Saturday, May 26, 2007

May 26, 2007

We are thanking you for your prayers and support as the Lord continues to provide abundantly for this ministry! More and more people are being drawn into communion with one another through the homeless and so many blessings are being shared!

Community Awareness – Meetings and missions
· A new mission has begun every Sunday from 4:30-7 PM, parking at 5017 Thriftwood Dr., Apex. For more information contact Cindy Boyce at 387-0921, cboyce@nc.rr.com or Terry Nanney at 880-7645.
· Medical mobile mission, May 31st, 2007 in the parking lot at With Love From Jesus from 6:30 until. The team is always in need of doctors, dentists and hygienists. There is an attending physician with the needed liability insurance. Please contact Kim Ashby at bashby@mindspring.com for more information.
· Forming Faith Community Support Circles? You are invited to participate in a community wide information session that will provide you information about how to form new Support Circles. Presenters will include providers from various homeless service agencies skilled in working with families who are homeless. It is being held June 16th from 9 AM – noon at First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 (Continental breakfast will be provided). For additional questions about the session, please contact Roberta Macauley at Roberta.macauley@raldioc.org or 790-8533 ext. 32. Please submit your registration information by June 11th.
· Join the word in preparing for the GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER! We have begun 10 days of constant prayer: May 17 – 26, following the pattern of Christ’s followers before the first Pentecost. On Pentecost Sunday, Christians in almost every country will assemble to pray. Then we will seek 90 days of blessing: May 28 - August 25. As in the first Pentecost, transformed Christians transform their communities as they offer themselves to God as instruments through which their prayers can be answered. For more information including a guide to praying, visit www.globaldayofprayer.com

Prayer and Praise!
· This week, a marketplace minister with the Harvest Evangelism group in Raleigh agreed to help find a new place for With Love From Jesus and Church in the Woods. Please pray that the Lord blesses these efforts and puts these ministries where they can do the most for His glory!
· With Love From Jesus has been asked to move by May 31st. Please keep them in your prayers has the Lord provides His way to keep the Resource Center open. Please pray for the other ministries that have stored so much in the WLFJ Resource Center and held so many outreaches. Church in the Woods is one of those ministries. The Lord and His perfect timing has provided a storage unit in Apex for a portion of the Lord’s bounty, but prayer is needed for a refrigerator and a freezer, preferably in the South Raleigh/Garner area. CitW is thanking the Lord already for the housing of two freezers. CitW is also asking for prayer for the Garner mission as the mission needs a building to host the outreach, especially the monthly medical mission.
· Please keep the director of CitW, Alice McGee, in your prayers as she is in Africa for a mission trip, May 24th returning June 17th.

Apex
· The Hispanic Lamb from Garner reluctantly came to the Apex mission. He gave his conditions prior to riding to Apex, one being he could only stay an hour. He went with missionaries home to home inviting lambs to the dinner and mini sermon, at first only translating. By the second street he was walking to homes and initiating prayer. Three hours later the Lord’s new missionary was taken back to his camp. God is so good!
· Thank You Jesus for the food He provided for all the missions. The food for the Apex mission was divine. Missionaries pick up food several times a week from various stores and caterers. Friday, a missionary asked a caterer to pray for meat for the mission. He usually has enough leftovers to feed so many and this day he didn’t. Saturday an entire (never opened) Deli turkey breast was donated. We are thanking Jesus for being the Almighty Provider and the caterer for his prayers.
· Please keep a family from the mission in your prayers. The sole bread winner just came home from the hospital. The family asked for a wheelchair and food this week. Wednesday the Lord provided food for the family. The smiles on their faces when several bags of groceries were delivered were amazing. We serve such an awesome God!
· Pray for a woman and her husband who broke his back. He is the worldly provider for this family.
· Pray for a lamb whose friend is going through a challenge with his health, family, and income. May the prayers for this friend bring the lamb to the Lord.
· Please keep a lamb in your prayers as she is “figuring out religion”. She came to the mission encouraging neighbors to come as well.
· Missionaries were blessed Sunday to meet the one of the first drummers from the “Castaways” at the mission.
· Thank you Jesus for Your Almighty provisions twice a week.
· Please keep the lamb in your prayers who was arrested for stealing from Apex homes. Thank the Lord for opening the eyes of the neighborhood that many of His “least of theses” do live in Apex.

