September 27, 2007

 

Dear Fellow Servant(s) of Christ:

 

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.” ~ Psalm 150:6.

This is a command for all to praise Him.  One day soon “…every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father.” ~ Philippians 2:10-11.  What an exciting privilege it is to be an ambassador to encourage others to praise and bow to our glorious God and Savior today!

 

Where has God taken SITG in the last few months?  Our travels have taken us to the Northside, Southside, Edgewood, Wilmerding, Wilkinsburg, Brookline, Bridgeville, and lots of places in between!  Some of our travels have been for bigger moves for our homeless women and some have been just items they needed to “fill in the gap”.  Some of our adventures have been to visit our new friends.  Whatever we do and wherever we go, we continue to proclaim Christ’s name with love and compassion.

 

In Wilkinsburg recently, while waiting for my mentee who was in the doctor’s office, I (Ruth) stepped outside to get some sunlight.  While leaning against the steps, I remember thinking, “God, I haven’t been able to tell anyone about you today”.  Next thing I know a woman walks by, turns around, comes back to me, and starts talking about her getting wisdom and knowledge!  What a joyous occasion it was!  We shared for about 30 minutes about the things of God and have since connected via telephone.  Jeremiah 20:9 ~ “…his message becomes like a burning fire inside me, deep within my bones.  I get tired of trying to hold it inside of me, and finally, I cannot hold it in.”  Whatever the desires of your heart are, He will give them to you!

 

Our year-long mentor program with Bethlehem Haven continues.  Out of five women we started with, two remain with us in the program.  Doesn’t sound so good, does it?!  But wait…one had a relationship with Maureen and her family for a few months and was shown and heard about Jesus’ love for her.  She since has died.  God in His beautiful way gave “Annie” Himself through Maureen just months before she met Him in eternity.  Our other two ladies have been clean from drugs for two years now.  We celebrate with them.  They both admit that SITG is a critical link in their lives to press on.  One of them sent a note:  “At least I know I have one person I can depend on (that being you)!”  She also said, “I’m grateful that the LORD put you into my life.” 

 

Our experience with Miryam’s (a partner of Bethlehem Haven) has been fruitful.  We have been introduced to three women. We take them shopping, to the movies, to doctor’s apppointments or lunch.  Our goal is to help them stay connected so they don’t end up homeless again.  They live in Bridgeville, the Northside, and Wilkinsburg.  Help is needed in this area.

 

Without trying, SITG is being exposed to others.  Jesus Christ is going before us.  Psalms 119 Ministries has used us as a resource and we have housed two women and their children in the last month ~ one in Brookline and one in Carnegie.  Interfaith Ministries-Circle 2 has called upon us for assistance with a woman who needed a bed for her teenager on the Northside.  All of these circumstances brought the gospel once again to these individuals.  We must thank Alexis at the Devonshire on McNeilly Street for referring furniture and supplies our way!

 

Pressley Street ~ We were introduced to this low-income housing unit about 1-1/2 years ago when we moved one of our first women.  Since that time, God has allowed us to bless these people with clothing, medical equipment, yarn, etc.  The other day a group of 14 (mostly Kail’s!) did a community service project at Pressley.  We did house cleaning, prayed for people in their apartments, and some residents tracked us down wanting bibles and to talk about Christ.  It was an exciting day for our Savior and His children.  There is a friendship developing with these people.  God is allowing SITG to make disciples in our local region through acts of kindness affecting these lives.  They are watching us closely and some are hungry for our Master.

 

As always and foremost in our hearts is the behind the scenes giving.  What you have accomplished recently:  a gas card was given to a young, godly, growing family; a woman with lots of children needed a bill paid to get her furniture out of storage; a Walmart gift card was supplied to a family in between jobs; a Shop N Save card was provided to an elderly woman who needed encouragement; supplies for the homeless women were purchased; a family whose dad had a lung transplant received a monetary gift; a T.V. stand for disabled woman at Pressley St. was delivered; a Walmart card for a single woman who needed help getting supplies for her two children for school; a Giant Eagle card was purchased for a troubled marriage situation; groceries to get our homeless women started before food stamps kick in were bought; a monetary gift to a financially-strapped couple; a monetary gift for a young girl going to culinary school who cut the tip of her finger off; towels and washcloths for two needy women at Pressley St. and diapers for a single mom.

 

Together with your continued prayers, gifts, and encouragement many more precious souls will be changed forever in Jesus’ name.

                                                                        Because He cares, gives, and live,

 

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