July 18, 2007

Dear Fellow Servant(s) of Christ:

 

What a glorious God we have!  We are learning to wait on Him, we are seeing His hand answer prayer, and He is revealing Himself in ways we never could have imagined!  June was a slower month but that came to an end in July!  There is so much happening.  Here goes!

 

We brought on board a long-time friend, Dawn Hurley.  In Job 2:3, God describes his servant             Job.  This is who Dawn is.  “She is an honest and innocent woman, honoring God and staying away from evil.”  She shares, “As I, Dawn Hurley, agreed to join Standing In The Gap, the Lord put a verse upon my spirit.  ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.’  Colossians 3:23-24.  At my first SITG meeting, Ruth shared some excerpts from an article by Joyce Meyer, “Living Life on a Whole New Level”.  In her writing, Joyce asks us to “surrender your soul-your mind, will and emotions-to God, and let Him give you His grace to see and choose the more excellent ways”.  I challenge you to choose to be a person who will go the extra mile.  By being a person of excellence, we can give the glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Standing In The Gap gives us this opportunity.  “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.”  Nahum 1:7.  Because of Dawn’s passion for the things of our King, God has used her to bring additional exposure to SITG.  We have been blessed to talk with Hillcrest Christian Academy staff and workers.  Also, as a result of this meeting, we were referred to Compassion Connection, a ministry of South Hills Assembly of God.  We will be able to refer individuals who need additional help with recovery issues, parenting classes, financial budgeting, etc.  On the other hand, SITG will assist where Compassion Connection needs our services.

 

Bethlehem Haven (homeless shelter downtown that we have been involved with) has now merged with another homeless facility, Miryam’s.  They have asked SITG if we would help with women who have been placed in apartments but need help once or twice a month with rides to get groceries, the food bank, a doctor’s appointment, etc.  In this way, we shine for Jesus and assist to keep the women in their homes and not returning to the streets again.  We need your help in this area.  You will be blessed.  Marsha Nylund continues to follow-up with our women by sending them notes of encouragement and devotions that she writes on a monthly basis.

 

We have been praying and researching on whether we should rent a storage unit for the furniture that individuals donate while we are in between moving women.  We thank Jim and Bernice Culligan for letting us use their upstairs apartment while we grew.  Last Monday, Elaine Grant felt impressed to go to South Hill Movers and talked with Bonnie Pierce about the ministry and what all God is doing and our need.  She shared with her the golden nuggets of 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15.  They graciously donated a space for us to use!!  Praise God!   He went before us.

 

A website has been started for us by Dave Mueller!  We are hoping that by the next newsletter it will be more official, and we will encourage you to check it out!  We have been encouraging a young man, Jason Kuchera, who is starting a ministry called BOW Ministries.  He and his people have planned a Christian free concert on Saturday, August 4^th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Canonsburg Town Park.  He is looking for alter helpers.  If you would like to help, please call him at (412) 736-9576.  May many respond to our Savior.  He is worthy!

 

After a tiring week begging young people to repent and live for God with seemingly no response, I (Ruth) asked Jesus if He would please let me tell someone about Him.  At 3:00 p.m. that same day, a phone call came in from a young woman who had been referred to SITG.  She needed furniture and was coming out of an abusive relationship trying to start over.  In the course of our conversation, she asked me, “Do you people have programs?”  I said to her, “What kind of programs are you looking for?”  She says, “I need counseling.  I want to get saved and I don’t know how to.”  I  about fell off of my chair!  Our God is so faithful!  I led her to the Lord and the next day, the “silver bullet” (Batchelder’s van) headed to Wilkensburg with furniture, household items, and a bible for her.  It was a sweet visit.  He gives us the desires of our hearts.     

 

Your monetary and household gifts continue to minister to precious people in Jesus’ name here in Pittsburgh.  In May, June and July, you have helped five homeless women with their apartments; gifts of encouragement for the elderly; dinner and coffee for two homeless teenagers that received the gospel on the Southside; help with some bills for a woman recovering from alcoholism; bus tickets and mattresses for two women; a monetary gift for a missionary family on furlough; dinner, furniture, and household items for a woman with nine boys and one girl whose house burned down in McKeesport; a woman and her 16-year old son moved here from Erie after her 18-year marriage died and her husband kicked her out of the house.

 

God has been faithful to His word.  In Isaiah 42:16, it says, “Along unfamiliar paths I will guide them.”  He is guiding and you are right here with us.  Thank you for your encouragement and support.

                                                                                    Because our Savior cares, lives & gives,

 

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