Last Friday, we had the opportunity to meet with some of our friends in South Louisiana. Tim and I drove to Crowley to discuss with our friends about opening up a community center. Pretty cool.
Saturday was another fun filled day. With Mother's Day the next day, Momma T had the children busy making all sorts of goodies for their moms. Vickey and Jan helped out. Ardis led the bread wrapping crew as well as making their famous cinnamon toast for everybody. Matt and Benny had the boys busy cleaning off the parking lot. Smokey joined us for the morning, supervising us all. Tim and Scott made their visits to the camps, checking up on the guys. All seem to be doing ok. As always, a Bible lesson about life was shared.
It was quiet around the center this week. With our afternoon activities shut down, not much activity going on. Summer camp will be starting the middle of June, so it will be noisy shortly!
Tuesday evening, our men and ladies Bible fellowship was happening. Matt led the men in reading from Mark Chapter 2 verses 13 - 17. We talked about Jesus having dinner with the sinners and tax collectors. Jesus saying to the folks, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick, I have not come for the righteous, but sinners." You want to meet Jesus, look at your self in the mirror a sinner.
Thursday evening, got started off with Spencer sharing his gifts of music and then one of our own community wanted to give his testimony about what God has done in his life. George, shared from his heart,taking a broken man and making him whole, amazing story. Good food, lots of grocery bags, clothes were all handed out to our community. Lots of new helpers were there to clean up. A memorable evening.
Nice to see Ricky Thursday evening. Ricky went to visit his sister in Dallas this week. He was worried about all the plants not getting enough water while he was gone, leaving us instructions on how to do it all! Guess who is in charge?! It started to rain Tuesday, didn't stop until Thursday morning, watering the flowers and plants better than we could have ever done! Thank you God!
Prayers for us all. Prayers for William. Prayers for Lomax as he makes his back to us. Prayers for our community. Prayers for our children.
Been thinking about our trip to Crowley. The last several years as we have been blessed to have youth groups come for a visit, we have always said, take what you see here and start something in your community. We didn't start off thinking we were doing anything special in our community, just following what God was telling us to do. Each year we continue to have the same groups of youth come and join us, as well as having new groups come. Amazing to think, Common Ground has become a mission destination.
Why? Has the "church" become to righteous? At this meeting in Crowley, there were three pastors listening intently to our stories. Many times, I apologize for my bluntness to the committee, but saying, if you want to see Jesus, the "church" needs to get out these four walls and move into the streets. Then feeling bold, saying, you, the pastors, the leaders of your congregations, you need to go to the streets. Thinking back on our time in Crowley, there was a former homeless man and a common man speaking to the leaders of the church about finding Jesus!
Why did the committee call us to talk about Common Ground? Our friends in Crowley have experienced something different in our community that they have not felt anywhere else. It is because of all of you, who do what you do, allowing Jesus to use you in special ways, showing a lvoe that is unique to the world we live in.
I say all of this because, you may not feel like you are making a difference, but you are. The Crowley group has been coming for the past 3 years, with each time they visit, something special touches their hearts.
God's work takes time, changing hearts, takes time. Don't be discouraged, persevere, be obedient, have patience, be faithful. God's Kingdom is special, unique, different and we will all be blessed beyond our imaginations as we humble ourselves before the Lord. God is Good! Amen!
Have a great weekend. Continue to pray for us, if you live out of town. Your prayers are important to us. For those who are in town, come by Saturday morning and join in on the fun. Have a blessed week.
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