Brockton - November 10, 2024

Here is an update from the LYNN Ministries team that served 112 meals in Brockton today.

Today was a cool, crisp fall day. Though we were only a couple minutes late, a line of about 15 people was already formed when we pulled into the parking lot behind Pastor Roberto’s church. We were greeted with smiles and warm words as we hurried to get our tables, food and beverages out of the back of the truck. Usually when we say a prayer of grace before the meal there are only a few people gathered. Today there were over 20. The hearty “Amens” affirmed what I already knew from serving in the past: the vast majority of our guests believe in God and are thankful for the food and kindness they receive each Sunday.

Joanne had a big box of candy donated by The Church of Emmanuel, Foxboro and she invited everyone to take a few pieces. It’s funny how something as simple as getting to pick out a few pieces of candy can put people in a good mood. One woman delighted finding the Swedish Fish. It was an easy conversation starter, “What’s your favorite candy?” Many of our conversation begin with simple questions like this, and, over time, grow into much deeper conversations about life, challenges, joys, and faith.

Our menu today was aloha chicken and rice, snacks. Baked goods and fruit.

Joanne has been learning Creole so we can communicate with our Haitian guests. While she feels her skills are still very basic, we are thankful for her ability to communicate. More importantly it shows the depth of our desire to serve them, which of course we do in God’s name for His glory!

We had the opportunity to pray with a lot of people…

- Desiree is excited her son will start preschool this week. We pray he does well and makes friends. We also pray for Desiree that she might have patience and wisdom in this new stage of parenting.

- Donna asks that she might get housing and keep positive as she waits.

- We met a lovely young woman who’s just recently come to Brockton. She prays for housing and the ability to find safe, quiet, uncrowded places where she can find peace during the day.

- We prayed with Joseph whose mom recently died. He holds tight to God even when sad or struggling.

- Alfredo asks for prayer for peace for the world, and for those caught up in wars.

- Ashley asks for prayers for two people as as safety, and to avoid threats and arguments

- Akea prays for relief of the pain in her hands.

- Alfredo asks for prayers for his back pain

- Rachel asks for prayer first all the worries in her life.

- Greg didn’t want prayer but hates that he drinks all the time. He knows God. He knows he can be forgiven.

- Raymond asked for prayer for his wife, and a friend.

- Kevin offers praise as he just got a place to stay.

- Haja seemed uplifted today. She’s recently started listening to more Christian music. She asked for housing and her daughter.

- Mike offers praise that he got an apartment!

- Kevin: missing his friend and prays that she’s ok.

- David asks us to pray for his sobriety .

- Courtney asks us to pray for protection, shelter, and safety.

- Quintin lost his mom Gladys 2 weeks ago. Pray for him as he grieves.

Thank you to all the supporters of our ministry. We hear that some politicians in Brockton are considering passing laws to criminalize homelessness. We’re not quite sure how that might work but we are praying that whatever the politicians consider that they prioritoize reaching the homeless, finding ways to help them rediscover their gifts and passions and to provide services that help them get their lives back on track. That is what we try to do each week. Please be praying for God to move people’s hearts toward compassion for our neighbors. (In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus describes our neighbor as our enemy, or a “stranger”.) May God bless you all for your support.