The Final Days of January

We ended this month by celebrating Pam's 48th Birthday on the 29th. We took a little road trip to Palm Beach Gardens to visit my Dad and have some family around to enjoy this great day of Pam's. She was blessed with some very special phone calls, text, cards, a dinner out, and a few gifts. And to those who know my wife, she couldn't go without blessing someone else to make her day complete. So, on Saturday when we returned to the Orlando area we stopped at the 7-Eleven to pick up some cat food, Ramon Noodles and a homemade Apple Pie before going to visit our new friends, Captain Rafael and the gang, our homeless men. They have adopted a stray cat and named her, Ruby, and had told us the 7-Eleven around the corner was allowing them to get a cup with hot water for the noodles, which are great for these cold and rainy days we are having. Pam also found a Max Lucado book for Rafael, as he told her he was his favorite Christian author. We were so excited to hear that Rafael and Carmelo have both found work. They couldn't wait to tell us this great news. Rafael is also moving forward in getting his original birth certificate to get his license back. The men are hoping the money from the new jobs will help them find a room to rent out and get off the streets. We pray this happens soon!! We shared with our new friends that next weekend would be our last visit with them as we are wrapping up our time at RMH and will be moving on.

Praise Report

A week ago yesterday we were blessed to have had the opportunity to go into Florida Hospital to pray with a family over their little baby boy, Heriel. The family was told their baby was in critical condition. He was having trouble breathing,his oxygen level was low, and he wasn't eating much. Plus they found out through a brain scan that half of his brain is bleeding internally on one side. Yesterday, while we were at the RMH the parents came to tell us the great news. Heriel was doing so well that they were moving him to another floor and in his own room. His breathing was much better, his oxygen level was higher and his intake of food has increased, all in just one week. They will also be removing his breathing tube.  Thank you Jesus!!  This has given hope to these parents and they are seeing God's healing, love and faithfulness first hand. Praise be to our God!!

Ministry Update

We have been witnessing to a family at the RMH, who on Monday evening, after we prayed for them. asked if we would come to the hospital and pray over their little boy. So, on Tuesday we went into the Florida Hospital NICU and prayed over 31b 40z little Heriel. On Thursday evening, while we were back at the house they came and told us they have already seen a difference in his oxygen level and he is breathing more on his own. They are giving credit to where credit is due, Jesus. PTL!!
We went to visit with our homeless men today. They too are giving Jesus all the glory for our help. Rafael, who I have nick-named, "captain", as he's in charge and helping all the others and keeps us updated on everyone, spoke with us today about how we show Jesus' love to them. He said the track inside the food bags have changed his and some of the others thinking. He asked how can he go to church every Sunday and they have not offered to do anything for him knowing he is homeless, and here we are coming back week after week to make sure they are alright?  He told us that he can see Jesus' love in us by our actions. James did say that faith without works is dead. People don't care what you have to say until they know you care. We stayed for quite awhile talking with them today and building their faith up in Christ. We are seeing the seeds starting to grown. It is not what you can't do, but what you can. A little love goes a long way and Christ can do a lot with little.

Seeds beginning to produce.

For the past month we have been witnessing and praying for an Indian family who are staying at the RMH. We have had many conversations about our faith with this family.  Why our faith is not about rituals or religion, but a relationship with our God. The One, True God. Why we can stand on His promises because it is about what Jesus has done, not on what we do. This family shared that they pray for hours a day, have gone and done all they were told by the many gods, and are low on faith as they have not seen any difference in their daughter's illness. On Tuesday night, while Earl was at the front desk at the house Mr. S. came and asked Earl to share Jesus with him. He wanted to know more about our God, who we praised and seemed to love so much. Earl was delighted. Mr. S. did not received Jesus as Lord, but we know he heard the truth and his heart was open for the Holy Spirit to move as He wishes. The family has now gone home and we wait to hear of their daughter's healing and their conversion to our Lord and Savior, for we know it is just a matter of time. When they arrived home they text us a picture of their entire family wishing us well and thanking us for sharing the gospel, our love, and giving them hope. 
We have continued to visit with our group of men, bringing them more food bags and items that they need. Friday we dropped off wooden pallets so they could sleep on something other than the hard, cold concrete. They were very thankful. We also gave them a few dollars to go buy some hot coffee at the store a block away as it was getting cold.

