July 2008 Update

It has been at least two months now since both of the boys have been joining Kati and me in the streets. We have learned a lot from Shaan and Jack about generosity and unconditional love. We have tried to evaluate the worth of the experiences, but as always God far surpasses those expectations. This week we learned a valuable lesson from Shaan about boldness, faith, and prayer on our weekly visit to the library.


As we walked from the childrens wing of the library, we observed an senior adult laying down on a bench in the hallway. Now you have to understand, we have observed people sleeping and resting in some really peculiar places, so at first glance we walked past the woman. However, as we took the next twenty steps away from her, Kati and and I both began to internally process what he had seen and realized that this is in fact was not normal. Very quickly we dialogued and established that the person did not look physically well. Without saying much, we turned around and went back to the woman to check on her.




After a brief dialogue with the woman, we learned that she had just recently has surgery. She was feeling weak. So, she put her book down and laid on the bench to rest a while. We asked if there was a way that we might be able to help or serve her. She very kindly declined the offer repeating that she just needed a little rest. Once again I offered to help by bringing her some water, and again she declined the offer. She thanked us for stopping to inquire about her well being and closed her eyes.




We turned and departed from the bench. We had taken only a few short steps, when Shaan gently touched my arm and asked me, " Mom can I pray for the woman?" You can imagine how shocked I was at his request. I stopped, smiled, and replied, "Yes Shaan, go ahead." We were only a few feet away from the woman, so Kati and me stayed where we were, and Shaan left my side to reapproach the woman.




As he approached the woman once again, he asked her if he could pray for her. She was very grateful to receive prayer from Shaan and accepted his offer. Then, Shaan stretched out his hand towards her and began to pray, "Father God, I just ask that you would give this woman the strength and power to be healthy and have the strength and power not to be weak in Jesus name. Father God, I just thank you. In Jesus name, Amen."

What a profound example Shaan was to us and the others that witnessed Shaan's ministry. In that single moment he confirmed our admiration and respect that we already had for him. In that moment, we learned a valuable lesson about meeting people directly in their needs, boldness in our daily mission field, and the importance of what we model to our youth.




We ask that you will continue to pray for us and our friends as we grow in our faith walk. There have been several generous donations of material, time, and financial support from groups and individuals. We thank you for your generosity in supporting our friends and our efforts.



A special thanks to Kieren and Rachel from the U.K. for sharing your time and ministry with us. Also, a special thanks to Revolution women's mission team for helping us sort clothing donations. Also, a special thanks to our friends in OK and our friends on the North Shore; it is because of you that we are able to feed and clothe our friends. You make all this possible by equipping us to serve the people for whom we are impassioned. Most of all, we thank the Lord for putting this purpose in our hearts.


Below is the people we ask that you will pray for this month. We look forward to sharing their victories and future successes with you.





Tanya- We hear from Tanya at least five times a week. She has been committed to calling us and updating us on her daily progress. She has a monthly income, however, she seems to face many challenges in finding affordable housing for herself. She has made multiple requests for various phyiscal needs to be met, such as shoes, backpack, sleeping bag, food, hygiene items, etc. Although at times her need may be great, we see each opportunity to serve her as an opportunity to plant another seed. She is incredibly forthright and transparent in communicating. Please pray that we will continue to have opportunities to plant seeds in her heart of hope and love.



Chuck- He expressed his determination to get off the streets with us after having his pockets slit in his sleep. He was sober this particular night and so the attempt to steal his wallet woke him up. Now more than ever he is determined to get sober and find some work in order to at least be able to stay in a cheap room each night. We were able to bless him with a pair of work shoes after learning that he had been wearing a pair of shoes that were a full size smaller than his feet. Upon receiving those shoes, we saw a softer side of Chuck that we had never experienced before, and we were given a great opportunity to plant a seed of hope in him. In previous contacts Shaan has connected with him through his guitar. Please pray that the shoes provided to Chuck will serve as a vehicle for him to find work. Also, pray that he will experience deliverance from his addiction to alcohol. Shaan asks that you pray that Chuck will be healthy and encouraged.



Richard-It is always encouraging to talk with him as he is interested in our spiritual growth and well being. We had the opportunity on different encounters to be able meet needs such as purchasing prescription medications, sleeping bag, and a backpack. We are often encouraged by our visits with Richard, as he is open to sharing in the word and receiving prayer. He has expressed the desire for a large print Bible or reading glasses, and short term rental assistance in affordable housing. Also, he has serious health problems. We do not have necesarilly have the resources to provide the latter of his needs. Please pray for Richards needs to be met, and more opportunities to plant seeds.

Ruben & Shannon- We had the opportunity to spend time with them beyond our weekend outreach recently when we gave them a bed. They were able to acquire a new home, something for which we have been praying for since we have known them. They had lived in their van since Katrina. This is something they were able to accomplish without the help of rental assistance. It was an honor to be their first visitors and also allow them the opportunity to serve and share with us through a cold drink. Not only did God provide to them a place to live, but they were able to acquire enough furniture and accessories to fill their home without addittional costs. This was the first time we met Shannon and she shared with us the desire to further help their financial situation through her craft. She needs the proper instruments and tools in order to make this happen. Please pray that Shannon will be able to get the necessary equipment to resume her craft, for their continued health and that we will have plenty more opportunities to serve them.

