After breakfast, we all went to the park in Marlinton to help the groups from Kentucky and Tennessee get set up for the clothing giveaway. We collected our tarps and departed around 9:30 am. Lynwood and David made their way back to NC, while the rest of us drove up to Green Bank to see the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Although the museum and visitor's center were closed, we were able to see some of the telescopes and make a few photos.
We left Green Bank and drove down to the Cass Scenic Railroad, where we enjoyed seeing the museum and old village. After a great lunch at the Last Run Cafe, we headed for home.
We stopped in Daleville, VA for apples at Ikenberry Orchards, and made it back to the church around 8:15 pm.
It was a tiring day, but a great way to wrap up a wonderful trip!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
West Virginia - Tuesday
Today was a very long, but extremely rewarding day. After breakfast we went back to the park for the clothing and food giveaway. We gave away all 56 bags of groceries and many more clothes. It was a cold and breezy day with no sunshine, but the rain held off until it was time for us to begin closing up anyway.
Colin, Stephen, and Dan went back to the work site this morning, where they installed a sewer line, gas stove, electrical line, and water line. They worked very hard and accomplished a lot!
The rest of us left the park and went to the local Foodland grocery store where we purchased food to make subs for the ladies at the Greenbriar Birthing Center. The manager, Mark, was gracious enough to donate all the bread - over $20 worth! We then traveled to Hillsboro where we met the rest of our team at the Birthing Center. Greenbriar is a Minimum Custody Federal Prison for ladies who enter the system while expecting. They come here in the sixth month of pregnancy, and after the birth of the baby they are allowed to stay there with their child for the first 18 months of the child's life.
There were 15 inmates and 15 babies there today. We played games, did some group building activities, crafts, and held Bible Study with the ladies. A huge thanks goes to Lynne Cullins who planned and led all of this!!! The men were very helpful in playing with the babies and interacting with the inmates. One of the inmates told me that she was thankful for all of us men coming because her child rarely gets to see a male. The children were precious! It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it ;-)
We baked cookies for the inmates and had dinner with them before leaving and sprinting over to the men's prison next door for worship services. Dan and Will left after dinner and headed back to Raleigh because of obligations they had there.
Tonight we had a wonderful worship experience with 42 inmates at Denmar Correctional Facility. It is a medium custody state prison. The men who came to the service shared some powerful testimonies and we sang hymns together. Their choir sang a number of songs, and I was privileged to share a message from the Gospel of Matthew. During the invitation, numerous inmates came forward for prayer.
After the service, I was blessed to join Pastor Jerry and the pastor from Kentucky as we had a time of sharing and prayer with one of the inmates who is trying to re-connect with his wife who has had no contact with him in over two years.
We got back to camp around 9:30 tonight and everyone is very tired. It has been a very good day! Pray for our safety as we travel back to Raleigh tomorrow.
Colin, Stephen, and Dan went back to the work site this morning, where they installed a sewer line, gas stove, electrical line, and water line. They worked very hard and accomplished a lot!
The rest of us left the park and went to the local Foodland grocery store where we purchased food to make subs for the ladies at the Greenbriar Birthing Center. The manager, Mark, was gracious enough to donate all the bread - over $20 worth! We then traveled to Hillsboro where we met the rest of our team at the Birthing Center. Greenbriar is a Minimum Custody Federal Prison for ladies who enter the system while expecting. They come here in the sixth month of pregnancy, and after the birth of the baby they are allowed to stay there with their child for the first 18 months of the child's life.
There were 15 inmates and 15 babies there today. We played games, did some group building activities, crafts, and held Bible Study with the ladies. A huge thanks goes to Lynne Cullins who planned and led all of this!!! The men were very helpful in playing with the babies and interacting with the inmates. One of the inmates told me that she was thankful for all of us men coming because her child rarely gets to see a male. The children were precious! It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it ;-)
We baked cookies for the inmates and had dinner with them before leaving and sprinting over to the men's prison next door for worship services. Dan and Will left after dinner and headed back to Raleigh because of obligations they had there.
