An unmistaken sound. . .

Sunday evening a few minutes into Dave Ramsey' FPU, a phone rang in the auditorium. My eyes rolled back in my head, thinking about the disturbance that had been created(much like the one I created on Wednesday night with my phone). The disturbance was followed by a look of tragedy on the face of the one who received the call. Pam Gonzales had just been notified. Notified that her son had been in an accident and not survived. Tragedy visited the meeting place of the Lord's people.
When I saw her face I new something bad had happened. She yelled to Lorenzo that they needed to go. I got there and grabbed her and hugged her. She looked me in the face and said, He's seeing God's face now. I nodded and said yes. Then the sound happened, a sound I have heard as a chaplain many times, the sound much like a wail and a sob combined. A sound that comes from deep within a mother's heart. A sound that means a part of the mother has left this world and gone on, thank goodness for Pam and family, gone on to be with God.
I was proud of the response of God's family Sunday. Many wept for the loss of Pam and her family. Many associated this event with one they had experienced in their own family. Many asked what we needed to do. We have to let Pam and Lorenzo experience the loss, that's what I repeated over and over. There are no words that fix this, all words seem trivial or even trite. We held them, hugged them, paced with them. We took them to a private room and let others come and speak their condolences. We called their family for them. Finally, we helped them get home, make arrangements to go to their son's and daughter-in-law's home in the mid west. We washed their dishes and helped them pack their clothes. By the way I did not do this alone, many people helped them in this time of need. Thursday we will lay Sean to Rest, then,Pam and Lorenzo will try to sort it all out. Thank God for the church who will support them through this tragic event.

I do not look forward to hearing that sound again, I am sure I will as I serve God and this community as a law enforcement chaplain.

Family Promise final comments for this Rotation. . .

A seven day stretch is all each of the visits lasts. Sometimes it seems shorter, sometimes longer. Our guests this time were very subdued. One family has the routine down pretty well and were very helpful. One family seemed to follow well. One family overwhelmed as they were just entering the program.
The families left a thank you note on the fridge in the multi-purpose room thank us for our hospitality. I hope they saw Jesus at our building. I cannot imagine what it like to go home to a different church building each week. But the church building is better than a place by the river or sleeping in a car.
One of the families left a prayer on the whiteboard in one of the rooms. A lot of fear eminated from the words of the prayer. I pray that God will give them peace.
I want to thank the 7 couples/families that stayed over as night hosts. Also, I want to thank those who provided the meals. Glenn's group, the Cowan's group, the Natzke family, Corey Long, My Wed night fellowship/dinner group, the Higganbotham Family, the Cobleigh Family and any others who provided food.
This is a great team effort to pull off. I thank God for everyone's continued interest in serving the homeless population through the Family Promise Network.

Give God the Glory,

Buddy

Family Promise . . .

So far we have had an uneventful week. Uneventful from the coordinators point of view that is. For the families involved in this process/program it has to viewed as an adventure. The rooms that they call home will be classrooms tonight and then later their home again. The dining room will become cluttered with many people looking for their classrooms for this evenings bible study. I am sure its difficult for them, however, they are not by the river or in some alley. In fact they are in God's house, a place where we attempt to create a safe haven of rest for them.
We have had two different small groups provide evening meals, both smelled and looked wonderful. Thank you to the Cowans' group and to Dr. Glen's group for a job well done. Sheila and Jennifer have done a great job, my thanks to them.

We have three familes and a total of ten people. 5 Children and 5 adults. One family just entereed the program yesterday. Pray for all of these individuals. Pray for them to find jobs, housing and that they will find or remain faithful during this struggle that they are in.


Buddy

Family Promise Rotation # 4

It always seems like yesterday we were delviering the beds to the next congregation and then here the beds are being delivered again. Here is how it really happens . . . Two weeks out from when our new guests arrive I notify our food and overnight coordinators that FP is coming. They start recruiting so that we will have all our bases covered. One week out I always wonder if it will be covered. Then it happens, everything fills up and we wait for people to show up. I am always excited for each rotation to occur. Pray for the seven individuals coming our way. Pray that we will be a blessing to them. May Christ be seen in us.

Buddy

Sister Holly. . . .

The greatest gift God gives is eternal life. Ranking next to that is how He lets His followers to work in that process. What an awesome blessing it is to be a part of the birth of a "new" Christian. Holly has been seeking God for a long time and has lifted up many of her families struggles to God in the past few years. Last during our opening prayer time she requested a prayer for her bosses' wife who has been stricken with and aneurysm. She asked after services why she (Holly) was not addressed as Sister Holly. The discussion that ensued ended up with her wanting to become a sister in the faith by putting on Jesus in Baptism. Praise God!

Welcome to the family Sister Holly!

Buddy

Change for China

Martin and Marcus Rodriguez brought the word of God in tandem this past Sunday at Davis Park. These young men are on fire for God and spreading His message in multiple languages. Just 3 years ago they left Californinia to "go and teach" in China. Even when their Chinese skills were limited God's word convicted people of their sin and many come to know Jesus as their savior.
Their work continues, as they spend time in language school learning more and more about China and the language of the people there.
The message was insightful and direct to us in the American Church. The China Team is approaching evangelism through the use of stories. Each person is changed when they come in contact with Christ and must decide how He will impact their life. Will Jesus be your savior or your judge? The new Christians in China are taught that it is OK to tell your conversion story. They are taught that the conversion story will be upsetting to some and hurtful to others. However, no matter how someone reacts to the story, you still tell the story. Martin's comment, If it means going to jail for telling the Christ story, thats OK, because God wants His story told. Arrested for the gospel means only one thing. Prison Ministry!
Here is some information regarding telling your story. Learn to tell the story of how your life is different because Christ has become a part.

Remember when God came to you in your deepest need and reconciled you to Himself. Forgiveness and Salvation were given to you, this message that changed you, will still change the world. God calls you to bear witness about Christ in everything you do so that the truth of the Gospel of Christ may go out to the rest of the world.

What should my story include?

Gratitude to God for His ability to reach you.

A brief bio sketch about yourself.

Talk about how you bumped into God or how he bumped into you.

Learn meaningful scripture to include in your story.

Talking about what it felt like when you realized you were saved.

Make a brief statement of belief.

Remind people that God helps people survive the problems of this world.

Thank you God for changing my life and allowing me to have Christ in my story.


Buddy