Heartbreak and Tragedy

     In the month of January 2013, several tragedies occurred in our community. Many of the Arms Wide Open kids were intertwined in these events and held those most affected very close to their hearts. I am still reeling myself as we all suffer the aftershocks of these tragedies and I stand by nearly helpless as I watch the hearts of those I love the most break. This is a wake-up call for our community, and though several upstanding citizens, community officials, and Christian leaders have stepped up to answer that call and do what they can to make a difference in the prevention of future such tragedies, I can already tell that many are slipping back into their slumber of oblivion and do not feel a responsibility to become involved. If you are a Christian you are commanded by our Father to reach out to those around us who are lost, hurting, and in need, particularly "orphans and widows." If these kids are not "legally" orphans because their parents are still living, they are at least spiritual orphans because their parents are either unable or unwilling to parent them. Many of the kids involved in my ministry (and not just my ministry, other local ministries and programs--such as His Hands and others) are not only literal orphans but they are spiritual orphans who have never been shown the love of our Father. What hope do they have in this world if they know not love, and all of the "Christians" around them refuse to be the love of Christ to them?

     The uncaring attitudes of many in our community saddens me, but it will not stop me from answering the call I hear so loudly. If I stand alone (and I know I do not because I do see those around me answering the call alongside me) I will answer the call and be obedient to the scriptures which beseech us to love the "least of these," and not just because in doing so we are loving Christ himself. Because the love of Christ is so strong in us that NOT loving them is not an option. How strong is the love of Christ in you? Can you answer the call? There are countless ways to do so--certainly many outreach and ministry programs in our community are doing a great work. Pray and see what He would lead you to do, become involved as HE would have you be involved, but please, please, whatever you do, don't DO NOTHING. To succeed in this world, all the enemy needs is for good men to do nothing. Don't empower him with your inaction.

Our 2012 Christmas Event

     On Saturday, December 22, 2012, we held our annual Christmas Event open to the community. Pictured above our some of our own kids who orchestrated and choreographed several dance and song routines as part of the event program. They performed with hearts of excellence and glorified God in movement and song! Each and every year I say that I am so much more blessed in knowing these kids than I could possibly bless them in their knowing of me. This event was, as always, prefaced by multiple attacks--attacks against the event itself as well as attacks against me and those involved. The guest speaker for the day, Dwane Johnson, experienced attacks throughout the week prior to the event.  But in spite of that he did not give up or back out and he was there to give the message God gave him to share! I was particularly honored to have him speak because he is not just a person of interest to the ministry, he is my brother. His testimony is a powerful one and what he shared at Scott Park, without a doubt, changed lives.

     Attacks against the event itself were so strong that we almost had to cancel it altogether, and in the end had to alter our original plan. This event was not what we intended and we were not able to bless the surrounding community as much as we wanted to or as much as we normally do because of those attacks. We are praying for wisdom in how we approach future events so that our efforts can be maximized to do the greatest good. In spite of this, many people attended and many in the community pitched in to help make it what God intended for it to be. It was an awesome blessing for many!

     Personally, I experienced strong attacks, so much so that my liver literally enlarged to the point that it constricted my lung expansion and made it very difficult for me to just breathe, let alone eat or sleep. I was in pain and discomfort for nearly two weeks prior to the event, and even at the event itself. Only after the event did those symptoms begin to subside, and I can proudly say that today (nearly one month later) I believe I am healed! None of the symptoms present during that time are still present (kidney infection, enlarged liver, difficulty breathing, body aches, etc). I know and knew then it was an attack--one that did NOT STOP me from moving forward with my instructions. I have said and will say again, whatever plans the enemy has against me will always fail and will never prevail, because my God is with me, for me, and protects me as I walk in His calling.

     I thank New Covenant Church, Hoyt Hurt, Dwane Johnson, all of the kids who helped, and especially Julia Wright for all she did to help coordinate the event and the performances there. Without the support and encouragement of those God sends with a purpose in this ministry none of the amazing things that take place would happen! My heartfelt thanks to everyone involved! :)