Benefiting The Church in the Woods Homeless Ministry

Family Health & Safety Day
Sponsored by CREECH CHIROPRACTIC
Saturday, November 4th
11 AM to 3 PM
Apex Medical Park – Hwy. 55

FREE!
Eye Exams --- Spinal Check-ups --- Fire Safety Tips
Blood Pressure Checks --- Car Seat Safety Check
Internet Safety Tips --- And more...

Food! --- Door prizes! --- Raffle for bicycle & helmet!

Martial arts demonstration! --- Apex Fire, EMS & Police!

Child-friendly activities! --- Clowns & face painting!

Winter is coming -- your donations are desperately needed:
· Hats · Gloves · Tents · Boots/Socks
· Coats · Scarves · Blankets · Sleeping Bags
Benefiting The Church in the Woods Homeless Ministry

Special thanks to our sponsors for their support:

Creech Chiropractic - Super Target - Ramsdell Pediatrics
Carrabba’s - Pizza House & Subs - Bruegger’s Bagels
Leaping Lizards - Andy Parker/Body Links - Vision Martial Arts
Lowe’s Foods - Triangle Moon Walks - Protect Every Child
Carolina Railhawks - Cinelli’s Restaurant - Harris Teeter

October 27, 2006

We are thanking the Lord for you, your hearts, and your prayers.

The events over the last week caused some of the missionaries to once again realize how small our plans can be and how God's plans are so much bigger than anyone can imagine.
Last Thursday missionaries were packing to go out of town on a business trip. They received a call from Triangle Homeworks. Triangle Homeworks is a smaller local version of ABC's Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition. If the Lord's leads, you can read about one home at the following website http://www.fuquay-varinaindependent.com/articles/2005/12/07/news/benders.txt . ABC's Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition had received a nomination of a Church in the Woods missionary family, from their pastor's wife, for a hometown hero and were finalists. The interviews were to begin Friday with the local agency and Saturday with the ABC group. The missionaries asked instead of their home being made over for ABC's Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition to makeover a transitional home for the homeless. The missionary family was interviewed and then were able to take the local and ABC's interviewers to the woods to meet some of the Lord's extended family. The teams were so surprised to see the melting of hearts and demonstration of love as a special needs child walked into the camp to tell his compadre "hello." Only the Lord could orchestrate interviewing four of the Lord's lambs without the use of telephones or setting up appointments. One lamb was interviewed by the LA team and found they had gone to the same high school in Wisconsin. They were able to see one of the nicest camps in the area and still walked away feeling they had been in a third world country. The interview film footage was presented to ABC's Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition and did not win, although the lives of the teams (local and LA's) will never be the same. God is so amazing the way He touches hearts, causing one to recall Psalm 103:11-13! The team is considering instead a 2 hour "Special Edition". Property, housing plans, zoning, etc. need to be nailed down. The finished interview film footage will be available for churches and other organizations to view. Please pray for the Lord's guidance and will.

The Lord bringing attention to His "least of these" in the November Cary Magazine and ABC's Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition is not only bringing awareness of the poor, but touching hearts of so many who are considering serving Jesus' lost lambs. A non-denominational theology school has contacted missionaries, a church wants to become more actively involved with serving Jesus through the Church in the Woods ministry, and another church may have property to donate in Apex for a single homeless mom transitional home/duplex.
Please pray for the Church in the Woods board as they meet next week to pray where the Lord is leading His ministry.

The missionaries did go on the business trip, thanking God for Triangle Homeworks and the donated airfare Saturday evening returning yesterday afternoon. While they were out of town, two of the Lord's found lambs led the Thursday night mission (with the support of church families). Three of the Lord's found lambs picked-up the groceries at the four stores, delivering notes and lunches in the rain, offering to take lambs to church, and feeding them lunch in their home. The missionaries are thanking the Lord for His Hands in these three lambs and church families. The missionaries are also thanking the Lord for all those who have picked up food from caterers and groceries store while they were out of town. God is good and faithful and so are His servants!

The medical mobile unit serve those in need last night. The group was large with several new faces in need of prayer, medical attention and the love of Jesus. Please pray for dental care. The nurses and doctor are gifts from the Lord, dental care is also needed.

The Lord's love is contagious. One of the Lord's lambs who has been standing outside the walls of the Thursday night mission has taken in a lamb who was beaten while recuperating. He also brought him a take-out plate of dinner last night.

A lamb who came back from FL is now working full-time and has moved into his sister's home. He is also substance free. Praise God!

A lamb has been telling missionaries he and his dog were moving into a trailer before November 1st. Thank God he did prior to his camp burning down Saturday.

Please pray for a lamb who has a court hearing today for open container and trespassing.

Please pray for the Lord's patience for the lamb who was suppose to move into an apartment in August and then again in November. It still hasn't passed code.

Please continue to pray for the lamb who has been substance free for 40 days.

