Loving God and Neighbor in a foreign land
To keep it short, I am back alive and we only had to run out of the van once and take cover as a drone flew overhead and anti-drone fire erupted. We met up with a team that has done almost 300 runs since the war began. We had six distribution sites; two in cities at refugee centers, one at an at-risk youth center for refugees and families, and three in villages. The format was very familiar… we pulled in, I preached, we handed out food or hygiene, bibles, tracks, and animal keychains. I mugged it up everywhere because joy during a war heals. The little fuzzy animals made grown men smile more than the food. In the end we handed out over 420 food kits, perhaps close to 100 accepted the over of Jesus, and they felt seen. I was handed a water bottle full of home made birch beer, which is really sweetened birch sap. It is a traditional drink in the country. It said to me I am a welcomed person and not a stranger. Thank you for sending me.
Bryan
Last Week’s Update…stay connected!
Hey Fam,
God held the rain until just after we were done (as He usually does). It was a good day.
Logistics
Served: 80
Last week's leaders: Kenny,
Next week's leaders: Ruth, Bryan
Next week's preacher: Bryan
Gifts
Last week's: underwear
Next week's: socks
Looking Ahead
Thank you Wintonbury Church for providing the food!
Service (From Kenny)
Kelsey and I got to UHaul, picked up the truck, had a nice chat with our friends Will and Brendan, and loaded up the fan. Olivia from Wintonbrury dropped off all of the sandwiches which her life group made last night. She also brought chips, cookies, fruit, and granola. Wenda came by a little later with some water and granola as well. Thanks to Bryan for doing a lot of the legwork ahead of time! It made it easy. And thanks to Lisa for making and dropping off the coffee and creamer.
We got downtown at 11:30 . As we set up, it became quickly apparent that we had no sugar . Wenda and Kim went out, got some, and saved the day! Thankfully we didn't have too many people waiting.
We got into service a bit later than usual due to the coffee holdup (people refused to get any with no sugar ha), which was fine. Ed, JD, Kristie, Dustin gave readings and did great. The first reading from Acts talked about Paul calling out that the Greeks had a statue to "The Unknown God." I thought that was a good jumping off point for the message. So I asked the question "Do you know God?" The other readings actually flowed smoothly into forming the narrative of "Do you know God -> What does knowing God look like -> How do we know God -> What is the result of knowing God." I'm thankful for the Spirit's discernment throughout it all.
We had a good time of prayer and communion. During that time, Randall was a difficult day with his mental health. (a reminder) Mental Health is a disease and we need to understand how to respond to those suffering. An episode is not the time to try and engage it will only exacerbate the situation.
As the lunch line started, Ms. Wonderful was at the front (as always). She was very directly telling two people who tried to cut in front of her that the line was behind her. One of the ladies was saying something in tongues and said she was waiting in the library. I told her that's fine, we have enough for everyone, but these people were waiting here so you can go wait in line. She and Ms. Wonderful starting going back and forth and the unknown lady called her a name. I said that's enough and escorted her out, but not before she kept yelling at her stuff like "I curse the demons in you" and "I pray Jesus' blood over you." I just kept showing her the way out. (there will be times like this in any food distribution at any pantry. This is where we need to learn how to “help without hurting”)
So there were a few moments of confliction but overall it was okay. One guy Kenneth (he was the guy who yelled at Randall later) came up asking for prayer to be clean from alcohol. I asked if he wanted to go to detox and he said yes. I brought him to Benson. Benson said he would help him after service, and Kenneth said he would wait until the end of service to go, but he ran off sometime during the lunch section. I pray he finds the help he's looking for.
We finished well. It was a good day.
Blessings,
-Kenny
Community Church updates!
There were no meetings last week as I was away, but I was at River Ridge in Avon this week. I learned that two of the longtime residents had died while I was away. This is the second longest running community church and have been here for just over ten years and have walked with many of the residents as they transition from independent living to death.. This is the ultimate scope of the art of soul care; to prepare souls for death. Both of these women were full of the Spirit and of Faith and died with no regrets from what I knew. Join me in prayer for the family of Sylvia (bottom photo). I helped her after he husband died and knew them both well. Pray also for the family of Mary, who died peacefully in her sleep after 88 years of a life well lived. Pray also for me, Mary, and Elieen as we grieve the loss of our friends but not like the Gentiles do, without hope. It is hard to show up one day and find your friends are no longer at the table with you. Thankfully they are at the Table with Master of the Banquet.
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