Thursday night of last week Dan Chambers and I were busy registering kids living in the Rosemont apts. of South Dallas for our upcoming (Nov. 1) Kids For Christ and Teens For Christ. We had with us an entourage of kids running around with us. Marquist (18 yrs. od- we worked with him several years ago when he lived at Frasier Courts projects), Edell (Everyone knows him), Kavon (You do not know him now but you will soon- every family we talked to at Rosemont knows him- funny thing- Kavon's last name is Anderson= My youngest brother's name is...Kevin Anderson), Denise, Isaac, Chris, Keyvian, and several others walked around with us knocking on doors. We were able to retrieve permission forms for 43 teens and kids! This Thursday (Oct. 25) we will be finish registering our last route. The area we will be registering is where "all" the families with several kids live. We could register another 20 more teens and kids!
Excitement! I love just setting foot in the projects, walking around, meeting new people, hearing their stories, sharing our ministries with them, and loving them the way Christ loves us. You never know who you are going to meet. The first night Edell and I went through Rosemont we met a lady who had just been diagnosed with cancer. Edell prayed for her and her teenage son who was staying with her. Earlier this summer during our STAR DALLAS Follow up week we sat down and discussed false religions and cults with teenagers who had previously been witnessed to by an older "persuasive" mormon lady. They allowed me to tear up and throw away the literature that had been given them!
Last Thursday Dan and I knocked on a door and talked to a family who, at first, was not very open to allowing their kids attend KFC. After several inquisitive questions the mom (matriarch) asked what church we attend. I told her that we are members of Mesquite Bible Church. She paused for a second then asked if that was the church that helped out with Head Start several years ago. I remembered my mom working with them years ago. Then she said, "Do you know a ..Jan...Ok..a..Oka..."- "Jan Okada, " I answered. "Yes." Jan Okada. "Oh and what about the lady that has written all those children's books...Debby...(My Mom-->Debby Anderson!)"- No way! Your mom is Debby Anderson?! Yes. She is actually coming to Dallas this weekend. By the way, what is your name? Ms. Toliver- Gwen Toliver.
At church this past Sunday I shared this story with Jan Okada and she, almost instantly, got chill bumps. I told this same story to my mom, who is playing with Jacey right now, and several others this past weekend. We ended up registering 5 kids (2 different families) from Ms. Toliver's apt. Was is just because I knocked on their door, served at MBC, knew the famous Jan Okada, or had Debby Anderson (Nana) as my Mom?! Or was is because of the dedicated service performed by these incredible women at a Head Start program in South Dallas several years ago. Women who humbling served the teachers (Ms. Toliver included) and kids with open hearts and busy hands not knowing that one evening in South Dallas Uncle Joe and Dan Chambers (with their entourage) would need them to reach a family who could reach a community.
Please remember to pray for:
1- Our KFC and TFC Ministries at Roseland and Rosemont (Safety- Success (God's Glory)- Salvations
2- The new families who are hearing about Jesus Christ and our Ministries for the first time
3- Edell and his family. There is always drama with his extended family. He is always upbeat (of course, most of you already know that)
4- Ashley, Kevin, and the rest of the Lewis family as they sort through what is Truth and what is not. Our new TFC ministry is going to help that need.
5- Marquist- Every knows him and looks out for him. He needs spiritual discipleship to guide him in Truth.
6- An opportunity that we are pursuing, again, of renting out a Townhome in Roseland Homes that can be used for our interns, Discipleship, Urban House Church, and...lots of fun!
7-More willing and...able churches and individuals who will help lead our new ministries.
8- All the above...
Excitement! I love just setting foot in the projects, walking around, meeting new people, hearing their stories, sharing our ministries with them, and loving them the way Christ loves us. You never know who you are going to meet. The first night Edell and I went through Rosemont we met a lady who had just been diagnosed with cancer. Edell prayed for her and her teenage son who was staying with her. Earlier this summer during our STAR DALLAS Follow up week we sat down and discussed false religions and cults with teenagers who had previously been witnessed to by an older "persuasive" mormon lady. They allowed me to tear up and throw away the literature that had been given them!
Last Thursday Dan and I knocked on a door and talked to a family who, at first, was not very open to allowing their kids attend KFC. After several inquisitive questions the mom (matriarch) asked what church we attend. I told her that we are members of Mesquite Bible Church. She paused for a second then asked if that was the church that helped out with Head Start several years ago. I remembered my mom working with them years ago. Then she said, "Do you know a ..Jan...Ok..a..Oka..."- "Jan Okada, " I answered. "Yes." Jan Okada. "Oh and what about the lady that has written all those children's books...Debby...(My Mom-->Debby Anderson!)"- No way! Your mom is Debby Anderson?! Yes. She is actually coming to Dallas this weekend. By the way, what is your name? Ms. Toliver- Gwen Toliver.
At church this past Sunday I shared this story with Jan Okada and she, almost instantly, got chill bumps. I told this same story to my mom, who is playing with Jacey right now, and several others this past weekend. We ended up registering 5 kids (2 different families) from Ms. Toliver's apt. Was is just because I knocked on their door, served at MBC, knew the famous Jan Okada, or had Debby Anderson (Nana) as my Mom?! Or was is because of the dedicated service performed by these incredible women at a Head Start program in South Dallas several years ago. Women who humbling served the teachers (Ms. Toliver included) and kids with open hearts and busy hands not knowing that one evening in South Dallas Uncle Joe and Dan Chambers (with their entourage) would need them to reach a family who could reach a community.
Please remember to pray for:
1- Our KFC and TFC Ministries at Roseland and Rosemont (Safety- Success (God's Glory)- Salvations
2- The new families who are hearing about Jesus Christ and our Ministries for the first time
3- Edell and his family. There is always drama with his extended family. He is always upbeat (of course, most of you already know that)
4- Ashley, Kevin, and the rest of the Lewis family as they sort through what is Truth and what is not. Our new TFC ministry is going to help that need.
5- Marquist- Every knows him and looks out for him. He needs spiritual discipleship to guide him in Truth.
6- An opportunity that we are pursuing, again, of renting out a Townhome in Roseland Homes that can be used for our interns, Discipleship, Urban House Church, and...lots of fun!
7-More willing and...able churches and individuals who will help lead our new ministries.
8- All the above...
3 comments:
Amazing story! That proves one of my theories - Anyone who has met the great Jan Okada will never forget her!
Say "Hi" to Nana for me!
Happy Thanksgiving...Lee and I are in NC visiting family - enjoying a Cowboys game, and noticed your blog spot in a recent newsletter (I think they call that multi-tasking!). Anyway, just wanted to say we loved the recent pictures of Jaycee with her grandparents!
lee and jerrianne
It was GREAT to see you and Lindsey this week, and it was a SPECIAL treat to hold your darling little Jacey. We can see why Grampa and Grandma have been bragging! We will continue to pray for your ministry of Jesus' love to needy kids...
Love, Rachel and Scott
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