Promesse de Dieu.
It’s been almost one year since an earthquake virtually destroyed the country of Haiti. It was a disaster that took poverty to a new level and shed light for the rest of the world to see the conditions of the most impoverished nation in the Western hemisphere. Our team left to work on the ground in Haiti, and they were clear when they returned that the spirit of the Haitian people was not destroyed, but possibly more importantly, God was at work in the midst of the disaster. For many of the Haitian community in Tampa, last January was an agonizing time of waiting to hear from family and watching the country lay in ruins. Their year began in pain, but clearly, God was at work.
PDD reaches out to Haitian women here in our city. The semester started out with leaders Deborah, Enslie and Romy with 4 other women on a retreat asking God for vision for their next year. It was a small group. The women cried out to God asking him to bring other women who needed to experience the same feeling of belonging to a community that they had found. They continued gathering on Tuesday nights, sharing dinner, discussions and bible studies. And more women came, and more, and more. Within weeks their meeting exploded to around 20 women coming to find a home with PDD.
One woman, in particular, was reluctant to come. She has been hurt in the past, and was against studying the bible. But she came one night and shared dinner and a discussion. She returned the next week and the leaders were sure after they studied scripture she wouldn’t return, and she did. The next week after a long time of prayer, they were certain they wouldn’t see her again. And she came back. Recently, Deb and Enslie recently spent time at her house to get to know her better. They shared how they were scared each time she wouldn’t return. She told them something kept drawing her back. She didn’t know what it was, but she knew she was making a good decision for her and her daughter.
God is at work in the Haitian community. In Haiti. and in Tampa.
Friday, December 31, 2010
At the Well.
At the Well.
It’s a new micro-church. They’ve spent months preparing. Listening to God. Preparing their home. Meeting new people. They were ready to launch in January, but a call came early. After a day of celebrating Christmas with their family, John and Jane Stephens received a phone call from a woman they were expecting to see in January, but she was all alone and asked if she come to the Well. Their response was enthusiastic: Of course, we’ve been waiting!”
So it begins. A family on a journey to show the extravagant love and care of Jesus to some women who need it the most. They are searching to learn more about the grace God extends to us, and they are ready to extend that grace to the women they will live in community with. Their prayer for these women is to see Jesus, and once they are untangled from the grip of abuse, they find freedom to love and pursue God completely.
There are still some steps to be ready. They need some electrical work done for the safety of those who will live in this community. Meeting with a lawyer. Continuing relationships with women. The new year will bring many changes, and they are waiting with anticipation of this next year, and all the ways they will encounter God as a community
It’s a new micro-church. They’ve spent months preparing. Listening to God. Preparing their home. Meeting new people. They were ready to launch in January, but a call came early. After a day of celebrating Christmas with their family, John and Jane Stephens received a phone call from a woman they were expecting to see in January, but she was all alone and asked if she come to the Well. Their response was enthusiastic: Of course, we’ve been waiting!”
So it begins. A family on a journey to show the extravagant love and care of Jesus to some women who need it the most. They are searching to learn more about the grace God extends to us, and they are ready to extend that grace to the women they will live in community with. Their prayer for these women is to see Jesus, and once they are untangled from the grip of abuse, they find freedom to love and pursue God completely.
There are still some steps to be ready. They need some electrical work done for the safety of those who will live in this community. Meeting with a lawyer. Continuing relationships with women. The new year will bring many changes, and they are waiting with anticipation of this next year, and all the ways they will encounter God as a community
Friday, December 24, 2010
UndergroundHamburg
UndergroundHamburg.
They sold everything. They packed up their lives, and they moved. Halfway around the world. The area of the city represents over 100 nations. And no churches. Five adults and two kids left two months ago to remind this city that Jesus loves them, and to call them into relationship with him.
It’s been filled with language learning and community building. Trying to understand culture, and trying to stay warm. There’s a housing shortage in Hamburg, which makes it difficult to find a place to call home. Earlier this month, Jason relayed this message: “I would love to have stories of signs and wonders...people being raised from the dead - ya know. But our story is more...pray, try to find a place to live - get rejected. Then we wake up and ask our selves, "what will we do today?"....more of the same. “
We’ve been celebrating this last week as they were finally able to secure housing. It’s not exactly what they hoped for, but it is a reminder that God does provide.
To stay connected with what God is doing in Hamburg, text "Follow HamburgUGVox" to the number 40404.
They sold everything. They packed up their lives, and they moved. Halfway around the world. The area of the city represents over 100 nations. And no churches. Five adults and two kids left two months ago to remind this city that Jesus loves them, and to call them into relationship with him.
It’s been filled with language learning and community building. Trying to understand culture, and trying to stay warm. There’s a housing shortage in Hamburg, which makes it difficult to find a place to call home. Earlier this month, Jason relayed this message: “I would love to have stories of signs and wonders...people being raised from the dead - ya know. But our story is more...pray, try to find a place to live - get rejected. Then we wake up and ask our selves, "what will we do today?"....more of the same. “
We’ve been celebrating this last week as they were finally able to secure housing. It’s not exactly what they hoped for, but it is a reminder that God does provide.
