Charged Up for Jesus

On the way to church Emily ran into a lady named Sara who was in bad shape and brought her to the service with her.  Sara, homeless and estranged from her children, came in and learned about the love of God and how the Bible is full of amazing promises for her life.  She was able to charge her phone during her stay and when she left it was evident she was charged up as well.  We do not know if we will see Sara again, she may have just been passing through, but we were able to pour into her a little and give her more of God for her journey.    

What really excites us is that Emily did such a good job of being light and reaching out to somebody that needed to know the loving embrace of the Father.  Emily is a single mother of four children (her husband is in jail) who recently lost her job.  Once Emily and Sara joined the rest of the church it was a privilege to watch how different people in the church used their various gifts to reach out to Sara. 

For every individual and family we see make good choices and step-up like Emily we see several fail and fall.  Currently we are working with several families being held together by the thinnest of strings.  In one case the ten-year-old daughter is running the family of five as the father and mother refuse to deal with their problems and hide in their vices.  It is so hard to see the dark, almost lifelessness in her eyes.  Yet there are glimmers of hope for sure.  We appreciate and need your continued prayers for our family to push onward as well as for these families to find Jesus, real healing and breakthrough in their lives.

Mady is now a single mother of four after her husband was recently killed.  We thought that we may have lost her because she did not want to deal with the pain or commit to anything at this vulnerable and confusing time.  But we are here to care for those that do not have family or even a hope and show them what an amazing purpose and community comes by being a part of God’s family.  Fabiola has been inviting women like Mady to have a cup of coffee, do laundry at the house or have a play date with the kids.  Mady is walking strong.  We have even hosted families at our house for birthday parties so they can have something special for their children without the extreme cost that so many feel the cultural pressure to put on. 

Please pray for summer camps: 1st – 3rd graders:  July 3 – July 6 4th – 6th graders: July 8 – July 13 7th – 8th graders:  July 22 – July 27 9th – 12th graders:  July 29 – August 3 Special Needs Families: July 29 – Aug 3 Sport’s Day Camp:  July 29 – August 3

Please pray for the individuals like Emily, Sara and Mady and their families and the many others like them.  This month we also have the privilege to take many children and youth – like the ten-year-old we mentioned – to one of our summer camps where they can escape from the pressures of their difficult life for a moment and really connect with God. 

We are making a difference in the city with you through Christ,

Chad & Fabiola