https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151581286384520.1073741827.556714519&type=1&l=147c11e379
(I have posted a link to the photo album showing the repair pictures....please email me at radicallifeoutreach@yahoo.com if you cannot access the photo album via this link.)
Dean and Kyle set out last Saturday to do the necessary roofing repairs. They were able to snag the youth leader and a couple of youth group members from Bethel Christian Center to help - Thank You SOOOOOOOOOO Much!!
They were able to get most of the roofing repairs completed and will be finishing up next Saturday (May 18th).
The supplies ended up total $537. We were able to raise $416 through our blog posts and facebook posts! Thank you again to all who donated!!
After the roofing repairs are done on May 18th, we will start trying to raise funds for the trim and siding problems. You can see some of these problems in the pictures of the roofing repairs.
More to Come Soon!
Melissa
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
DURHAM JAIL MINISTRY
I have been going into the Durham County Jail with Pastor Terry Shuff of Bull City Outreach Ministries for some time now, and have thouroughly enjoyed the ministry in there. Every time I set foot in the jail and enter into the pods where the men are waiting for us, I feel like I'm treading on Holy Ground. Every other Tuesday we team up and minister the uncompromised Word of God to these men. I am very thankful that Pastor Terry invited me to share in this ministry he does.
Many of the men know me as the guy who walks with a cross through the city. I have actually met some of these same guys on the street and talked to them prior to them coming to jail. One guy told me that he was a drug dealer, until he met me on the street, then he said something came over him and he quit selling drugs from that day forward. Others have told me that when they saw me with the cross that it moved them as well. Just recently a guy approached me in the jail and told me that he had been hoping to see me again, because when he got out of jail he wanted to follow me around with the cross and be apart of the ministry.
God has really used this crosswalk in a powerful way, it has helped me minister to the guys in jail. I believe it has helped transformed some of their lives for the better. Only the power of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change a life.
Please pray that this ministry will continue to be effective and fruitful in reaching these guys, and that when they get out of jail that they would take the Truth that they have been given and will be true disciples of Jesus Christ. It is mine and Pastor Terry's goal to see that these men are given every chance to succeed. That is why we supply them with a way to contact us, and to team up with us, after they have finished their time...so that we can disciple them and guide them into a true relationship with Christ.
Please pray that He who has begun a good work in them will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phillipians 1:6
Living Radical For Christ,
Dean
Many of the men know me as the guy who walks with a cross through the city. I have actually met some of these same guys on the street and talked to them prior to them coming to jail. One guy told me that he was a drug dealer, until he met me on the street, then he said something came over him and he quit selling drugs from that day forward. Others have told me that when they saw me with the cross that it moved them as well. Just recently a guy approached me in the jail and told me that he had been hoping to see me again, because when he got out of jail he wanted to follow me around with the cross and be apart of the ministry.
God has really used this crosswalk in a powerful way, it has helped me minister to the guys in jail. I believe it has helped transformed some of their lives for the better. Only the power of the Holy Spirit and the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can change a life.
Please pray that this ministry will continue to be effective and fruitful in reaching these guys, and that when they get out of jail that they would take the Truth that they have been given and will be true disciples of Jesus Christ. It is mine and Pastor Terry's goal to see that these men are given every chance to succeed. That is why we supply them with a way to contact us, and to team up with us, after they have finished their time...so that we can disciple them and guide them into a true relationship with Christ.
Please pray that He who has begun a good work in them will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phillipians 1:6
Living Radical For Christ,
Dean
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
First 2013 Trip to Morning Glory Apartments
On Sunday I prayed about where the Lord would have us go out and deliver food goodies and talk to people about the love of Jesus.
He directed me to Morning Glory Apartments in Butner. This is the elderly/senior apartment complex that we've visited a number of times before.
I just really have a heart for these residents and feel like the body of Christ should make sure they are taken care of and loved. Most (if not all) of the residents live alone and are absolutely thrilled to see us when we come by.
Most of them remember Alex, as he is always eager to talk to them, and hug them, and make up reasons to come in their homes and check out gadgets that he sees from the doorway. (He's a little turkey and usually gets his way, even after I plead with him not to barge in anyone else's home.)
