Once a month this summer and autumn, we've hosted a barbecue on our front lawn. It has been a sweet time of getting to know our neighbors and providing space for them to get to know each other. Through these and other interactions we found out about a neighbor's dog needing a surgery he couldn't afford due to limited income, and another neighbor inviting us to an infant baptism celebration. In the first case, we enlisted the support of a few friends so that Sam (the dog) gets his surgery this Friday. For our neighbor daughter's baptism, we had the opportunity to celebrate with this, get to know them better, and practice our Spanish!
Please pray for our neighbors. We ask the Lord to direct us to the needs, and how we can share Jesus' love in our neighborhood. We battle against the elemental forces as well as satan's lies and claims here. Many of our neighbors practice witchcraft and consult the elements of the earth. We sense spirits, suppression, and a battle on our street. We pray only light, truth and grace to be a part of our neighbors' lives. During this month as many celebrate Halloween, please join us in praying for Christ to reign not only in our neighborhood but in yours as well!
For the last couple of years, our family has volunteered at a food pantry operating out of a formerly affiliated church building located 2 blocks from our home. Three months ago, the building went up for sale. Our prayers focused on the possibilities of that space as a community center in our neighborhood - continuing the good work and services local groups were already providing as well as some we sensed God has placed on our hearts for our neighbors, as well! Our hearts were crying out to the Lord asking how we might purchase this property. Unfortunately, an individual bought it to convert to a B & B. She gave eviction notice to the 3 support services who'd been ministering in our community for years (the food pantry, an addiction recovery support group, and a hot meal site for the homeless in our neighborhood). Our hearts have been grieving this loss of services in our neighborhood but also what we truly believe is a building set aside to show the love of God through not only the services that were already offered there but additional ones that God had placed on our hearts. This is an unresolved vision/calling we aren’t sure how to let go. We share this with you just to let you know another facet of our prayer life for our neighborhood.
What’s happening in your autumn? How can we pray for all of you? In the past few months, we have heard of loved ones in Pennsylvania passing from the earthly church body to join the church in the heavenly body. And we have prayed for the family and friends that are still on earth grieving. We’ve also rejoiced with those of you experiencing new life as your families grow.
During this harvest season, may we rejoice with those rejoicing and grieve with those grieving. May this season be one of having eyes to see the blessings God has provided in our lives and who He has brought into our vision for us to proclaim that Jesus is Messiah, and there is freedom in His name!
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