Hi everyone. I am leaving in the am for Boca Raton on the way to Nicaragua.
I wanted to share something with my Vineyard family about Susan, a homeless woman I have met. I have shared with many of you my attitude about the homeless that I would get angry just seeing them down on the square and sitting in the Library, etc. I started going down to help feed the homeless Thanksgiving. Since then the Lord has opened my eyes to look at people with His eyes. Not mine, mine just judged and critized. Susan, I did not know her name at the time, always sat over to the side always by herself. Not talking and keeping her head down. She had a soft hat pulled down to her eyebrows, and she wore a coat. Still does even as warm as it is now. She had bags and bags she carried every where with her. I started going over to her and just chatting a little She never spoke a sentence. I asked her name. Then I got bolder and asked her did she live by herself and outside. Another time I asked what she had done for a living at one time. She was a Carnie. For you young people that might not know, she worked in the Carnival. I do not know what her job was, but she was waiting for a carnival to come to town. One night I said she needed a cart for all her bags, and she said it cost money. I told her I would look around to see if I could find one. I was at Rene’s and Gina’s helping them move and would you believe it, there it sat, waiting for me to take it to Susan with their generous blessing. I think Susan was really pleased when I gave it to her, because she had all her bags in it before I got back to the serving table.
I know this is long, but you needed to know her background. Yesterday I was in the library getting some books and CD’s. Susan was at one of the computers and I stopped and spoke to her. I said I had to go and get the CD’s. She kept following me up and own each isle and waiting at the end. She never spoke, I thought she was looking for one too. Soon she said, I am going outside and I will wait for you. When I got out, she was sitting on the sidewalk waiting. She got up and I told her that I was going to Managua and would not see her for a few weeks. As I was leaving she put her arms around me and hugged me and I put my arms around her and hugged her. Who knows how long it had been since someone hugged her. Cliff, you would have been proud of me. She followed me to my car and the security guard was coming over to keep her from harressing me. I told the guard that she was a friend of mine. As I drove out onto the street in front of the library, she kept waving to me. You just don’t know how full my heart is just in telling you. Jesus said to look at people with His eyes.
Love and I will see you in a few weeks with our own Andrea. Kathy
, from Andrea G Burgess, Casa de Nueva Esperanza, Los Cedros, Nicaragua.
but I wasn’t too sure how the messages would go over. We have so many come and speak in a way that people can’t connect with. The longer I live here, the more I am personally challenged by this.
service. About 140 people participated, including some who had come to see their older brothers and sisters go through a public ceremony to commit their lives to Jesus. Sixteen people professed their faith. For several of the house church pastors who have joined our team, this was their first opportunity to do anything like this. It was very special for all of us. We are really proud of these guys; they are doing such a great job while facing so many challenges.
Vineyard of Gainesville