Last night we were blessed to be able to distribute about 165 goody bags to the guys, filled with homemade cookies and chocolates. We played a lot of Christmas songs, including "Mary Did You Know", which I just uploaded to - http://www.purevolume.com/4ever1 This is the live recording from last night. This is one of my favorite Christmas songs as it sings of many of the miracles Jesus would perform, unbeknownst to Mary at the time she conceived. I spoke to everyone at the Mission about the gifts God freely gives us including the gifts of salvation, healing (both physical and emotional), and FREEDOM (from addictions). As Joe sang our song, "Freedom Call", I could see everyone was captivated by the powerful message. You see, they all want this freedom. Many are searching for it. And sadly, many feel they will never find it.
Later on, when we were breaking down, a gentleman asked me to pray with him. He was going away (from his family) to participate in a discipleship program. He was also battling an addiction. The man was clean cut and neatly dressed. Looked like just a regular guy. As he spoke to me I could see the tears begin to fill his eyes. I called Joe over and we prayed with him. Then I told him what I believed God was telling me to say to him . . . "Jim, when you feel like God is not there. Those times when you feel like you're all alone and God has left you, LOOK FOR HIM in the small things. He will speak to you in a soft and gentle way and you will know He is still with you. When you feel discouraged or feel like giving up, PLEASE REMEMBER to be still, and look for those small things." He smiled wide and promised me that he would remember to do that.
For me the hardest thing about ministry is that you connect with so many hurting people, most of whom you will probably never see again. When you see the hurt in their eyes, hear the despair in their voices and sense the fear in their hearts, it makes you even more determined to tell the hurting world how much God loves them.
I pray that you all have found that freedom Christ gives us. Let us not be bound by worldly things! Who really cares about THINGS!? While material things are nice, they should not be what determines our happiness. Our friends at the Albany Mission have no material things, but I see many of them so happy. People who have lost everything . . . this happiness I see could only come from Jesus.
- Donna Munafo, 4ever1