James-He is what we consider a light in the darkness at Jackson Square. He uses his art as an opportunity to minster and share the gospel. As he draws his caricatures he boldly shares his faith. He is often a great encouragement to us. We always look forward to sharing times of prayer with him. Recently his prayer for reconciliation with his wifes family was answered as a result of his wife's pregnancy. Please continue to pray for reparations of these relationships and for the health of his wife and their unborn child.

Tim-He is engaged and living with a young woman that he saved from the streets. We have had the opportunity to pray and engage in dialogue with her, but still know very little about her circumstances. We ask that you contiue to pray for deliverance from alcohol for Tim. Also, pray that we may continue planting seeds of hope and love into his heart.

"The Pants"

Last week as Kati was waiting at O’Hare Airport she received a phone call from one of our friends, David Keep. He said, “Kati, it’s so good to hear a voice, I thought I would get a machine. Do you know who this is? This is David Keep. I just wanted to call you to say, Praise God for what He has done.”

Initially we met David Keep on February 10, 2008. Below is an excerpt from the Celebrate Blessings Street Outreach Book:

David Keep
David has asked for size 13 wide shoes, 5XL shirts. He is a 30 year painter who lives in his truck. He is looking for work, but has indicated that finding any consistent job has been very difficult. He has also dealt with some health issues including a tumor last year. Please pray that this man will be encouraged to get through this circumstance and that he would find a more consistent job that will provide enough income for housing and cost of living.

The following week, David returned to meet us, expecting that our prayers had been answered. That week the Lord had answered those prayers and allowed us to provide a new pair of shoes and some new t-shirts.

David continued to come out week after week to greet us, even though he was not living under the bridge. During those weeks, he did not request any physical need to be met, and yet he continued to meet us at the bridge. He was always very positive and encouraging during our encounters. He communicated his gratitude to God and us for all that we provided to the community at the Claiborne camp.

On March 22, 2008, David asked that we would provide a pair of boots, painter’s whites, and prayer so that he could find consistent work as a painter. He, like most of our working friends, anticipated the new week and the possibilities for work that week. Importantly, he was expecting God to answer his prayers swiftly.

On March 30, 2008, we were able to provide a pair of work boots to David. However, the painter’s whites proved to be more of a challenge because of David’s waist size. He was not discouraged, and rather came with a praise report and gave thanks for the boots.

This day, David and Angie stepped aside and spent some time together praying some very specific things for his life. After the prayer was over, he immediately approached Kati. He said, “Kati, you missed it.” Kati said, “Missed what?” David replied, “We prayed! And, it was really good!”

Below is an excerpt from the Celebrate Blessings Street Outreach Weekly Book March 30, 2008:

David K. David secured a job last week painting the Cajun Queen anticipating God providing the necessary work clothes. He is so excited to be working. His joy was evident and forthright in acknowledging God’s working in his life. We were not able to provide the painters whites, because they do not carry his size at Wal-Mart. However, that did not kill his joy. David and I prayed together before he departed. We prayed for continued favor with his boss and with his coworkers, that he would be able to share his testimony with all those he came in contact with, that he may continue to grow in the Lord, and that he may find his purpose in this life.

On April 5, 2008, David met us yet again at the bridge. He was so excited to give us a praise report, telling us that he had been painting the Cajun Queen all week. The employer had gone ahead and hired him despite David not having the uniform. He and the employer had a full expectation that he would have an appropriate uniform by the end of the week. He was correct. David’s faith in the Lord really, truly inspired both Kati and me. That very week, Kati made it her mission to find that pair of painter’s whites. That day we prayed a prayer of thanks to the Lord for meeting David right at his needs and in perfect timing.

Since, that day, we had not heard nor seen David. Many times over the past months, Kati and I have often wondered about David and how is doing. We, from the beginning of our work together, had to come to the realization that we are here on the streets to plant seeds, and most of the time we will never see them bear fruit. The one thing we had been confident about with David was that he was doing fine and would continue to grow in his faith walk. That confidence was confirmed with his phone call to Kati on June 25, 2008.

David’s story does not end there. The phone call to Kati was to inform us that he is now leasing a three bedroom home in St. Bernard Parish. Since the working on the Cajun Queen, he has been working fervently as a painter, and he even now has three jobs lined up. He also has just hired three homeless men that he met at the Claiborne camp. David is excited to experience God moving in His life, and he does not take that for granted as he aspires to share his testimony with others.

We are currently working with a pastor in St. Bernard parish to get David connected with other believers. We know fully that a roof over someone’s head is not the whole solution, but only a start. It is important that David now begin to build a genuine relationship with the Lord as well as seek other natural supports.

Please pray for David that he will get connected in a church, build Godly friendships, grow in his faith walk, and be able to share his testimony boldly.

Praise God!