Tonight we had a wonderful worship experience with 42 inmates at Denmar Correctional Facility. It is a medium custody state prison. The men who came to the service shared some powerful testimonies and we sang hymns together. Their choir sang a number of songs, and I was privileged to share a message from the Gospel of Matthew. During the invitation, numerous inmates came forward for prayer.
After the service, I was blessed to join Pastor Jerry and the pastor from Kentucky as we had a time of sharing and prayer with one of the inmates who is trying to re-connect with his wife who has had no contact with him in over two years.
We got back to camp around 9:30 tonight and everyone is very tired. It has been a very good day! Pray for our safety as we travel back to Raleigh tomorrow.
Monday, October 5, 2009
West Virginia - Monday
Today began with an excellent breakfast at 7:30. We then met with Pastor Jerry for orientation for everyone going to the prisons this week. Along with our 10, there is a group from Rocky Mount, a group from Tennessee, a group from Virginia, and a group from Kentucky (that arrived at 3:30 this morning). Everyone went to the park in downtown Marlinton first thing this morning and there were already about 15 people waiting for us to unload our free clothes.
Our group brought a 5x8 trailer, a 6x10 trailer, an 8 x22 trailer, a pickup, a suburban, and 3 vans filled with clothing, school supplies, toys, and food. The other groups also brought a good bit of items. We guessed tonight that there was still over 10,000 items of clothing left after having many people show up today to receive items. Pastor Jerry says that he has never seen so many cars at the park for a clothing giveaway! Some of our folks stayed at the park all day helping people select items.
After unloading, Stephen, Colin and Dan went to a home near Hillsboro to help install plumbing, electricity, and water - as well as make other repairs to the home of a lady who has lost her children to DSS because of the living conditions. They made some progress today, but will go back tomorrow to do more. David and Lynwood spent part of the afternoon there helping too.
After lunch, I went to Lewisburg with Lynne, Will, Ben, and Lane. We bought over $350 worth of groceries for the food giveaway tomorrow. A local farmer is also donating a huge crate of potatoes for us to give away tomorrow. The Walmart in Lewisburg is only about 45 miles away, but the drive is well over an hour due to the mountain roads. We made it back to camp in time for dinner.
After dinner some of our group went to town to cover all the clothes with tarps while others stayed at the camp to bag groceries and put together gift bags for the girls at the prison. Several of our folks finished the evening with treats at Dairy Queen.
Tomorrow we will be doing more home repairs and clothing giveaways, plus the food giveaway and traveling to the women's prison to lead Bible Study and fix dinner for the girls. Tomrrow night we are leading worship services at the men's prison. Will and Colin are returning to Raleigh after dinner tomorrow evening.
It has been a good day and everyone is doing well. Please continue to pray for us as we minister to "the least of these."
Our group brought a 5x8 trailer, a 6x10 trailer, an 8 x22 trailer, a pickup, a suburban, and 3 vans filled with clothing, school supplies, toys, and food. The other groups also brought a good bit of items. We guessed tonight that there was still over 10,000 items of clothing left after having many people show up today to receive items. Pastor Jerry says that he has never seen so many cars at the park for a clothing giveaway! Some of our folks stayed at the park all day helping people select items.
After unloading, Stephen, Colin and Dan went to a home near Hillsboro to help install plumbing, electricity, and water - as well as make other repairs to the home of a lady who has lost her children to DSS because of the living conditions. They made some progress today, but will go back tomorrow to do more. David and Lynwood spent part of the afternoon there helping too.
After lunch, I went to Lewisburg with Lynne, Will, Ben, and Lane. We bought over $350 worth of groceries for the food giveaway tomorrow. A local farmer is also donating a huge crate of potatoes for us to give away tomorrow. The Walmart in Lewisburg is only about 45 miles away, but the drive is well over an hour due to the mountain roads. We made it back to camp in time for dinner.
After dinner some of our group went to town to cover all the clothes with tarps while others stayed at the camp to bag groceries and put together gift bags for the girls at the prison. Several of our folks finished the evening with treats at Dairy Queen.
