There's Another in the fire!

Hope this post finds you all well and staying as cool as possible! Things have definitely been warm in Yuma, but we try our best to stay out of the heat of the day.

At A Brighter Day/Hands of Grace, some days can be very challenging. God's teaching me a lot! There are those on the street that want help, those that don't and those who don't know anything different and aren't sure what they want. I've learned to ask right off the bat, "Would you like to get off the streets?" Some are honest and say "No, I like where I'm at, I just need some help every once in a while." I thank them for being honest with me. We share the Gospel, pray with them and help them with hygiene products, food, clothing, shoes, whatever we have. The people who say "Yes" or "I'm not sure" are the ones I spend more time with. Unfortunately, like all of us at times, some say what we think people want to hear and not what their heart is.

I have to remind myself that my job is not to change people, that's God's alone. My job is to give them the opportunity when they are ready. Sometimes this ministry is emotionally hard. We have learned to pray together and submit ourselves and the ministry to God. It's easy, especially with the positive results we have seen already, to think it will work that way all the time, but that's not the case. God's teaching me that what we do is for Him. Whether others receive it or not, is not a reflection of how well we've done. Our job is to spread the Good News, whatever form that takes. The enemy tried to wreak havoc in the ministry and in our personal lives, but we praised God for it, knowing He has control, and God opened doors in more ways than I can share here!

In the last 2 weeks we put an interior door on my office and replaced an exterior door that had been damaged. Thank you, Danny and Pastor Tom! Pastor Tom (Grace Bible Fellowship Church) also put in internet, Wi-Fi and an alarm system. A Brighter Day bought a small tv and we now show Christian movies. While people are there (and they often sit down for a while to cool off) we can share the gospel through media.

There's a special young lady who is also helping out once in a while. She has been such a blessing! She came for the day yesterday and helped size/sort clothes (with Gayle) and paint the kitchen (with Pam and I). We were able to get the kitchen painted and back together in a day! What a difference! Diana, who recently moved to Yuma, came in and wants to volunteer. We know she will be a great asset to the team.

Just like God displayed His Power in Daniel 3 with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, He has revealed His power and might in the midst of our fire. I pray He is revealing Himsef to you and drawing you closer. To God be the Glory! God bless you all, Laurie