We appreciate all the prayers coming our way as the Lord directs each detail of this ministry. There are still a lot of unknowns but God's word gives us a lot of things to stay focused on!
A verse I mentioned before:
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. - (Matthew 6:33)
This verse is followed by:
"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. - (Matthew 6:34)
Another reminder:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. - (Philippians 4:6)
We trust the Lord has everything that we need! We are keeping our eyes fixed on Him and seeking Him above all else. But the Lord is wonderful about allowing us to be used to bless others! As the details unfold and as people are reached for Christ, perhaps you will feel led to be used in this ministry by offering resources in addition to prayers! Some things we are trusting God to provide as we continue to seek Him:
A location which would include land and some sort of house or building that can be used for housing people. We are interested in staying in New Hanover County in the Wilmington, NC area. We are trusting that God has the perfect option so that this ministry will be able to be an avenue of leading people to Himself. Our thought is to be able to be located a bit out of town so that people coming in trying to get off drugs do not have the temptation of drugs being available right around the corner. If you have land or housing available in New Hanover County and God is calling you to donate or sell or rent it inexpensively, please seek the Lord's guidance and contact us to share what God is speaking to you!
Once a location is established, household items, such as beds, dressers, couches, etc will be needed. At this time we are not certain of all that this list will include, and at this time we do not have anywhere to store large items. So, if you have things available locally, and are willing to hold on to them for us, that would be awesome and appreciated!
Blessing Bag items, please see our previous post for item suggestions! We are also open to other suggestions as well!
Household jobs - this is a really important one! As things unfold the goal is for Mike to be able to bring the men in and teach them skills that they will be able to use when they leave the ministry. The pay from jobs will not go directly to any one person, they will go right into funding the ministry to continue to pay for things to keep the ministry running (electric bill, food, vehicles, gasoline, etc etc). Mike is very experienced in painting, drywall, home repairs, kitchen and bathroom remodel, flooring, and more. As this progresses we will hold all proper insurances for ensuring the professional completion of your jobs. If you have a job that you need done and you're not on an urgent time frame (because we don't yet have people), please contact Mike to see if it is a job he has the skill to complete and please consider hiring us in the near future! Please be aware that the people coming in will have strict rules and Mike will be with them on all jobs. Although these men may be coming in from some pretty rough backgrounds, they will be required to remain sober at all times while with us. No one will be forced to come to this ministry, it will be by choice to come in and live by the rules. There will be a level of faith involved, but please keep in mind we are allowing these people to live in the same facility as our children. We will not send anyone into your home that we feel would be an endangerment to your household. Please also keep in mind that we will charge fair prices and your payments for any job will be assisting in changing many lives!!!
Monetary donations are also of course very needed and welcomed in any amount. All donations will be put to good use and I will be glad to share our records of expenses with anyone interested. This vision was put in our hearts nearly 9 years ago and at that time I had shared some of our dreams with a woman in Kmart in Jacksonville, NC. I had never met this woman before but she handed me a $20 bill. That gesture instilled so much faith in my heart! And guess what, to this day I still have that exact $20 bill!! Please be assured that whatever God leads you to give will be used wisely to bless and change lives through the message of our hope in Jesus!!
Many who come across this blog and read this post will already be giving generously to many people and organizations. If you feel God wants to use you to give to this ministry, trust Him to use your donations for His glory and remember:
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Another beautiful reminder:
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. - (Romans 12:4-8)
In Christ, we are all one! The ministry you are involved in, we are involved in. The ministry we are involved in, you are involved in. Seek Him, trust Him, and obey Him. If you're not hearing Him tell you to give, then He has another way to use you and that is OK!! But if you would be so kind, please pray that God puts the right people in our path and speaks to those who have the means to give what is needed!
Stepping out in faith, trusting Him, and so excited to watch God's plan unfold -- because after all:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Thanks for reading and God bless you!!
~Sarah <3
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