Cary
· Please continue to keep this lamb in your prayers as he is starting a new job this week. He and two other Cary lambs (all three with jobs) are looking for housing in Cary/Western Raleigh that allows a dog, at the moment they are staying in a weekly efficiency. This lamb continues to give guidance to other Cary lost lambs on how to best survive, where to find food, shelter... without stealing, begging... and bringing them to church. Please keep him lifted in prayer as he continues to see Jesus by loving others in need.
· Please keep a lamb in prayer. He called missionaries asking for help this week. He is in the Wake County Alcohol Treatment Center. Praise God!!!!
· Please keep a lamb in prayer as he is looking for housing. He, too, has a job in Cary.
· Please pray for two married lambs who are facing many crises: eviction from their apartment, loss of one’s job, possible jail time, disruptive and dysfunctional family members, and continuing struggles with substance addictions. They need God’s covering and leading to choose new paths and stick to them. The Lord has given these lambs committed mentors this week. Pray for the mentors as they lean on the Lord for wisdom, understanding, strength, and guidance.
· As one food supplier drops for the summer, so does the feeding of one day per week. Please keep the lambs in your prayers who have been fed, physically and spiritually, on this day, especially one elderly lamb. Please thank Jesus for His Almighty faithful provisions.
· Please keep the missionaries in prayer as they deliver physical and spiritual manna 4 times a week. Thank you Jesus for Your mighty hands in this world!

Garner
· On Thursday, the Bible study moved back into the parking lot, where more than a dozen lambs enjoyed fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans and salad. Please pray for one lamb who came drunk yet was loudly proclaiming Jesus as her Lord and asking for strength to get her life together. Also, please pray for a lamb who says he won't be coming back to the Bible study because he is upset with those who come to it drunk and on other substances.
· A lamb who has received his one-year of sobriety chip from AA was showing it off Thursday. He is so proud of this achievement -- the first time he has gone a year since he has been drinking. Praise God! A new lamb came, saying he had heard he might be able to get a bicycle. There were no bikes available, but please pray there will be one for him soon.
· Another lamb who has been a regular for a long time stopped by to say his camp was bulldozed last week. He lost his tent, sleeping bag and several bicycles he was repairing. He is hoping to begin receiving disability payments soon for a shoulder injury, rather than going through surgery (which he can't afford) so he can work. He was such a blessing to missionaries when he said, "I just love coming here! I feel so relaxed and happy here with you guys!"
· Please pray for another lamb who is looking for work in the Garner area. She is taking the summer off from nursing classes at Wake Tech and would like to save some money for the fall.
· Please continue to pray for the lamb with the broken wrist (since December). The doctor has given missionaries the protocol for her wrist surgery. Please pray she will now take the necessary steps for surgery. Also pray for the Ultimate Physician to heal her wrist. Several people have laid hands on it for healing.
· We had many missionaries showing up to help Thursday with the director of CITW out of the country. One missionary from a local church had been away for over a year and came back to see her old friends, who were so blessed to see her!
· Another prayer request is for God to dispel a spirit of grumbling, gossip and mean-spirited talk that is going through some of the lambs these days. Also please pray that they avoid the temptation to increase substance abuse as summer arrives -- something that has been a pattern in the past.
· Please pray for a lamb who is in jail. Please ask that the Lord speak with Him and remind him that he is loved.
· Thank you Jesus for Your Almighty provisions three times per week.
· Please pray for a hair stylist to serve the Lord one Saturday a month at the Garner showers.

General
· Please keep lambs in prayer as they are asked to make decisions of walking away from their addictions and walking toward Jesus.
· Thank you Jesus for a lamb who is continuing to be substance free and involved with a support group through AA.
· Please continue to pray for support circles as these lambs readjust to society and are welcomed into the Body of Christ.
· Praise God for the existing support circle as the Body of Christ encircles a lamb with the love of Jesus!
· Thank you Lord for being scheduler of all Christians time.

