God Does Not Make Mistakes

After the Operation Care Kick Off Meeting, October 21, there were only six people left at Coleman Hall. Board Member Roel, and his wife, Robyn, volunteer Kerry Yarbrough, and Marina and Marcus, our homeless guests. We formed a circle to pray when the Holy Spirit spoke in my heart not to pray at that moment, but to ask Marcus if he knew Jesus.

The conversation went like this:
Susie: "Marcus, do you know Jesus?"
Marcus: "Yes."
Susie: "Have you accepted him in your heart as your Lord and Savior?"
Marcus: shrugged his shoulders and said, "No."
Marina: "He is Muslim!"

That gave me an opportunity to share Jesus to Marcus telling him that Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. No one goes to the Father but through Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. After sharing the gospel with Marcus, I asked him if he was ready to accept Jesus.

Marcus replied: "Yes!"

I saw a change in his face. His face softened and his countenance changed. That made all of us happy. The heavens rejoice for one sinner who repenteth.

We then proceeded to pray for Marcus.

After the prayer, I invited them to eat dinner at El Fenix. The restaurant was closed so we looked for a hamburger place. Kerry took us to one on McKinney Avenue.

When we got to the restaurant, I saw Marcus talking to a nice looking and dignified man. When I asked Marcus who he had been speaking with he replied, "My former boss. We lost touch with each other and he just offered me a job."

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Marcus found a job about 30 minutes after he accepted Jesus at Coleman Hall of First Baptist Church of Dallas.

Because of some miscommunication, another group was suppose to meet at Coleman Hall that evening ahead of us, but because of God re-arranging it His way, we ended up using Coleman Hall where Marcus found Jesus. COLEMAN HALL BECAME A HAVEN OF REST FOR A LOST HOMELESS MAN NAMED MARCUS! Now Marcus is not homeless anymore; he has a home in Glory Land!

Men make mistakes, but not God. God planned the whole thing all along. GOD'S WAY IS PERFECT!

Seeing The Hands And Feet of God At The Homeless Camp

The Lord has been placing in my heart the need and desire to really spend time with the homeless at their campsite (First Presbyterian Church). Last Sunday night (Oct. 21) after our Launching of Operation Care, I ended up at the camp where Marina sleeps every night. I spent time with the homeless, just talked to them and prayed with them and they really appreciated my presence. Some of them knew me already. They call me Miss Susie and I feel at home with them.

Last Oct. 26th, Friday night, I went back to the homeless camp after work (11:00 p.m.) to take some clothes to Marina, my new friend. I stayed there past midnight, just talking to Marina and other homeless.
It is like home to me!

At about 12:30 a.m. (Saturday), Barry, the security guard, introduced me to Emily. She was walking alone so I asked her if she was by herself. She said she was with a group from Christ for the Nation School and Heartland Church in Irving. They were giving away sandwiches and blankets. This group goes downtown every Friday night. The group arrived and I thanked them and also mentioned to them about Operation Care-Christmas Gift 2007. They want to participate and were very excited.

After that, a young man said. "Susie, we need to pray for you. The Lord is also saying that you will reach the end of the cliff but do not worry. Just leap, God is going to be with you." LEAP OF FAITH!!!

Wow, that was a prophesy to me and a confirmation. We should not worry; God is with us.

After they prayed for me, they went to the camp and gave away some sandwiches and the one that moved me so much was a young man who took off his sweater and covered a homeless man lying on the ground with no blanket. THAT WAS THE HANDS OF GOD COVERING THE HOMELESS. It left an indelible imprint in my heart and mind. The young man ended with only a thin t-shirt and it was pretty cold. He was the Good Samaritan described in the Bible. I will never forget what I saw that night, a beautiful sight of God's compassion to the homeless through His people.

Well, last Sunday night (Oct. 28th), I went back to the camp for the third time in a week bringing some hamburgers that I gathered from the First Baptist Dallas Homecoming Party. Robert, from the kitchen, gave them to me after the party. I told him I wanted to give it to my homeless friends. He allowed me to get a sack full of hot dogs and hamburgers. I then saw Kerry, one of our volunteers, and his friend and asked them to go with me.

We went to the camp and there, I met six teenagers/young men. Marina gave them the hamburgers. They were all lying on the steps of the church separated from the group of homeless men and women. I stayed to talk and get to know them. One teenager's mother was murdered. One said his mother is in jail. One had just got out of jail because of drugs. One said he is a runaway. They said they are not on drugs and wanted to separate themselves from the adult group because some of the adults are using drugs.

It broke my heart to hear their stories. We formed a circle and I prayed for each one by name, Robert (18), Stephanie, Joel (just got out of prison), Jonathan (just got out of prison), Henry, and Brandon (19). Brandon will turn 20 this Friday.

When I was talking to them, I started crying and Robert said, "Do you need a HUG?" Wow, it really touched me. These teenagers who needed much love are the ones offering love.

When I was about to leave, Robert asked, "Could we pray for you?" I said, "Yes!!!" So we gathered in circle again and each one prayed for me asking God to help me raise money so they could have a party at the Convention Center on Dec. 15th and that I could help them. The steps of the First Presbyterian Church became Holy Ground where the voices of these young people were petitioning God for His help. I pray that God will answer our prayers, in His perfect time! These young people love the Lord and need help.

They even said, "We wish there was a house where we all could stay, we will all work and pay the bills." These young men and young woman have their own dreams to get out of homelessness. The question is: HOW CAN WE HELP THEM?