We went door to door and introduced/reintroduced ourselves and offered to let them pick whatever food items they wanted. I carried a big box of various sweets from the Food Lion bakery, and Dean carried a big box of various bread items from the Food Lion bakery. Alex carried some pamphelts they could read on Eternity and the gospel. I also took a note pad and pen and got each one of their first names, apartment numbers and prayer needs that they had.
Monday night we had our usual fellowship night in our home and we prayed for these needs, as we promised.
Then last night I was blessed beyond measure when I saw one of the residents in Food Lion and I was able to go up to her and call her by first name and let her know that we had just prayed for her son!
We will definitely be back in the area more, continuing to build relationships, talk about Jesus, take food, pray, and see what other areas we can serve them in!
Loving Radically Through Christ,
Melissa
He directed me to Morning Glory Apartments in Butner. This is the elderly/senior apartment complex that we've visited a number of times before.
I just really have a heart for these residents and feel like the body of Christ should make sure they are taken care of and loved. Most (if not all) of the residents live alone and are absolutely thrilled to see us when we come by.
Most of them remember Alex, as he is always eager to talk to them, and hug them, and make up reasons to come in their homes and check out gadgets that he sees from the doorway. (He's a little turkey and usually gets his way, even after I plead with him not to barge in anyone else's home.)
We went door to door and introduced/reintroduced ourselves and offered to let them pick whatever food items they wanted. I carried a big box of various sweets from the Food Lion bakery, and Dean carried a big box of various bread items from the Food Lion bakery. Alex carried some pamphelts they could read on Eternity and the gospel. I also took a note pad and pen and got each one of their first names, apartment numbers and prayer needs that they had.
Monday night we had our usual fellowship night in our home and we prayed for these needs, as we promised.
Then last night I was blessed beyond measure when I saw one of the residents in Food Lion and I was able to go up to her and call her by first name and let her know that we had just prayed for her son!
We will definitely be back in the area more, continuing to build relationships, talk about Jesus, take food, pray, and see what other areas we can serve them in!
Loving Radically Through Christ,
Melissa
Monday, April 15, 2013
SECOND UPDATE: Family Member In Need
***SECOND UPDATE (4/22/13) - GOD IS MOVING ON PEOPLE TO DONATE - WE ARE SO VERY THANKFUL!! MORE DONATIONS COMING IN: KAREN HAGWOOD $36, CARLYN DAVIS $25, CHRIS AND KRISTEN FERRER $100 --- WE ARE UP TO $516! THAT IS ENOUGH TO GET STARTED ON THE ROOF AND FLOORING - WE WILL BE GETTING THE SUPPLIES AND GETTING STARTED ON THE WORK THIS WEEK - PLEASE CONTINUE TO DONATE FOR THE SIDING IF YOU FEEL LED - THIS WILL BE THE NEXT NECESSARY STEP BECAUSE THE SIDING IS NOT HOLDING UP WHEN IT RAINS***
***UPDATE TO THE BELOW NEED!!! We have had additional donations come in! We received a $30 donation from an anonymous donor - a $25 donation from Karen Ray - a $100 donation from Debbie Chambers - a $50 donation from Terry and Angie Shuff of Bull City Outreach Ministries. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO HAVE PROVIDED SO FAR!
Pastor Don Westbrook and wife, Carrol, of Bethel Christian Center have also stated that the Mission Ministry Fund will be making up the difference for what is not received from donations.
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS PROVISION!! (He may have it in mind to go ahead and just provide the money for the roof, floor and siding all at once - which makes me super excited!)
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH THIS!***
Well, we have been entrusted with another family in need!
And this one happens to be very close to home.....they are within our local church body at Bethel Christian Center. This family would never ask anything of us, and have actually donated time and items and services to our ministry more than once.
We know that the Bible tells us to take care of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ first and foremost!
We were visiting, and made aware of, some repairs that are needed to their home. We noticed that the daughter was sleeping on the couch, and when we asked why, we were told about the roof leaking in her bedroom, making it completely unhabitable. We took at look, and sure enough, the roof had a hole and was leaking through, all the way to the ceiling and into the bedroom.