Tomorrow we will be doing more home repairs and clothing giveaways, plus the food giveaway and traveling to the women's prison to lead Bible Study and fix dinner for the girls. Tomrrow night we are leading worship services at the men's prison. Will and Colin are returning to Raleigh after dinner tomorrow evening.
It has been a good day and everyone is doing well. Please continue to pray for us as we minister to "the least of these."
Sunday, October 4, 2009
West Virginia - Sunday
We arrived in Huntersville at 8:45 tonight after a long but uneventful trip. There are 10 of us here and we are now settling in for the night. The group from Rocky Mount is here too, and we are expecting groups from Nashville, TN and Kentucky later tonight. Tomorrow morning is orientation for the prisons, followed by the clothing giveaway at 9 am. Please keep us in your prayers as we minister here.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Follow-up to prayer request from Nigeria
Greetings. I wanted to let you know that the leader you have been praying for was finally able to get home on Saturday. However, he came back quite sick, and has been unable to come to give a report on all that happened. I thought he would come today, so I could give you more details, but that was not possible.
Please keep praying for all those affected. We had about 15 local fellowships which were either attacked or threatened, and we are dealing with many refugees, some of whom are injured and all of whom are traumatized. Though the situation is now quiet, the aftermath is continuing in terms of dealing with grief, missing family members, disrupted lives, loss of property, and deteriorated relationships with neighbors. Several of the core leaders of the fellowship are out trying to help reassure, comfort and support.
They need your prayers for wisdom in these difficult times.
Thank you for praying. God bless.
Please keep praying for all those affected. We had about 15 local fellowships which were either attacked or threatened, and we are dealing with many refugees, some of whom are injured and all of whom are traumatized. Though the situation is now quiet, the aftermath is continuing in terms of dealing with grief, missing family members, disrupted lives, loss of property, and deteriorated relationships with neighbors. Several of the core leaders of the fellowship are out trying to help reassure, comfort and support.
They need your prayers for wisdom in these difficult times.
Thank you for praying. God bless.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Urgent Prayer request from a missionary friend in Nigeria
Greetings. Though you haven't heard from me in some time, I'm still here and hard at work. This week there is a troubling situation in another part of this country between security forces and a radical religious group. (The problem is not in the area where I live, so don't worry about me.) But it is greatly affecting some of our fellowship groups of new believers. We are hearing reports from many quarters about severe persecution, up to and including death. The elders of the group are under great strain, as they try to deal with and counsel refugees, and in some cases travel into the areas where problems are occurring in order to try to help.
One leader came on Tues. to say that a new believer, one of three he led to the Lord on Friday, was attacked and murdered on Sunday night. This leader came to say he was going back to the area, which is at the center of the disturbance, in order to bury the deceased. I asked, "How can you even think of going? It's too dangerous." He said, "I can't do anything else. How can I leave immature new believers to deal with this on their own? God will be with me." The leader called last night to say he is now trapped in the area of the fighting, and terrible things are going on all around. Please pray urgently for this group, and many others who are in similar circumstance.
Thanks for your prayers. We really appreciate them. God bless.
One leader came on Tues. to say that a new believer, one of three he led to the Lord on Friday, was attacked and murdered on Sunday night. This leader came to say he was going back to the area, which is at the center of the disturbance, in order to bury the deceased. I asked, "How can you even think of going? It's too dangerous." He said, "I can't do anything else. How can I leave immature new believers to deal with this on their own? God will be with me." The leader called last night to say he is now trapped in the area of the fighting, and terrible things are going on all around. Please pray urgently for this group, and many others who are in similar circumstance.
Thanks for your prayers. We really appreciate them. God bless.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
My friend, Steve Sellers, has once again shared a devotional that I needed to hear. I felt compelled to share this with you because it is such a powerful reminder that we are called to love others with open hearts and open ears!
