We have just completed week nine of the training program with our nine students and it has been an incredible time. The best part of ministry is getting to work with His children. Each day is a gift and a new opportunity to share the love of Christ with them.
Over the last nine weeks we have developed a place of safety. It is because of that sense of security that many of these young people have openned their hearts, and some for the first time in a long time, and have shared some very personal stuff.
In the last nine weeks we have laughed with them and we have cried with them. For me, I think I get to experience a little piece of what our Father in heaven feels. Sometimes I ask how He can handle it and I know that I will never understand the full depth of His love until I am with Him in heaven.
This past week, some news from two of the students affected us all. One had their home broken into and had most of their belongings stolen. They have moved out of that place because they do not feel safe there anymore and are staying with another family member until they find a new place. Another student was beaten by the person who claimed to love her and then was then kicked out of the house with her child. She came to devotions crying.
We stopped and took time to talk with and pray for them. We thank God for providing a safe place for them to open up and share. We are doing what we can to help by providing food, looking for new places they can live, praying for and just loving them.
Both of these students are still deciding if they want to give their lives to Christ. Both have begun to go to church with other students who already attend churches in the community. Even though they have not said it out loud to me I know both are asking how God can allow such terrible things to happen. Both need your prayers.
As we talked through what has happened, the students got to share how they are feeling. It is wonderful to see those who already believe come alongside their classmates and show them love as well as reassure them of God's love. As painful as these things are to deal with they are opportunities for us to experience God in a real and personal way. I pray that God will help us to love them and to help them love themselves so that they can experience the love of God.
As we end this week I deal with my own pain. Today, the 30th of April, would have been my mom's 63rd birthday. I find it hard to believe it has been almost nine years since she went home to be with God. I sat and looked at her picture I keep in my Bible and felt the pain of losing her fresh in my mind and in my heart, but I feel joy knowing she is with her loving Father in heaven. I miss her so much and I look forward to the day we will be reunited.
Please pray for the students (Adam, David, Jeneritha, Jessica, Katrina, Selvia, Stella, Sylvia and Victory) and pray for us.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
When God Shows Up
This morning I decide to go to the Cafe early and do my devotions while having a nice cup of coffee. It was a sweet time just reading His word and listening to what God had for me. Julie showed up at about 7:30am and asked me if I had something for the devotion time with the students and staff. I sensed and saw that she had something to share with everyone today so I asked her if she wanted to and she said yes. Before the students came we just sat and talked. Tears were already forming in her eyes as she shared how God has been talking to her.
I knew God was already here and that the students and I were going to be blessed through what Julie had to share. As the students came in and took their seats around the circle, we said good morning and I asked who had something to share this morning. Then Julie announced that she did. She warned the students in advance that what she was going to share was not going to be easy and that she could not do it without crying. Tears were already rolling down her face.
I silently prayed for strength for her to be able to share what was on her heart. She shared about the condition of her heart towards God and others, and how she had not even realized how hardened she had allowed it to become because of several things that have happened to her. She shared how God was helping heal and soften her heart during her time here. Not many eyes were dry because her testimony was very powerful. She shared Isaiah 55 with us and explained the ways God spoke to her through the passage. God had given her that passage for us as well.
I knew God was working on more hearts in the circle. I felt prompted to ask if anyone else had anything to share and Sylvia raised her hand. My heart leaped in my chest. Sylvia is one of the girls who is still asking questions about God and her own relationship with Him. We had read Psalm 66 together yesterday and I had challenged each student to go home, read it again, and ask God to talk to them through it. Well, God talked to Sylvia in a big way. She began crying and in between tears she shared how God had been working in her life even when she was not following Him. She shared how she was involved in two different car accidents and how she should have been killed or seriously injured in both. She asked herself how she was able to walk away both times safely. Last night God told her that He was with her and that He had saved her.
God was not done yet. David another student shared how he had tried to take his life three times and how on the third time he made sure that he would not fail again, but God intervened. The wire, that he had so carefully constructed to do the job, broke. We thank God that he was not successful in taking his own life. David talked about how he knew it was God that had intervened in his life. David went on to encourage his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to be serious about their relationship with the Father.
It was an amazing time spent together. The presence of God was all around and it was hard to stop our time of devotion. We ended up opening the cafe late and customers were waiting outside the gate as we hurried to set the tables and get ready.
God, I thank you for all that you are doing in the lives of your children and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of all you are doing. It is an amazing journey that I look forward to each day.
I knew God was already here and that the students and I were going to be blessed through what Julie had to share. As the students came in and took their seats around the circle, we said good morning and I asked who had something to share this morning. Then Julie announced that she did. She warned the students in advance that what she was going to share was not going to be easy and that she could not do it without crying. Tears were already rolling down her face.