Missionary Testimonials
· A family has taken a lamb couple under their wings with employment and an occasional place to sleep while working. The couple has been engaged with Bible studies through this family, transportation, meals, a Christian home life, prayers, mentoring discussions, Christian direction, and the Hope and Love that can only come from the Lord. We are thanking Jesus for Pam and Derek shining His Light!

Fishing Trip!
· The next fishing trip is June 9th. Please contact Terry Nanney at 880-7645 and Stephanie Narron at 274-8021 for more information.

God’s Provision – Donations of Time & Finances
· Thank the Lord for the showers each week from the Garner church Thank You Jesus for serving hearts!
· Thank you Jesus for all the food donated by area grocery stores, churches, individuals, and caterers! Thank you Lord for all the donations of clothing, blankets, candles, and toiletries donated this week.
· Thank You Jesus for the acupuncturist who donates her time.
· Thank You Jesus for the nurses who donated their time the last Thursday evening and for Dr. Hartye.
· We thank you, Jesus, for those who have donated time showing the love of Jesus through relationships and support circles, especially as new ones are developing across Cary and Apex. Praise God!

Friday, May 18, 2007

May 18, 2007

We are thanking you for your prayers and support as the Lord continues to provide abundantly for this ministry! More and more people are being drawn into communion with one another through the homeless and so many blessings are being shared!

Community Awareness – Meetings and missions
• A new mission has begun every Sunday from 4:30-7 PM, parking at 5017 Thriftwood Dr., Apex. For more information contact Cindy Boyce at 387-0921, cboyce@nc.rr.com or Cuba Suarez at 387-7480.
• Medical mobile mission, May 31st, 2007 at With Love From Jesus from 6:30 until. The team is always in need of doctors, dentists and hygienists. There is an attending physician with the needed liability insurance. Please contact Kim Ashby at bashby@mindspring.com for more information.
• Volunteer meeting April 21st at 7 PM at With Love From Jesus. Please contact Terri LaClaire for more information at terrilaclaire@hotmail.com .
• Forming Faith Community Support Circles? You are invited to participate in a community wide information session that will provide you information about how to form new Support Circles. Presenters will include providers from various homeless service agencies skilled in working with families who are homeless. It is being held June 16th from 9 AM – noon at First Baptist Church, 99 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27603(Continental breakfast will be provided). For additional questions about the session, please contact Roberta Macauley at Roberta.macauley@raldioc.org or 790-8533 ext. 32. Please submit your registration information by June 11th.
• Join the word in preparing for the GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER! We have begun 10 days of constant prayer: May 17 – 26, following the pattern of Christ’s followers before the first Pentecost. On Pentecost Sunday, Christians in almost every country will assemble to pray. Then we will seek 90 days of blessing: May 28 - August 25. As in the first Pentecost, transformed Christians transform their communities as they offer themselves to God as instruments through which their prayers can be answered. For more information including a guide to praying, visit www.globaldayofprayer.com

