December 18, 2011
What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Miracle on CLE's Public Square
Dear friends,
Yesterday morning, my devotions brought me to Isaiah 61. I wasn't searching it out, God brought it to me ... I go to this Catholic website and I follow the readings each day. It's one of my favorite chapters. Let me share a couple of the verses I claimed when God called me to minister.
Well, I saw this verse come alive at We Care. So many things have stuck out from yesterday, however here is the Christmas miracle. One of the ladies we minister to at the square last Monday had Darlene, Homer, Karen, Tom and I over for dinner and Tom (who is also our bus driver) decided that he was going to wear his Santa suit and bring some Christmas cheer to the homeless and hand out candy canes. We all thought it was a great idea.
So, I pull up in the ally at the square and I see a bunch of kids looking out the window of one of the restaurants pointing and I can see their mouths saying "Santa! Santa!" My friend, Karen describes it best ... some women came out and asked if we could come inside ... "He went in and was received with yells and laughter and waves !!!
For the next hour or more Tom sat in the chair and held each child on his lap while they received their Christmas toy. But....the story gets more miraculous. The owner of the restaurant was giving this party for women and their kids of a homeless shelter !! (exactly our ministry) AND the Santa Claus that was coming had cancelled. She prayed earlier that day that it was God who would be the one who could make this happen. So here we were feeding the homeless but God brought Tom there at the right time to fill in. The kids were so excited and we all stood in awe at the timing of it all." It was so amazing to be a part of this Christmas miracle. I keep thinking, wow, what if Tom didn't have a Santa suit ... or what if he decided it was a crazy idea and didn't wear it? Can you imagine how disappointed those kids would have been with out a Santa. I mean that's not what Christmas is all about, however, to bring a little bit of joy to a child who live in a shelter ...
When we went into the women's shelter, I went ahead of our group and I walked into the common room and noticed a Christmas tree was up and decorated with home made ornaments. I was brought to tears when I saw this. The ladies at the shelter made each one ... and I talked to some of the ladies who asked "did you see my ornament?" they were so proud of their work. I had brought some candy canes with me too, and I was handing them out, when the conversation with one of the ladies, "C" turned to she wasn't doing good. I shoved my basket into the hands of someone else and said "here, you're in charge" and went and spoke with "C" ... she had shared that Saturday was her first night in the shelter, her son had thrown her out of the house because he wasn't on the deed she had to leave. She had broke into tears, I could see the fear and sense of loss in her eyes. Her father had passed away last month and she hadn't had time to grieve his loss. I asked her if she knew Jesus, she said she was a Muslim and wasn't ready for that. However, she said she has faith and she asked me to pray for her. And as we sat there, a group of volunteers were singing Christmas carols. "C" started to sing along to "O Holy Night". God is working in her, she even expressed interest in Bible study.
I also met "M" yesterday as well, a lady maybe in her 50's who said she was in there for circumstances she couldn't control. I knew she was a Christian and I just observed her walking around and ministering to the ladies there. She had a sweet spirit. When she saw me with candy canes, she told me about the candy cane poem and she went to her room and brought it out to read. Well it was loud and my voice was going because of the choir performance I had done earlier. Well, "J" said she would read it. She did ... well, I talked to "J" she shared that she was in the shelter because her husband tried to kill her a couple years ago, he's in jail but his family was trying to get her. Pray for "J" she is getting an apartment this week.
There was so much going on. It's exciting to see the ladies at the shelter and talk to them, some of the older ladies have taken the younger ones under their wings and they are also doing small Bible studies in their rooms. God is working, and I'm glad He has called me to be a part of it.
Serving Him,
Becky
Yesterday morning, my devotions brought me to Isaiah 61. I wasn't searching it out, God brought it to me ... I go to this Catholic website and I follow the readings each day. It's one of my favorite chapters. Let me share a couple of the verses I claimed when God called me to minister.
"1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.t2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come,t and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies."
So, I pull up in the ally at the square and I see a bunch of kids looking out the window of one of the restaurants pointing and I can see their mouths saying "Santa! Santa!" My friend, Karen describes it best ... some women came out and asked if we could come inside ... "He went in and was received with yells and laughter and waves !!!
For the next hour or more Tom sat in the chair and held each child on his lap while they received their Christmas toy. But....the story gets more miraculous. The owner of the restaurant was giving this party for women and their kids of a homeless shelter !! (exactly our ministry) AND the Santa Claus that was coming had cancelled. She prayed earlier that day that it was God who would be the one who could make this happen. So here we were feeding the homeless but God brought Tom there at the right time to fill in. The kids were so excited and we all stood in awe at the timing of it all." It was so amazing to be a part of this Christmas miracle. I keep thinking, wow, what if Tom didn't have a Santa suit ... or what if he decided it was a crazy idea and didn't wear it? Can you imagine how disappointed those kids would have been with out a Santa. I mean that's not what Christmas is all about, however, to bring a little bit of joy to a child who live in a shelter ...
