November 26, 2007

Thank you Jesus for all Your blessings we are allowed to witness each week. Thank you also for Your faithfulness.

Missionary dilemma
God’s Word tells His Body of believers to help “those in need,” take care of the widows and orphans, those without homes, and the poor. Many believers do not only give their treasures, but give their time and talents. The question is how does one remind the Western World of the poor among us without exploiting the poor?

This week Rebecca was in the News and Observer (which can be read at http://www.newsobserver.com/news/crime_safety/story/786686.html) At the time the article was written, she felt telling people what had happened to her and her “neighbors” was the right thing to do, but when the article appeared in the paper she had second thoughts. She now has a job and her employer didn’t know she was homeless. She had to explain her situation to her employer and her employer had decisions to make, will this jeopardize the success of the business or not; will the customers understand and accept her? Rebecca was blessed and her employer understands, but not all employers do.

Thanksgiving evening the media was at the Garner Thanksgiving feast. Many of those who would normally attend came to the church and left, even before entering upon seeing the media there taking photos and asking questions. Many have jobs, some don’t want their families to know how they are living or what has become of them, many are illegal, others are wanted by the police, and still others just don’t want their privacy invaded. So how is the Western world told of the poor’s plight?

In the Bible people’s lives are discussed after their lives have been changed by Christ, their testimonies given. We see this also to be the case with people of today. Once Jesus has come into our lives we don’t mind giving our testimonies, but not usually while still living in our old lives. So again, how is the Western world to be reminded that “the poor will always be among us?”

Perhaps the best way is through one-on-one contact. Not only is personal contact the most powerful way to minister to the poor, it is the most powerful way to bring others to the realization that they are surrounded by people in need. Those who minister to the poor should not only consider bringing others with them to hear the stories and expand in Christ’s love. We also need to realize that there may be many unknown observers to those acts of kindness.

A trucker once approached a missionary in a parking lot after watching, unannounced, the feeding of the homeless there and a Bible study week after week. He handed the missionary a handful of one-dollar bills, saying he had been touched by the plight of these lambs, but was hesitant to give them cash. He added, “I know what you will do with it.”

A recent song by Caedmon’s Call casts light on our dilemma as we try to minister to the poor and become caught up in publicity and numbers.

“Faces turn to numbers. Numbers fall like manna from the sky.
“Why, oh why, oh Father why?”

The song goes on to say:“We put the walls up, but Jesus keeps them standing
“He doesn’t need us, but he lets us put our hands in
“So we can see …. His love is bigger than you and me.”

The poor will always be among us because those who are not poor in material things are often poor in spirit. Both are refreshed from Living Water when they fellowship together.

Prayer and Praise!
Cary and Apex

• A Cary lamb received the results if her PAP (the first in many years). The results were abnormal suggesting cervical cancer. She is asking for prayer. She has a job she loves and a beautiful home, a beautiful grandson and isn’t ready to die. She does know Jesus but hasn’t put on the new clothes of Christ.
• Thank You Jesus for Your Body of Believers! A lamb’s apartment burned down this week. We praise You Jesus that no one was injured. The outpouring of replacement items has been an overwhelming blessing, so many including the fire department have given this lamb gift cards. He feels the love of Jesus being poured into his life. Thank You Jesus for the couple who have been taking the time to assist with clothing, gift cards, the option of a place to stay, and the search for an apartment. Thank you for his temporary housing. Please pray that an affordable apartment is found in the Cary/Western Raleigh area close to his place of employment.
• Macedonia Baptist church cleaned out their refrigerator to get ready for not serving the week of Thanksgiving. They donated a car filled will fresh vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, even non perishable goods. As the missionary was taking the food to those in need, she past a lamb “flying a sign” stating “HUNGRY”. What a blessing to be able to open the trunk and say take anything you want! The gentlemen’s eyes lit up, “Really, how much? Do you have a bag?” Thank You Jesus for the opportunity to be able to pull to the side of the road and witness to those passing by that our Father is the MIGHTY PROVIDER! May You always be glorified!
• A White Flag shelter is being offered at Hope Community again this winter. Thank You Jesus!
• Thank You Jesus for the couple who took in a lamb needing a place to stay. Pray that the Lord will provide an affordable apartment as this is only temporary.
  Thank You Jesus for another former lamb couple who have taken in a lamb. His camp was taken down yesterday with great joy and his belongings moved into a home with running water and heat. Thank You Jesus for Your overwhelming love, compassion, and mercy. He starts a job this morning.
  
