homeless and impoverished

Today, I helped out at Home PDX, a church/friendly community for the homeless. It was simply great. My church, Evergreen Community, made pounds and pounds of pasta, bowls of salad, nearly 15 loaves of bread, and dozens of cookies. This was all to feed about 150 people. We had plenty for everyone and got to spend some time chatting with everyone after serving them. I hope everyone can do this sometime. The people there were so happy to talk with new people and they had some funny, as well as heart-wrenching stories.

One woman had left her husband after he broke her leg. She had to leave her daughter behind and has been living on the streets for four years. Her daughter is very angry with her and refuses to talk with her. Needless to say, this is devastating to her. She does, however, have a partner who treats her very well and he looks out for her as best as he can. Pray that she can contact her daughter and they will grow to love and understand each other. Also that she will be able to leave the streets.

Another man was talking about his frustration with God: he prays constantly yet sees no results. He is growing increasingly frustrated that God knows his needs, but won't provide them. I don't know what God's planning any more than the next person, but I would so love to give him hope and a promise that God will protect him. Pray that he will be patient and continue to praise God even in the hardest of times.

These stories were just from two people so please pray for the rest of those whose lives are just as difficult.

At the church in my hometown, there are two men from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who are building an orphanage for 80 children. They need continual funding and as much prayer as possible. Please pray for them, that the orphanage plans would continue without too many bumps in the road and the children would appreciate their love and dedication. I am planning on going there once I'm done with school and hopefully get all the children as healthy as possible. I'll be bringing toothbrushes, shoes, pots and pans hopefully, mosquito nets, and possibly medications for immunizations. This is still all in the planning phase, but I hope to get funds raised and supplies donated. Here is their website:

http://www.cityofrefugeinternational.org/about/about.htm

Please visit and see pictures and pray as much as possible for these children.

wow and rain

I love God. In case you didn't realize that. It always seems to be when I'm the most exhausted that He gives me the most strength. Self-pity starts taking hold, I start to become fed-up with being so over-worked, I become bitter with the world and what it is becoming, then He shows me something that completely changes how I think about the world at the moment.

Usually these moment-changing experiences are people who pop into and out of my life just to redirect me, to show that I am not alone, that I am loved and wanted. Sometimes it's all I can do to contain my excitement about being in love with God.

Today was another dreary April day in Oregon, complete with the expected rain/sun/showers rotating through the area every hour. As I was walking back from watching some school presentations, I began thinking about my life: friends, acquaintances, school, the future. Then it began to rain (not unexpected). It was one of those rains that you know is meant just for your enjoyment, water that sinks deep into your pores and reaches your innermost person and changes the entire day for you. One of those types of rains. When I got home, I was tired from thinking about everything in my life, but felt strong from that rain. The rest of the day was hard and tiresome, but the little things (like studying until delirium sets in, exchanging goofy emails) were so much better because of the rain.

It's hard to describe how I felt today (well, yesterday really). Relieved, stressed, blessed, peaceful, content, uneasy. But it was one of the feelings that lasts all day and you can't help but glow from the inside out. God is spectacular.

prayer request

I have a prayer request: my step-sister found out she has colon cancer and is now trying to decide if she should get chemo, radiation, surgery, or in what order. She and her husband are also trying to raise their three-year-old and can use any and all prayers you send their way. Also send some prayer for a different doctor since her doctor in her hometown treated her terribly and has harmed her in the past during childbirth, but the lack of physicians make it hard to leave this one.

My dad was remarried about three months ago and some more of the new family is having health troubles: thyroid cancer and atrial fibrillation (there are four heart chambers: two artia and two ventricles. Fibrillation is when some of the chambers start to quiver, cannot pump blood, and have no regular rhythm. This is when a 'defibrillator' is used.). My new stepmom also has some trouble with blood sugar and is pre-diabetic. Health problems all around.

Thank you all so very much. I will keep updating when new information comes up.