03 May 08 - 11:53
The Breath of God
The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen. Job 37:9-10
We may not have traveled over frozen waters but we did slip and slide down the streets in the city. Just another example of how blessed we are to live in areas where they actually put salt on the roads, while the streets in the city were neglected. It was so cold and so icy that we only saw two people out on the streets. The 1st lady didn’t want to talk to us and the 2nd lady was so cold that Cindy said it was painful to hold her hands and pray. The evening could have been considered a waste of time, stressful driving and bitterly cold but God knew there was one young lady that was in need of prayer, a lunch bag and gloves.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. I John 3:16
Because the streets were so quiet tonight I thought I would share a little of what happened during outreach last Thursday. The team had planned a little surprise in honor of Cindy’s 5th anniversary clean. We packed the van with all our supplies and hit the streets, planning to quit early as I would pretend I didn’t feel good. Well, you’d think by now I would have learned my lesson and know that God had everything under control and I wouldn’t have to tell a lie. The surprise party was supposed to happen at 7:30, meaning we would leave the streets earlier than usual and having to take the extra lunches back home with me. Jesus you are so good to us! We saw so many people that we ran out of supplies at 7:10. And the last person we saw was such a blessing. We had met this older gentleman last week and he was so grateful for a lunch and prayer. When we told him we would see him the following week he scoffed at us. Well, we saw him again and he was so full of laughter and joy that he had us all wanting to sing. He kept saying, “You really did come back, I didn’t believe you. God really does answer prayer.” Yes Pops, God does answer prayer because He cares for each and every one of us.
Last Thursday the 21st the Outreach team threw a little surprise celebration for Cindy’s 5th anniversary clean. I don’t think I will ever forget the look on her face when she walked into McDonalds and saw everyone sitting there waiting for her. On the way home she said, “Donna, when I walked in McDonalds and saw all those people I was a little confused because I kept thinking, I know all these people what are they doing here, I just wanted to cry, I didn’t know I had so many friends.” She was so overjoyed that by the time I got her back home she had worn herself out talking.
God had a lot more in store for her this evening. After everyone left Karen, Cindy and I sat around talking for another hour. Well, the homeless man came back into McDonalds and we offered him some cake. He said he didn’t want any because he was full, so we offered another piece to the man that sat in the booth behind us all night, and he was very grateful for more. Then Cindy took the rest of the cake and offered it to the employees at McDonalds. The young lady she gave it to said, “Happy 5th Anniversary.” So Cindy told her what the anniversary was about and showed her the scars she has on her arms. The young lady then told Cindy how her mother died at the age of 30 due to a heroin overdose and then asked if she could give Cindy a hug. Isn’t that beautiful?
Well, God’s not done yet. I remembered that Becky had brought a man’s coat as a donation this evening and it was in my van. So I got the coat and offered it to our homeless friend. He said thanks but that he didn’t need it. So Cindy offered it to the quiet man that sat behind us and he stood up and put it on. Cindy was overjoyed that he wanted the coat. But then we watched him get up and leave McDonalds. He didn’t get in a car, he didn’t have anyone waiting to pick him up, he was homeless! We sadly watched him walk down the street in the snow without a hat or gloves. So Karen, Cindy and I knew it was time to leave McDonalds and find this man. Karen prayed while driving home and Cindy and I packed up some of the extra oranges we had along with a hygiene kit, hat and gloves and went looking for the man. We found him walking down the street, rolled down the window and said hello. He ignored us and kept walking until Cindy said, “We just met you in McDonalds”, and he stopped. So we offered him the items and he immediately put the hat and gloves on. We didn’t pray with him as we felt he was afraid so we just said “God Bless you” and he nodded. God is sssoooo Good! What started as an evening honoring 5 years clean and walking with Christ turned into an evening where we were blessed by too much cake for us but enough cake to share with a young lady who tragically lost her mother to drugs; the blessing of enough oranges, trail mix, hats, gloves and a coat to share with 2 men in need. It is so humbling to know that God is always presenting us with opportunities to fellowship within the body of Christ and also with those who are lost and alone.
Before Cindy and I got home we received a phone call from Karen. She had called the McDonalds and found out a little more about our 2 gentlemen. They both spend a lot of time at McDonald’s everyday just getting warm. And the people at McDonalds welcome them even though they stay longer than store policy allows. Thank God for disobedient employees but obedient to God in allowing them to sit there and get warm.
Love, Donna
P.S. Thank you for all the donations of lunch bags, sandwiches and hygiene items. We may not have been able to pass them out this evening but God knew the streets were going to be icy and He had already made other plans. 2 weeks ago I made plans with a group of women to hit the streets on a Wednesday evening. That Wednesday evening is tomorrow night!! He already knew and made a way for those we didn’t get to see this evening to receive a lunch bag and prayer TOMORROW!!
P.S.S. Watch your email for news about the upcoming fundraiser for the ministry. The dates are this coming May 16th and 17th. The event will be held 2 evenings as space is very limited. Come help us celebrate “TAKING IT TO THE STREETS”
"Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out." Deut.28:6
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