Prayer and Praise!
• Thank You Jesus for the sermon last night on sin with the opportunity to repent and ask Jesus to remove the sin and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us. The Thursday night mission was blessed with two additional church groups attending, one Hispanic and Grace Fellowship from North Raleigh. Grace Fellowship wants to provide a meal, as well as discipleship monthly while the Hispanic church wants to assist with the Hispanic population. Praise You Jesus for the workers You are sending to Your vineyards!!!
• A Spanish-language CD had the lambs clapping and singing at the Thursday night outreach. Two lambs who are moving into a motel, pooling their money from jobs, were blessed with clothing and toiletries. Many continue to work on giving their addictions up to God.
• Please keep the director of CitW in your prayers as she leaves for a mission trip to Africa May 24th returning June 17th.
• One of the Hispanic lambs has been asked to assist with the Apex mission. Praise the Lord he said “YES!”
• Again the Lord has answered prayers concerning one of the Apex lambs. The doctor’s have put this minor surgery on hold. A missionary nurse checked his foot Sunday to find the sore is more like a bunion. Thank You Jesus for Your healing and grace.
• Please continue to pray for the lamb with the broken wrist (since December). The doctor has given missionaries the protocol for her wrist surgery. Please pray she will now take the necessary steps for surgery. Also pray for the Ultimate Physician to heal her wrist. Several people have laid hands on it for healing.
• Praise God after many mammogram shots and an ultra sound, al scans were clean. The surgeon doesn’t feel she needs to return until she is 40.
• Please pray for a lamb who is in jail. Please ask that the Lord speak with Him and remind him that he is loved.
• Please pray for a lamb who has visited the ER several times this week with chest pains and radiating pains down both arms. The CT scan showed a possible problem with his heart, but further testing showed no problems. The pain has not lessened.
• Thank you Jesus that when the lambs walk away from You, the time in the pit is shorter and shorter. Thank you for reminding us that we all walk away from You, may our time in darkness also be shorter. May each of us have such a desire that we only want to walk in Your Light and Love.
• Praise God the lambs who were being evicted have found a new place to live.
• One of the Lord’s Cary lambs is moving into a motel with a Hispanic friend. They found an inexpensive place that includes a refrigerator and microwave. The landlord has already told them to avoid drinking and loud parties! This lamb has been attending a weekly men’s Bible Study. The Lord has given him a purpose and he loves walking in Jesus’ light and love. He has been such a blessing to so many. He is dumpster diving, while substance free (praise you Jesus), and donating found items to those in need. He is also repairing the broken items found and then donating. He is giving guidance other Cary lost lambs on how to best survive, where to find food, shelter... without stealing, begging... Please keep him lifted in prayer as he continues to see Jesus by loving others in need.
• Please keep lambs in prayer as they are asked to make decisions of walking away from their addictions and walking toward Jesus.
• Please pray for two married lambs who are facing many crises: Possible eviction from their apartment, possible loss of jobs, possible jail time, disruptive and dysfunctional family members, medical issues and continuing struggles with drugs. They need God’s covering and leading to choose new paths and stick to them.
• Praise God all the puppies have been neutered and are in a foster home.
• Thank you Jesus for a lamb who is continuing to be substance free and involved with a support group through AA.
• Please continue to pray for support circles as these lambs readjust to society and are welcomed into the Body of Christ.
• Praise God for the existing support circle as the Body of Christ encircles a lamb with the love of Jesus!
• Thank you Lord for being scheduler of all Christians time.

Missionary Testimonials
• Several Raleigh pastors who are involved in transforming Raleigh for Jesus (see www.transformationnc.com for details) held a commissioning ceremony for marketplace ministers on Wednesday. Among those attending and receiving the blessing to spread the Gospel wherever they go were two lambs and several members of a men’s Bible study who intended to be there only to “support” one of their own. After hearing how Jesus ordained ALL believers to help make disciples of all nations, they decided to be commissioned as well. Interestingly, the commissioning occurred at 8 p.m. EST, perfectly coinciding with the start of the 10-day ramp up for the Global Day of Prayer. God’s perfect timing!

Fishing Trip!
• The next fishing trip is June 9th. The contacts will be Terry Nanney at 880-7645 and Stephanie Narron at 274-8021. Congratulations Stephanie and Kevin on the birth of Steven!!!!
• Praise the Lord for the Tidy Whitey fishing trip. An area women’s group donated much of the underwear, socks, and t-shirts. The lambs were so appreciative as the Hope Chapel youth group came to give the love of Jesus through basic necessities.

God’s Provision – Donations of Time & Finances
• Thank the Lord for the showers each week from the Garner church Thank You Jesus for serving hearts!
• Thank you Jesus for all the food donated by area grocery stores, churches, individuals, women’s Kairos, and caterers! Thank you Lord for all the donations of clothing, blankets, candles, and toiletries donated this week.
• Thank you for the North Raleigh neighborhood women’s group who has collected money and purchased underwear and socks. They will be distributed tomorrow. Praise God!
• Thank You Jesus for the acupuncturist who donates her time.
• Thank You Jesus for the nurses who donated their time the last Thursday evening and for Dr. Hartye.
• We thank you, Jesus, for those who have donated time showing the love of Jesus through relationships and support circles, especially as new ones are developing across Cary and Apex. Praise God!

Friday, May 11, 2007

May 11, 2007

We are thanking you for your prayers and support as the Lord continues to provide abundantly for this ministry! More and more people are being drawn into communion with one another through the homeless and so many blessings are being shared!