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
The beginning of our love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the salvation that accompanies that love, is listening. Our love for God begins when we listen to Him and His Word … and as we accept His Truth, Jesus Christ (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1; KJV). I find it fascinating that Jesus’ original form is referred to as the Word. Referred to as something that is verbal, not physical. I also find it fascinating that God spoke time, the universe and every living thing into existence. Genesis does not tell us that God took His hands and created things. It states, “And God said, “Let there be light…”
If our love of God begins with listening, then shouldn’t our love for others also begin with listening? Doesn’t God lend us His ear, continually, through our prayers and supplications? Absolutely! And so, it is His work we do for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them. That is probably why Paul quoted God’s command to the churches in Galatia: “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if instead of showing love among yourselves, you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another." (Galatians 5:13-14)
Too many times we, as Christians, feel like we must have something to offer others when they need to talk. We can easily forget that listening can be a far greater service than speaking. Many people are looking for a willing ear to listen to them … but many times they only find Christians who are too willing to talk over the other person.
If we no longer listen to our Christian brothers and sisters, then we will soon fail to listen to God. Truly … TRULY … listening to God requires much more dedication and commitment than listening to someone else. As listening is the beginning to our relationship with God, so is a lack of listening the beginning of our spiritual downfall. As we continue in our failing to listen, we end up with empty, pious words that do not carry truth or The Truth.
Those who cannot listen at length and with patience will talk past other people and not even realize it. Those who believe their time is better spent in talking, not listening, will never really have time for God or neighbor … just themselves and their own words.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24, NLT)
Recently, I read the following story and thought it was an excellent illustration about the need to listen.
“I overheard a conversation a few days ago at lunch which began when a woman noticed one of her co-workers looking downcast. She sat beside him at the lunch table and asked him if he wanted to discuss what was bothering him. He began to talk about the recent trouble he was having relating to his daughter, and it was obvious from his tone and his expression that this was a serious matter which was weighing heavily on him. He had barely begun to explain the essence of the problem when the young woman interrupted, exclaiming, "I know exactly what you mean! My daughter..." And just like that, the conversation shifted as she went on for several minutes describing her own situation. When she finally paused to take a bite of her meal, the man got up and walked away dejectedly. Without missing a beat, she turned to the next person at the table and continued talking about her daughter. I had a pretty strong reaction at the time. I remember thinking, "You don't care about his situation! You just wanted an excuse to start talking!"
It's easy to be critical of this woman, but realistically, this kind of thing goes on all the time. I have done it to my wife and she has done it to me. I have seen pastors do it on many occasions. Few of us are immune. We are rarely listening; usually, we are just waiting impatiently for our turn to talk. We nod and agree in all the right places, but really we are pondering the next thing we are about to say.
It's a shame that so many of us are guilty of this offense, and it speaks volumes about how most people really feel about themselves and those around them. If you struggle with this as much as I do, then it ought to be very humbling when you realize just how difficult and rare it is to have a conversation with someone during which you are far more interested in what they are saying than what you are about to say. It's hard to clear our mind, offer our undivided attention and just listen.
If we dig deeper, we will discover that our egocentric conversations are just one of many ways in which we fail to demonstrate love for each other. I could just as easily point to any of a long list of ways we fail to keep this commandment. I chose this one because it is so subtle and pervasive that for the most part, we've simply stopped noticing that we've stopped listening. I'm sure if you were to ask the woman at the lunch table, she wouldn't have any idea that she had done anything wrong.
The next time you're speaking to someone, especially if they are hurting, make an effort to erase any thoughts of yourself. Instead, give them one hundred percent of your attention. Make a commitment to ensuring that they are able to get their point across, and don't worry about yours. It seems like such a small thing, but it will make a huge difference in not only how you perceive people, but how they perceive you.
You see, loving your neighbor is not like loving your spouse. It may not be something you feel, but it is something that you do. It's the act of sacrificing your own needs and desires for the sake of someone else.
You can demonstrate that love in such a meaningful way by just listening.”
