This past Saturday is another example of you just never know what is going to happen when we visit the camps, we had joy, tragedy and then peace. Turner was fine, more quiet than normal, then we get the news from Robert about Brad, but ended on a positive note as we were treated to a hot bowl of chili prepared by Smokey! I have been copying Joey's newsletters for Smokey. He has them taped to his wall so he can pray for Joey every day, isn't that amazing! Smokey has become the resident chef for his neighbors, so each weekend, he cooks up a pot of various meals for the guys. When we were there, "Dennis the Menace" was bringing a pot of rice to Smokey to go with his chili!
Our Monday and Wednesday learning to read activities continued. This coming week will be our last with the children for this semester. We can always use a smiling face or a lvoing heart to play with the children. Join us from 3-5.
Tuesday evening, Matt led our men's Bible fellowship by reading from 2 Corinthians chapter 7. We sometimes need to share with our brother or sisters, things that they are doing, that may not be of God. It is out of lvoe we do so. As it says in verse 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.
Thursday evening was started off by our friend Wes, as he played Christmas carols as Willie sang and shared the Word. Willie talked about Acts chapter 20 verse 24, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. . . We need to stay true to God's plan for us. Peaches cooked up a delicious meal for us all, bags of groceries were handed out, clothes given away. A great evening.
Lisa updated the Board on several things following the meal. Lots of huge donations have come our way. Enough to get our new Air conditioning and Heating unit installed in the chapel. More funds have been given for us to remodel the Bright House I. And still there is more funds available. What a huge blessing from God and from the people of God! Chris Broadwell was there to help us, who are Facebook challenged, to learn the system to help improve our page. Watch out for upcoming "likes" "followings" "posts" whatever those may mean?!
Continued prayers for Brad. We had Brother Elbert make a visit to see Brad on Wednesday. Brad is still heavily sedated, but Brother Elbert felt Brad was fighting for his life. Prayers for Karl. His pace maker procedure went well, not in the recovery mode. He will be home bound for a month, the hardest part of his recovery! Prayers for Matt and Vicky. Matt's mom is not doing well. Always hard as we deal with the aging of our parents. For so many years they have taken care of us, now we have to deal with their health problems as our roles are reversed and we become the care givers. William needs our prayers. He was at Bible fellowship Tuesday evening. Good to see him, but he is struggling.
Blessings for a safe return home for Beth and Charley's son Wes. Wes has been in China for several years teaching English but he is back home. What a great Christmas for the Ackermans!
We will have our Christmas meal this coming Thursday. Hopefully the guy in the red suit will make it, to visit with the children young and old!
Our setting up of the Christmas Market is fast approaching. Some will be at the center this Sunday evening working with the Grace youth. Next Friday, December 19th starting at noon, we will be setting up the fellowship hall and turning it into our Christmas Market. Saturday, Dec. 20th will be the market starting at 9. All sorts of help will be needed. Please let Lisa know if there are certain jobs you would like to do and just come and help out where needed. Guaranteed to be fun and joyful!
We had challenges this week. I was reminded again where we are and what God has us doing. Over the past 20 years, we have experienced great joy but also great challenges. In our community, we will always have challenges. Our task is to turn our challenges over to God and move forward. Over the years, it would have been easy to say, we are out of here, we don't need this. It would have been easy to give up and walk away. Satan would have liked that!
We have been asked to follow a path laid out by God, into uncharted territories, knowing there will be pitfalls, but also knowing there will be blessings. The blessings far out weigh the obstacles!
I am reminded again, we are part of a community where darkness is more prevalent than the Light. At times, it seems like the darkness is winning, but we all know who is in charge! God will not let the darkness win. I was thinking about our community and seeing pockets of light in our community. One of our tasks in the coming year is to see if we can connect those lights in our community, like a string of Christmas lights and see how bright God's light can shine!
I am also reminded, God is watching how we react to our challenges. If we turn and run, God will not bless us. It we stay and fight, God will honor us with more blessings. It's up to us to decide which way we go.
Jesus chose to stay and fight the battles. He chose to come to this earth for us, knowing what would happen to him. He chose to be born in a place where the common man would be, not the rich and famous. Our obstacles are His. Our cries are heard by Him. Our heartaches are felt by our God. We are not on this journey alone, God is right there with us. His light will never go out! Amen.
Have a great week as we celebrate the third week of Advent and the coming of our Lord and Savior!
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