She has a Name...

How many times do we shift our glance when we see a lady on the corner? Walking down the street with a wig that does not fit and clothes that reveal the path of life that she is on. Women of the streets yes, but should that be their title? They have names, they are someone’s daughter, sister, friend…
Sitting here at my office in the air-conditioning when right outside there are woman just like me; yet they that are in bondage to drugs to alcohol many have been abused and are so broken that they see no value in themselves… and so they sell themselves in order to buy more of the very substances that are keeping them in their drug created cell.

LINDA
Everyone here at Grace is gone for the day. I sit here and weep as I find out that another one of the women in our neighborhood has died after being hit by a car on Lee Street. 2 sentences that is all that was written in the paper about Linda. I don’t really know what to say, I don’t know how to feel. I agree with my young neighbor Eliza, “ I wish there was no such thing as drugs!”



VICKI
Yesterday I sat in a memorial service for my dear friend Vicki. Vicki walked the streets for 30 years. 2 years ago she gave her life over to Jesus, and He in his Mercy reached down and held my friend and brought her out of the bondage that the world said she would be captive to forever. After a short and courageous fight again cancer dear Vicki went to be with her Savior this past Monday. I’ve cried and asked God why. She wanted to share her story with others to share how Christ set her free. I will always remember you Vicki, it hasn’t sunk in yet that you are gone. Your life was a testimony and even though you are gone your testimony lives on. Through my tears I can see you dancing with Jesus, and in this my heart Rejoices.

Don't worry God can just sell a cow...

I’ve heard it a million times and in fact I have said it a million times. I’ve stood before groups that are headed overseas, I’ve spoken to rotary clubs, I’ve encouraged and prayed with mothers of teens here in Glenwood and assured them that all was well… “If God has called you to something He will provide the finances.”

So why do I find myself once again in this state of unassurance, lingering in fear. Pondering my life as an Inner-city-tutoring director. Even though I know the truth; there is a shame that hides behind my eyes every time I think about fundraising. It is not that I do not believe that God has called me here; and it is not that I do not believe in the cause because I do! I suppose if I am honest it is more of not believing in myself and believing the lies that have been spoken over me rather than the truth from God.

I sat in a Nicaragua meeting this afternoon, we talked about needing to raise over and beyond for the clinic in El-Palme and my heart shut off. How could I raise for Nicaragua and still yet for a mission trip this summer with the Glenwood youth and for camp and for my salary starting next year? It is all so overwhelming.

As I sit here pondering all the “impossible” I am reminded of a saying that my friend Denine and I used to say. “Don’t worry, God can sell a cow.” (Every animal in the forest belongs to Me, I own the cattle on a thousand hills. Call out to Me and I will rescue you and you will honor Me. – Psalm 50:10&15) As funny as our little saying sounds it was an easy way to remind ourselves that God is in control, He owns everything.

So no it’s not easy; and my overwhelming feelings did not just disappear as I wrote that last paragraph. That would nice though  But, I am reminded that It is not up to me. It is not humanly possible to face the overwhelming needs without feeling overwhelmed. But God… But with God all things are possible. It doesn’t mean that I don’t feel afraid and that I never doubt. For I am sure that probably in a few minutes I will doubt again. But it is remembering what the Lord has done and walking in obedience, brining my insecurities, fears and failures to Him over and over again.

Once again here I am laying my fears and insecurities at His feet.

2005 Camp Raps :)

Cleaning out my computer Today, desperately trying make more memory space. And came across these raps that some of the youth did the first year of camp 2005 :) ENJOY

Why We Need God

We need to go out to the world and share,
All about God’s love and care.
He forgave our sins and made us whole,
He blesses us with a brand new soul.
So lay aside the silly game,
Go to church and praise His name.
Now I’m going to leave it the squad.
That is why we need God.

Hey!!! Hey!!!

Hey, Hey, Hey I’m rapin’ here today
To praise the Lord and just to say.
We need the Lord for plenty of things like…
-Freedom
-Love, He died for us
-Forgives our sins, cleanses me within
and now, now
we have history.

Be Still

Sittin’ in my bed scared at night.
The Lord came down and He was my light.
Stuff running through my head, scared to go to bed,
Rolled over and said, This is all in my head.
I prayed to God that night, to get over my fright.
But the Lord said, “Be still I got you in My sight.”

Meet Tanisha (AKA: Nikki)

Nikki has been a part of our lives for 2 years now. Moving here from Maryland last winter she longed to fit in, and to have a place where she belonged. God’s work in her life is evident. Life has not been easy by any means and as she takes on more of an adult role in her home and struggles between acting “grown” and wanting to be a carefree teenager. Her smile will brighten the room and her laugh is contagious! She traveled with us to Nicaragua last Spring Break and since then has become more and moreinvolved at Grace and with the youth group.

School seemed to be one frustration after another for Nikki. As she was between grades, because her former high schools credits didn’t coincide with her new schools. As a senior this year she continues to come to Tutoring. Her tutors encourage her along the way, mostly giving her the confidence to set out and reach for her dream. The spark for further education was lit and Nikki set out with determination to doeverything in her power to achieve her goals, not being embarrassed to ask for help when she needed it.

It all paid off this past Friday! It was after 9pm and I got a call, it was Nikki. “Ms. Suzanne!!!!!” she shouted in my ear. “I got in I got accepted to A&T” (North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University) It was my first choice and I got in can you BELIEVE IT?!” The Joy in her voice and pep the in her step, sings of God’s faithfulness! Congratulations Nikki our first ever student accepted to College! We are just busting with Thanksgiving to our Savior and Pride at Nikki’s accomplishment!

