Well, we are well into another cold winter in Augusta (with this past week's temp getting into the high 70's!). We continue to make good effort in reaching and ministering to the homeless in downtown Augusta. God has been good and continues to bless us with great donors, donations & provision. We'd like to send a special thanks to Keith & Lexi Larson who spent a day making 60 sack lunches. I can't adequately explain the gratitude I could see on these people's faces when we handed out a bag full of food. Many of these men and women only see 1 meal a day. Thanks, Keith & Lexi, for being the hands & feet of Jesus!
Quick story about a man we met this past trip...Chester Hope. How very fitting that Warren Baptist, the church many of our group members attend, began a yearlong study on HOPE this past Sunday. This man, homeless & broke, exuded his last name. He told us stories about the opportunity he recently had to visit the land he grew up on in Burke County. He was able to do some maintenance & yard work on the property and you could tell it was something that he felt good about doing. When we asked a little more about his situation & why he was hanging around Mercy Ministries he said the he just felt a calling to help minister to some of the other men and women in the downtown area who were down on their luck. Basically, in his own words, God had called him to spread HOPE to the hopeless. It was an encouraging conversation and we committed to pray for each other in the upcoming weeks. So, please be in prayer for Chester, specifically that he would have God-sized encounters with those seeking Jesus & that he would be encouraged in his ministry.
Again, so very grateful for your support and partnership. We'd love to have anyone interested make a trip downtown with us. We go every other Wednesday (specifically for the next few months: 1/23, 2/6, 2/20, 3/6, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17).
So, in closing:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." Romans 15:13
Be Love!
Jamie for Kingdom Here