On Friday evening (Nov. 2nd), I will go back there at 11:00 p.m. with a folding table and ice cream, cake, chips/dips (from Connie), McDonald hamburgers, balloons, blowers and birthday hats. We will have a Birthday party for Brandon. I asked him what he wants, he said, "Just a pair of pants. I only have one!"
Well, Connie will give him brand new pants. Thank you, Connie Dunkin (Operation Care Board member).
I need sleeping bags and blankets, if you have any to spare!

I encouraged them to go to the shelters but all of them said they preferred to be together to protect each other.

What I experienced being with these homeless friends has changed me more. Building a relationship and making a difference has a deeper meaning to me now. I could not wait to go back there on Friday evening after work. Please pray for me that I will have wisdom and strength to do all of this in Jesus name!

This is my story.

Because of Him,
Susie

God Orchestrated Day

I had an incredibly God orchestrated day I will always remember.

It started on a Saturday morning. I barely had five hours of sleep, but I got up and spent an hour in prayer, because there is power and strength in prayer. It is a preening process, just as eagles oil their feathers with their beaks for an hour every morning before soaring in the winds. We need to be like eagles!

MIRACLES:

1. We did not have a confirmation at Dallas Life to use their room for our Board Meeting. Friday night I told Board Member, Michelle Maroon, about it. I thought I had emailed or left a message with Bob at Dallas Life, but when I checked my email I could not find it. I was praying that there would be no activity in that room.
When I got there, Michelle had already arrived. Praise God we were able to use the room. I was concerned, but I had turned it over during my prayer time that morning and believing...

2. After the meeting I went to take pictures of the homeless in the street and was about to go home when the Lord redirected me to the Day Resource Center. After I had handed out about 10 blankets a homeless lady who looked very familiar asked me how she could volunteer. She said she had been trying to help for almost four years, but because she stayed in a shelter she was not allowed to volunteer for Christmas Gift.
I just sensed her sincerity and care. I told her she could volunteer this time. So she became my instant volunteer and friend. She followed me everywhere and became my on-hand photographer. She did not even eat lunch, but stayed with me.

3. There was another guy who badly needed a pair of pants. I called my father-in-law, Charles, and he brought a pair of pants along with more clothes. Well, I had fun giving it away. Thank God for my wonderful father-in-law who is like a Boy Scout, "Be Prepared!"

4. I then met an amputee recently released from prison. I asked him what I could do for him. He said, "I need to call my family so I can go home." I tried to give him a blanket, but he said, "No, I really need a phone." I ran to my car and gave him my phone so he could call his mom. I also talked to her. I took his picture while he talked with her. HE GOT REUNITED WITH HIS MOM OVER THE PHONE. His name is Garrett. He is going home tomorrow on a bus with a ticket his family is sending him. Praise God!
He introduced me to his friend, Theo, who was carrying his food. Theo looked normal but could not run. He is also an amputee, but wears a prosthesis. What a friend.
Garrett asked if I had a white t-shirt. He needed one. They did not give him any extra clothes when he came out of prison. So my new friend, Marina, and I drove to the nearest CVS Pharmacy in downtown. I bought them 2 XXL t-shirts.

5. Marina and I found a Greek restaurant that was open. There Marina told me her story and how she has loved the homeless ever since she was seven years old. She would watch the trains passing and once saw a homeless Hobo. She asked her father, a minister, if they could take the Hobo home with them. She asked the homeless Hobo and he went home with them for the weekend. Now Marina, a widow, became homeless herself because of some unfortunate situation. The homeless call her Mama because she is a good resource for them; she is smart and a leader. I told her she is now an ambassador for Operation Care. She is the Voice of Operation Care in the streets of Dallas. What a heart!

6. While eating, the Lord prodded me to ask the waitress if she knew where she would go when she died. She answered, "Hell!" Well, that got me excited! I had someone to share Jesus with that afternoon! Her name is Carla and she was mad with God because her mom had just died. Nobody was in the restaurant but myself, Marina, Carla AND the Holy Spirit!
I shared with her about Jesus and that Jesus is the only way. To make a long story short, she prayed the sinner's prayer and her countenance changed. After the prayer she said, "I feel good!" Then when I asked where she is going after she dies, she said, "Heaven!" The heavens rejoiceth for one sinner who repenteth.
Marina told her about Christmas Gift 2007 and invited her to join. Well, our new friend and sister in the Lord, Carla, became an instant volunteer. She said she would bring her family.
I told Carla that Marina is homeless. Carla then told Marina to come to the restaurant every morning and she will give her breakfast! WOW! What a provision. Jehovah Jireh!
The gift goes on...We went to buy 2 t-shirts; we ended up in a restaurant where Carla got saved and now will provide breakfast for Marina.

7. When we got back to the Day Resource Center, Tyrone and Debbie, a new homeless couple asked for help in finding the Austin Street Shelter. My new friend, Marina, and I drove them to the shelter. We were late; the door was closed. So we prayed for God's help. After the prayer, Tyrone and Debbie knocked on the door and the door OPENED. Jesus once again answered our prayer because we believe that there is power in prayers.

8. We went back again to the Day Resource Center and I stayed and talked to the homeless about Jesus. I was so comfortable with them that I did not want to go home.

9. PRAISE GOD, I stayed in the streets for eight hours with my homeless friends and enjoyed every moment with them. Left my house for the Board meeting at 7:30, got home at 7:30 p.m.

I could say I had a very blessed day! How about naming our November 17th event at the Day Resource Center OPERATION: CALL HOME?

The theme for Christmas Gift 2007 is Re-uniting the Family: A Christmas to Remember

We need 1,000 pastors for our evangelism team. So calling all the pastors to spend at least an hour or two at the Convention Center to help our homeless friends. Please tell all the pastors you know!!!

Empty financially but happy spiritually,
Susie