Preparation Part 2
Continued from Part 1 of Preparation
The mother from the fire needed a lift to the grocery store. We loaded the kids up in their car seats and headed out. I dropped them off at the store and said I would return. My plan was to drop a flyer off to another young family. But as I headed down the street, God had me take a detour. I saw 3 adults with 3 young children. I pulled the car over and opened my trunk to get them fliers about the clinic and the free haircuts. I explained who I was and that I was with Care-A-Van Ministries. After I was done, the young man asked me if I knew where they could get some baby milk. They were all out of baby formula and the baby had just the one bottle left. I suggested a few of the local agencies, but at this time of evening, they were all closed. I got their names and address and phone number and told them I would be in touch.
I visited with another young single mom; God had led me to about a month back. I dropped off the flyer and headed back to the grocery store to pick up mom number one and her two young kids. (Are you exhausted reading yet? I am! ). As she climbed in my car, she said God is soooooooo good! I said yes he is. She told me a bit of her story, which would make another story in itself! After dropping her off, Wal-Mart was on the agenda for baby formula.
Upon arriving at the home, there was no one there. I called the number. They had walked across town. They happened to be in one of the other Care-A-van neighborhoods- Thorpe Avenue. When I pulled up that street, there were people everywhere. The street was littered with garbage. A gang of folks were in the street, little kids, teens, and adults. Now most of the folks know us and let me tell you, whenever I hit the streets, I wear my Red Care-A-van shirt. I feel like I got my armor on when I wear that. Deep down, I know God is protecting me while doing his work. I got out of the car. I just shouted “hey everyone, how ya doing! I am looking for Christina. She appeared from around the corner of the one home. I walked up to her and handed the can of formula to her.
She thanked me. I said “don’t thank me, thank the Lord. He is the one that went and got the formula for you. He is the one who pulled up in the car. He knew what your need was and he is supplying it. Now you already know the next part of the story... yep... Salvation message. She explained her mom was very bad and there was no God in their life growing up. My heart was breaking. I saw her pain and her hurt... and oh yes, I saw her teeth that were paining her too, as a matter of fact, many folks showed me their teeth tonight as I shared about the free dental clinic with them! Dr. Russ and I could have been kept busy all night looking at teeth on the streets!
We had a really great conversation, this young gal and I. I shared my testimony and explained God has a plan for her. I told her of all the muck and mire that she is living in is not from our God. I told her God really didn’t want her living and having to worry about running out of baby formula. I encouraged her as well as others that I spoke tonight to get rooted in a church, where they can continue to learn of God and how he changes their lives. I asked her if I could pray with her before leaving and she agreed to it. I asked if she wanted salvation tonight, and she said she was not ready. That was ok, that was her choice.
We all have choices in life. We can choose to have life, or we can choose to die. Some of my friends would think I was crazy running around the city, going into these streets that are considered the not so nice streets of Batavia. But you know something? I love it! I love every minute of it. I am excited to see what God is doing here. I am excited how God uses me, Care-A-Van Ministries and others to make a difference.
I am forever thankful for the preparation the Lord has been doing in my life. I am thankful for Bondman and my Christian friends on the Forum, who continue to guide me and teach me. I am thankful for Paul and Bridget and Care-A-Van Ministries being in my life. I am thankful for my Pastor and all my Christian friends, who continue to help me learn of God’s word and the power that our Lord has in our life. I am thankful for my Christian stomping sister Carolyn at work. I am thankful for the forgiveness of my own children and most of all for the forgiveness of Jesus and the great life I now have! I am forever thankful for our Lord!
I am learning life is all about balance. When I was first called to the ministry, I was on the run all the time thinking I could save them all ! Now I pray and let God lead. Tonight, God lead me to go forth and share of his love with others. Wow! A lot has happened in this past year of my life!
If you would have have told me a year ago, I would be on the streets, praying, speaking of God, hugging others and even looking at their rotted teeth, I would have thought you crazy! Just like there are a lot of little odds and ends to get down for our Free Dental clinic, there are some odds and ends that God is working on in me to totally prepare me to be the mature Christian woman he created me to be.
Prepare the way Lord! Prepare the Way!
Please note that it was truly Jesus that did all of this tonight, he just used me as a vessel to shine his light.
I share this with all of you here on the Forum in hopes that you shall see God truly does care and he cares about you and your spiritual walk. As you open your hearts to learn of his word, he will show you more and more.