There were also various holes in the floor that need repair.
There is a much bigger problem of siding on the trailer, but at this point we want to take care of the immediate needs of the leaking roof and holes in the floor.
We have been blessed, once again, to have the help of Kyle Mulholland. I'm just going to start calling him "the Lord's handyman" because whenever we have a ministry need for home repairs, he steps up without a second thought and immediately begins assessing the situation and giving us the necessary info to get repairs started.
We believe that this particular job will cost about $300 to $400 in materials. We have received a $50 cash donation from friends, Bernard and Janella, to get started on the repairs. Praise the Lord for these folks stepping up and giving sacrificially for a fellow sister in Christ....one that they haven't even met yet!
Dean and I will be putting $100 in and we're hoping that the Lord will move on His people to help with the rest.
If you feel like you can help us get this repair done and would like to donate Lowe's gift cards of ANY amount, we would really appreciate it. I know the family would also. Also if you are experienced in this area (mobile home roofing, ceiling and floor repairs) and would like to be another one of God's handymen, then please let us know!
The bigger problem of the pressboard-type wood siding is probably going to cost around $1000 in materials, but we know that God will provide a way for that also when the time comes to get that one done.
This surely isn't too big for Him to handle!
Thank you so much in advance for your help and for loving this hard working, Jesus loving, single mom and sister in Christ!
Loving Radically Through Christ,
Melissa
***UPDATE TO THE BELOW NEED!!! We have had additional donations come in! We received a $30 donation from an anonymous donor - a $25 donation from Karen Ray - a $100 donation from Debbie Chambers - a $50 donation from Terry and Angie Shuff of Bull City Outreach Ministries. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR ALL WHO HAVE PROVIDED SO FAR!
Pastor Don Westbrook and wife, Carrol, of Bethel Christian Center have also stated that the Mission Ministry Fund will be making up the difference for what is not received from donations.
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS PROVISION!! (He may have it in mind to go ahead and just provide the money for the roof, floor and siding all at once - which makes me super excited!)
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP WITH THIS!***
Well, we have been entrusted with another family in need!
And this one happens to be very close to home.....they are within our local church body at Bethel Christian Center. This family would never ask anything of us, and have actually donated time and items and services to our ministry more than once.
We know that the Bible tells us to take care of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ first and foremost!
We were visiting, and made aware of, some repairs that are needed to their home. We noticed that the daughter was sleeping on the couch, and when we asked why, we were told about the roof leaking in her bedroom, making it completely unhabitable. We took at look, and sure enough, the roof had a hole and was leaking through, all the way to the ceiling and into the bedroom.
There were also various holes in the floor that need repair.
There is a much bigger problem of siding on the trailer, but at this point we want to take care of the immediate needs of the leaking roof and holes in the floor.
We have been blessed, once again, to have the help of Kyle Mulholland. I'm just going to start calling him "the Lord's handyman" because whenever we have a ministry need for home repairs, he steps up without a second thought and immediately begins assessing the situation and giving us the necessary info to get repairs started.
We believe that this particular job will cost about $300 to $400 in materials. We have received a $50 cash donation from friends, Bernard and Janella, to get started on the repairs. Praise the Lord for these folks stepping up and giving sacrificially for a fellow sister in Christ....one that they haven't even met yet!
Dean and I will be putting $100 in and we're hoping that the Lord will move on His people to help with the rest.
If you feel like you can help us get this repair done and would like to donate Lowe's gift cards of ANY amount, we would really appreciate it. I know the family would also. Also if you are experienced in this area (mobile home roofing, ceiling and floor repairs) and would like to be another one of God's handymen, then please let us know!
The bigger problem of the pressboard-type wood siding is probably going to cost around $1000 in materials, but we know that God will provide a way for that also when the time comes to get that one done.
This surely isn't too big for Him to handle!
Thank you so much in advance for your help and for loving this hard working, Jesus loving, single mom and sister in Christ!
Loving Radically Through Christ,
Melissa
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Update on the Twin Circles Mobile Home Park Outreach
Just a quick note to update everyone on the Twin Circles Mobile Home Park outreach in Butner this weekend.
It has been moved from Saturday to Friday!
