Wake-Up Calls and Other Needs

Have you ever experienced a "wake-up" call? Most of us have. And Jonah did. "..You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to You.." (Jonah 2:6b-7a). "Malcolm" did, too. Malcolm is a young man who lives in the neighborhood near Forest Park Ministry Center. We met him nearly a year ago, shortly after being laid off from his job with Hyundai. He was trying to work wherever he could find a job, but finding one was difficult, and doubly so because he had also lost his car.

"Malcolm" accepted Christ one day last Spring during a visit to the center. He promised to follow through his confession of faith with making it public at a church and plugging into a body of believers for growth and accountability. But the unhealthy influences of friends and even some family tugged at him and pulled him back into harmful habits and away from his new found faith.

Two weeks ago, as we were closing the center at the end of a service day, Malcolm came running down the street with tears streaming down his face. He was crying for help. You see, a neighbor had stolen something of value to Malcolm. When he confronted the neighbor in order to get it back, the man pulled a gun on him and shot at him. He was running for his life! The police had come, but of course, the shooter was nowhere to be found, and Malcolm's fears were mounting. As we sat there, encouraging him to "breathe deep" in order to calm himself, we began to pray with him. And you could sense his spirit calm. After talking to God, we talked to Malcolm. A wake-up call - he acknowledged it. And grace that his life had been spared.

Would you pray for Malcolm? For him to have the steadfast courage to step away from bad influences and into God's grace; for protection and guidance and the realization that a life invested in Christ is the only "good life" that there is!

There are always so many needs. Your prayers are necessary and we thank you. Here is another opportunity to invest in the work of the center: With such a brutally hot summer, the utility bills have mounted. Can you imagine going without air or water in the heat that we have experienced? Just this week, two families have needed assistance because their water has been turned off - no water at a time like this?!? To make matters worse, one family has a newborn and the other a special needs child. Funds for utility assistance are precariously low. Would you consider a designated offering of $25, $50, or whatever God lays on your heart, specifically to help families in such dire need? These are not lazy people. They do not want to be in these situations. But job losses, illnesses, and other life circumstances are draining their finances, their strength, and their hope. Will you be a help? Just note on the
bottom left corner of your check "utility assistance" and mail it to Forest Park Ministry Center, 2026 East 4th Street, Montgomery, AL 36106. If God has moved you to do this, I thank you in advance. May He richly bless you!

Sharing an update from the center - in August, 116 guests were served at the center, for a total of 290 family members. Of those that visited, one gentleman was led to Christ by our missionary volunteer, Fred Fulton. Praise the Lord! Over 3,000 pounds of food were distributed to these families, and $800 worth of clothing gift certificates were given. We partnered with one of our churches to assist a family that lost everything in a house fire, and several families received direly needed baby supplies. The construction is moving along; the sheetrock is nearly finished, and the painting and other finsh work will be completed by mid September. God is so good.

I would be remiss if I did not thank all of the churches, the individuals, and even the businesses who contributed to the Tools for Schools effort this year. For the first time, we were committed to supply five junior high and high schools - a massive undertaking! But God was faithful through His people to supply at least three large cases full of paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, calculators, folders, binders, and so much more, to every school. And in addition, each school is receiving uniform shirts to keep in the office for students who are in need of them. Thank you to all who had a hand in this endeavor.

Volunteer readers and tutors are now beginning a new school year of ministry. Reading4Character has proven to be an effective investment in the lives of schoolchildren. Soon, after school tutoring will be available for the Mixtec children in the neighborhood who need an English speaking "listener" as they read. Eastern Hills is taking this on, but we welcome volunteers from all of our churches. Already, several from other churches have stepped forward. We need more! Would you pray about being a part of this opportunity to share God's love?

Your prayers, your gifts, your support are all so appreciated and so necessary to carry on Christ's Kingdom work. May you be blessed with God's grace.