Another Amazing Week

Gospel Meditation - by Don Schwager: Jesus tells us that he is our friend and he loves us whole-heartedly and unconditionally. He wants us to love one another just as he loves us, whole-heartedly and without reserve. His love fills our hearts and transforms our minds and frees us to give ourselves in loving service to others. If we open our hearts to his love and obey his command to love our neighbor, then we will bear much fruit in our lives, fruit that will last for eternity. Do you wish to be fruitful and to abound in the love of God?

"Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Ignatius Loyola)

What an amazing week it has been! What an amazing God we have!

First, thanks to all who have been praying for our lost lamb with cancer. He had been gone for more than a month without any contact before God restored him to our family this week -- in His perfect timing (more about that in a bit).

One lamb who recently quit his job and returned to drinking ended up in the hospital, where he was told in no uncertain terms to give up alcohol. He was unable to get into a treatment program (which has been unsuccessful for him in many previous visit) so please pray he will find the strength in Jesus to finally defeat this addiction. He has given his Alcoholics Anonymous chip to a missionary's son for a school project and vows he will earn another one!

Please pray for the lambs in West Virginia. The man, you may recall, left Raleigh after having a heart attack and now his wife has had a mild heart attack but appears to be all right. They may be coming back for a visit soon.

A lamb who commutes to work by bicycle was hit by a car this week. He suffered only minor injuries, although the bike was damaged. But praise God, he went to a missionary's home for prayer instead of spending the day drinking to calm his nerves. This lamb also recently earned a raise at his job.

Donated food continues to come in abundance, thanks to an area caterer and churches.

Now, back to the amazing Thursday night.

On Easter Sunday, someone from an area church had volunteered to take the lamb with cancer to church. They were unable to make the connection and the lamb, learning his cancer was out of remission, soon left Raleigh without telling anyone.
The man confided in missionaries that he was very concerned about the lost lamb. A few weeks later, the man agreed to be in a play at a local church. The play, a Christian version of "Oliver Twist," focuses on values like forgiveness and unconditional love. The man asked the missionary to bring any homeless who were willing to come to the play.

Thursday evening, as a missionary went to pick people up for the play, the lost lamb was sitting on the sidewalk waiting. He said he had been criss-crossing he country, trying to get treatment for his cancer and connecting with friends and family to let them know he was dying. He said he was in Tacoma, Wash., when his heart told him to come home. "For once, I listened to my heart instead of my head, so here I am," he said.

This lamb joined seven others who were blessed to see the play, a family event put on mainly by children. The lambs had such a wonderful time! Between scenes, one lamb whispered to a Hispanic brother, "I know you don't understand all the words, but listen. They are saying some very important things."

Another lamb who has been struggling to give himself to Jesus started singing along with the children -- singing songs none of the rest of us had ever heard! It turns out he was once in the same play as a youth and was so touched to hear the same messages again! Praise God!

The message of forgiveness hit home, but even more amazing was a song that said, ""Once you're in the light, you can't go back to darkness anymore." The lamb with cancer responded to that line with a resounding "AMEN."

Backstage, the lamb and the man in the play were reunited, sharing hugs and stories. The lamb is so excited to back among his Christian friends!

One more Thursday night blessing: A Hispanic man said someone had threatened his life. He was very frightened. A homeless couple who just moved into an apartment last week opened their new home to him and to the lamb with cancer!

God bless all of you!We truly serve an awesome God.

Al & Cindy Boyce

Church in the Woods

The Lord of plenty

Dear God, thank you for the tremendous opportunity to serve you while here on earth. Your miracles are endless. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.

A missionary and son were home alone while her husband was at a men's retreat. A couple of the Lord's lambs called from a payphone to check on her. They decided to come over, so she wouldn't be alone or afraid and spent the night. Together they watched movies and ate popcorn. God is so gracious.
The same couple invited the missionaries, family, and friends from church over for dinner to thank everyone. What a meal the Lord's lambs prepared - turkey, dressing, green beans, ham & beans, biscuits, a fruit plate, salad, ice cream, strawberries! The couple has a table for four, but the Lord expanded it to seat 9. God is so gracious!