Community Awareness – Meetings and missions
· A new mission has begun every Sunday from 4:30-7 PM, parking at 5017 Thriftwood Dr., Apex. For more information contact Cindy Boyce at 387-0921, cboyce@nc.rr.com or Cuba Suarez at 387-7480.
· Medical mobile mission, May 31st, 2007 at With Love From Jesus from 6:30 until. The team is always in need of doctors, dentists and hygienists. There is an attending physician with the needed liability insurance. Please contact Kim Ashby at bashby@mindspring.com for more information.
· Volunteer meeting April 21st at 7 PM at With love From Jesus. Please contact Terri LaClaire for more information at terrilaclaire@hotmail.com .

Prayer and Praise!
· Please pray for one of the Apex lambs as he talks with a doctor today concerning surgery on his foot. The foot no longer needs to be amputated, but may need a place that isn’t healing removed. He again walked out to meet missionaries Sunday and helped jump start a car for a missionary Sunday. Thank You Jesus for Your healing and grace.
· Please continue to pray for the lamb with the broken wrist (since December). The doctor began the paperwork for the needed surgery April 4th and still hasn’t heard. Please pray that she continues with the peace that passes all understanding and patience as only the Jesus can bring. Also pray for the Ultimate Physician to heal her wrist. Several people have laid hands on it for healing.
· A 7th grader has been serving Jesus in the Garner mission field on Sunday’s. Her love for the Lord’s lambs has touched one lamb’s heart enough that she attended her Middle School choir performance this week. What a gift to see the 7th grader’s smile when she saw the lamb in the audience. She introduced her to her friends and family with such love and pride. The lamb was so blessed to be included in Christ’s family. Thank you Jesus for another opportunity to witness the love of Christ coming full circle.
· A lamb is living in a transitional home in North Raleigh picked up his 30 day tag this week. His first 30 day tag EVER! Thank you Jesus! He has been offered a transfer closer to his transitional home. Please pray for him to allow God to make the decision and the lamb to be obedient to God’s will. Please continue to pray that he leans on the Lord instead of the coping skills he learn in his past.
· The lamb went to see a surgeon two weeks ago. Due to paperwork delays the mammogram has been postponed to this week. Please keep her in your prayers. The mammogram is Monday and the appointment with the surgeon is Wednesday. She was also given a prayer cloth. Her husband went to a men’s Bible study asking for prayers.
· Please pray for a lamb who is in jail. Please ask that the Lord speak with Him and remind him that he is loved.
· A lamb celebrated his 1 year substance free anniversary this week. His sponsor is having surgery Friday. Thank you Jesus that he was surrounded by substance free loved ones to celebrate. He is having a tough time finding part-time work due to his past experiences. Please keep his future job in prayer. He needs a job a few hours a week. He is a hard worker.
· Thank you for your prayers for Chris and his family. Chris went to meet his Father Friday afternoon.
· Thank you Jesus that when the lambs walk away from You, the time in the pit is shorter and shorter. Thank you for reminding us that we all walk away from You, may our time in darkness also be shorter. May each of us have such a desire that we only want to walk in Your Light and Love.
· Praise God the home that is being condemned eviction has been extended another three months. The date has been moved to the end of July.
· One of the Lord’s Cary lambs has been attending a weekly men’s Bible Study. The Lord has given him a purpose and he loves walking in Jesus’ light and love. He has been such a blessing to so many. He is dumpster diving, while substance free (praise you Jesus), and donating found the items to those in need. He is also repairing the broken items found and then donating. He is giving guidance other Cary lost lambs on how to best survive, where to find food, shelter... without stealing, begging... Please keep him lifted in prayer as he continues to see Jesus by loving others in need.
· The Faith Based Support Circle coordinator called missionaries and lambs this week. She is working out the details for these three lambs to receive support circles in the Cary area. Money is being appropriated for Wake County beginning July 1st. Please pray that services and case mangers are found quickly to work with him. Please pray for the Lord to work out a system that meets everyone’s criteria. The lamb couple has part of a support circle but is looking for a few more people. Please ask the Lord for willing hearts to step forward to assist the couple with the time to disciple His lambs. Thank you Jesus!
· A lamb who loves animals received a dog that gave birth to a litter of puppies. The four beagle mix puppies will be available in two weeks. The puppies will be neutered next week prior to being given away.
· Several months ago a church offered $500 worth of food to be donated to CitW. At the same time a storage unit was offered in the Cary/Apex area. Both have come into fruition this week. A key will be given to missionaries in the next couple of weeks and with God’s PERFECT TIMING the food will be delivered. Thank You Lord for the scheduling Angels You provide!!!
· Thank you Jesus for a lamb who is continuing to be substance free and involved with a support group through AA.
· Please continue to pray for support circles as these lambs readjust to society and are welcomed into the Body of Christ.
· Praise God for the existing support circle as the Body of Christ encircles a lamb with the love of Jesus!
· Thank you Lord for being scheduler of all Christians time.

