Praying for Mom and Dad at Calvary United Methodist Church Pre-school

Calvary United Methodist Church Pre-school http://calmeth.org/cms/
Arlington, Virginia USA

Sixty five precious big eyed pre-schoolers watched the boys make animal balloons. They eagerly guessed at where we might be visiting often answering with cities or states instead of the requested countries. They then sat remarkable still and quiet while Harrison shared the Gospel using the wordless glow-in-the-dark bracelet and actively participated in praising the Lord in song.
Mrs. Beth Posey, the gifted school director then led them in prayer time. Those wanting to pray lined up the full length of the group. One by one they shared their prayer request with Mrs. Beth who repeated the request out loud for all to hear. There was the request for the dog and a sick grandma, and for one child’s toys. But overwhelmingly these children had the same prayer burden…mom and dad.
As I sat and lifted up the prayers of each child, I was so deeply touched that these 3, 4 and 5 year olds were praying each week for their parents. I couldn’t help but be convicted….in my work day do I lift up my children to God? I wondered how many parents of these children were actually praying for their children during their workday? Were any praying at all during the day?
Unless you become like a child….

Harvest Time Coffee Shop in Wise, Virginia

The Gathering
Ignite Ministries

We arrived early to get the coffee shop ready for the college students from University of Virginia, Wise. The boys and I had “prayer drove” the campus earlier in the day. The campus is tucked away in the mountains and I was impressed with the atmosphere that surrounded it. Two couples and other volunteers go each week to open this Friday night coffee shop. Everything is free and the students pile in. It was standing room only.

Pray for:
Betty, who owns the coffee shop and donates the location and many supplies for this ministry
Student leaders
That God would provide more workers
A spirit of prayer to fall upon the students at the coffee shop and on the UVA-Wise Campus
Praise for the continued financial provision by Zion Church and families who bake goods for the coffee shop

Needs:
2 – 12 inch speakers
Small sound system (portable) to use in the coffee house and other locations

When I first communicated with Roger and Michele Wright, I immediately felt a call to visit. I didn’t know where in the world Wise, Virginia was but knew we would be here. It is in the southwestern part of Virginia very close to West Virginia and Tennessee. It is a small town tucked in the mountains and has a feel of home to me.
Roger and Michele have two boys, Brendon(10) and Noah(8). They met at Virginia Tech., married, spent a year in Germany on mission and were called home to Wise to work in the family business.
Although the Wrights only knew us as a referral from Terry and Tara Black, they welcomed us with open arms and we all felt like they were family before we left.
The family is very involved in several ministries in Wise and has a heart and a hunger to serve God. Please pray for God to continue to use and grow them.
We were blessed to work alongside them and learn.

Witnessing with colored bracelets

The bracelets are such a blessing. The kids love them and they work with young and old alike. Even the parents want one!
May I share with you what we say?

*Gold: Reminds me of Heaven…the Bible says the streets of Heaven are paved with gold…God lives in Heaven and wants all of us there with Him..... I plan on skipping down those streets of gold…you want to skip with me, don't you?

*Black: Reminds me of sin…in Romans the Bible tells us we all sin and fall short of the Glory of God….when we sin we can’t be near to God!

*Red: Reminds me of the blood of Jesus….see God loves us soooooooo much that He sent His only son, Jesus Christ to earth to die for our sin so we can be forgiven.

*White: reminds me that when I ask Jesus to forgive me of my sin and ask Him to come live in my heart, then Jesus washes us white as snow

*Blue: reminds me of the Holy Spirit….when we accept Jesus as the son of God and ask Him into our heart, then the Holy Spirit comes to live in us….the Bible tells us His sheep know His voice…and the Holy Spirit will tell us the direction God wants for us

*Green: reminds me of growing….like green grass…..that when we read our Bible, go to church, pray and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit….we grow in the Lord.

Also, the bracelet glows in the dark and that is to remind us that God is always with us and He is our light against any darkness…just lean on Him!

That is it in a nutshell…. There is more, of course. You can see why we like the colors….it really helps the kids when they tell us the Gospel back.

