We had an unusual week. We got started off by our friends from Crowley arriving at one on Friday. Just as they got to the center, the lights went out! So we walked around showing them our place and talked for two hours about what Christ is doing in our lives. At some point, we had 2 snow flakes show up and all the kids went outside and played in it. Children from South Louisiana don't get see snow very often, so they were thrilled!
Saturday morning with the lights back on, we got things going. Some of the Crowley group stayed behind and worked around the center. While the rest of the group went us on our visits. Julie, the youth pastor, has visited us before with groups, wanting to start a homeless ministry in their town. Their new pastor joined us and got to see first hand, how the amazing gift of visiting the least of them can have on you.
Turner is a real trooper, letting 20 youth come for a visit. He is just getting comfortable with us. Allowing big groups to visit is a stretch for his personality. We must thank him immensely this week. Brad and Robert have moved. Not sure where, they were at their old site to meet us. Tim took the children back into the macroni camps, to meet some new friends. An experience the youth will remember forever.
Everybody else around the center were busy. Picking up trash, cleaning the kitchen, hanging up clothes, organizing, making meals, decorating tables a full morning of activities.
We had our first school closure of the year, Tuesday and Wednesday, so the center was quiet in the afternoons. In fact, Tuesday night Bible study was called off because of our snow and ice storm. Sure missed the evening of fellowship.
Wednesday evening, we gathered at the Bright House to attend our family get together. Joey, Lomax and Rickey were great hosts with good food and good conversations. Pastor Benny joined us. We talked about our dreams for the community and the direction God maybe leading us. Always good to get together and hear from everyone.
Thursday evening was another evening full of adventures. Pastor Willie and Wes got us started off in chapel. Then TJ and his daughters prepared the meal and our new/old friends from Calvary Pentecostal church helped serve and clean up. Joey and his crew washed the dishes, Peaches and Ms Abbie took care of the groceries, a busy, full night of activities. What a blessing!
Prayer concerns for all who are battling the cough and flu. I have had sniffles for three weeks now, tired of it! Prayers for William. William is in Dallas working with the Bridge and the Stew Pot folks. We visited the Stew Pot several years ago, good folks, hoping they can help William. Prayers for Momma T and her mom. Prayers for Sarah and Scott as they start a new chapter in their lives. Prayers for the Grace family as they look for new leaders in the youth department. Prayers for Matt as he is battling a cold. Prayers for our community. Prayers for God's direction.
Don't forget this Saturday is our monthly breakfast starting at 8:30. Biscuits and all the fixings. Come and enjoy.
Thursday night was such a joy to see old friends come back. It reminds me again of how God continues to work in our lives. God's timing is always perfect, bringing folks to us when it is the right time. John Sacker was with us many years ago. Momma T and I were trying to figure, maybe 8 years ago. We were blessed by his presence and heart. Like most of us, his journey took him another direction but he still stayed connected to us through prayer and our blogs.
Now, 8 years later, God brings a man to his church who is looking for a place to get plugged into and John introduces us to Pastor Benny. Now John's church will be providing a meal for us next month. They will be attending chapel next week to support Pastor Benny. John's associate pastor is back, just at the time the church comes back to us. John's associate pastor is a long time friend of ours Todd. There are pictures of Todd, on our picture wall. Todd and his crew brought their street ministry to our community many years ago.
God wants our obedience. God wants our faithfulness. Then God will provide. Seems to me to be a test of sorts. God is looking at us and saying are you in it for the long haul. Are you lvoing for My glory or for yours? Over the years, we have seen people come and go in our community. Some start out with great passion, but fizzle out in a few months. Some try to do it themselves and burn out over time. All with great intentions, but their hearts are in the wrong place.
Serving our God takes patience. Something I have very little of, but He keeps working on me. God wants someone who is committed to building His Kingdom. A Kingdom that takes years to build, not months or weeks.
As we go through this process, He continues to work on us. We gradually learn to put all our trust in Him. We sometimes put too much trust in others and we get hurt or disappointed. He is working on our hearts, to let go of our own desires and turn to Him for His.
If we keep our paths focused on Him. If we stay strong in His faithfulness. If we stay obedient to His guidance. Then at the right time, at the right place, at the right way, God will bring blessings to us beyond our expectations.
How exciting to see this process working in all our lives. Let's celebrate our dreams, our efforts and our obedience as we get to build His Kingdom together. Amen.
See you all for breakfast. Have a great week. Hug someone today, that might not get a hug from anybody else! God is good!
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