Most people will be off work and out of school on Good Friday, so we didn't forsee this being problematic.
We have other scheduled appointments on Saturday which couldn't be moved, so we had to move our outreach.
We will be starting the grilling out and reaching out at 4pm on Friday.
Please come out if you can! Call us at 919-665-8997 if you need directions or more information.
***GOD SIZED PRAISE - For 2 years now we have been going into this mobile home park and reaching out to the residents. Many of the residents are Hispanic. This creates a language barrier for us and the adults. Most of the children speak English, but most of the adults do not. We have still been able to be a "friendly familiar face" to them, but we haven't been able to share the Gospel fully.
The Lord has now provided! Recently we have had a family begin attending our Monday night Bible study. The husband works with Dean and they have become great friends because of their brotherhood in the Lord. The wife is from Panama and speaks fluent Spanish and has agreed to be our interpreter for this (and future) outreaches.
We cannot thank the Lord enough for this provision!***
It has been moved from Saturday to Friday!
Most people will be off work and out of school on Good Friday, so we didn't forsee this being problematic.
We have other scheduled appointments on Saturday which couldn't be moved, so we had to move our outreach.
We will be starting the grilling out and reaching out at 4pm on Friday.
Please come out if you can! Call us at 919-665-8997 if you need directions or more information.
***GOD SIZED PRAISE - For 2 years now we have been going into this mobile home park and reaching out to the residents. Many of the residents are Hispanic. This creates a language barrier for us and the adults. Most of the children speak English, but most of the adults do not. We have still been able to be a "friendly familiar face" to them, but we haven't been able to share the Gospel fully.
The Lord has now provided! Recently we have had a family begin attending our Monday night Bible study. The husband works with Dean and they have become great friends because of their brotherhood in the Lord. The wife is from Panama and speaks fluent Spanish and has agreed to be our interpreter for this (and future) outreaches.
We cannot thank the Lord enough for this provision!***
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Ministry Need!
The latter part of James 4:2 says that "we have not because we ask not".....so we are asking!
We are looking for a van and/or enclosed trailer for the ministry.
We haul around a lot of things for outreaches and also for food pick ups and deliveries.
We also often have requests for people without vehicles to ride with us to church.
If you have something that you would be willing to give a miraculously great deal on, we would be so thankful!
Please contact Dean at 919-665-8997 to give him details.
We are looking for a van and/or enclosed trailer for the ministry.
We haul around a lot of things for outreaches and also for food pick ups and deliveries.
We also often have requests for people without vehicles to ride with us to church.
If you have something that you would be willing to give a miraculously great deal on, we would be so thankful!
Please contact Dean at 919-665-8997 to give him details.
Outreach at Twin Circles Park - COMING SOON!
The weather is turning nicer and we're getting ready for our first outreach of this year. It will be at Twin Circles Mobile Home Park. We have been involved with the residents there for about 2 years now....supplying them with clothes, food, prayer, love and of course the Word of God.
This year will be no different, we want to supply their physical needs, and even more their spiritual needs. We will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, Resurrection themed goody bags for the kids, Bibles and a message from the Word for the people. We are very expectant that God will move by His Spirit to transform peoples lives!
Come out and join us! Come be a light to those who need it! You never know....the life that gets transformed may be your own.
We are hoping to have this outreach the afternoon of Friday, March 29th at 4:00p.m., on Good Friday.
**A big giant THANK YOU to Lori for providing the money for Bibles for this outreach!
We have recently purchased nice folding chairs and tables for our outreaches and have also had a gas grill donated.**
This year will be no different, we want to supply their physical needs, and even more their spiritual needs. We will be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, Resurrection themed goody bags for the kids, Bibles and a message from the Word for the people. We are very expectant that God will move by His Spirit to transform peoples lives!
Come out and join us! Come be a light to those who need it! You never know....the life that gets transformed may be your own.
We are hoping to have this outreach the afternoon of Friday, March 29th at 4:00p.m., on Good Friday.
**A big giant THANK YOU to Lori for providing the money for Bibles for this outreach!
We have recently purchased nice folding chairs and tables for our outreaches and have also had a gas grill donated.**
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