friday night update

Blessed Portion Friday Update for 11-3-17

Joshua 3:8 "And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan."

Hello Everyone--

Tonight was a little cold but we had hot chili, peanut butter sandwiches, pumpkin bread, and cookies to warm us all up!! It's always a great thing to have something nice and warm on cold nights so big thanks to Amber Gaskill !

Our friend Dorann Richards wanted to say a few words after we ate at our first stop and so we listened. She shared some struggles she has had the last few years personally and yet how God has helped her and proven to her that He is real. She mentioned that earlier today she was praying and could feel the Holy Spirit upon her and she started to cry. She said that she was so thankful for that moment and wanted others to know that God is real, is listening and challenged us to all pray and seek God because He will show up!!! Love to see and hear the praises of God's people and how He is impacting them!! Also saw an old friend who came by to say hello and proudly say he now has 2 jobs!!! He has come a long way and it's amazing to see him so peaceful and happy! After a hour of talking, catching up and praying together we headed to the van where the main items needed were gloves, hats and hand warmers. Thankfully we had enough to go around and didn't have to tell anyone "no"----thanks to your donations all week long!!

We also heard at the next two stops of people getting in the groove of working a new job, celebrating another day of being sober, and some finding themselves back in a shelter. One man talked about how what has happened is all because of his choices. He was broken as he wanted prayer that his family would be able to forgive him. Another man said that he is back, because he is sick and tired of being sick and tired and tired of himself and his choices. His prayer was that people would be able to see Jesus in him from here on out...... From there we talked about how God told Joshua to take the Ark of the Covenant and the people through the flood waters of the Jordan River. That the priests were to be the first ones to go and stand in the river and wait for it to split. We shared how that for some of us were in the same situation.....we are in the deep waters and were waiting for God to do something amazing. To see God keep His word as to some promises He has told us about. We shared how it must have been a little nerve wrecking for these priests to be holding up the Ark of the Covenant as the river was FULL and I'm sure a strong current was flowing. It wasn't that God was saying "Hey just get out the boat" per say as we normally hear--this was GET IN THE DEEP AND WAIT!!! God did part the Jordan River that day, and they crossed on dry ground till everyone made it across as with the Red Sea story. We talked about ALL of us have something that needs to be addressed--something that needs to be cultivated and weeded out in our lives, and going in the deep can be scary but that's when God shows up and does amazing things that only He can get the credit from!! Some are in the deep with addiction, some with trying to forgive others and themselves, some are wrestling with God and why He allows certain things. Some are wrestling with their identity as they are trying to start a new life, but the past seems to continually dictate who they are....and yet many like Dori are taking it step by step and asking God to show up and like with her He does!!

Tonight as we ended our night we saw two friends ravaged with the effects of being outside....bed bugs, scabies, flesh wounds still healing, and yet there are many things we DO NOT SEE but God does. We sit and pray with people and reassure them God isn't done with them.....He hasn't given up on them and most of all He loves them. For one friend he is finally getting it, and wants to next week enter a shelter and were going to help him --and we are thrilled. He said two weeks ago he just wasn't ready, but now is!! Just as with our couple friend..... we received a text from her saying she is ready to seek out some help for herself...again so thankful! Is that because of us? No....its because of Jesus working on hearts and hopefully using us a little to reassure them its the right choice. Seeing people tonight literally gulp down a hot bowl of chili and getting warm by a sterno tucks at your heart as you sit with them in the dark and cold night air. You walk away from those times thinking "I hope they make the change needed."

Speaking of that one of our long time friends came up and showed me an official birthday party invitation for his grandchild!! It was totally adorable and he said that was because of prayers......as he beamed from ear to ear!! He is right!! Lots of prayers and lots of hard work by our friend who decided to get off the streets and give his life to Jesus. Looking at him tonight with that smile on his face I remembered many a night of no smiles, lots of frustration and anger....but yet he always let us in around him. He continually allowed us to get to know him and love on him. When he now comes to help us we are overwhelmed with joy, and its one more reminder that he was and is worth it. Everyone is worth a blanket, some food and just time.....because you never know when they will say "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired"....

So all in all a fabulous night with everyone and we thank you for all you who pray for us, who donate to the ministry, and for helping us feed and clothe so many. One person asked what our donations are being used for. We have going into winter about 240.00 a week just for food--no supplies counted in that or water. We also have items we purchase when we do not get what we need....last week we spent 300.00 on gloves, coats, underwear, hand warmers etc.....so please know we are using resources well and we appreciate all you give!!

Thanks to Pathway Community Church, Grace Summit Church, Hamilton Church of Christ, Debbie Connelly, Cvs, Laura Mock, Christina King, Mjs Apparel, Mark Stebing, Jennifer Lynne Stebing, Sarah Bigelow Lapadot, Auburn Massage and Wellness, Randy and Cherrilyn Thomas, Stacy Hagerty, Bev Gunion, Rochelle Bloomfield-Wilson, Jacquie Aldrich, Rose and Chris Scheiber,Michael Jordanand his friend (sorry forgot her name) Nick Reinoehl, Sasha Gravante,Amber Gaskill, RJ Brown and everyone else who I for some reason cant remember sorry but THANKY