Missionary Testimonials
· The fruit of the Spirit consist of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faith and temperance. As missionaries we are able to witness the changes in so many lambs’ lives. A few lambs make the dramatic changes like Saul, but most of the others are gradual, they begin to stop one sin and then another. We were listening to Jonathon Aikins a speaker from Prison Fellowship. He discussed how while in prison as Jesus took over residents’ lives the transformation was different with each person. We see huge changes as well, just cursing less, more apologizing, less substance use, unbelievable compassion toward others, generosity and goodness, patience, and an abundance of love for others. Please continue to pray for the fruit of the Spirit for each one of us.
· A new missionary took a lamb to ATC to pick up a prescription. While at the Cary pharmacy the two saw their landlord, different apartments. The missionary was planning to pay for the prescription, but the landlord talked with the pharmacist prior to the pick-up and paid for it. What a blessing to have such generous hearts in the Body of Christ!

Fishing Trip!
· The May 12th fishing trip is “Tidy Whitey”. CitW will be collecting new underwear, white socks, and t-shirts. The group will be meeting at 10 AM at Hope Community in the parking lot close to the sanctuary on Buck Jones Road. Alice Ligon is the contact, appraisalnet@nc.rr.com . Apex’s Hope Chapel’s youth group is part of this fishing trip team. Thank you Jesus for Your Body!!!!

God’s Provision – Donations of Time & Finances
· Thank the Lord for the showers each week from the Garner church Thank You Jesus for serving hearts!
· Thank you Jesus for all the food donated by area grocery stores, churches, individuals, women’s Kairos, and caterers! Thank you Lord for all the donations of clothing, blankets, candles, and toiletries donated this week.
· Thank you for the North Raleigh neighborhood women’s group who has collected money and purchased underwear and socks. They will be distributed tomorrow. Praise God!
· Thank You Jesus for the acupuncturist who donates her time.
· Thank You Jesus for the nurses who donated their time the last Thursday evening and for Dr. Hartye.
· We thank you, Jesus, for those who have donated time showing the love of Jesus through relationships and support circles, especially as new ones are developing across Cary and Apex. Praise God!
· Thank you Jesus for all of you who keep this ministry covered in prayer. Here is a devotional from this week:
History of Answered Prayer with David Jeremiah
I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ . . . to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Romans 15:30 (NIV)
To be a missionary in today's world, one has to separate himself from the I-want-it-now culture we live in. Results on the mission field can be slow going, so it's not uncommon for missionaries to retire having seen but a handful of conversions during their entire career. This fact is enough to discourage many people from ever becoming full-time missionaries; but for those who have heard their Divine calling to missions, nothing—not even the lack of apparent progress or the constant persecution—can keep them from fulfilling their task.
One reason they are able to push on is that they have Christian brothers and sisters faithfully supporting them through prayer. Fellow believers, we should never underestimate the power of our words offered up to God on behalf of the brave souls on the mission field. God hears those words and grants His workers the ability to remain encouraged and faithful to the cause.
Prayer for our missionaries is tantamount to the work itself for, as the American missionary Samuel Zwemer once said, "The history of missions is the history of answered prayer."
Remember us in your prayers that we grow not weary in well doing.David Livingstone
· From Around God's Network: From Church In The Woods - Raleigh, NC http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=15882&PN=1&TPN=1

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Chris has gone to be with His Heavenly Father



Our friend Chris, a prodigal son who returned to a loving welcome from his family seventeen months ago, returned to his Heavenly Father yesterday, still surrounded by his loved ones.

