Hey all,
I first wanted to thank you all for your support of our ministry. I hope you all received our quarterly letter in August - if you didn't just respond to this blog, and request one, and we'll be glad to get one off to you. Since we completed our work at Glades Area Pantries there has been a few opportunities to direct our ministry, and I would like your prayers in asking God to make it clear as to which way He would like us to go. We are currently still working with the homeless. Jeff has moved on to a program in Texas. He has been there before, and was off the streets for a couple of years. Please pray that he completes it, and is able to go about the purpose God has for him.
We currently have another young man whom we are trying to help. He came to me at the pantry, and requested we help him to get back on his feet. The Lord had moved Jeff on which enabled us to provide him with a place to stay. Long story short is that he lost his mother a couple of years back, and is a little slow. Without any life skills, and a terminal illness he wasn't able to survive alone so he turned to a life of drugs and alcohol on the streets. He asked me for help because I am known to the community as a pastor, or minister in Pahokee because of Christ's work through us. I know God has given me a spirit which people in need notice within me, and they see us as a potential way to get help. We don't even have to seek anbody out. It seems that they are drawn to us. This takes discernment, because naturally we can't help everyone, and must be careful not to get taken advantage of. Eric (our newest family member) is being blessed for his courage to overcome his circumstances. He is on disability for his illness, and has been becoming more,and more self-sufficient. As a requirement of his disability I must manage his affairs until he is able to do it on his own. We are teaching him sound biblical principals in his finances and his life. We are mentoring him to live a life for Christ. Please pray for us and him in this endeavor. Matt 25:35-36 says, For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. God is so great. This verse touches our hearts and it is awesome to be a instrument of God as he works within Eric.
I have also been completing training for Prison Fellowship Ministry, which was founded by Chuck Colson. Since a large part of this community is affected by at least one relative in prison, God has put it on my heart to help this community by helping to minister to inmates (there are two prisons in this immediate area). More importantly PFM mentors them, their families, and equips the churches to help them transform to a productive member of society through Christ, rather than to fall back into prison as 60% of inmates do. I will update you more about this in a couple of weeks. I have also some thoughts about starting a soup kitchen. This has always been something in my heart, and I thought perhaps this could be accomplished at Glades Area Pantries. However, it didn't get any forward progress, so I am praying for guidance on this. Some potential and some doors may be opening for this, however I leave it to God to make this more clear.
Peace Through Grace
Doug & Family