Dear Friends and Family,
Greetings in the precious name of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ! I am overjoyed to tell you about the new transition in my life!!!!! (Yes, that is FIVE exclamation points.)
I first have to ask you to please open your heart and read this entire letter. It is not your normal missions letter; it is my future at hand. I appreciate your time!
Over eight years ago, the LORD miraculously delivered me from homelessness and drug & alcohol addiction. Ever since I have had a huge burden for those still bound up in these bondages. After years of preparing and praying, God has opened the door to become a missionary! Oh, I’m so excited! I am now a missionary to the very streets I was delivered from (and looking forward to having that expanded). I absolutely love seeing people from my past and telling them about the change in me. I believe the common bond that we share, homelessness, is the gateway to their hearts and lives!
What will be going on? Each week on the mission field, as our team of people grows, there will be multiple visits to the homeless population. We will be providing immediate needs such as a hot meal, toiletries, blankets, and shoes. More importantly, we are building a trust, a community, a koinonia. This is not a one-stop feeding ministry. It is a ministry that exemplifies the love AND friendship of Jesus Christ. One that best examples Matthew 25:35f! We are waiting in anticipation and with full expectation of what God will do as we grow, which brings me to my next point.
Another need that is being met is that we soon be able to house women from the streets or who are rescued from the sex-slave industry. The LORD has provided a place where two women at a time can come in, get discipled, find employment, and enter back into society completely delivered and functioning in their giftings! This is the beginning, the genesis if you will, of a wonderful vision!
It is my desire to travel and bring awareness not only concerning homelessness but also the mighty redemption and restoration of a loving Savior. My desire is to not only put faces and names to the people you see on the streets every day but let their stories be told. The Bible specifically says that we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the words of our testimony. It is my goal to be a voice to educate society, the judicial system, and the church in that not only can people come off the streets, but they can become what they were created to be by unlocking the greatness of God within them! I covet all your prayers as the next phase of my life involves a huge vision with a lot of research and studying to undergo. FAVOR!
1. Diane and I met at Tent City, a small development of tents in the woods. She and I knew one-another from years ago. She immediately recognized me. We talked for a while and she told me she wanted a different life. I came and picked her up for church that Sunday. She also came to Breakthrough, a weekend ministry at my church, and experienced God in a great way! Diane once lived for Jesus and was very active in the church. Life took a downward twist and she ended up on drugs and then homeless. She is now on her way back to Jesus!
2. Mr. Junior is an older man who lives on the streets. He is sooo sweet! He is very tall and skinny and has a baby-face and is fragile in appearance. We were sitting down playing “Go Fish” one Saturday morning and he leaned over and said in a whisper to me, “If anyone ever bothers you, I’ll beat them up for you.” All I could do is laugh for two reasons: one is that this man looks like he couldn’t hurt a flea, and two is that he liked me enough to want to protect me.
3. Wayne is a pretty neat guy. He is about 35-ish. One Saturday morning, I was blessed to have my son, Christopher, go out and minister with me. Wayne and Christopher sat down and began to talk. A deck of cards was pulled out, and they proceeded to play two others in a game of Spades. Christopher and Wayne were partners. They were winning largely over the other team. I looked over at them and my heart smiled. They were laughing and high-fiving and having such a good time! They were normal people having normal fun! My spirit melted.
The most important aspect of any ministry is prayer! Regardless of your involvement, I am asking for all of you to pray. However, a ministry of this level requires a good bit of monetary donations to come in. This will not only help me to continue in the ministry but will be providing all the needs and food for each woman that comes into the home until they are employable, as well as supplies and food to take to the streets, jails, and hospitals. My earnest prayer is that as you give, it will be multiplied back to you!
I am asking you to please prayerfully consider partnering with God and me. This is the launch. THEY are why; YOU are who! YOU are the core group. YOU are the pilot program. YOU are what makes this possible.
CLICK ON THE “SUPPORT ME” LINK and you can securely set up your support for this ministry and this CALLING!
Your gift is 100% tax-deductible. I will be sending out quarterly newsletters to report and remain accountable to you as a partner and friend.
You know I’m in, girlfriend :-)…. So excited to be on this journey with you!!!!! (yes, that’s 5)…
I went downtown again this afternoon to distribute more jackets and sweatshirts. Had a blessed time. Again!
I also participate in the distribution of food through AngelFoodMinistries.com Are you familiar with them? You can get a week’s worth of good meals for 4 people for only $30. You can order online at http://www.angelfoodministries.com/host.asp?id=7175 (the deadline is noon on the 13th for this month) or at Gainesville Community Ministries’ 2 locations locally.
The food is distributed at the Vineyard on the 23rd this month. There are other food packages available on this site as well. It’s open to everyone. Cash, Check, Credit Card, Food Stamps….. Once you try it, you won’t want to quit. Great quality. We love it.
Please pass this information along to anyone who might benefit from it. (That’s everyone!)
I’m so happy to be able to travel with you on the journey. I hope to hook up with you at some time for Saturday mornings.
Praying for you!
So excited for this new chapter in your life! I can’t wait for you to bless all the people on the streets in Gainesville and show them that Jesus is real! Love and prayers!