We were able to talk with his brother and sister moments before Chris died. He was not in any pain. Praise God!

Chris’ story is such a divine blessing. His family in California contacted us two and a half years ago “on a lark,” curious to see if we might know Chris through our homeless ministry. As God would have it, we had learned quite a bit about him through the homeless showers and friends of ours who were also from California.

We had been corresponding with Chris’ family for 6 months when Chris fell and shattered his knee. While in rehab, he was encouraged to call his family. The dialog with his family increased. We asked him to read Romans chapter 8:28-39.

Chris gave up his beer and considered going home for a visit over Christmas break -- a little Chris for Christmas. Another friend, Bob, gave Chris his AA chip for his train ride to California. So many things went wrong on the train that Chris went into a bar and ordered a beer. He was putting his hand in his pocket to pay for it and pulled out Bob’s AA chip. He put the beer back. Praise God!

For months prior to his fall, we had been reading Chris the story of the prodigal son. For months Chris refused to imagine that anyone could forgive him after 23 years. He was told, over and over again “just wait until you get home and see your family.”

What a welcome home he received! Praise God! He was met at the train station by his family and was able to see his ailing father. He was able to see every member of his family, even his brother from France during his time in CA. Shortly after arriving, he called to tell us that he now believed the story of the prodigal son.

His plan was to go home for two weeks and return to the woods. With the welcome he received he decided to stay with his family, especially near his parents as his father only had a short time to live.

Chris was blessed to spend 9 months with his father before he died in September. Prior to Chris’ dad dying, Bill told Chris how much he loved him and how proud he was of him. He also thanked Chris for coming home. Chris was given a living testimony of Romans 8:28 and would profess it. We thank you Lord for your glory!

Two years ago, doctors said Chris would only live a few months. But God graced him with more time. Chris has gone around the Bay Area telling people about the hazards of alcohol. He has even called back to Raleigh to the Sunday mission to tell his old friends of the dangers of drinking.

We are so blessed to be part of Chris’ life and the life of his family. We are thankful that Chris’ family is part of our family as well. We are so thankful that the loving arms of Jesus can stretch across a nation. We thank the Lord for allowing us to witness His mighty miracles through healing of bodies and souls, building of relationships, and His unconditional love. We thank you Lord for allowing us to be part of the Chris’ family.

sending love and prayers,
The Bowman/Boyce family

Friday, May 04, 2007

May 4, 2007

We are thanking you for your prayers and support as the Lord continues to provide abundantly for this ministry! More and more people are being drawn into communion with one another through the homeless and so many blessings are being shared!

Community Awareness – Meetings and missions
· A new mission has begun every Sunday from 4:30-7 PM, parking at 5017 Thriftwood Dr., Apex. For more information contact Cindy Boyce at 387-0921, cboyce@nc.rr.com or Cuba Suarez at 387-7480.
· Medical mobile mission, May 2007 at With Love From Jesus from 6:30 until. The team is always in need of doctors, dentists and hygienists. There is an attending physician with the needed liability insurance. Contact Alice McGee at 772-7050, if you are interested in serving.
· Just a click and they donate feminine supplies to local homeless shelters http://www.tampontification.com/donate.php