I silently prayed for strength for her to be able to share what was on her heart. She shared about the condition of her heart towards God and others, and how she had not even realized how hardened she had allowed it to become because of several things that have happened to her. She shared how God was helping heal and soften her heart during her time here. Not many eyes were dry because her testimony was very powerful. She shared Isaiah 55 with us and explained the ways God spoke to her through the passage. God had given her that passage for us as well.
I knew God was working on more hearts in the circle. I felt prompted to ask if anyone else had anything to share and Sylvia raised her hand. My heart leaped in my chest. Sylvia is one of the girls who is still asking questions about God and her own relationship with Him. We had read Psalm 66 together yesterday and I had challenged each student to go home, read it again, and ask God to talk to them through it. Well, God talked to Sylvia in a big way. She began crying and in between tears she shared how God had been working in her life even when she was not following Him. She shared how she was involved in two different car accidents and how she should have been killed or seriously injured in both. She asked herself how she was able to walk away both times safely. Last night God told her that He was with her and that He had saved her.
God was not done yet. David another student shared how he had tried to take his life three times and how on the third time he made sure that he would not fail again, but God intervened. The wire, that he had so carefully constructed to do the job, broke. We thank God that he was not successful in taking his own life. David talked about how he knew it was God that had intervened in his life. David went on to encourage his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to be serious about their relationship with the Father.
It was an amazing time spent together. The presence of God was all around and it was hard to stop our time of devotion. We ended up opening the cafe late and customers were waiting outside the gate as we hurried to set the tables and get ready.
God, I thank you for all that you are doing in the lives of your children and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of all you are doing. It is an amazing journey that I look forward to each day.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Being His Hands and Feet
It is incredible to be a part of what God is doing. We have begun our seventh week of training with the nine students in our program. Getting to share life with them is the best way to show the love of our wonderful Father. Today, during our time of discipleship, we were talking about the role of the church. It was a very good discussion; we talked about how Christ is the head of the church and how we make up the body.
We were talking through verses such as Romans 12:4-8. Such verses help show them that they each have a gift and that their gift is not just for them, but for the church. We talked about what the gifts are and how we can use them. It was exciting to see their interactions with each other.
We discussed for a long time why it is important to be a part of a local church. I was asked this question: "How do I find a church where the people, who call themselves Christians, will not judge me with their eyes and the looks on their faces as I walk into the church?" This was and continues to be a tough question to answer.
As a Christian I cringed when this question came up because it is so true of many churches today. We may not even realize we are doing it, but if we are honest we have to acknowledge that it happens. We see someone that comes in and if they do not fit what we feel a "Christian" should look like we do not even approach that person. I know I have been guilty of it.
As I looked into Jessica's eyes I could see the longing to belong and pain so called "Christians" have caused. There is so much pain that she is afraid to step inside a church. I asked God for help and then shared that the best thing to do is to ask one of her friends, who go to church, if she could go with them. That way she will not be alone. I also told her that I would personally bring her to church if she would like to go.
We were talking through verses such as Romans 12:4-8. Such verses help show them that they each have a gift and that their gift is not just for them, but for the church. We talked about what the gifts are and how we can use them. It was exciting to see their interactions with each other.
We discussed for a long time why it is important to be a part of a local church. I was asked this question: "How do I find a church where the people, who call themselves Christians, will not judge me with their eyes and the looks on their faces as I walk into the church?" This was and continues to be a tough question to answer.
As a Christian I cringed when this question came up because it is so true of many churches today. We may not even realize we are doing it, but if we are honest we have to acknowledge that it happens. We see someone that comes in and if they do not fit what we feel a "Christian" should look like we do not even approach that person. I know I have been guilty of it.
As I looked into Jessica's eyes I could see the longing to belong and pain so called "Christians" have caused. There is so much pain that she is afraid to step inside a church. I asked God for help and then shared that the best thing to do is to ask one of her friends, who go to church, if she could go with them. That way she will not be alone. I also told her that I would personally bring her to church if she would like to go.
My heart broke looking into her eyes and I felt the heart of God at that very moment. I ask myself how can God bear such incredible pain and suffering from so many of His children? The heartbreak I feel for her and others is almost unbearable. I thank God for the opportunity to pour His love into these precious children of His and pray that I can help them in their relationship with him who loves them so much.
Each day here is a gift and I look forward each morning to how God will use me. Pray that God will continue to give us the strength we need each day. Pray for the students we are blessed to work with. Pray that they will develop a relationship with their Father who loves them. Pray that they will become disciples.
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