Another lamb was violently kidnapped and raped several weeks ago. She was questioning God, "Why would God allow this horrible thing to happen?" Due to her identification of this man, they were able to arrest and put under a $1,000,000 bond a child molester. She was able to find some peace knowing the Lord used this horrible event to spare what is most precious to her, children. Please continue to pray for her and her healing. We are thanking the Lord for her courage to step forward and identify this man.

October 13, 2006

We are thanking the Lord for all your prayers. The Lord is listening and answering in mighty ways.

A chiropractic office is hosting a harvest festival, November 4th, in the Apex Medical parking lot. All proceeds go to Church in the Woods. The Lord is amazing!

A sister ministry, Hope Chest, was given 100 jackets and is sharing 20 of them with Church in the Woods.

The lamb who participated in the Walk-a-Thon received $50 in pledges. He was so surprised and thrilled at the generosity of the community. He will be moving into his apartment November 1, a little later than expected because the construction had some code violations.

When attention was brought to the lost lambs of Apex through the chemical fire, an Apex church announced they are stepping forward to serve them - Romans 8:28

A Hispanic camp was found off Maynard and another off Kildaire Farms Rd, both in Cary.

A Cary church announced Sunday it feels called to serve outside its walls, including more of the lost lambs in Cary.

The men at the Cary Oxford home have stepped into the Lord's service. Four of them assisted with the grocery pick-up, the bagged lunch delivery, and transporting to and from church Sunday. What a treat for a special needs child when he learned how to crash shopping carts and ride dollies! This transitional home has stepped forward to take over the Sunday ministry while missionaries are out of town next week. Praise the Lord!

A business golf tournament in Clayton donated all the leftover BBQ Saturday, feeding the Sunday outreach and sending leftovers home with the Lord's lambs and to the Oxford home.

An lamb from the Raleigh Rescue Mission gave a list of supplies needed to fix a damaged wall at a missionary's home. He wants to repair it Sunday afternoon to repay the hospitality of the missionaries. He doesn't understand that there is no need for repayment. Entertaining strangers is requested by the Lord!

The lambs are calling, leaving messages and sending cards saying they are praying for a missionary's mother recovering from heart surgery. All ask how they can help the family while she is out of town each week. Last night the Thursday outreach signed a card for her mother writing he/she is praying for her. God is so good!

A lamb applied for a job Sunday afternoon and began working Monday afternoon. God is the awesome provider!

Two ministries met Tuesday evening sharing material and informational resources with one another. Faith Support Circles serves the Lord through homeless women and children moving them into apartments. Their needs are great with furniture and household items. The ministry is also holding a workshop for Support Circles on Monday, October 16th. Please contact Roberta S. Macauley by phone: 919-790-8533 ext. 32 or e-mail: roberta.macauley@raldioc.org , if you are interested in serving the Lord with time or donated household items.

Another lamb, through tears of repentance and joy, accepted Jesus last night. He can't believe the changes he felt. Hallelujah!!!!

One of the Lord's lost lambs, who has been standing outside the walls for so long, not only joined the group for dinner last night but stayed for the Bible study and read aloud the Words of the Lord. Please continue to keep him in your prayers. The Lord wants each lamb to know Jesus as his or her Savior.

The Lord's lamb who has been sober for 26 days has completed her camp site move. Her "home" has been completed with a new floor. She has been given a twin mattress and box spring, comforter and sheets. The lamb from above is building the bed frame for her today. She could use a plastic shelving rack now that she has more room in her 8x12 home.

Last night the mission continued with the study of Nehemiah Chapter 12. The group discussed how important worship, praise, rejoicing, and thanksgiving are in the life of the Body. It was also discussed that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. In Old Testament times people were forbidden to drink blood because it represented sin. All people could do is bring a sacrifice and clean themselves on the outside. With the blood of Jesus, because it is without sin, a person can be purified on the inside! Thank you Jesus!

Another lamb didn't want to read the Bible because she reads it every day. She, too, enjoys hearing the Word of God coming from the mouths of others. She did participate with great discussions though.

Last night a lamb has moved out of the woods home to IN. What a joy-filled reunion when he meets with family tomorrow! He left his camp site, tent, backpacks, pantry,... for another lamb to move into. Praise you Jesus!

Please keep next week's Thursday and the following Sunday outreaches in your prayers. The group will be lead for the first time by disciples with no leaders on site. Thank you Jesus!

Please keep two lambs in your prayers. One was taken into the care of her mother last week. She is in treatment and doing well. Praise the Lord!
The other was hit by a car Tuesday evening. He is in S-ICU recovering from lacerations, a broken leg and the other leg had a dislocated knee.

October 6, 2006

We are thanking the Lord for your prayers. The Lord is listening.

