God's Timing

I have been encouraged this week with what God is doing here. We (our staff) have been having some divine conversations with people our staff has been praying for. It's funny how only during God's timing will He move. He is sovereign! My friend, who just got out of jail a couple weeks ago, has been walking the streets. This is someone who struggles with the life of prostitution and addiction. I wrote her in jail, but she never responded. We prayed for her while she was in and have committed her to the Lord. As you could imagine the first time I saw her back on the streets, I wanted to run up to her and give her a big hug and talk to her. This wasn't the case however. I felt the Lord saying, "wait." So I did. I saw her a couple more times, and it was still the same quiet voice, "wait." So I did. Then came Thursday Night Mic Night. I wasn't supposed to go to the cafe until later on that evening. For "some reason" I ended up going earlier. Wouldn't you know my friend was the very first person I saw sitting on one of the couches.

Without going into a various amount of details, my friend and I had a conversation for about 30 minutes. We talked about God, where she was in her life, that she was seeking help, and that instead of being on the streets, she was now living with a friend. Though there were still some very hard things to hear her say, and though I know she still has many, many issues to work through, I know God has His hand on her. All this being said, it makes me wonder if I would have talked to her those couple times on the streets, would she have opened up the same. I don't think she would have. I think God's precise timing and location in which I finally spoke to my friend was sovereign. Our God is faithful. He wants us to rely on Him fully! I am continuing to learn . . .

Love Deeply

Back In The Quip!

What up from a 90 degree, sunny day in the Quip! Oh hold up hold up hold up, alright that's not the case at all. I had a great time back home with family and friends! The ATL was good! I'm just getting back into the swing of things here; ready to see my people :)

I have been reading through Psalms lately and have been encouraged by the comfort and compassion of God. David continually talks about how the Lord hears our cries. In such a crazy and busy world I am so thankful that I will always have the Lord hear me out on things. It also hurts to know that some people do not have a relationship with Christ, therefore do not talk to Him. Just the other day one of the individuals here was going through a tough time. She is not one to share her feelings and talk about what is going on in her life. I asked her though, "Do you ever talk to God when you go through these rough times in your life?" Her reply was no. This kills me. If only she knew how very much God wants to hold her and help her through these trials. If only she knew the amount of true love the Savior has for her. I trust that God is revealing Himself to her day by day. I trust through God's authority and constant pursuit that she will come crawling to the foot of the cross. On this day, I will rejoice with tears of thanksgiving. Our God is good!

Love deeply.

ATL

Just wanted to give you a very short update. I have been home since Monday and am leaving on Tuesday. Great time with the family and friends. Headed to Hartwell tomorrow to spend Sunday and Monday at Matty and Kaitlyn's. Will be back in the Quip on Tuesday. I will catch back up with this when I get back towards the middle of the week.

Love Deeply

Excited for Spring

This week I had to reintroduce myself to 50 degree weather and it has been amazing! I will say though it's pretty funny when you think it's about 70 out, and you drive by a temperature sign reading 51 degrees. My mom said I have become a true northerner. I want to make it clear that I will never be a true northerner. I belong in the south :) We have been enjoying the warmer weather though for sure. This past weekend my friends and I went to the park and well, we first walked on a frozen lake, but then were able to play a little football in a warmer area. It was a blast.

With warmer weather, comes more people to the street. It's been great. With hopes of Spring around the corner, it is almost as if new life has come. We have enjoyed the last couple of days with some prayer walks and playing with the kids outside. It excites me knowing that the warmer the weather gets, the more people we will be in contact with on the streets. I want to go ahead and praise Him for the things that are to come.

Lastly, I want to give a little shout out to my beautiful friends Erin and Bethany. As I type this, they are on there way to Kenya. The Lord has called them to this beautiful land and I cannot wait to see what He is going to do through them. They have been in obedience over the last year+ praying and waiting for the Lord's sovereign timing in all of this. He has finally said, "Now is the time my beloved." Please pray for them as they begin this journey with the Lord.

Headed home on Monday. Looking forward to the restoration period. Until next time, love deeply.

Damascus Road

If you are not familiar with this road, this is the road where God revealed Himself to Saul, who would soon be transformed into Paul. Saul was a man who "breathed out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples." At one point Saul sought out his authority and asked permission to seize and imprison any men or women who claimed to be Christ's followers. Once fully transformed, Paul became one of the most influential men for the Kingdom. He was known for speaking boldly and fearlessly in the name of the Lord.

We find ourselves praying and begging God for Damascus Road transformations here in Aliquippa. I find a lot of similarities between "Saul" and the people here who don't quite know God is going to grab a hold of their heart yet. Back then people doubted Paul's transformation. "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" One of our men here in the Quip that has recently been restored, faces similar comments today. After so many years of addiction, how can someone drop their drugs and pick up Jesus? Can someone lose their identity as a prostitute, and gain such a name as "beloved?" Once a drug dealer, always a drug dealer. Once a prostitute, always a prostitute. THIS COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. The God I serve, Jesus Christ, has the power and compassion to turn people's life around from the pit of any sin. THIS IS HIS DESIRE! He transformed Paul back then, and He will transform men, women, and children alike today.

If you are not familiar with the story of Paul, you can find it in the 9th chapter of the book of Acts. I would encourage you to check it out. Once lost, now found is the story of our Lord's love. Praying and believing in Damascus Road transformations . . .


Love Deeply.