Keep tabs on our website: http://www.gearyfamilymission.com/

Lakeshore, Mississippi Easter 2008

Hurricane Katrina Victims Area
http://www.rebuildlakeshore.com/
Photo: A group of youth from Braden, Mississippi greeted us when we arrived. The boys loved hanging out with the young folks. The steeple is the only thing that survived Katrina from the church.
It has been nearly 3 years since Katrina hit Lakeshore, Mississippi. I was there 10 weeks after Katrina hit and am amazed (in both good and bad ways) about the difference since that time.
Yes, much work has been completed, yet there is still an enormous amount more that needs to be done.
Photo: Gloria discovers a hidden message of encouragement beneath the housewrap on one of the replpacement homes.
The county still has nearly 4000 families living in temporary housing. Not only is the housing temporary but their personal belongings are minimal. Remember, when Katrina hit entire houses were wiped away. These families lost everything… clothing, furniture, appliances, books, jewelry, family photos….everything.
I was thrilled to see the development that has transpired, yet have been hit with the cold realization that even though 3 years have passed there is still a huge need for help from outside the area. Unfortunately, those of us not affected by Katrina are quick to think all is well since so much time has passed. Please remember this area and these people in your prayers.
Photo: Gloria prays encouragement for a wonderful elderly father who is so very grateful for the new home that Lakeshore Baptist is building for him. note: Not once did he complain about the 3 year wait or the sickness from the unsafe FEMA trailer that has housed his family for that time. He is just so grateful!
Lakeshore Baptist Church remains as one of the mainstays of help for families. Twice in our 3 short days here, locals have brought donated items to the distribution center with the comment, “They have helped my family so much, I wanted to give back in some way.”
How you can help:
Big Ways:
· F250 Truck (with or without gooseneck) or work van - current vehicles are old and needing much repairs
· Trailer to haul tractor (must currently drive the tractor anywhere needed)
· All terrain forklift (recently 30 stoves showed up with only minimal volunteers available to get them off the truck)
Mission Trip Opportunities (be blessed by being a blessing to others)
Skilled laborers (electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc) are desperately needed to rehab houses. Cooks, cleaners and workers in distribution center.

Housing is available and food will sometimes be supplied….make arrangements in advance with Jamie : 228-469-0110
Simply Ways
1. Write a check and send it to: Lakeshore Baptist Church PO Box 293 Lakeshore, MS 39558
You are welcome to designate for operating costs (to house and feed mission teams), food for distribution center (cuts living expenses for local families so they can save money to buy lumber for homes), materials for home rehabs, or church building.
2. Package up a box of good used items and ship down: especially needed right now are baby items or anything to help furnish a house.
Ship to: 6028 Lakeshore Rd. Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

Prayer needs:
· Pray for skilled workers….there is much work and many more workers are needed
· Pray for Pastor Don Elbourne and his team…that God will empower them with strong leadership skills to lead the workers and the people.
· Pray that God’s light will shine in this community and be a beacon to the many lost souls.
· Pray for healed hearts…the pain is deep from the extensive loss.
· Pray for sensitive hearts of those not in this area, so that help will continue to be available from communities like yours.
Photo: Gloria is delighted to see that Pastor Don is still wearing the work boots donanted through her home church, First Baptist in Gaffney, SC in 2005 when she first came to minister here. These boots have seen more than 130 workweeks!

Navarre High School, Navarre Florida, USA 3/21/2008

Navarre, Florida
March 21, 2008

Navarre High School

Hatcher, Jessica Price, Harrison, Lauren Price, Reid, Sharon Price, and The Price Family (my deceased husband’s sister and her family) moved to Navarre, Florida in December. They have begun a new ministry, Iron Gate Ministries and are seeking God’s will for His direction for their family. Their oldest child and only son, Stephen died of cancer this past August.
We prayer walked the local high school where Jessica is a senior. We prayed for God’s light to shine in and through this school and that He will call the local believers to come mentor the kids here. Please pray for this community, high school and family.

A Day with the Griffith Kids in Florida

A day with the Griffith Kids
Navarre, Florida

The Price family, my family and the four Griffith kids had a delightful day of hunting Easter candy, playing at the park and just plain old goofing off.
How much fun to be a kid!

Drury Nursing Home in Englewood, Florida

Drury Nursing Home
As we walked the hallways, we stopped in to visit residents. We prayed over many, gave out tracts and candy. The candy had scripture on the wrapper and the boys read the scripture to the residents.

I am reminded of something Pastor Glen Evans once shared with me. The elderly (and often others as well) so need a human touch. They often are not hugged or touched by others on a regular basis. How easily we can minister to those alone by simply hugging them or touching their hand.

Before we went into the nursing home, I shared with the boys the importance of touching and hugging these dear people. I loved watching the faces of these men and women as my boys reached out to them. :-)

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
"Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."
But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.

Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."

Luke 8:43-48

Mrs. Ulrich’s Kindergarten Class at Williams Elementary School, Gainsville, Fl

Reid, Hatcher, Harrison (front), Tracy Ulrich (my brother, Ben’s daughter), Cruz Thomas and Matt Ulrich.
Cruz Thomas is our newest family member. A student at Limestone College in Gaffney, SC, Cruz is a strong believer. He lost both of his parents in the last couple of years and we collectively decided to “adopt” him. He joined us in Gainesville during his Spring break.

Tracy and Matt Ulrich were our hosts in Gainesville, FL.
Matt just began a new position as an associate Pastor with First Assembly of God. Tracy is a first year kindergarten teacher. Please pray for their ministry.


Williams Elementary School
Mrs. Ulrich’s Kindergarten Class
Gainesville, Florida

Only Twelve?!
Friday, March 14, 2008
We visited my niece, Tracy’s kindergarten class and told her kids about our trip. We gave out the Gospel bracelets that glow in the dark and shared the meaning of the colors. My boys loved being with the class and played with the kids.
Cruz Thomas (Limestone College Student on Spring Break who joined us and my new fourth son : ) and I were debriefing after we left. I couldn’t help but voice what was in my head, “all this way, all this preparation, all this money….we spoke to maybe twelve 6-year old kids.”
Cruz very wisely shook his head and replied, “Look what the twelve did who Jesus taught.”
‘… “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,” Says the Lord of hosts…’ Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

Glen Springs Apartments, Gainesville, Fl

Glen Springs Apartments
Gainesville, FL.
Sharing the Gospel – Our First Run
This was our first venture in direct interaction with children without any introduction.
After some soccer time, we offered snacks and drinks. While the kids ate, Cruz Thomas (Limestone College student who joined us while on his Spring Break, red shirt) read from the Bible and shared about Jesus.
As he spoke, there were several teen age boys who sat on the sidelines and disrupted the talk. I walked over to them and gently laid my hand on the shoulder of one of the boys and just began to pray quietly.
When Cruz finished speaking, we shared the Gospel through the colors on the bracelets and offered the children a prize if they could share the Gospel back to us using the bracelets. The teenage boys were all for this and gathered around me to show they had listened. I went through the Gospel a second time with them and when I spoke about the blood of Jesus, I asked, “Would you guys like to ask Jesus into your hearts?”
To my absolute shock, all three of them eagerly nodded. To test their sincerity, I said, “you’ll need to get on your knees to pray”….all three without hesitation, dropped to their knees.
I prayed and they prayed after me. I couldn’t stop asking God to do things in their lives and put them to work….they repeated everything I asked. Then a fourth teenage boy ran up and said, “I want to ask Jesus into my heart too!” We started praying all over again.
Theo, Torres, DJ, and Kendal….please pray for these new believers and that God will work a mighty work in their lives.
“And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:40 NKJV

A Mom and her sons
Takishanda desperately wanted her boys Tyler and Noah to learn the meaning of the colors. She had asked how the boys could get a soccer ball and I told her if the boys could share the Gospel with it and would promise to tell others the meaning of the colors, I would give them one. She sat on the sidelines coaching them. We prayed over kids individually. I especially loved praying for this mom and her boys.

We gave out lots of the Children’s version of the Jesus film for them to take home and watch.
The day was fun, exciting, and a learning event for us. My boys just fit right in playing with the kids and really enjoyed themselves.

Persecution Party
Our day ended on a rather sour note when a big kid tackled Reid pretty brutally for no apparent reason. Reid, to his credit walked away and seemed to understand that this incident was not so much about him as it was probably about the child’s home life.
We decided it was close enough to being persecution and immediately called for a Persecution Party (a family secret we have learned when things sometimes seem tough even though we are trying to follow God). Chocolate ice-cream and cookies for all!
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven…” Matthew 5:11 & 12 NKJV

Training And Ministry In Christian Spiritual Warfare

Brian Connor http://www.goodshepherdinstitute.com/

Good Shepherd For Training And Ministry In Christian Spiritual WarfareNeeds: Those willing to be trained in Spiritual warfare (the need is great and many must travel very long distances to receive prayer from Good Shepherd). Prayer partners to cover the team when they are working with an individual
Technical help (they would love a more updated website, note Brian has videos from Dateline, CBS and a host of other TV. appearances that would be helpful to have on his site) Those willing to help schedule training at churches for groups or make a financial donation.