Saturday's Outreach

God blesses us so we can bless others. Every time we get an opportunity to bless someone, I believe it is God's way of blessing us right back. What joy this brings us. It is truly greater to give than to receive.
We went out Saturday in search of Eddie. We wanted to check on him and see if there were other things he needed that we could help with. Sadly, we did not find him. Instead we met Larry on a street corner. The first thing we noticed was he was wearing no shoes. After shaking his hand and introducing ourselves we asked him if he had any shoes. He said yes, they were just in his cart drying out from the rain the night before. We then handed Larry some new socks and hoped that would help while his shoes dried and to cover his bare feet. The second thing we noticed was Larry's wardrobe. It was some type of material, maybe an old blanket or rug, that he had draped over him and tied around his waist with a piece of rope. We gave him a jacket, which he was thrilled to have, a bottled water and food bag while we ministered the gospel to him. We continued on to our regular location, where the group of men who we've been witnessing to hangout, and were able to give those who needed rain ponchos, backpacks, jackets,waters and a food bag to. We were welcomed with friendly greetings, warm smiles and handshakes from our now trusted new friends, who introduced us quickly to a few new men who were there. One gentleman asked us if we had a Bible for him. He was excited when we said," yes, we sure do." The word is beginning to spread throughout the homeless community about the PAID4U Ministry.

Eddie

Today we headed out to restock our supplies for the homeless. Our first stop was a Family Dollar store. As we were loading up our cart with ponchos, more food, and other supplies Earl noticed a homeless man buying a small snack. He was concerned as he noticed this man was shaking and very fragile looking. Earl followed him out the door and spoke with him. He was cold, with very little clothing, which was torn and filthy. Eddie could barely get out his name, for he has trouble speaking, and spelt his name to Earl instead. Earl told him to wait one minute and went to our vehicle to grab a water and food bag, which includes a PAID4U gospel track. that we keep with us. Then Earl came back into the store and bought a nice warm hoodie for him. When Earl put the jacket on for him and zipped it up, Eddie let out a sigh as a way of saying, "thank you for the kindness", and smiled. Earl's heart was broken for the state of this man, so much so that he had to hold back tears knowing he needed medical attention but we couldn't do any more. We finished up there and then went to Walmart to pick up some socks, back packs and other supplies we could not find there. We will head back out this coming weekend to pass these items out.
We want to thank everyone for their love offerings as the ministry is growing and more supplies are needed, as people's needs are getting worse and worse. It's so hard to turn away from those in need. Our hearts want to help them all. Thank you for joining us in prayer and helping us to provide for those in need.

Weekend Outreach

We returned on Saturday night to our group of homeless men that we've been visiting weekly. Word has gotten out that we come with food and items, so there were many more there this evening. We  passed out all our food bags,waters, jackets, blankets & socks. It was late and cold and we asked if they were hungry. Since many said yes we drove a block or two and picked up some soda and hot pizzas. Boy, were they grateful for that. Earl got a chance to share his testimony about what God has done for him. It was powerful and the men seemed to appreciate him sharing. They asked if we could look for backpacks and hoodies. We will be restocking all our items as we know many more will be in need when we return again.

End of the Year Outreach

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
We spent New Year's Eve at the RMH serving up a great meal of Lasagna, garlic bread, salad, soda and cookies. They had a couple of new families check into the house, who we have added to our prayer list. We visited with Adam, who is doing great after his liver transplant, and enjoyed our time with some of the other families we've become close with.
Today we began the New Year by bringing snacks, water, socks, blankets & jackets to some of the homeless men we've been visiting with. We wanted to make sure they were o.k. as it's going to get much cooler tonight. We're praying that this upcoming year will be the biggest soul winning year
 yet for the Body of Christ. Let us all do our part. Time is running out. Blessings to you all.