August 26, 2009
Faithwoman
Continued from Part 1 of Preparation
The mother from the fire needed a lift to the grocery store. We loaded the kids up in their car seats and headed out. I dropped them off at the store and said I would return. My plan was to drop a flyer off to another young family. But as I headed down the street, God had me take a detour. I saw 3 adults with 3 young children. I pulled the car over and opened my trunk to get them fliers about the clinic and the free haircuts. I explained who I was and that I was with Care-A-Van Ministries. After I was done, the young man asked me if I knew where they could get some baby milk. They were all out of baby formula and the baby had just the one bottle left. I suggested a few of the local agencies, but at this time of evening, they were all closed. I got their names and address and phone number and told them I would be in touch.
I visited with another young single mom; God had led me to about a month back. I dropped off the flyer and headed back to the grocery store to pick up mom number one and her two young kids. (Are you exhausted reading yet? I am! ). As she climbed in my car, she said God is soooooooo good! I said yes he is. She told me a bit of her story, which would make another story in itself! After dropping her off, Wal-Mart was on the agenda for baby formula.
Upon arriving at the home, there was no one there. I called the number. They had walked across town. They happened to be in one of the other Care-A-van neighborhoods- Thorpe Avenue. When I pulled up that street, there were people everywhere. The street was littered with garbage. A gang of folks were in the street, little kids, teens, and adults. Now most of the folks know us and let me tell you, whenever I hit the streets, I wear my Red Care-A-van shirt. I feel like I got my armor on when I wear that. Deep down, I know God is protecting me while doing his work. I got out of the car. I just shouted “hey everyone, how ya doing! I am looking for Christina. She appeared from around the corner of the one home. I walked up to her and handed the can of formula to her.
She thanked me. I said “don’t thank me, thank the Lord. He is the one that went and got the formula for you. He is the one who pulled up in the car. He knew what your need was and he is supplying it. Now you already know the next part of the story... yep... Salvation message. She explained her mom was very bad and there was no God in their life growing up. My heart was breaking. I saw her pain and her hurt... and oh yes, I saw her teeth that were paining her too, as a matter of fact, many folks showed me their teeth tonight as I shared about the free dental clinic with them! Dr. Russ and I could have been kept busy all night looking at teeth on the streets!
We had a really great conversation, this young gal and I. I shared my testimony and explained God has a plan for her. I told her of all the muck and mire that she is living in is not from our God. I told her God really didn’t want her living and having to worry about running out of baby formula. I encouraged her as well as others that I spoke tonight to get rooted in a church, where they can continue to learn of God and how he changes their lives. I asked her if I could pray with her before leaving and she agreed to it. I asked if she wanted salvation tonight, and she said she was not ready. That was ok, that was her choice.
We all have choices in life. We can choose to have life, or we can choose to die. Some of my friends would think I was crazy running around the city, going into these streets that are considered the not so nice streets of Batavia. But you know something? I love it! I love every minute of it. I am excited to see what God is doing here. I am excited how God uses me, Care-A-Van Ministries and others to make a difference.
I am forever thankful for the preparation the Lord has been doing in my life. I am thankful for Bondman and my Christian friends on the Forum, who continue to guide me and teach me. I am thankful for Paul and Bridget and Care-A-Van Ministries being in my life. I am thankful for my Pastor and all my Christian friends, who continue to help me learn of God’s word and the power that our Lord has in our life. I am thankful for my Christian stomping sister Carolyn at work. I am thankful for the forgiveness of my own children and most of all for the forgiveness of Jesus and the great life I now have! I am forever thankful for our Lord!
I am learning life is all about balance. When I was first called to the ministry, I was on the run all the time thinking I could save them all ! Now I pray and let God lead. Tonight, God lead me to go forth and share of his love with others. Wow! A lot has happened in this past year of my life!
If you would have have told me a year ago, I would be on the streets, praying, speaking of God, hugging others and even looking at their rotted teeth, I would have thought you crazy! Just like there are a lot of little odds and ends to get down for our Free Dental clinic, there are some odds and ends that God is working on in me to totally prepare me to be the mature Christian woman he created me to be.
Prepare the way Lord! Prepare the Way!
Please note that it was truly Jesus that did all of this tonight, he just used me as a vessel to shine his light.
I share this with all of you here on the Forum in hopes that you shall see God truly does care and he cares about you and your spiritual walk. As you open your hearts to learn of his word, he will show you more and more.
August 26, 2009
Faithwoman
