“Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12

            That’s a tall order, and speaking for myself, I cannot do it alone.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of like-minded believers, we can persevere even when it seems like we are running an endless race.  That was never so evident than last week when myriads of issues surrounding multiple guests mounted, compounded by deadlines for papers and presentations with my own graduate work.  Last Sunday, my mounting frustrations were confronted with the words of Jeff Iorg who spoke at the MBA Annual Meeting.  His exhortation to be the church empowered by the Holy Spirit was right on time and right on target for me personally, reminding me that God provides what is needed to both discern and to minister when and where He leads.
          In October, 36% of the guests who came to Forest Park Ministry Center had not visited before for assistance, and in addition to over 3,200 pounds of food, Goodwill gift certificates, layettes and other infant needs, utility assistance, and referrals to other ministries, they received care and prayer.  That says a lot about the continuing state of our economy and the physical and spiritual needs of our fellow Montgomerians.  We are thrilled to report that two guests of the center prayed to receive Christ.  It has been a real blessing to have Jennifer Foster, Minister to Children at Heritage, each Wednesday afternoon to serve as a volunteer chaplain for guests with special needs.  We look forward to future months when we will be able to offer Christian based counseling and chaplaincy to guests who have such deeper needs.
           As the first M&M Bible Study Café comes to a close in 2011, we look forward to resuming in January with a new study.  So far, J. and L., along with three mentors, have explored and studied how young women today – and in the Bible – are able to reach into God’s resources for discernment and good judgment to be the godly women that He designed them to be.  We discuss general life style, the influence of mothers and grandmothers, the absence of fathers, and even specifics like the 1,2,3’s of getting ready for church on Sunday morning with a baby!  Please pray for J. and L. and for A. who is finishing the New Mom’s class and hopes to join us for M&M’s in January.   We also are saying a big thank you to Madeline, one of the mentors and a faithful volunteer missionary, who is moving to Texas to be near her son and his family.  We will miss her!
           The holidays are approaching, and we are so excited about the 3rd Annual Ministry Center Toy Sale!  Please be in prayer for the 300 families who are invited to participate, and for the many volunteers who will be giving of their time and energies on December 10 and in the days leading up to it.  We are anticipating God’s Grace and Blessings to flow through this ministry on that day!!
Joyfully serving,
Donna McCullough, Director
Forest Park Ministry Center

Seasons of Ministry

         As fall is upon us and I feel the bright fall sun and the cool air, I can't help but feel God's goodness in how he sustains us through seasons of life.  In our case at the ministry center, it is as if there are also seasons of ministry.  Times when one area blossoms and grows, needing nurture and care, then as that ministry is in place, another area requires more attention and nurture.  We continue to ask for your prayerful support as our ministry to young moms and young families in the neighborhood deepens, relationships are forming, and mentoring is happening.  Pray for open hearts and minds for all involved.
        For over a year, "Juanita" has been coming with her children to the center on Thursday mornings to learn English.  Oddly, one of the first things she learned was to identify and say names of fast foods, and before too long, she had a job at one of the fast food restaurants!  This quiet, unassuming, precious mom had a challenge, though.  Because she did not know English and was furthermore illiterate even in her own native tongue, she could not prepare her preschooler for Kindergarten.  "Oliver" was 5, and still did not know his alphabet, sounds, or anything basic that is needed for today's kindergarteners.  So while Carol was teaching his mom and the other ladies on Thursdays, Sherry began working intensively with him, and then with his younger siblings to prep him for school.  At first, Oliver resisted.  He did not want to go to school.  But they persevered, and when school began in August, Oliver was ready.  On the first day of school, he walked into his classroom, found his cubby already labeled with his name, then sat at his own space at the table to commence working.  Recently, he shared his progress report with me - all E'S (EXCELLENT)! Thanks to volunteer missionaries who took an interest in this one boy's life.
        Today, my heart is a little heavy.  Oliver and his family have left Montgomery, and he, his young siblings, and their mom are traveling alone all the way to Mexico to join his dad who lives there.  Personally, I am concerned for safety in their travel, and for the extreme adjustments that these children will need to make.  Please pray for such families in our city who are leaving and do not really know what awaits them.
         September has been another busy month - at least 357 family members represented by 131 guests, 1.5 tons of food distributed, the M&M's Bible Cafe is meeting on Tuesdays, and the new MOMs class is meeting on Thursday afternoons.  We appreciate your prayers and your faithful support!  God bless your journey.
In Him,
Donna McCullough, Director
Forest Park Ministry Center

Sharing Hope In the Midst of Despair

       Praise the Lord for ministries in our city who have common goals - enlarging Christ's kingdom!  This month, we learned that a young woman who accepted Christ when His love and plan of salvation was shared with her at the center proclaimed it publicly and was baptized at Church at the Barrel, the church started in West Montgomery by the McFarlands and UrbanTREC Ministry.  God is so good!
       161 families served, for a total of 376 family members.  That's a whole lot of people coming through the doors at the little blue house.  A lot of food distributed - nearly 2 tons.  But most of all - a lot of opportunities to share the love and hope that comes only from a relationship with Jesus Christ. 
       August was one of the busiest months this year.  As families prepared to send their children back to school, they were inundated with expenses - school supplies, uniforms, high utility bills from an oppressively hot summer - and more need for food, since local schools started later in August than usual, meaning those free or reduced healthy lunches available at school were NOT available, meaning that the family food budget was taxed even more.  Thanks to all of the churches and friends who donated food, school supplies, finances for assistance, clothes, and so much more!  At a time when our food supply has been as low as ever, many stepped up to the plate and helped with an extra gift.  We enter the fall months with people returning to
their work and school routines, and pray with confidence, knowing that God will continue to provide through His people!
       "Callie" called the center in distress recently.  As we spoke on the phone, she expressed her despair and asked if she could just come in to the center to talk.  When she came in, she proceeded to describe what was going on in her life - events that, each one desperate in its own right, but accumulated, would drive many people to the brink of desperation and perhaps even suicide.  Gratefully, we were able to refer her to a licensed counselor.  In addition, she was assisted with food, eventually was helped with utility assistance, and encouraged to put together a resume to give to a prospective employer.  Likewise, "Lem" was in a desperate situation, had been unemployed for nearly a year.  Timely assistance, encouraging words, prayerful support, and Lem saw things in a whole new light.  Today, he is employed, catching up, and praising God for bringing him through the storm.
       Each one of these, and so many more, are examples of how sharing Christ's hope and love help people in crisis to reframe their experience.  Hopelessness becomes hope, helplessness becomes strength, because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  Please pray for the guests who visit Forest Park Ministry Center, that in the midst of life's storms, they will experience, above all, the presence of Almighty God at work in their lives.  Pray for the new moms who are beginning the New Moms' class this month on Thursday afternoons, and pray for the moms who graduated from the previous class as they and other mentoring women study the Bible together during M&M's Bible Cafe each Tuesday. Pray too, for the Mixtec families in our neighborhood and throughout our city, as we continue to reach out to them in the midst of a time of uncertainty and fear for many of them.  As always, we thank you for your faithful support and pray God's blessings on your journey with Him.