I Wish You Blessings for Open Hearts and Open Ears,
Steve
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
The beginning of our love for God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and the salvation that accompanies that love, is listening. Our love for God begins when we listen to Him and His Word … and as we accept His Truth, Jesus Christ (“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1; KJV). I find it fascinating that Jesus’ original form is referred to as the Word. Referred to as something that is verbal, not physical. I also find it fascinating that God spoke time, the universe and every living thing into existence. Genesis does not tell us that God took His hands and created things. It states, “And God said, “Let there be light…”
If our love of God begins with listening, then shouldn’t our love for others also begin with listening? Doesn’t God lend us His ear, continually, through our prayers and supplications? Absolutely! And so, it is His work we do for our brothers and sisters when we learn to listen to them. That is probably why Paul quoted God’s command to the churches in Galatia: “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if instead of showing love among yourselves, you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another." (Galatians 5:13-14)
Too many times we, as Christians, feel like we must have something to offer others when they need to talk. We can easily forget that listening can be a far greater service than speaking. Many people are looking for a willing ear to listen to them … but many times they only find Christians who are too willing to talk over the other person.
If we no longer listen to our Christian brothers and sisters, then we will soon fail to listen to God. Truly … TRULY … listening to God requires much more dedication and commitment than listening to someone else. As listening is the beginning to our relationship with God, so is a lack of listening the beginning of our spiritual downfall. As we continue in our failing to listen, we end up with empty, pious words that do not carry truth or The Truth.
Those who cannot listen at length and with patience will talk past other people and not even realize it. Those who believe their time is better spent in talking, not listening, will never really have time for God or neighbor … just themselves and their own words.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” (John 5:24, NLT)
Recently, I read the following story and thought it was an excellent illustration about the need to listen.
“I overheard a conversation a few days ago at lunch which began when a woman noticed one of her co-workers looking downcast. She sat beside him at the lunch table and asked him if he wanted to discuss what was bothering him. He began to talk about the recent trouble he was having relating to his daughter, and it was obvious from his tone and his expression that this was a serious matter which was weighing heavily on him. He had barely begun to explain the essence of the problem when the young woman interrupted, exclaiming, "I know exactly what you mean! My daughter..." And just like that, the conversation shifted as she went on for several minutes describing her own situation. When she finally paused to take a bite of her meal, the man got up and walked away dejectedly. Without missing a beat, she turned to the next person at the table and continued talking about her daughter. I had a pretty strong reaction at the time. I remember thinking, "You don't care about his situation! You just wanted an excuse to start talking!"
It's easy to be critical of this woman, but realistically, this kind of thing goes on all the time. I have done it to my wife and she has done it to me. I have seen pastors do it on many occasions. Few of us are immune. We are rarely listening; usually, we are just waiting impatiently for our turn to talk. We nod and agree in all the right places, but really we are pondering the next thing we are about to say.
It's a shame that so many of us are guilty of this offense, and it speaks volumes about how most people really feel about themselves and those around them. If you struggle with this as much as I do, then it ought to be very humbling when you realize just how difficult and rare it is to have a conversation with someone during which you are far more interested in what they are saying than what you are about to say. It's hard to clear our mind, offer our undivided attention and just listen.
If we dig deeper, we will discover that our egocentric conversations are just one of many ways in which we fail to demonstrate love for each other. I could just as easily point to any of a long list of ways we fail to keep this commandment. I chose this one because it is so subtle and pervasive that for the most part, we've simply stopped noticing that we've stopped listening. I'm sure if you were to ask the woman at the lunch table, she wouldn't have any idea that she had done anything wrong.
The next time you're speaking to someone, especially if they are hurting, make an effort to erase any thoughts of yourself. Instead, give them one hundred percent of your attention. Make a commitment to ensuring that they are able to get their point across, and don't worry about yours. It seems like such a small thing, but it will make a huge difference in not only how you perceive people, but how they perceive you.
You see, loving your neighbor is not like loving your spouse. It may not be something you feel, but it is something that you do. It's the act of sacrificing your own needs and desires for the sake of someone else.
You can demonstrate that love in such a meaningful way by just listening.”
I Wish You Blessings for Open Hearts and Open Ears,
Steve
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)