This note will be brief! as many of you say yeaaa!
A very big thank you goes out to Matt,Vicky and Tim as they took a huge group of children to family day with Sonatra. Vicky and Tim said their time with Sonatra was outstanding. Tim made the comment, when you have a picture of a person on how they use to look and then see them a few months later all clean, dressed different, you almost don't recognize them, that is what he felt with Sonatra. Vicky talked about how well he is doing in his classes, taking college courses, getting his driving license, becoming a young man who anybody would be proud to know. As a community we need to continue to be there for Sonatra when his time ends at his school and he comes home. Thank you, thank you, thank you Matt, Vicky and Tim.
Scott brought Jerry and Joey to the center to wash clothes, so his visits were short Saturday morning. Turner got his first box of MRE's to become our official taste tester!
Monday and Wednesday our afternoon reading program continues. One of the children was suppose to stay at school Wednesday, but he has so much fun with us, he did not stay behind. His dad had to come to us to pick him up! Speaks volumes to the lvoe these young people are receiving from all of you.
Tuesday evening, Rickie led the community men's Bible fellowship reading from Psalm 127: 4. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth. The question was asked, How do we dwell in His house or feel His daily presence? We must be like a baby, crying for attention, helpless, humbling ourselves before the Lord.
Alan and Peaches spent several days cleaning out the Bright House. Momma T and I walked through Tuesday afternoon and the place doesn't look the same. Great job. There is a water leak in the bathroom we will need to take care of and we will do some modifications to that room when we do.
Thursday brought lots of folks and lots of fun. We had our medical van there from St Luke's. Brother Chester brought the Word. Ms Abbie and Pops shared their gifts of song. A good meal and lots of groceries were handed out. Our clothing room has been rearranged by some new friends and they were there to help our community walk through. Thank you all for being so faithful.
Took my wife to her 6 week check up Thursday. She described to the doctor her struggles, he then examined her and said, wow everything looks good, maybe some miracle is happening! When Ginellen walked into the waiting room, I could see a new look on her face! Couldn't wait to get to chapel and tell everybody about that statement. I did and they all clapped! Please continue your prayers, she has a long way to go. God is good.
Most of our week was taken up by our travels to Baton Rouge to accept the Angel Award. Lisa, her husband Mark, Ms Abbie, Momma T, my brother and sister from Lake Charles, Krysten, Lomax and Stephannie joined us for the festivities. Many of you have already gone to our Facebook page to see Lisa's pictures, We will have more to put up in the coming days. Please check back.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield folks have been honoring non profits for 20 years now and know how to put on a banquet! All the media, the atmosphere, the decorations were all there for the recipients and their organizations.
Tuesday morning, we visited with Juan's past church in Baton Rouge, St John's Methodist. They run a food pantry on a larger scale than we do. We spent an hour there, talking, listening, dreaming.
In a "coincidence" as Momma T would not say! Momma T, Ms Abbie and I visited one of the Angel Award recipients. This lady has started a school for her children she use to tutor in the afternoons. Her story about her journey sounded very similar to ours!
As we drove home Tuesday afternoon, we talked about what God is up to for our community?! My head is spinning with ideas, dreams and anticipation of what is about to happen to us. Receiving an award and receiving the grant was nice, but more importantly, Common Ground is now known across the state. I can't tell you how many folks came up to us and said, what a great job ya'll are doing. With exposure like this, God will use it to build His Kingdom.
Early next year we have the opportunity to again be a part of something special. Blue Cross Blue Shield is offering $1 million dollars to just the Angel Award recipients. We will be in the pool with 160 other groups with the possibility of receiving $50000. Wonder what God can do with that?!
Lisa will hate me for saying this, please bombard her with your thoughts and dreams of how God can use us to help our children of the community in the coming months and years.
God is bringing together, churches, organizations, people, contacts, for what?! Something amazing, something we can be proud of, something that will glorify God, something we have no clue about, something that will blow our minds, how exciting is that!
Please pray, please listen to that small, quiet voice, please share. Amen and Amen!
Have a great weekend and a great week.
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