Jesus on the Streets - February 11, 2024
Here’s a write-up from the LYNN Ministries team that served on Sunday in Brockton. We had respresentatives from Church of Emmanuel, South Shore Community Church, Waters Church, Grace Chapel Foxboro, and Evangelical Covenant Church, Attleboro.
It’s been such a strange winter this year. It’s been warmer than in years past but today many of us, both guests and volunteers were caught off guard by the cold. Those wearing Empowerment Plan coats seemed warm but many others were cold and happy to be given a warm cup of coffee or cocoa. As I offered many a cup of Joe, I noticed how dry, cracked and even swollen were the hands of our friends. Living on the streets will age a body prematurely; compounding the many struggles our friends already face, and yet, as always, there were many smiles and words of appreciation.
We passed out Valentine’s Day candies and we shared 88 servings of Thai Chicken which got rave reviews. We distributed lots of gloves and other items to help our friends stay warm. We prayed with many people for health, employment, housing and many other things. These are the prayer requests:
Jose - please pray for the family to reunite
Tim 1 - his dad passed away a few months ago. He's having a difficult time with this. Currently living in the shelter
Danica - has been battling a lot of anger but is now doing much better. Please keep praying for her.
Tim 2 - please pray for his health and hers (Danica)
Freddy - pray for his apt. and his neighbors
Ishmael - pray for a job
Junior - pray for his son
Robert - pray for his legs which are swollen. Meds from the E.R. (lasix) are not working. He and his friend, Anthony, are back helping each other out.
Anthony - was doing ok and has a new girlfriend.
Dave - pray for his family he'd like to see them again, they are spread out thru AZ, KS, FL, MN, and MA. Asked for prayer for a job.
Courtney - needs a job and asks for prayer for safety while she's in the shelter.
John - prays for a truck because the one he had died.
Anthony - needs an apartment, just got a job and is going through an on-line course for training.
Michael - pray for safety and a job.
Harry - stated he's still here and alive so God has a purpose for his life. Pray for him.
Eric (& Sandy) - they just got an apartment and they have funds for a deposit first & last rent. Eric needs a job.
Russell - asked for prayers for safety on the streets and living in the shelter.
Carrie - she loves the boots we gave her a few weeks ago they are very warm. Asked for prayer to get out of the situation (unspecified) she is living in.
George - asked for prayer he's got a blood clot in his head and he's taking aspirin for this.
Carlotta - asked that we pray for her two children.
Gabriel - came by to pick up food for his friends. Asked for prayer to get his strength back and for prayers for the following friends: 1) Rocky (she had 2 seizures this week); 2) Anthony had a couple seizures this past week and is not feeling well; 3) Stefanie is due to give birth in 13 weeks and is not feeling well.
Alex - thanks for his Empowerment Plan coat and asked for prayers for a girl he befriended this past week who got stranded in Brockton. He brought her to the police station so she could get help and asked for prayer for her safety.
Today there were lots of conversation about the Super Bowl and the snowy weather forecast. Some were excited about the coming snow but others were dreading it explaining it makes life on the street more difficult.
We had a touching interaction with one of our regular guests who’s been going thru a rough time. After praying with him, we handed him a meal reminding him that the meal was a sign that God loves him. He took the meal, and with deep gratitude in his eyes said, “I know, I know.” God loves him and all that we serve. What a joy to be able to share that message!
Thank you to all who make this possible!