February 11 and 18, 2012- Weather Permitting

The past two weeks have been very challenging. Joey Cruse went out on the 11th. There was a big challenge as it was very cold. There was not many present there, but the work has been done.

We have been able to help Susan to a larger degree as she has been in and out of the hospital with mouth sores. We continue to bring food and the gospel to these areas.

On the 18th we head out to Lancaster to Union Gospel Mission. There we found well over 100 homeless folk under shade from the rain. It was a steady downpour. Northwood Church accompanied us with 25 students and a few adults. Many were able to give out toiletries, sandwiches, and socks to help them out.

It was a blessing to serve alongside all these men and teenagers who have a heart to serve and help the poor. I am reminded from Acts 20 when Paul encouraged the believers of Ephesus he said this, "You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men that were with me. in everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

February 4, 2012- MHMR #9

Many prayer requests. It was a blessing as many of the patients had to go back home due to family members picking them up for the weekend. I was able to pray with Robert and several of the patients getting ready to leave.

Prayer Requests:
1. Robert's eye (pray for recovery)
2. Diana is still in the hospital
3. Charles is looking for a job, he looks distraught
4. Bob- his mother finally got in contact with him. H has a PhD in science and mathematics. No one knows what happened to his health.

We will kick back to the Bible study next week! See ya'll!

January 28, 2012- Joey and the Crew

Joey Cruse is our guest writer for this blog. Yay!

Seven members from NFWBC took off at 10am loaded with 50 dogs, sandwiches, chips, bananas, and water. It was great to have my friend, Rick Bracy along for the first time.

WE stopped by my office to pick up some clothes and a load of jackets. Bibles were also picked up. We also had Southwestern students join us, Brady, Kasey, and Joanna. We headed first to Maria's house.

They were still in bed but was able to come out. Maria and three of the girls came out to visit. Enough food and clothes were left over for lunch. Then we headed to the Texas Car Wash.

At the car wash, Ricky, Hector, and a couple regulars were there plus several new ppeople. They were all pretty drunk, but we were able to give them all jackets, socks, and gloves. A guy named Bobbie was in really bad shape with open sores all over his hands. He talked of how he had started drinking in 2005 and hasn't been sober since. He wishes he could. The Stewarts spent much of their time ministering and praying with him. I gave him a contact with Catholic Charities for rehab if he ever wanted to sober up.

From there we headed to the home on Mason where we knew Susan and Claudia would be. WE had a nice visit with the lady who owned the house, but Susan and Claudia weren't present. Susan was staying across the street in a garage with no electricity sleeping on a mattress. We left them lunch and groceries. Later, I found out Susan was kicked out with just the clothes she had on

The last stop took us to the park near the Shamrock station and Southside Church of Christ. We passed out all the clothes and had leftove rwhich we left to to about 20 people present there. Betty, Ruben, and many new faces got plenty of goods. They needed help and were very appreciative. Joanna and Rick were kind enough to give up their coats when we ran out of what we brought.

Please keep the household at 408 Gambreel Street in your prayers. This is where Susan ended up but she as bad as I've seen her in the last couple of years. I connected her and Claudia with my friend Rosa (who works at CC). She had to get into shelter and rehab in order to rent a place from CC. But they have to at least meet the minimal requirements. They had a baby and teenage girl there. We need lots of prayer in reaching this family. They need guidance and a hope that their lives would be changed.

Jesus does just that.

Till next time...

January 21, 2012- MHMR #8

Went to help out today as MHMR has been through alot. Just heard that this past Friday Robert had been hit by one of the patients, Brian, and shattered his orbital bone. He will be scheduled to have reconstructive surgery on the following Tuesday. Brian is moved to a different area.

Diana, Mary, and another new comer are all at the hospital for medication as they are having trouble coping with alot of trauma in being away from their families.

Keep praying for them. We went over John 9-10 and studied what Christ has done for them. It is the only church they have and they're really grateful!

Till next time.