Shoes for Nicaragua!

Dear Readers,

We have an amazing opportunity this week to collect shoes for the people of Elpalme! When we travel as a team down to Nicaragua we do not have room for extra items such as shoes b/c we are transporting 6 months worth of medicine at one time. But this next week there is a cargo container leaving by ship with supplies for the church building!!! And we can pack the empty spaces in it with gently or new shoes! ALL SIZES NEEDED! Please reply here or e-mail if you would like to donate shoes between now and Thursday (November 19th). Thank you for loving our brothers and sisters of Nicaragua.

Shoes - Fip-Flops, Tennis Shoes, Casual Shoes, *** No High Heels they are just not pratical*** :)

Yusolin

I was tired, hot, sticky, cramped, and overjoyed as the small van pulled up in front of Edwin’s house in the small cross roads community known as Elpalme de Bonca in the country of Nicaragua. It was late, yet some of the children had stayed up to greet us and were peering into the van to see who had returned. As we got out I heard different names being mumbled and the kids that we so excitingly waiting all of a sudden were shy and hanging back. The youth that were just kids were now young teens and were not sure how to show their excitement and affection in person.

After carrying in all the meds that we had brought (1,500 lbs worth) a few of us ventured back out doors to greet the youth and bid them good night. After speaking to many of the youth I began looking around for a young girl (Yusolin) that was always there with her brothers and sister to greet us. Turning to her younger brother (Amberto) and her sister (Kenya) I asked them where she was. I wasn’t prepared for the answer. “She is married” they answered. “She is married?” I asked half in jest thinking they were pulling my leg. “Yes” they answered seriously. “10 days ago”. Now I don’t speak hardly any Spanish so thinking that I heard wrong I went in and got a team member to interpret… Yet, I had heard right. Though young Yusolin was not “married” she had indeed left with an older man 10 days earlier and no one had heard from her. Staring off in the night I could hear the buses on the main road; the buses that lure so many young girls trying to sell something/anything to those passing through. The busses that can bring business to this small town but also be a deadly trap as an older man entices a young girl that he can give her a better life. I knew this to be true, I knew that this happened. Yet now here was one of our own that was gone. It was no longer a warning or story from someplace far away it was here and it was her.

That night was a heavy one. I awoke in the morning and began giving my all the 100+ children that would pass though each day. We sang, read Bible stories, played water games, played baseball, laughed, and sang some more. Yet in the midst of it all I knew there was one missing. One that had given her life to Christ 6 months earlier. One that was an outcast in this would but the most beloved of our most high God.

The next day I was told by one of the Drs. that she was coming home b/c she had word her mother was ill. I was sent to the bus stop to greet her and walk her to the clinic. I walked/ran to the bus stop many times over the next two days. (Each time the bus came pass the play ground b/c no one had any way of knowing which one she was on.) Each time walking back empty handed with bus fare in my pocket and her picture in my hand. Stopping by her small shack on my way back to clinic her brother came out and said she had called. The man she is with cut himself with the machete and he would not allow her to leave b/c he needed someone to care for him. It was then I knew she was not coming back. I still walked to the bus stop the next day and still prayed that she would be there, but came back alone.

It is wrong and injustice. I have not given up hope and remember Yusolin. Please join me in praying for our dear young sister safe return.

History Unfolds – In the form of a book

“Kendall , you need to pick out a book to read this semester.” I let one of our 9th grade boys know as I walked past him to talk to another student who’s hand was raised. As I was walking back to the front of the sanctuary I saw the Kendal, the young man I had spoken to earlier, still looking through all the books and reading the backs of them. I stopped for a moments taking the scene in. There was nothing extraordinary about it. He was being obedient and trying to find a book. But his mannerisms spoke volumes. He was really looking and not just grabbing one so I would be satisfied; but was taking his time to find a book that he would enjoy.
All of a sudden I remembered a book that I had ordered, ( The Story Of Bilma – A Holocaust Survivor) with Kendall in mind and I hadn’t shown it to him yet. --- 2 summers ago we took the Middle and High School students to Washington DC for Summer Camp. While we were there we visited the Holocaust Museum. The students were taken back, sad and angry as they finished the exhibit of the horrific acts that happened in the not so distant past. On the way out Kendall and few others met Mr. Alfred Philip Feldman, a Jewish Holocaust Survivor. The Kids had found a HERO and Mr. Feldman had found a group of students that knew very little about the Holocaust and were eager to listen to his story. We took a group picture with Mr. Feldman and bought a copy of his book that he happily autographed for us. When we got home different students wanted to borrow the book to read. And found out quickly that it was at a reading level that they had not attained yet. So Mr. Feldman’s book was returned in reverence to my book shelf.---
I came back by about 10 min latter to find Kendall completely wrapped up in “The Story Of Bilma” with his hand raised. As I walked over he kept his eyes on the page yet asked me for a piece of paper so that he could write the name of the book down for his teacher. “I’m going to give this to my teacher,” he informed me, “We should read THIS in class!” To me it was a small miracle. To others it may be nothing. But, here was a boy with has plenty of struggles of his own that had made a connection with history. He is learning to hurt along with others, to be angry at injustice, and to speak up! And even though he doesn’t realize it, he is learning the invaluable lesson of reading for knowledge and not only because the teacher says so. Yes, this indeed a day worth writing about.