• Thank you Jesus for the provisions for the lamb who contacted missionaries from Easter Seals looking for household items. Items still needed are a dresser, a TV stand, a queen size bed frame (he already has a mattress, box spring, sheets and comforter), and two kitchen chairs or barstools. If you have any of these items to donate please contact Jeanne at Jeanne.shankle@nc.eastersealsucp.com or 986-2885.
  A food drive through Hope Chapel is being conducted for one of the Apex missions
• December 16th. Pray that 85 bags of groceries are provided, one for each family.
  A Monday Cary missionary has asked for prayers for a lamb with multiple health issues.
• Due to liver complications her doctors have given her a few months to live. She prayed with the missionary today and accepted Jesus as her Savior. Halleluiah!!!! The two also prayed for physical healing. He is asking that the Thursday missionary also pray with her this week and weeks to come. Praise the Lord, Jesus is discipling she and her husband through this missionary with prayer, books and tapes concerning Christianity. The missionary is asking for prayer for her walk with Christ, her new love for the Lord and His Word, and healing of her mind as well as her body.
• A lamb’s mother was told she had one year to live. She is the caretaker of the couples’ children. Please pray the Lord blesses them with their children during this time period so the children don’t become part of the system. Pray for intervention.
• Shirley’s ministry is a non-profit for the animals in the woods. She is in need of financial contributions as well as pet food.Shirley Companion Ministry, PO Box 1468, Fuquay, NC 27526, 210-3096
• Creech Chiropractic is conducting a non-perishable food drive during November. Thank You Jesus!
• The Backyard Bible Club is every Sunday afternoon. This is for the children. For more information concerning the Backyard Bible Club please contact Stacy Boxell at stacy@net-by-design.com
• Please keep in prayer all the Apex and Cary missions. If you feel called to serve the socially and economically challenged in the Cary/Apex are please contact Cindy at cboyce@nc.rr.com .
• Three coats were donated to a local church on Sunday. All three were in the hands of grateful lambs by Sunday afternoon. God is so faithful to pass on blessings!
  
  Garner
  
• A lamb has his lung biopsy tomorrow, the 27th, at UNC. His appointment with his surgeon concerning his options is the 4th. Please keep him in your prayers.
  So many of these lambs have accepted Jesus, but not “put on the New Clothes of Christ”.
• Praise the Lord for the lamb who has been released from jail, not just the prison of Wake County but the chains of bondage has been released. His brother in PA has been praying with missionaries asking this lamb to take on the New Clothes of Christ as he did in July, and become active with a community of fellow believers. He has. A Hispanic church pastor has been walking to his home each week for months and he has accepted the offer to regularly attend his church.
• A lamb is asking for prayers as he has suffered possible police brutality approximately a year ago. He at that time was “under the influence” and served his sentence as well as healed broken bones and surgery. He doesn’t understand the outstanding charges and is asking for divine intervention.
• The change in the above lamb has created an atmosphere in his “neighborhood”. Two “neighbors attended church this week for the first time in months. Thank You Jesus that Your love is infectious!
• Thank you Jesus for a lamb who has been substance free for several months. She begins a job this week. Keep her in your prayers for Godly money management. Please also pray that she is able to save money and move into an apartment for Christmas!
• A lamb is moving to Idaho to live with his brother and family tomorrow. Keep him in your prayers as he makes all 6 bus transfers during his 3 day trip. Thank You Jesus for the family who donated money for this situation a few months ago to pay for the transportation and the church that is holding the money!
• A lamb who hasn’t been able to find work in the past two weeks hooked up with a recovering lamb Sunday and was told he could have a job doing construction if he gets an ID. (He has a birth certificate, but no North Carolina ID).
  