One of the Lord's lambs was told he MAY have a job if he shaved and had his hair cut. Few of us recognized him at church on Sunday - he was so handsome and clean shaven. He spent the week looking for an apartment for him and his wife and didn't have time to contact the boss. As God would have it, the boss called asking for someone to work the weekend - someone clean shaven. The Lamb the boss requested was working another job and couldn't work. The lamb who had just had the haircut and shaved took the job and already has been asked to work an extra day. Continue to pray as he and his wife need this job to work into something at least 30 hours a week. He would like full-time work. This couple has given one of two paychecks to missionaries to open a bank account, so they can start saving money. They have also applied for an apartment. Please pray for them to be given a chance and a roof over their heads, as they are expecting a baby in the fall.

Their are so many lambs who need apartments. There is grant money to help with first month's rent. The challenge is the credit and criminal checks and finding low-cost apartments. Please pray that as people drive around and see FOR RENT signs, they call to inquire. Low cost housing (under $600 per month) is available because we serve such a faithful God. If anyone finds low cost housing please contact Alice at 772-7050 or Cindy at cboyce@nc.rr.com .

A realtor called a missionary this evening. The need for apartments was discussed. He asked if it was a faith-based ministry, that leading to more questions, he gave the missionary ideas where to look for apartments. Then he asked if they could pray for apartments. God is so good!

A lamb from an area prison ministry contacted missionaries this week to help him find an apartment and job in the Cary area. Please keep him in your prayers.

The Garner area veteran camps (9 men and 1 woman) are being asked to move. Several of these men are looking for housing. Most of them receive VA/disability checks and do work as painters, construction workers... Please pray for them to find housing. Most of them have dogs and would like to keep their pets.
One of the men from the veteran camps is in the hospital. His last name is unknown so no one can tell him he must move. Please keep him in your prayers so that when he is released he is able to retrieve his personal items and find a place to stay.
Two of the veterans have moved to Asheville.

Missionaries are so blessed when they allow the Lord’s secretary angels to organize their time. One missionary was taking a lamb to DMV to check into getting her driver's license. On the way they stopped to pick up leftovers from a cater. At DMV while waiting, a sister ministry was able to pick up the food for God's lambs in Cary and donated a much needed microwave to the couple who moved into a house in March. God is so good!

A missionary went to a baby shower on the other side of the county. She noticed on Free Cycle a cookware set to be given a way and inquired. The donated cookware set was 3 blocks from the baby shower. God is such an amazing scheduler when we let Him ;-)

A missionary had car problems, dropped the car off at the auto repair shop and walked to the near-by grocery store. While in the store, she noticed the deli manager throwing away sandwiches, chickens... Missionaries talked with the manager of the store about picking up food 3-6 days a week. One day is already taken for a boys’ home. Please pray for volunteers to help with the pick-up of the food and the distribution of it.

The caterer donating food contacted a missionary this week to tell her he had a couple of leftover pizzas. A spiritual mentor had asked that morning what was for dinner that evening for the Bible study - a couple of pizzas and whatever other leftovers God provides. The missionary arrived to pick-up the "couple" of pizzas to her amazement there were 15. The Lord once again provided His mighty loaves and "cheese". We are thanking the Lord for this caterer, as he has provided food for several of the Church in the Woods outreaches this week as well as sister ministries.

Tuesday several ministries are gathering in prayer asking the Lord of plenty to provide volunteers. “The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.” (James 5:4) and "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! (Matthew 9:37) Please pray for the Lord to provide the workers to bring in His harvest from His field of plenty.

Tuesday, May 16th the Body of Christ (approximately 20 Wake county ministries serving the Lord’s least of these) will be meeting at 7 PM, 1121 Situs Court, Suite 250, Raleigh. All are welcome to attend.