A few weeks ago one of the Lord's lambs from Moore Square was forgiven half of her car loan if she was able to pay the other half in full October 4th. The Lord provided the $900 though individuals like you and organizations such as Womenade of Apex. God is good!

The Friday night outreach went to the opening night of Facing the Giants. If you haven't seen the movie, please go and watch the moving of the Lord in secular theatre. It is playing at 5 theatres in RTP.

Saturday one of the Lord's lambs called. She was told to move her home due to construction. Missionaries went to help her move her belongings, including lumber from her "hooch," her 5 dog houses and dog pen. Once the roof was taken off her hooch, everyone could see the mold inside her 8x10 foot home. The floor had rotted and was held up by tree stumps. She has told us that relying on the Lord has been more effective than any treatment program she has tried in 20 years. As she has gone through this trial, she has remained sober, 18 days of sobriety. The Garner police have given her treated lumber for new flooring. One officer told her if she continues on the path of sobriety, she will help her get her driver's license, a car, a job and a home for the Lord's lamb and her menagerie. The Lord is moving in mighty ways!

On Sunday a photojournalist from Cary Magazine followed missionaries as they picked up food from 4 area grocery stores, made sack lunches for over 30 lambs, took the meals and scripture to camps and the remaining food was taken to With Love From Jesus to be stored in refrigerators and freezers until it is given away to those in need. Missionaries are now able to give a pictorial walk through the Sunday food pick-up. http://least-of-these.blogspot.com/ . The photographs and article will be in the November issue of Cary Magazine in the faith section.

A former overseas missionary again went to the camps. He said he feels so blessed to be able to serve people in need directly again. He is feeling called to make this his focus rather than serving inside the walls of a church.

A sister in Christ with another homeless ministry has been asked to speak to her home church congregation October 8th. She asked for photographs and the Lord provided them through the photojournalist.

The lamb who was beaten a few weeks ago has moved out of the woods and into an apartment. Praise God!

A lamb who hasn't been to church in 9 months returned to church Sunday. He has significantly reduced his drinking; he attended the Thursday night Bible study with a bottle of tomato juice. He is working again and hopes to move into an apartment. Praise God!

Another lamb has been holding on to the hope that his wife would return from a life of drugs and prostitution, and as a couple they would move back to Indiana. She did come back to claim her belongings with her new boyfriend. The lamb is now ready to move home without her. He has exchanged his camp and camp site belongings for a bus ticket. Please keep this lamb in your prayers as he leaves next week.

Prayers for the Lord's lamb who has suffered from an aneurism may be answered today. Her mother is petitioning the courts for guardianship this morning. If guardianship is given, the lamb will be required to receive treatment and the medical attention needed. Please continue to pray.

Her boyfriend is continuing to pray for her and the Lord's healing. He began the closing prayer last night. Missionaries talked with him about the change in his heart since he accepted Jesus July 3rd.

The Lord is answering your prayers for workers. The Lord has touched a lamb's heart who lives in one of the Cary Oxford homes to serve. He is now telling brothers and sisters in Christ that programs only fix part of addiction, serving the Lord fills all of one's needs. This lamb has recruited lambs from the Oxford homes, NA and AA meetings. He is bringing these lambs to church and to the Lord's mission fields in Wake County on Thursdays and Sundays. It is so amazing to see people finding the missing pieces of their lives in the service of their brothers and sisters.

Last night's study read and discussed Nehemiah 11. So why would so few people want to live in God's city of Jerusalem that there was a need to cast lots? Even though it was God's city, it was a work in progress. Don't we all often shy away from being stretched by God into similar areas of our lives? But how rewarding it is when we are obedient.

Don't forget to support the lamb who is walking in a walk-a-thon, Walk for Hope, October 8th. Donations can be made for the team at www.walkforhope.com online or checks can be mailed to Foundation of Hope, 9401 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617. The team’s name is “Silent Walkers,” they are all hearing impaired as is he. The walker code is BobHarris.

Pictorial Walk through the Sunday Circuit

Thanks to Joe Bryan, a photographer with Cary Magazine, we can take you through a Sunday food pickup and delivery. If you would like to contact Joe, his phone number is 919-274-6800.

It all starts with picking up food with today's date on it, keeping it from being thrown away.








Multiply this cart five to eight time to see how much food we receive from four stores in one day. Now imagine how many grocery stores in the United States throw this much away every day for lack of anyone to take it.

Next, the food goes into bags for more than 30 homeless men and women. Each receives a main dish, bread and dessert. Attached to each bag is a personal note and a bit of scripture to help them through the week.




Next, food not needed for the individual bags is taken to With Love from Jesus, a resource center that gives away food, clothing and other necessities during the week.



WLFJ has refrigerators and freezers for perishables and shelves for bread.








Next, it's on to the camps to deliver food to the Lord's lambs!







While at the camps the Lord's lambs are invited to church. After church they are invited to missionaries' homes for lunch, and then they are taken to their homes.