  
• Please continue to pray for a lamb who is trying to stay clean and sober while still in the woods.
• A Hispanic lamb was transferred to a FL prison this week. He is to serve ~ a week there and then released. Pray for the Lord’s provision after he is released. His address is
  Jaime Hernandez Sanchez
  Manatee County Jail
  Palmetto, FL 34221His public defender is Peter Coen. If any one wants to write to him on Jaime’s behalf, the address is Public Defender OfficeAttn. Peter Coen
  Case # 1994CF2938 920 Manatee Ave WBardenton, FL 34205
  

Missionary Testimony
What a blessing to knock on doors to offer the physical, bagged lunches, and the spiritual, prayer, this week! Missionaries were able to see how the Lord has changed lives and homes in these 7 months. Missionaries are greeted with smiles instead of fear, with hugs and welcomed into His homes instead of standing outside doors. Families are being reunited and welcomed into The Father’s family, the Family of Christ.
A new family moved into the area with 4 boys. They had heard that the “iglesia” comes each Sunday and asked if the missionaries were the “iglesia”. They were told that they too were part of “iglesia”, the Body of Christ in community, if they believed Jesus was their Savior. The boys shouted a mighty “yes!” Thank You Jesus for the opportunity to plant Your seed!
With a knock on another door, a young child opened the door shouting “Mama, la iglesia!” The Missionary was welcomed into their beautiful home. The family was making tamales, welcoming her in to share a meal. They discussed (Thank YOU Jesus the children are the translators) how blessed they have been since Jesus is in their hearts. Not many families feel this way just getting over the MUMPS! Thank You Jesus for not only praising hearts but hearts that are so willing to speak of Your Glory!
Another home had once felt cold and lonely as the occupants were going through a divorce. What a change this week when a missionary was greeted by a warm living room full of smiling, laughing children of the reunited family. The father was happily cooking in the kitchen, shouting greetings to the missionary and the children clustered around and grabbed lunch bags. There were so many children, the missionary brought three more bags. When the children grabbed them, he said, “No fighting over the bags.” A little girl laughed and began handing out the contents of one bag to her brothers and sisters.
Two men were working on a car in the neighborhood when a missionary offered them two lunch bags. “How much,” asked one man, his shoulders slouched. “Free! Gratis!” laughed the missionary.
Both men began laughing as well. “Free is good!” one said. “Gracias!” said the other, already opening the bottled water and drinking it down.
What a great thing God is doing with just a few small lunch bags and willing hearts to show others that be best thing in life, Jesus Christ, is “gratis!”

Community Awareness – Meetings and missions

· CitW Medical missions will now be hosting two medical missions per month. The CitW medical mission has two new glucometers, Ascensia contour and Ascensia Breeze. Both need testing strips.
If you are able to donate the strips, please contact Anne Willet at 461- 9737 or via email at willskai@bellsouth.net
The third type of glucometer CitW has is a TheraSense "FreeStyle", if you have strips to donate, please contact Susan Heineman at 787-3434 or via email at susaneh@bellsouth.net
If you, your church, pharmacy or doctor’s office would like to donate these items please contact Anne or Susan.
Garner Medical mission will be at the Garner Methodist Church from 3 PM and 4:30PM. If you feel the Lord asking you to serve, Anne Willet is the contact person. Her phone number is 461- 9737.The dates are as following for 2007:
December 8th

The Apex Medical Mission will be under the trees at Thriftwood Dr. in Apex from 4 PM and 5 PM. If you feel the Lord asking you to serve, Susan Heineman is the contact person. Her phone number is 787-3434.The dates are as following for 2007:
December 2nd

God’s Provision – Donations of Time & Finances
· Thank the Lord for the showers each week from the Garner Methodist church Thank You Jesus for serving hearts! Thank You Lord for the laundermat that continues to hold the homeless laundry account.
· Thank you Jesus for all the food donated by area Food Lion stores, Macedonia Baptist church , individuals, the Dorcus shop of Cary, and Catering-by-Design! Thank you Lord for all the donations of clothing, storage places (Hope Chapel), towels and sweat clothes from the Dorcas shop, and sheets, jackets, & toiletries items from individuals, and toiletries donated this week.
· 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!