We had another one of those Saturdays, where things were happening all day long. Tim and Matt led our visits. Rickie and Joey led our neighborhood visits. No drama reported in the camps. Some of the guys were still talking about William's incident. Some were trying to stay dry. Some were fighting off the mosquitoes.
We visited our neighbors on 69th and 68th streets. Meeting new folks. Catching up with our old friends. We had a group of children with us, filling up 3 bags of trash as we walked. As we were leaving the neighborhood, we glanced over and saw two young men, with trash bags in hand, picking up more trash! Wasn't that amazing.
Later on in the afternoon, Ms Lisa and others hosted our One Day to Make a Difference event. Different folks from several organizations came to read to our children, serving cookies and punch and beginning to make relationships with our community. God will lead those who have a heart for our community to us in His time.
Our final activity of the day, was our first Praise Dance Team practice. Tim and Ms Abbie's daughter Peaches hosted the practice. I forgot to ask Tim about how it all went, so Tim fill us in. Lots of music, smiles and enthusiasm by the children was seen by others. A good start into something that will last a life time.
Ms Beth and Tim have begun picking up one of our families for church on Sundays as well as Ms Beth's stops for our friends. Up to two van full of folks! Remarkable! Dr Phil did that with a family many years ago. He began to take the children to church, then the mom started coming and then the dad followed. One family at a time will make a difference in the lives of others in our community.
Our afternoon school activities continue strong with our college students coming and our community children showing up. We have a display of some of their art hanging on hallway wall. Great things are happening to both groups of young people.
Tuesday evening, the men of the community were led in Bible fellowship by one of the men of the community. Matt is asking different men to step up and lead our study, what an amazing thing to see and be a part of. Rickie West, who has been with us for years is now walking the streets, working around the center, leading Bible study, cooking hot dogs all because you all are allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you and empowering others to share their lvoe of Christ. What a blessing.
Rickie talked from Exodus 14, talking about the parting of the Red Sea. God saved His people by parting the waters. Rickie asked, what is our Red Sea? What do we need to let go of and turn over to God? Rickie talked about verse 13, where some translations said for His people to "Stand still", other translations said to "Stand firm" and you will see the Lord save you today. How hard is it for us to stand still or firm in our actions and wait on the Lord? I know it is hard for me, always wanting to take the reigns myself.
Wednesday evening, Joey and Ricky hosted our family gathering in the Bright House. It was nice to come together and catch up on what everybody has been up to. The food was good and our time together was even better. We continued our discussions of Dr Phil's book talking about, "It's a man's world". We need to go to God for our direction in life, not others.
Thursday, we had our Fall Festival. What an afternoon of fun, fellowship and food. There were some discussions about postponing the event because of the 3" of rain we had the night before and the leftover rain of the morning. But a decision was made, thanks be to God, to go ahead and have it. The afternoon couldn't have been better. A cool breeze, nice sunshine, great weather for outside activities. Everybody stepped up and got things done. Huge thank yous go out to Ms Vicki and her crew for getting the games together, Joey for sharing his college students with us, Ms Abbey for having everything ready for us, Ms Abbie for hosting the cake walk and bagging the groceries, our outdoor friends for setting up and cooking, Sonotra and others for moving tables and chairs, it was great. Ms Lisa has already posted her pictures of the evening, please go to our facebook page to see all the smiles, the hugs and laughter happening. Thanks to all for making it such a special time!
As we drove home Thursday evening, we drove through Cedar Grove and not one child did we see walking house to house for treats. We go a few blocks, we begin to see more children, getting to Highland and the streets are filled with children going house to house. One day, our God will transform our neighborhood, so our children can walk house to house! Won't that be amazing!
Prayer concerns for the week, a friend of Hat's going through the same illness as Cari Bollinger. Continue to keep the Bollingers in your prayers. An uncle of Ardis' is sick and needs prayers. Prayers for Hat's daughter as she deals with life. Continue to lift up William. As many as you have seen with Hat's post, William is now in a rehab facility. Prayers, that William can finally let go and allow God to come into his life. Prayers for our family members who are dealing with the day to day struggles of life, from jobs, to family mattes, to health issues. Life is hard, you need God at your side to help you through those times.
We have a unique opportunity next week to be a part of something special in the life of our community. Through the relationship of Ms Abbey and the athelic department of Centenary, we will be hosting the entire athletic department of Centenary in projects around the center. Starting this Sunday afternoon, with Momma T, Ricky and Ms Ardis working in the garden, you can help out and welcome these amazing young people. Ms Abbey has projects planned each day, some are in the mornings, others in the afternoons, some in the evenings, we need your help, your support and your prayers. These young people are from all over the country, some have never seen communities like ours, exposing them to a way of life they are not use to. You never know how God will use this week to change lives, to change hearts and make a difference in God's Kingdom. Please come and meet, help out and share your story with these students. Contact Ms Abbey and let her know when you want to come.
My mind works very slow, so patience with me. I will admit, the older I get the slower it functions! A thought came to me last night, about what we are doing and why? Ricky and I were in the garden Thursday afternoon, talking about life in our community, and Ricky said, if it weren't for common ground, what would all these people be doing at 5 pm today? Where would they be? If common ground was not around there would be no light in the darkness.
Smokey walks over and stands with us, looking at all the activities going on, and he said, God is doing something special in this place.
Tuesday evening, we host a group of men, some are on drugs, some have alcohol troubles, some have been in jail, all have addictions of some sort, coming together to talk about life. I hear the young men talking about the fights they got into last week.
What is that phrase, you do the same thing over and over and expect different results. It seems to me, our community has done the same thing over and over, girls getting pregnant, boys going to jail, men getting shot, drinking and drugs running rampant, the same thing over and over and not getting anywhere in life. No job, no education, no home, no future.
We know who saved our lives, we just want the same for our community.
For whatever reason, we have been put in a place where our job is to show hope. I think the young men of Tuesday night are reaching out is a small way, very small way, to listen, to hear about another way to live their lives. The Sonotra's, the young boys of the community, see a place where people will lvoe them in ways they have never been lvoed before. The young girls are learning God is there for them.
We are exposing our community to a God they are not familiar with. A lvoing God, a God that will help through their problems. A God that will provide a way out of no way. A God that will bring people who lvoe them in a way that is not judging, but compassionate. A God that gives hope, brings light, lvoes unconditional! A God who brings people like all of you. Our community sees a God like no other because of you. The light of the Holy Spirit shines so bright in your hearts, the dark is starting to recede. Continue to stand firm. Continue to stand still. Knowing that our God will save us and our community! Amen!
Make plans to be with us this week. Don't miss this opportunity to meet some special young people. Have a blessed week! God is sooo good!!
No comments:
Post a Comment