26 September 07 - 13:46
Expect Miracles
The night started out like all of them do, with a van full of hopeful women expecting miracles and the streets dark, lonely and desperate.
I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living." Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
Psalm 142:5-7 (New International Version)
It’s interesting to see how women first react when we pull up slowly to the curb and approach them. There is a look of curiosity, then a little concern, sometimes contempt, and (almost always) a look of contentment knowing we are who we say we are.
“K” approached the van like that. And when we asked her what we could pray about, she said, “To heal me from my addiction”. What a blessing and privilege to have Cindy in the van (a recovered addict with scars to show and story of redemption and rebirth to share). There she was as “living proof” to “K” that God cares and will restore what Satan stole.
Then “T” approached the van and when asked what we could pray for she said, “The doctors told me I have cancer and have 3-6 months to live. That was 2 months ago and I told them to ‘kiss my butt’ because God is good!” And there, in our own van was Bonnie who has survived cancer and could be a living testimony to physical healing and give “T” the hope that she was looking for in the name of Jesus Christ.
Two women on the street with two different problems, and two women in the van that were divinely placed. When you go expecting miracles, miracles happen.
There were a lot of young boys (and older men too) on the streets last night. For the most part, we pass them by. Our hearts are directed toward the women, (and the families we’ve grown to know through them), but tonight God stopped us just past these three young men. “W” remembered us from the neighborhood and encouraged his friends to come and talk to us. They must be all of 14 or 15 and “W” had a black, bandaged eye. “I got jumped”, he said. I couldn’t help but put my boy in this picture. He does not worry about getting “jumped” or shot on a daily basis. His biggest worry is which college to pick next year. But, here, in front of me was this beautiful boy who asked us, “Why is the world so bad?” I prayed hard for these boys. Raise them up to make a difference in this world, Dear God! Let them be shining examples in the Kingdom. Give them the strength and the wisdom to rise above their circumstance and be mighty warriors for the Kingdom of God. Oh Lord, hear my prayer for these boys. “K” just looked at us like “could this be real?” I was so happy to meet those boys.
Donna had her miracle moment when we met two women on their way to girl’s night at a friend’s house. They were willing to talk to us, happy to accept a lunch bag and hygiene-kit, and eager for prayer. “S” had a longing in her heart to restore her relationship with her mother and her father. Something that God knew was on her heart and He stopped us to pray with them. As we prayed for “S” her tears just flowed and we thank God for being a God of restoration and resolved relationships. And there was Donna in our van, one that knows first hand of restored relationships with a mother and the blessing that God gave her during that process.
For me, the biggest miracle of the night (in a night full of miraculous events) happened when I was praying with a mom and her beautiful young daughters and “L” walked up to the van and stood there waiting for her turn. I heard her walk up, and though I know my team members stand in watch during prayer, I looked up to meet her eyes and motioned for her to wait. She asked us to pray for her “obedience”. This type of request always breaks my heart, but it wasn’t until I held her hands, that God opened a floodgate in my heart and I literally broke down. There was an overwhelming connection and love I had for this girl. There was something about her that was different from every other girl on the street last night. I knew she knew Jesus and He was getting a message straight through to her, “DON’T WAIT!” was all I kept hearing. “DON’T WAIT!”, over and over again in my head. I felt her beauty and the strength that God was going to restore in her soul. I told her that there was something different about her and what I felt just holding her and praying for her. She knew that I knew. Does that make sense? In her “knower”, she knew what God was saying to her when he sent that message “Don’t wait!” She said that she was just talking to her mother the day before and said, “This is where all the lost people go and no one from the suburbs comes down here. And then, tonight, there you are.” There is something very special about “L” and I just know God has an awesome plan for her… if only she will heed his command DON’T WAIT!
For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
Deuteronomy 30:16-18 (New International Version)
We praise you God for going before us, for protecting us from evil when we are out on your streets, talking to your people, doing your work. We praise you Father for the work you are doing in each and every person we meet out there. We thank you Jesus for letting us be a part of it.
Thank you, dear friends, for continuing to pray for us and for supporting this amazing ministry. We are always in need of prayer and financial support. If you feel led to contribute financially, please write your checks to “Abide Ministries” and put “70x7” in the memo line and send to 70x7 Outreach, 27450 Goldengate Dr. W., Lathrup Village, MI 48076.
We also appreciate your donations of: Deordarant, Feminine Pads, Gift cards to Kroger or Meijer, New hats and gloves for winter, and Gas Cards
Have a great week and God bless you, your family and all your friends.
Sincerely,
Lauren
No comments
No trackbacks:
