"Fluffy's Coffee House"

GrannyG

Good evening all. Hope your Thanksgiving was great. Hope the fires are all under control in Texas and life is in normal mode.

__________________

Fluffy

Hello, Granny! Everything in Texas is GREAT!

I am still waiting for Dusty and her Holy Land Pictures!

Where are you, Dusty??? :{

__________________
Be transparent before God, He sees right thru you, anyway!
http://www.likepreciousfaith.org/testimony_val.htm
Please pray for your local emergency responders, daily.

hisdreamer

*sneaking in to see if anyone remembers her* Hey!

__________________

Faithwoman

Ok here is the letter to the editor I wrote. However the local paper turned it into an article entitled (they even gave me my own by line! )

Caring Shows up as Sharing

I am new to the Batavia area. I have lived here for the past six months. I can remember my first day here as I drove down Main street to my new job at United Memorial Medical Center. I will share with you that I grew up in rural PA. Back in the woods of Pennsylvania our highways had one road with 2 lanes. You can imagine what a challenge it was for me getting use to the busyness of the 90 and the other highways in your neighboring cities. I did not know a soul when I came to Batavia. The Lord has blessed me abundantly with friendly caring people here in Batavia.

Why I write to you today is to share an experience that I have never had before. This experience is street ministry. Most recently I have had the experience of volunteering with Care-A-Van Ministries Inc.. This is a ministry here in your town that was started by Paul and Bridget Ohlson. I don’t know how many people have seen the big red bus around town and what it is all about. Paul and Bridget had a vision. He quit his full time job of 27 years to minister to the needs of the people here in Batavia.

I ask all of you reading this, have you ever had to stand in a pouring down rain storm waiting for food? Have you ever wondered how you were going to clothe yourself or your children? Have you ever had a moment that you just needed to talk with someone who cared and would listen? Have you ever had days that you just thought no one really cared? There are people that care. This ministry equipped with volunteers goes out into the streets of Batavia and shares the love of Christ. On every Saturday of the month, the bus goes to a different neighborhood and provides food, clothing and comfort to those in need. On my first Saturday out, groceries were given to 54 families. On my second trip out with the bus, we provided groceries to 32 families. With each bag goes, love & hugs and tears & prayers.

On Thursday nights, the bus goes out into different areas of the city. There are 28 different areas that the bus goes to. Tonight the bus went out into one of the neighborhoods. Twelve children from that neighborhood clamored onto the bus and feasted on chili and chocolate milk. Sixteen families received bags of groceries. Several others were able to find clothes on the tables that would provide warmth for them. Prayers were offered for those that needed them. During the summer months, the ministry provides cookouts on Thursdays, followed up on that following Sunday with going back and providing church service on the street. On Halloween night the ministry set up on a side street and provided bags of cookies to those walking by along with hot cider, hot chocolate and many other treats. As I handed a bag of cookies to a lady she became teary eyed. She said her parents would appreciate the cookies as they have a hard time on their income to have food. My heart just flooded with emotion as it does as I write this. Can you imagine not having food on your table?
What has really touched my heart is the needs that are in this community. As we all get caught up in our own busy lives, we may not take the time to look around to see how many people are really in need. I have learned of several programs and churches that are reaching out to others. With the economy the way it is, there is even going to be more of a need. This ministry is funded solely by donations as many others are. My favorite bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 – I have a great hope and future for you says the Lord.

There is hope for all individuals in Batavia. God promises us that. I challenge my new community today with this. How can you give hope to others? How will you reach out and help those in need? As you stroll down the streets, take a close look around and ask yourself how can I help? I encourage each and every one of you to share God’s love with others. If you really want to see the needs here, I encourage you to come out for a ride along on that big red bus. It will be ride you will never forget and hopefully encourage you to help start making a difference here in Batavia. How will they know we care…if we don’t go out and share?

As my evening came to end tonight, this young little girl with beautiful braids flowing down gave me the peace sign. I leave you all with this- May the peace of our Lord be with you always. Also thank you to those who have so warmly welcomed me into the community.

Fluffy

Aw, Faithwoman, that was beautiful!!

Hey, ForeverAmanda! Long time no see! How goes it??

__________________
Be transparent before God, He sees right thru you, anyway!
http://www.likepreciousfaith.org/testimony_val.htm
Please pray for your local emergency responders, daily.

Bondman

Wow, that is so wonderful!!

__________________

dorig

Hey everybody! I'm kind of new here, so I just wanted to say hi and hope to be able to chat with you here and there!

Bondman

Wecome to the Coffee House, dorig! And to CFS!

I hope you find much encouragement here, and much that you can learn to bring new growth into your walk with the Lord.

Love in Jesus,

- BM

__________________

Faithwoman

Hey Dorig, glad you found your way here. Enjoy the coffee and stroll over to the Inner Room as well.

Faithwoman

Faithwoman

OH HOLY NIGHT
Oh holy night, the bus lights are brightly shining…

Yes it truly was a holy night on the Care-A-Van Ministry bus this evening.
A chilly night but such a holy blessed night was enjoyed by all. We were very blessed by the Cooperative Extension office this evening. Mary Jo brought a crock pot of homemade chicken soup which warmed many souls tonight.

The bus was truly glimmering all decked out in its holiday trim. The gang had gotten together last week-end to decorate the bus. We were at one of the local apartment complexes. As the bus filled up, not a seat could be found.

As I stepped out into the windy chilly night, I observed two young boys looking through all the treasures on the tables. They were having a great time. Someone had donated a box of toys. I watched as they gleefully dug through the box. Shawn, one of our volunteers had picked up a stuffed Bob the Builder doll. He pushed the button and put it up to his ear to here what Bob had to say. I snuck over and enjoyed listening. We put it back in the box. Bob was not happy! He wanted a new home. I am happy to report that Bob did find a new home tonight. After I helped one of the women to her apartment with her groceries, I climbed back onto the bus. Guess who was sitting on one of the seats? Yep, you got it, Bob the Builder! His head was peeking out of bag that sat next to one of the young boys. I chatted with the young fellow. He told me that he was taking Bob home for his brother. How sweet is that!

Isn’t it amazing what joy can be brought to a young ones’ heart? During this holiday season many young children are busy filling out their Christmas wish lists. Some of them include the famous Wi’s, X box, stereo systems, the newest cell phone and the list goes on and on. But Christmas came early for these two young boys. You would have thought someone gave them a million dollars when they found Bob and the plastic soldier men.
Why is it that the world has become so commercialized and the true meaning of Christmas gets lost?

The entertainment tonight was the video of the Trans Siberian Orchestra. I had never seen it. At the end, this young runaway girl ends up going home on Christmas. As she enters the door, her father is standing at the tree and her mom is there too. She runs into her father’s arms. He hugs and hugs her.

Christmas day is only 21 days away. It is a special day where we celebrate our Lord’s birth. May we all remember the true reason for the season. Just as the runaway went back home and ran into her father’s arms, we too on this Christmas day can come back home.
Our Jesus is there waiting for us with his arms wide open. Now if that is not the perfect Christmas gift, I don’t know what is. Praises to our Lord for the gift of his son!

May you all have a blessed joyous Christmas
God Bless Robin December 4, 2008