God’s faithfulness and beauty are such that I can’t help be continually be overwhelmed! Wow…where to begin…
My day began by picking Judy up to get groceries from Jesus House. It was a new experience, I didn’t even know that Jesus House has a food pantry. There were so many people lined up in the 20 degree weather to receive groceries, some waited outside over an hour I’m sure. It was good to spend some time with Judy and to see Melvin as well.
Next off to the Beatnix café for a meeting with Joe and Tim…
We discussed non-profit stuff, specifically community development and micro-business. We have been in conversation about starting a lawn mowing business to provide employment for people in the community. This morning Joe mentioned that it has been on his heart to start a coffee shop in the area that would serve as a place for the suburbanite community to engage with the urban community. Tim stated that the two areas of micro business that have been on his mind are lawns and coffee shops.
Fast forward to this afternoon at SALSA….
It was a beautiful day (the first in a couple of weeks) so we played kickball in the backyard of the youth center. We all had so much fun! The rest of SALSA went so well, the kids were very well behaved and respectful. Robert and Marcus both had their report cards… Robert has moved from below level in reading to ON LEVEL! This is hugely wonderful news! When Marcus showed his brother his report card Robert looked at me and said, very saddened, “he has an ‘F’ in reading.” I told him I knew and encouraged Robert to help Marcus with reading at home. A few minutes later, when Robert was finished with his homework, he volunteered to read with Marcus. Robert put his arm around Marcus’ shoulders and sat very close while guiding him through The Three Little Pigs. It was so beautiful to see Robert stepping up to help his little brother.
When Alicia came to pick the kids up she began filled me in on what has been going on with her in the last couple of weeks. She mentioned that she has been talking with Josh about her desire to open a pastry shop…and he shared with her his dream to open a coffee shop…then encouraged her that they could have a coffee and pastry shop together…and she mentioned to me that she wanted to have a homeless day or something to be able to include the homeless because she has a heart for the homeless.
Now… Beatnix café conversation…Alicia conversation. WOW. Need I say more? I hope and pray that the opportunity here is for Alicia and Josh to start a coffee and pastry shop that we can help to support.
I couldn’t help but cry when Alicia told me this. Of course, she looked at me very seriously and said, “ DON”T CRY!” To which my response was, “ I CAN’T HELP IT!” I informed her of my earlier conversation with Joe and Tim and told her that I believe God is starting something with all of us…He is stirring our hearts and minds in the same direction.
So I came home and conveniently ran into Tim as soon as I walked in the door, so I shared with him what Alicia had told me. Then I preceded to enter my room, fall on my knees and give glory to God.
I began reading in Isaiah.. starting in Isaiah 55 with the promise that God had given me while serving in ABQ.
Then I read Isaiah 58:6-12 which says,
6 “Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
7"Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
8"Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am '
If you remove the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,
10And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
11"And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
12"Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.
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It was most definitely a beautiful day!
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