3 more men off the street...

Greetings Friends,

I trust and pray that you have experienced the joy of the Lord in tangible ways this week.  There is much joy in serving the Lord!  He continues to meet every need that we have, even at the last minute.  He is so faithful, and I'm beginning to understand why he only requires a mustard seed of faith...Once he starts moving, faith keeps growing.  Here are a few testimonies from this week.

The Farm:

Steve, Debbie and I went to a very kind farmer friend's house two weeks ago, to observe how to raise chickens.  We've all been reading and studying how to care for them.  Friday night, I found free lumber on craigslist and Steve, Noah and I went and picked it up, on Saturday.  We had to pound some nails out and clean it up a little, but we walked away with enough wood, to frame our first chicken coop.  The coop will hold 12 chickens and it's our feeble attempt at taking a "mustard seed" type step towards developing a farm.  The purpose of the farm is to get folks out of the inner city and give them a second chance in life.  We feel that getting them out of the "inner city culture" is an important part of discipling them and helping them know God better.

All that we need is a couple bundle of shingles and the first coop will be complete.  We all understand what Noah felt like when he started building an ark in the middle of the desert, because he heard from the Lord. 

The Lord Provides:

This week, we saw the Lord provide in many ways.  It started with the free lumber for the coops.  We took about 25-30 perfectly good 2X4's and some plywood.  He also provided a $100 gift card via Home Depot to be used for the coops.  We received a call from a friend who volunteered to make food this week for our trip to the city, which is a huge blessing and a little break for Laura.  Also, we received $90 in the mail to be used for the ministry and we are meeting one of our friends at the ROC tomorrow, to brainstorm how to effectively minister to the inner city.  I'm very grateful for each blessing we've received.  It's awesome to watch God provide and we have not ever had to take from our own money, to provide for the needs of the ministry. 

Three men off the streets:

This week was a special week, as we had the opportunity to watch three more men who desired to get off the streets, go into the ROC's discipleship home.  We are so grateful for the ROC as they are an awesome picture of what the New Testament Church looks like.  Pastor G and his staff have been so helpful to me and our team.  This is one of the fastest growing churches in America and what blesses me the most, is that they are all so accessible. 

Here's a church that has several thousand folks come through on any given week and they are interacting with me about our ministry and I don't even attend there.  Two weeks ago, I went up to the ROC to visit and it was like a little community of believers living life together, serving the needs of the hurting.  There was a lot of activity and the place was filled with the love of God.  I believe the ROC is an answer to our prayers.  Although, it's a little drive, I'm grateful that they are helping us meet the needs of the hurting and broken in our community.

My brother-in-law - Harry - drove down from Richmond again on Thursday to pick up Allen and Tony.  (Allen is the man in the blue with the white towel around his neck.) These are two men who we've been ministering to in the street for the past several months.  Both accepted Christ as their Savior about a month ago and I was privileged to pray with them.  Last night, they checked into a discipleship home at the ROC.  That's where they'll be for the next 6 months, being discipled, working and growing in their relationship with the Lord.  They are new creations and the old has passed away. Allen called all week - in excitement - making sure that we were coming to get him.  He was like a little kid at Christmas! 

Another man named Joseph is a very skilled man and he went to live with my dad in Richmond.  At first, I was a little hesitant about this, but I talked to my dad today and they seem to be getting along fine and Joseph was even able to pet my dads pit bull.  (Which isn't an easy thing to do without getting your arm ripped off) :)  My dad is trying to help him get a job and I think he likes having the company.  God knows it all, doesn't he?

Please pray for Allen, Tony and Joseph as this next week will be difficult as they seek to find a "new way" of living.  A way that is narrow and few find it.  They are no longer on the wide road that leads to destruction, but are walking down the narrow path that leads to the small gate!  Praise him!  Thanks for your prayers and support.  God Bless!

"A Church Without Walls"