with us forever! Lots of good relationships were started hoping it will lead to more interactions in the future. Lots of great videos on Face book of the week, check them out.
Monday evening, some of us met with our community members as we continued to share ideas of what God is leading us to do in our neighborhood. Most of the members want to focus on the youth of the community, asking other agencies who have programs going on, if they will bring their ideas to our neighborhood. Transportation continues to be a stumbling block, so we thought if the programs came to our kids, then we don't have to worry about providing transportation.
As Ms Lisa has told us what Joey did on Tuesday, I will only add God is good. Christ Methodist has started a food drive each month and has committed to helping us with grocery donations. Tuesday they brought 60 bags of groceries, Joey and his friends from Brookwood helped unload the bags and put the items on the shelves. The pantry has never looked so full.
Tuesday evening, Matt hosted the men's Bible fellowship, reading from Mark 2. The thing that I remember most, was at the beginning of our time, we had to get up and make the circle bigger! Record number of men and young adult men came, wanting to learn, wanting to share and all having the opportunity to do so. It is awesome, the circle provides a place where young and old can share their feelings about their lvoe of Christ and listening to others as we share what God has done in our lives. Following our time together, we celebrated the birthday of Mr Karl, complete with ice cream and cake!
Wednesday, Brookwood said goodbye to all our children. One of the leaders said, as they were saying their goodbyes, make sure everybody gets a hug! Remarkable!
Our summer feeding continues to provide meals to the neighborhood, 5 days a week. Yes there are challenges that comes along with this, but it also provides a way for us all to become closer. As Joey was sitting on his front porch one morning, he said to some of the young boys hanging out with him, I've got to go inside and pray. The boys said no Joey, let's pray right here! WE lvoe you, we lvoe God. Isn't that cool!
Wednesday evening, Ms Ardis hosted our family time at her house. Great food, great conversations as we discussed Chapter 8 of Dr Phil's book, the heart. As the book talked about, as we talked about, the heart is the key to everything. Your actions, your attitudes, your talk reflect your heart. Jesus is not concerned about our looks, our appearance, He is after our hearts. I have come to realize, mr brian is not going to change the community, change will come about when Christ changes the hearts. Thanks Ms Ardis for a great evening.
Thursday got started off with our chapel time. One pastor could not be there, but Pastor Jackson filled in and boy did he fill in! Ms Abbie gives me a few titles, the words are put on the wall, and the chapel is filled with the Holy Spirit through music. I have been around music most of my life. You have choir rehearsals, practice, practice, practice, but to be honest, the music we have in chapel is just as inspiring then anything I have ever heard. Pastor shares his thoughts often going another direction then what is planned. Why? Most of our chapel time, is led by the Holy Spirit, wanting only to glorify God, not ourselves. Inspiring to us all!
Our meal, our groceries, our clothes are all provided by God through folks who allow the Spirit to flow through them. Consequently, the nights are a blessing to us all.
Prayer concerns for the week, continue to lift up William. He is still at the McAdoo, but still struggling with life. Our guys in the camps, hot weather, bugs, are making for trying times.
We will have two youth groups with us next week. One group is from Krysten's former church in St Louis, Winstanley Baptist. They will be arriving Saturday evening, staying in Marshal. They will be with us all week. We will have another youth group from Sherman, Texas join us Saturday. They will be staying at Grace, working with us Sunday afternoon, meeting other folks on Monday and leaving Tuesday. Prayers for safe travel for them all.
Next Saturday, July 20th, we will have our family breakfast. Starting at 8:30 we will have good food, good talk and good friends to enjoy it all. Come and join us.
Momma T, Tim and Scott and Sarah will be busy with Weekend of the Cross, next weekend. Keep them in your prayers as they work with the Methodist youth from all over Louisiana as they share their lvoe of Christ with others.
As I was sitting in chapel Thursday afternoon, typing up the words to put on the wall, I began to listen. As we got closer to 5, more and more folks came in. They sat down, greeted each other and I could hear them ask each other, how was your week. They would talk about, how hot it was. One of their sisters was in the hospital, another one said, we will pray for her. Not enough to eat this week another one said, glad it is Thursday. I heard one say, I love "our" chapel time on Thursdays.
As I was sitting down at our meal, visiting with one of the men of the community, Big Man comes up to me and puts his hand on my shoulder. Didn't say a word, just laid his hand on my shoulder.
Watching Princess and Henry visit after our meal inside the fellowship hall and sitting on the curb after they had finished cleaning up from the meal. Watching Princess work with one of young boys trying to get him behave during our meal.
Joey sharing his experiences with the children during the week. Lvoe being challenged while Satan leading others to destruction.
We had a new family last night, all dressed in LSU colors and t-shirts. While the parents were in the clothing room and getting their groceries, one of the youngsters, was cleaning off the tables and putting up the chairs.
We always seem to pick up on the bad, rather than focus on the positive. The child who acts up gets our attention, more so than the one who is not causing trouble. Ms Dawn went to Sinotra last week and told him how proud she was of him cleaning up around the center. Our children don't ever hear positive attitudes at home. The only time they are praised is around us.
Slowly, very slowly, the Light of Christ is beginning to shine. You have to be quiet and listen for it. Sometimes you have to look real hard. Sometimes you have to stand back and let it shine. But it is happening. It is happening because all of you are allowing the Holy Spirit to shine through you. The darkness is deep. It has been growing in our community for a long time, so our patience will be tried at times. Many times it will seem there is no light.
But when you get a hug, when you get a pat on the shoulder, when you get an Amen, when you get a thank you, when you get a smile, when you get a prayer, there you will find that light. As a pastor said one time, one little light can light up an entire room. We have to pray for that one little light to light up our community. We have to continue to allow that little light to shine in our neighborhood. And then one day, the darkness will be gone and God will be glorified in all His splendor! Isn't that exciting! Much to look forward to as His Kingdom grows in our hearts and in our community! Amen!
Come and join us this week, meet our new friends from St Louis. Many blessings to you all! Amen!
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