Giving Thanks

        It's a most wonderful time of the year.  I have just heard that song on the radio, and it reminds me that even when chaos reigns all around me, Christ's intent is for us to experience His peace in our souls.  It's a daily choice, to allow culture's disorderly array to manage our well-being and our faith life, or to allow Christ to do it.  Paul wrote to the Romans about that very thing:  "Do not change yourselves to be like people of this world, but be changed within by a new way of thinking.  Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him" (Romans 12:2).  That sums up the purpose of reaching out to others with life-changing answers, not just emergency needs.  That is why, in addition to the food and clothing assistance (on Wednesday alone, we saw representatives from 65 families, each of whom received both food assistance and special provisions for Thanksgiving dinner), Forest Park Ministry Center is also offering mentoring through the Layette Ministry (in-home visits with moms and newborns), an accompanying booklet to assist them as they provide a spiritually and physically healthy environment for their children, and M&M's Bible Cafe, a weekly Bible study for moms and their mentors that meets at the ministry center.  In addition, those guests who express need for individual counseling are given the care needed to allow them to grow through distressing life situations.

         An answer to a long time prayer need is being fulfilled now - and we are praising God!  For many months, we have prayed for the opportunity to provide a venue for the young men in the neighborhood to meet and learn how to become the men and fathers that God desires and their children need.  Recently, a retired police officer visited the center and asked specifically about how he could invest himself in the ministry.  When he heard this dream, he felt led to follow through, and with the help of others that he is recruiting, will begin "Honor Begins At Home" in January, meeting each week at the center.  In addition, we are in the planning stages of another group of women with specific needs.

        God is teaching me so much about patience and waiting on Him.  As needs are becoming evident to me, I want to jump in and rescue.  But I am being taught to allow Him to bring those alongside who have passion for Him and reaching people in need.  Even in the food pantry - after such a whirlwind day on Wednesday, the pantry was BARE!  On Thursday, helpers brought food from a local school (see photos below) and on Saturday, teens came and stocked. Then on Monday, another church brought food - and none of those deliveries had been on the regular schedule!  Obviously, it was on God's, though!

        As I reflect on these and many other blessings, I also pray that each of you has a blessed Thanksgiving.  Remembering that Christ has given us the ultimate gift, let's all focus our eyes on His goodness, mercy, and grace.  I pray that we all experience this as we give thanks, and as we usher in the season to celebrate His birth.

Joyfully serving,

Donna

Many thanks to Coach Lawhorn and his history students for their generous donations of food - what a blessing and just in time!  AND thanks to these precious young ladies who stocked the food in the pantry on this beautiful Saturday morning.  God is so good.

Eyes and Hearts Open to Those God Moments

        Callie came to the ministry center for food, but her eyes and her mannerisms spoke so much more. As she interviewed her during intake, Ena began sharing with her God's plan of salvation and His promises.  Callie said that she wanted to know, wanted to be saved, and was ready to take that step, but wanted to do it alone.  Ena respectfully allowed Callie a time of silence and meditation, then prayed with her.  Ena feels that Callie accepted Christ in her heart and will be able to follow up with her at her next visit.
        Christina hobbled into the center, also looking for food assistance.  But Christina was also looking for hope and healing.  When Fred introduced her to me, I noticed her disability and asked her to tell me about it.  One month ago, Christina was shot in both legs, the victim of random shooting going on nearby her walk home one evening.  She related to me the fear that she felt when she was shot; she thought that she was going to die.
        I told Christina that I could understand such a fear; it must have been terrifying.  Then I asked an important question:  "If that had been the case, where would you be today?"  She shook her head.  "I don't know.  I have wanted to be saved, but I just have never found a church that I liked to do it in."
        Friends, I have heard many reasons, many responses, but never this.  I told Christina that I did not recall anywhere in the Bible where it stated that a person had to find the right "church fit" in order to receive Christ's salvation.  Together, we turned to the book of Romans, chapter 3, and we read the words telling us that we are all sinners, we have all fallen short of God's glory.  We also read that we sinners, by professing faith in Jesus Christ, are justified before God because Jesus paid the price for our sins.  Christina asked to receive Christ that very day, and prayed a beautiful prayer asking for forgiveness and salvation.  Now, she is seeking with the Holy Spirit's help, a church that will nurture and disciple her.
        This month, our last Conversational English student "graduated" to the Conversational English School at First Baptist Church.  She is learning alongside over 167 other students of many nationalities, and her sweet daughter is enjoying the socialization with other children her age.  What a joy to see her take this bold new step!
         And let's not forget the miracle of the bread truck.  Over 300 loaves of delicious wheat berry bread were donated to give to families in need.  What a treat for them!  It seems that the truck had an accident, and the bakery instructed the company to distribute the bread to ministries who helped feed the hungry.  What a blessing - and not one case of bread had been damaged in the accident!
         Food distribution, clothing gift certificates, home visits with layettes for new moms, Bible studies, and even one - on - one counseling -- all of these "routine" activities are opportunities for the most important - to leave an indelible mark on each recipient so that he or she knows beyond the shadow of doubt that there is a God who loves and cares for them, and that He has a plan for each life that He has created.  There can be no other more important truth to convey to people in poverty - whether it is material poverty or poverty of spirit.
        This month, over 3.000 pounds of food were distributed for 286 family members of the guests who visited, and nearly 20% of those who visited were new guests.  As we minister to our guests, we ask that you join us in prayer, as we pray each morning before opening the doors, that "God's grace abound throughout the day", allowing us to see each guest through His eyes, and that He will use us as His vessels to give them hope and a smile.
         On October 14, you have the opportunity to visit Forest Park Ministry Center's Open House.  As we celebrate the ministry center's 15th birthday, we also invite you to see the refurbished facilities, to hear from those who invest time and energy into the ministry, and to learn how you might plug into what God is doing.  Come join us!

Joyfully serving,
Donna