August 17, 2009

The Lord has been doing some amazing things in and through the Church in the Woods ministry in recent weeks -- so many things that we've fallen behind in writing about them.

One woman who had been hospitalized after being beaten by her husband surrendered herself to entering a Christ-centered rehabilitation in Florida. She has been transformed by the experience and the overflow is transforming her husband and her family. This woman is hoping to run a similar center for people in need here when she is fully recovered. Her husband is working, has been sober for more than 100 days, is attending substance-abuse meetings and is in a zero-tolerance halfway house. We are praying they will be reunited with their children under God's amazing grace, but please pray for the man's mother, who is dying. One of their sons has been calling missionaries for support and consolation as God moves in his life as well.

In the past few months, more people have begun working with the homeless, with shut-ins, and in gang neighborhoods. God has moved in other ways as well, sending several people to hospitals and even to jail to begin His mighty work in their lives. One former homeless man called to say he has remarried and is substance free.

As prayers and ministry have increased, so have the miracles. A woman who has been homeless for more than 15 years just reported going more than two weeks without drinking -- a miracle to all her friends in the woods and one that is making many of them rethink their own issues. Part of the transformation has been a reunion with her brother, who is showing her love and acceptance after 14 years without contact.

One homeless man is preparing to go through alcohol treatment and may go to the Florida treatment center as well. Another woman went several days without drinking and began ministering to others -- setting up donations of ice and finding large waterproof tarps. Several are considering taking classes at Wake Tech to get some job skills. Yet another man who had been in jail is working and saving money before going home.

Several homeless men have begun meeting missionaries on the railroad tracks on Sunday for impromptu "church" services, where missionaries have been provided who speak Spanish! These men are praying to God to help them make a difference in the world for the next generation, partly because they were blessed to have children among those ministering to them in the woods.

In addition to increasing numbers of volunteers, contributions are soaring. A local church wants to donate $500 to CITW, with three-fifth designated for the Apex mission. A local caterer heard about the ministry and offered up some leftover food -- 150 fresh eggs, 4.4 pounds of Swiss cheese, a case of broccoli and a case of lettuce. As a result, more than a dozen families received quiches or eggs and produce. A few days later, the caterer donated 20 pounds of shrimp and other food and hopes to be able to prepare entire meals for the outreach in coming months. Now she says she may just order extra food for her business every week to be given away.

A local church wants to plant a fall garden for a needy community in Apex and has donated backpacks to the children in need in the Apex missions.

Some donations come from unexpected directions. A man who had been blessed with food at a "fire pit" gathering downtown wants to detail a missionary's car for free in thanks. A woman who met Apex missionaries has admitted to being an alcoholic and wants to spend more time with the missionaries because she sees the light of Jesus through them. She wants to donate pasta salad to others.

Please pray for a man who was in a car accident. He broke his hand and has a blood clot in his leg. He is in rehabilitation now. We also need prayer for a woman who has a blocked artery, for three people with diabetes and high blood pressure and for a woman with swollen feet.

We thank God for His glorious work among us and for all of you who support His work in prayer.