Community Outreach!

Every Tuesday night, three Phase II students, including myself, get to lead a group of DTS students in ministry, serving Confluence Ministries near Downtown Denver. Every week since the 9th of October we have had this privilege of driving down being prepared for anything because our service changes by the week! And every week, as we surrender the night to God for His will to be done through us, our minds are blown with His presence and His power, and His love!
Yesterday, we had a group of four DTS students, three Phase II students (we lead the outreach every week) and one staff member to drive us. When we got down to west downtown Denver, we met up in the confluence building an prayed about what we were to do. So we prayed and we all got different things but in three categories. Three people felt like they were supposed to head down a certain street, two people felt lead to stay and intercede in the building, then one if the girls kept getting the image of McDonalds but thought it was just her. But then Stephen, our staff member said, semi-jokingly, "Dee! You should go to McDonalds and buy someone's food!" Dee freaked out and told us that she was feeling McDonalds and didn't know why! So we split into three groups. Stephen and Megan stayed and prayed over the building of Confluence ministries, Mats, Brielle and Malia prayer walked the streets, and Ben, Dee and I went to McDonalds! While we were praying, I felt like we were supposed to split into three groups, and God said that I was to follow and lead from behind. So I was to take up the slack, but it was my job to nudge the students forward. So I went to McDonalds because the other two PII leaders got clear answers on where to go. On out way, Dee told us that she's never payed for anyone for anything before but she had $10 in her name and she felt like God wanted her to bless someone by buying their food. So we got to McDonalds. While we were walking in I saw and old man with dark eyes and instantly God put him on my heart, but I was the follow up, not the initiator this time. So I greeted him and we went in. We stood and stared at the menu for a long while, waiting for anyone to come up and order food. After waiting semi-patiently, a man came up from behind us and went to the counter. I saw him and it was the old man from outside! I knew instantly that I was him so I turned and looked at my two students with a huge smile and I said, "Dee! What about him? Is that him?" And she looked at me as if she had been waiting for that last little push. So she went. The look on the cashier's face and the old man's face was beautiful. Dee paid and the old man walked over to wait for his food. While he was waiting I wanted so badly to ask if we could sit with him but I was the follow up. This wasn't my job tonight. Both students felt lead to sit and pray. So we went to a to a table and read some Bible and prayed. All the while I was laughing because the Holy Spirit filled me with joy during acts one conference and I have basically been laughing since then anytime the Spirit is moving. Dee caught it too and also started laughing and suddenly, as if he's been waiting for something specific to happen, Ben stood up and said, "I'm going to go sit with that man!" I was so ready for him to go that I just said thank you when he told us. Hahah so he went and sat with the man, Phil. Dee and I started interceding and while we were interceding, God opened both of our eyes to another lonely person. I looked at Dee and said said, "Do you think I..." And before she could finish I said, "yes. Go!" So she went and sat with this lady who turned out to be a pagan named Piper. While Dee and Ben were making friends, I say and read my Bible, praying and laughing because He is so good! I asked God what He wanted me to do because they weren't anymore lonely people. I noticed there was a ton of trash and I thought about cleaning it up but I certainly didn't want to offend the workers. So I sat and prayed some more. One of the workers came out not to long after noticing the trash and he began cleaning up. When he walked past my table I thank him and told him that he was doing a great job. He thanked me and continued cleaning. A little later, he came and sat across from me and said, "I probably shouldn't do this because I'm working. But I really didn't want to come into work today but I had to. But since I'm here, will you please pray for my family?" Tears welled up in his eyes as I eagerly agreed to pray for him. I asked if there was anything specific and as the tears filled up, he simply asked for me to pray for his mom and his brothers. I assured him I would pray. His name tag said Joshua but he went by Josh. I don't know if I'll ever forget the desperation and brokenness in His eyes when he asked. And then the tint of hope and peace when he walked away. At this point, it was already 8:19 and we were supposed to meet back at the building at 8:15. So I went over to Dee and Piper, Dee, knowing that meant it was time to wrap up. So we prayed with Piper and then she asked Dee if she was still accepting donations for her outreach to Cambodia, Dee said yes and Piper handed her $20. Twice as much as Dee came with and had dedicated to God. We cleared Piper's table and as the lady left, Dee and I just looked at each other, completely astonished! Then I went to Ben and Phil and as Phil was finishing up his last story, I couldn't help but notice to light in his eyes!! They were so blue and bright! Not like they had been when we walked past him outside. God was there with us, and with Phil! We asked if we could pray for Phil and he told us that he didn't think even Billy Graham could fix what he's going through. I told him that even though Billy Graham might not be able to, that God was more than able. Phil thanked us so much for our presence and for blessing him with food and with a listening ear, and he walked out. What an incredible night!!!!!

Back to the writing desk

I’d spend time apologizing for the duration of time between my last blog and this one, but there are more important subjects for discourse.

I love writing, and thinking, and exploring. But I have been rather busy, which, may I remind you, is a terrible reason to cease doing what you love. With that said, I made the mistake of writing much less because of my schedule changes. This morning, during worship, God asked me to write for Him again. And so here I am!

First, I’m going to share with you the entries from one of my many journals. This journal was given to me by one of my greatest mentors, and favorite high school teachers and in it I write whatever I feel is worthy of residing in such a lovely leather journal.

Keep in mind these are thought processes and are by no means new found facts. I highly recommend that you take any of your questions back to God’s written word, and I promise to do the same. Also, since these were written a while ago and God has continued to teach me since, anything written in the red parentheses indicates updated additions or comments. One at a time. So here we go:

Saturday, May 15^th 2010

Philippians 4:11-13 (this passage has since become one of my life passages from the Bible. I love it!)

“11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living with plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”

Lately, I have realized that I tend to enjoy myself no matter where I am. Knowing that a difficult (/challenging) situation is ahead I get excited. I love the challenge to bring joy into that difficulty. I love the chance to “suffer” for Jesus. In the volunteer guide for my trip (to the Dominican Republic) reading warnings about uncomfortable sleeping arrangements and tiring work makes me fund raise that much more. I am so excited to leave this country for a little while. Everything is so easy in comparison  to the rest of the world. We have so many luxuries that we tend to view as life necessities. Cars, houses, roads, and grocery stores are almost as common as people in the United States. Then there are people living all over the world who have not even seen a store, or a paved road. There are many who have not even seen a store, or a paved road. There are many who have only seen a car once or twice in their lives. I can assure you, though, the majority of these people are content, joyful even. They don’t need worldly conveniences to enjoy life and be satisfied all the way to the end. Then there are those in the U.S. (and much of the western world) with all this, and even more, who are still unhappy. They are marvelous examples of the idea that things of this world have and will never satisfy.

1 Timothy 6:6-7

“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Fire Bible study says, “The key to contentment is realizing that God has given you in your present circumstances everything you need to endure, grow closer to Him, and remain victorious in your relationship with Christ” (1Co15:57; 2Co2:14; 1Jn5:4). The ability to live steadily and triumphantly above changing circumstances comes from Christ’s power flowing in and through you. This ability does not come naturally, however, it must be learned and developed through dependence on and obedience to Christ.