To stay connected with what God is doing in Hamburg, text "Follow HamburgUGVox" to the number 40404.
Kairos
Kairos.
Those who are finding themselves at the end of their physical life, find support through Kairos. They are committed to loving those who many have forgotten. Their care is for the elderly, for the sick and especially during the holidays, those who may feel most alone.
The story of Ms. Sadie is told through our friend, Guy. She lives deep in a neighborhood that many avoid. Her family is poor, as Guys says, “generationally impoverished.” The family home doubles as a child-care center. She has a daughter who loves her and cares for her to the best of her abilities. As Guy sat in the room with Ms. Sadie, praying and reading scripture, God spoke clearly, “It’s her time. I’m about to take her home. My arms are open. You should talk to her daughter.” With hesitation, he spent time sharing what was about to happen to her mother. He used a quote from Henri Nouwen: “The greatest gift a family can give their loved one at the end is to release them... let them go.. bless them to go home to God.”
After a prayer, the daughter left. She returned home after purchasing a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She laid the flowers with her mother, wrapped her hands around it and spoke the words we may never be quite ready for. “I love you, and I want you here with me forever, but the preacher says God is ready for you. I think so too” With that, she released her mama to Jesus.
Those who are finding themselves at the end of their physical life, find support through Kairos. They are committed to loving those who many have forgotten. Their care is for the elderly, for the sick and especially during the holidays, those who may feel most alone.
The story of Ms. Sadie is told through our friend, Guy. She lives deep in a neighborhood that many avoid. Her family is poor, as Guys says, “generationally impoverished.” The family home doubles as a child-care center. She has a daughter who loves her and cares for her to the best of her abilities. As Guy sat in the room with Ms. Sadie, praying and reading scripture, God spoke clearly, “It’s her time. I’m about to take her home. My arms are open. You should talk to her daughter.” With hesitation, he spent time sharing what was about to happen to her mother. He used a quote from Henri Nouwen: “The greatest gift a family can give their loved one at the end is to release them... let them go.. bless them to go home to God.”
After a prayer, the daughter left. She returned home after purchasing a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She laid the flowers with her mother, wrapped her hands around it and spoke the words we may never be quite ready for. “I love you, and I want you here with me forever, but the preacher says God is ready for you. I think so too” With that, she released her mama to Jesus.
Deeply Rooted
Deeply Rooted.
Their mission is committed to young girls aging out of the foster care system. One of the leaders, April, recently shared this testimony:
This past semester, we have talked about true beauty, identity and worth, goals, cooking basics, basic first aid/cpr, going to college and other life paths. We have enjoyed guest speakers, had a college tour, and also encountered God's word and love. At Jesus Encounter we had one girl decide to follow Jesus and was baptized. The other girl who was there is also following Jesus and is serious about studying the Bible. We have begun to use the Discovery Bible Study method where the girls themselves will lead the bible discussions. We are learning as we go. It has been great so far to be able to go over some different life topics and look forward to more in the springs semester (love, sex, and relationships, job applications/interviews, money management, knowing yourself, communication and so much more.) I think we all agree, though, that it is more about the community that is being developed that has been most life changing and rewarding for us and the young women. We rejoice more over the young women coming to know Jesus and for them to be deeply rooted in his love, as well as knowing and trusting in God as their Father and his people as their family. Some of the girls have said they have not been this close to anyone else before. According to a survey we recently did, the young women said they love knowing there are people they can confide in; they feel welcome and at home here; they want more people to come and more time with one another. We long for more, too.
Their mission is committed to young girls aging out of the foster care system. One of the leaders, April, recently shared this testimony:
This past semester, we have talked about true beauty, identity and worth, goals, cooking basics, basic first aid/cpr, going to college and other life paths. We have enjoyed guest speakers, had a college tour, and also encountered God's word and love. At Jesus Encounter we had one girl decide to follow Jesus and was baptized. The other girl who was there is also following Jesus and is serious about studying the Bible. We have begun to use the Discovery Bible Study method where the girls themselves will lead the bible discussions. We are learning as we go. It has been great so far to be able to go over some different life topics and look forward to more in the springs semester (love, sex, and relationships, job applications/interviews, money management, knowing yourself, communication and so much more.) I think we all agree, though, that it is more about the community that is being developed that has been most life changing and rewarding for us and the young women. We rejoice more over the young women coming to know Jesus and for them to be deeply rooted in his love, as well as knowing and trusting in God as their Father and his people as their family. Some of the girls have said they have not been this close to anyone else before. According to a survey we recently did, the young women said they love knowing there are people they can confide in; they feel welcome and at home here; they want more people to come and more time with one another. We long for more, too.
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