Prayer and Praise!
· This week Alice gave a sermon on the trinity. It raised questions concerning each other’s beliefs. By the end of the evening a firmer foundation was laid.
· Please continue to pray for the lamb with the broken wrist (since December). The doctor began the paperwork for the needed surgery April 4th and still hasn’t heard. Please pray that she continues with the peace that passes all understanding and patience as only the lord can bring.
· A lamb is living in a transitional home in North Raleigh after meeting with his parole officer. He had his substance assessment and by the grace of God he is only to take classes instead of being enrolled into a treatment center. He picks up his 30 day tag this week. Please continue to pray that he leans on the Lord instead of the coping skills he learn in his past.
· The lamb went to see a surgeon this week. She now has two lumps and is scheduled for a mammogram next week. The diagnostic lab has called wanting to put it off a couple of weeks. Please pray that the diagnostic lab will keep her mammogram appointment Tuesday. Also with the Lord’s perfect timing, she was able to attend a women’s Beth Moore Bible study, and receive pray from her sisters in Christ.
· Please pray for a lamb who is in jail. He is having a difficult time. He has written to missionaries. Please ask that the Lord speak with Him and remind him that he is loved.
· A lamb will be celebrating his 1 year substance free anniversary this week. He is sponsor is at the beach and has become his best friend. Pray that he is surrounded by friends as he welcomes in this milestone.
· Please pray for Chris. He has been with his family in CA for 17 months and substance free for 18 months. He was given 6 months to live almost 2 years ago. His health has much improved, but he now has infection that may take his life. We are thanking the Lord for the time he has had with his family. We are thanking the Lord that he was able to see and spend time with his father before his passing. Please ask the Lord to be with him and his family.
· We continue to thank the Lord for the lamb who is substance free. She has asked to begin attending church on Sunday’s. Praise God!
· Praise God the home that is being condemned eviction has been extended another three months. The date has been moved to the end of July.
· Missionaries met with someone from the “ending homelessness team” this week. Money is being appropriated for Wake County beginning July 1st. They are looking to team with CitW to assist with helping some of the Cary, Fuquay, Garner lambs into housing, jobs, and faith based support circles. There is a support circle through a Cary church who is being contacted concerning one lamb working in Cary. Please pray that services and case mangers are found quickly to work with him. Most lambs through the ending homelessness program have been through a treatment/assessment program for several months prior to having a job. Please pray for the Lord to work out a system that meets everyone’s criteria. Another couple has part of a support circle but is looking for a few more people. They, too, may qualify, again they are working. Please ask the Lord for wiling hearts to step forward to assist the couple with the time to disciple His lambs.
· A lamb who loves animals received a dog that gave birth to a litter of puppies. Puppies will be available in 2-3 weeks. The puppies will be neutered prior to being given away.
· Thank you Jesus for a lamb who is continuing to be substance free and involved with a support group through AA.
· Please continue to pray for support circles as these lambs readjust to society and are welcomed into the Body of Christ.
· Praise God for the existing support circle as the Body of Christ encircles a lamb with the love of Jesus!
· Thank you Lord for being scheduler of all Christians time.

Missionary Testimonials
· A missionary has been blessed as she has made contact with a lamb’s family. She as asked the lamb’s son to send photographs of the lamb’s grandbaby to give her a photo album of the grandchild she has never seen. This same lamb has become so comfortable and trusting of this missionary that she is ready for a haircut and doctor’s visits. Thank you Jesus for Terry’s persistence and love.
· What a greeting received Sunday evening when missionaries arrived at the Thriftwood mission. The children ran up almost knocking missionaries to the ground with hugs. The children have been spreading the news of the “church” that loves us. The lamb whose leg was to be amputated walked out to meet missionaries again this week. Praise God for His mighty healing powers and love. The Lord knows exactly what is needed. As missionaries went door to door, they met a young woman with a new baby girl. CitW had received baby girl items just for her. God is so good!

Fishing Trip!
· The May 12th fishing trip is “Tidy Whitey”. CitW will be collecting new underwear, white socks, and t-shirts. The group will be meeting at 10 AM at Hope Community in the parking lot close to the sanctuary on Buck Jones Road. Alice Ligon is the contact, appraisalnet@nc.rr.com .

God’s Provision – Donations of Time & Finances
· Thank the Lord for the showers each week from the Garner church. Today the youth director asked missionaries how the youth could serve. Thank You Jesus for serving hearts!
· Thank you Jesus for all the food donated by area grocery stores, churches, individuals, women’s Kairos, and caterers! Thank you Lord for all the donations of clothing, blankets, candles, and toiletries donated this week.
· Thank you for the North Raleigh neighborhood women’s group who has collected money and purchased underwear and socks.
· Thank You Jesus for the acupuncturist who donates her time.
· Thank You Jesus for the nurses who donated their time Thursday evening and for Dr. Hartye.
· We thank you, Jesus, for those who have donated time showing the love of Jesus through relationships and support circles.
· Thank you Jesus for all of you who keep this ministry covered in prayer.