We're All Smiles Tonight

We tried to go out and visit with our folks last night but it started raining on us when we got out to set up.  So we went back out tonight and we were truly blessed.  We gave out bread, snacks and muffins, jello, milk and clothes.  Everyone was very thankful.

We met a few new folks and were able to explain to them why we were out there - serving them through Jesus' name.

We get a lot of questions at times asking what church we are from, or as with tonight, what are our church service times, but each time we tell them that we are not directly affiliated with a specific church....we are in Jesus' church - the body of Christ - and we are coming out to show that we love them because God loves them.

I, of course, gave some local church references that we are connected with - some that we know will be open and loving and working in their lives.

I also gave out our phone numbers tonight to a few familiar kids and told them that if they ever needed us for anything to please call us.  One boy asked me if this was really our phone number....lol.

I think the most joy came to us tonight when a familiar hispanic family invited us over for dinner in their home.  We told them that we would love to come and join them.  So we will go next week and have authentic mexican dishes with this family.  They seemed very excited and I know that we are.  So please be praying that we will be able to have a time of fellowship with this family and be able to talk to them more about Jesus.

On another good note - Angela Battle prayed for another milk hook up for us - and guess what?  We got it :)  So if you have a prayer request - let me give you Angela's number.  She obviously has a direct line to God.  (Just kidding guys....)  We are very thankful for all of you that were praying for that door to open up - all of those prayers that were said that we didn't even know about.

We are going to venture out of the Butner/Stem area soon and scope out some 'rougher' areas of Oxford next.  We will continue to minister to and disciple the friends and family that we have already made - but we be on the lookout for some different areas.  So be praying that the Spirit will give us discernment for where we need to go - and that we'll know if our message will be welcomed and received in the area.  And if not...we'll know and we need to shake the dust off our feet and move along to the next area.

You know...kinda like the disciples in Luke 9.....

¹ When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵ If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” ⁶ So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

We want to share the gospel to everyone - but above all we want to be exactly where God wants us.  The will of God is the most safe, most beneficial, most conducive, most loving, most glorious place to ever be - and that's where we wanna go!

Loving Radically Through Christ,

Melissa