When we went into the women's shelter, I went ahead of our group and I walked into the common room and noticed a Christmas tree was up and decorated with home made ornaments. I was brought to tears when I saw this. The ladies at the shelter made each one ... and I talked to some of the ladies who asked "did you see my ornament?" they were so proud of their work. I had brought some candy canes with me too, and I was handing them out, when the conversation with one of the ladies, "C" turned to she wasn't doing good. I shoved my basket into the hands of someone else and said "here, you're in charge" and went and spoke with "C" ... she had shared that Saturday was her first night in the shelter, her son had thrown her out of the house because he wasn't on the deed she had to leave. She had broke into tears, I could see the fear and sense of loss in her eyes. Her father had passed away last month and she hadn't had time to grieve his loss. I asked her if she knew Jesus, she said she was a Muslim and wasn't ready for that. However, she said she has faith and she asked me to pray for her. And as we sat there, a group of volunteers were singing Christmas carols. "C" started to sing along to "O Holy Night". God is working in her, she even expressed interest in Bible study.
I also met "M" yesterday as well, a lady maybe in her 50's who said she was in there for circumstances she couldn't control. I knew she was a Christian and I just observed her walking around and ministering to the ladies there. She had a sweet spirit. When she saw me with candy canes, she told me about the candy cane poem and she went to her room and brought it out to read. Well it was loud and my voice was going because of the choir performance I had done earlier. Well, "J" said she would read it. She did ... well, I talked to "J" she shared that she was in the shelter because her husband tried to kill her a couple years ago, he's in jail but his family was trying to get her. Pray for "J" she is getting an apartment this week.
There was so much going on. It's exciting to see the ladies at the shelter and talk to them, some of the older ladies have taken the younger ones under their wings and they are also doing small Bible studies in their rooms. God is working, and I'm glad He has called me to be a part of it.
Serving Him,
Becky
Friday, August 5, 2011
"Poverty steals children's potential and . . .
. . .in doing so steals from all us."- Marian Wright Edelman Did you know?
|  |
- Kids Cafe--sponsored by Cleveland Foodbank and Feeding America.
- Backpack for kids--sponsored by Cleveland Foodbank and Feeding America. Currently over 1,300 children receive backpacks each week.
Programs for all Ages
Frequently Asked questions
Connect with the Foodbank
website, Facebook, Twitter
Connect with Feeding America
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Flicker
Thursday, August 4, 2011
God is an "On Time God"
Friends,
I stepped "out of the box" so to say in ministry on Monday ... well, out of my box, out of my comfort zone of homeless ministry. But I was far from uncomfortable. It was a great time and I was truly blessed.
As some of you may recall, Emily brought residents from where she works to church on Sunday night. Well, that is where I started talking to Willa. This sweet lady who sang "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" along with our ensemble. I talked to her after church on Sunday night for a little, but they had to leave.
Well, Monday night after work, I decided to stop by at Summner to visit Willa, even though it was one of the long days for me! But I know I made the right choice. We had a great visit and to hear stories about her kids and her grandson. She then talked about her family, how she was robbed by a cousin, about losing her husband at a young age, how she had two strokes and was told she wasn't going to make it, but though the grace of God she made it through and He has plans for her! One of them is to encourage me.
She kept saying that "God is an on time God." I just needed to hear that. There is a song by Dottie People's called "On Time God". It says "He's an on time God, yes He is. He may not come when we want Him, but He'll be there right on time." I needed that, there are some things I've been praying for and waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting. And I believe I'm seeing this unfold. God coming just in time and the wait is almost over.
Is there something in your life that you are praying for and asking God for? Make sure you are in His will ... stay in the Word, stay in prayer, go to church and keep serving Him. I am so thankful we have an on time God!
I will leave you with a verse
"God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful." 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NLT ... I am claiming this verse!
I am looking forward to my next visit with Willa and the encouragement she has!
Serving Him,
Becky
Original post on August 4, 2011 at 12:17am as note on Becky Phillip's Facebook page.
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Dottie Peoples - He's An On Time God Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com
Friday, July 22, 2011
Providence House
Confidential, temporary shelter for children (birth to 5 years old) who are at risk of becoming victims of violence or neglect.
Of those served:
60% of children were at risk for abuse/neglect
48% of families were homeless
- One in three children had a caregiver with a medical crisis
- One in ten children had a caregiver affected by a mental health crisis
- One in 11 children was a witness to domestic violence
Our results: 99% of the families served are reunited with 86% of those families complying with the full range of services.
More great AWARENESS videos produced by Medical mutual can be found by clicking here.
Providence House, Inc.
216-651-5982
2037 W. 32 Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Connect with them:
Website, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Lakeside 2100
On January 1, 2005 Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry began administering the men's shelter at 2100 Lakeside Avenue in Cleveland. The shelter serves up to 350 men per night with an additional 30-60 beds available as needed at partner provider overflow sites.
The staff offers hope while providing tangible services for men in transition and in crisis. Six communities within the shelter address men's individual journeys, providing appropriate supports along the way: Entry, Decision, Transformation, Work, Partnership, Service.
- Serves 350 men on a given night
- Length of stay in emergency shelter program: one night to 4 months
- Services:
- Provides for basic needs: meals, bed, shower, laundry
- Provides for veterans, mental health & drug/alcohol assessment and referral
- Provides case management to assist clients in developing domestic skills, higher education, job readiness/training, D/A recovery, emotional stability
- Provides & facilitates referrals to transitional housing, treatment, permanent housing
Carol Fredrich,
Executive Director
cfredrich@lutheranmetro.org
Visit the Portraits of Homeless exhibit--online or in person.
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