1 Timothy 1:5
“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
I want to preface this post by saying that I am reaching far outside of my comfort zone in sharing this with you. I realize that this may be offensive to some; I am sorry, because the intention of this post is not to offend, discredit, judge, or be critical of anyone. I only wish to advocate for the people whose voices we don’t listen. The scripture I have included is all scripture that the Father has laid on my heart recently and a lesson I am learning.
Matthew 7:1-6
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person’s eye.”
As we entered Jackson Square on Lundi Gras, there were already many Mardi Gras revelers out and about that morning. We were excited for our friends (street performers and artists) because we knew that this day would surely bring profit for many of them. This is something that we had discussed with many of them last time we had been out for outreach.
Ruben was the first person we greeted that day. Usually, when we walk up to him, he will stop his act and step down from his crate to talk to us and catch us up on the happenings in his life. Ruben greeted us even before we had walked up to him. He stumbled down from his crate, not because he was intoxicated, but because he had been emotionally wounded. He looked into my eyes and said, “Where were you guys half an hour ago?” You could hear the grief in his voice. I asked him, “Why, what’s wrong?” He told us that he had been assaulted by some self proclaiming Christians, wearing scripture inspired shirts and carrying around large wooden signs. Kati and I looked at each other and our hearts sank. We already knew what we were about to hear.
Ruben described the atmosphere, as these men with godly intentions surrounded him on his crate and began verbally persecuting him, a man they had never met before. Even though every word spoken was probably intended for the crowd of revelers that were his audience, Ruben did not know the difference. They deeply wounded him. They continuously blocked tourists from taking photos of Ruben, preventing him from earning the income that pays his rent, utilities, and grocery bills each month.
He was crushed by the behavior of these men who talked about Jesus. He didn’t understand how someone who does not know him could accuse him and hurl insults at him and claim to represent the Lord. He said, I’m a good person. I love God. Sure I should read my Bible more and even pray more. Sure, I drink some wine to unwind and I smoke. That does not make me bad person though. And it is not okay for them to call me the things that they did.”
Meanwhile, over to his left and near the street curb was an additional person, bearing a megaphone, shouting at the top of his lungs at point-blank range of our new friend Joan’s ear. As she recalled the incident to me, she told me, “I don’t have a problem with anyone coming out here and sharing their faith, but to yell in a megaphone right next to me for an hour, is unnecessary!” Again, I am sure that the message these men had to share was intended for the crowd of revelers, but they also deeply wounded her.
I agree with Ruben. I don’t think it is right either to come into a city and assume that because you are a Christian that you have authority to speak. That was the first lesson I learned in street ministry, that you have to meet people where they are, on their level. Don’t assume anything. It’s the precious blood of Jesus that gives authority. It is absurd to expect a bunch of strangers walking by, to stop and listen to the “good news”, when our message is “Shame on you, you bunch of sinners! Shame on you, for going next door and having sex with your neighbor’s wife!” (That is not an exaggeration. That is one small morsel of some truth we heard being spoken.) Really, just what kinds of seeds are we trying to sow, and where are we planting these seeds (Matthew 13:18-23)?!
It is this approach to evangelism that makes our relationship with Ruben more challenging. With people like Ruben, Joan, Regge, Tim, Ricky, and many more, they have been hurt, verbally assaulted in the name of Jesus. Where is the fruit? (Matthew 7:15-18) What are we selling? (1 Corinthians 13:13) Are we selling love (Luke 10:27), hope, and faith (1 Corinthians 13:13)? Or, are we selling a God that is critical, judgmental, angry, and hurtful? Are we speaking with a good conscience and sincere faith? Or, have we departed from these? (1 Timothy 1:6)
It is not anything we say or do, but solely the Lord and his great big LOVE that brings repentance to the hardest of hearts and breaks down walls. Romans 2:4 “. . . God’s kindness (love) is intended to lead you to repentance.”
So with that in mind we will continue to reach out consistently to the people in this city, building loving relationships centered on God.
Angela Schoonmaker
Friday, February 27, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
PRAYER REQUEST: Beating the Streets Outreach 02/22/2009
After our last outreach in the French Quarter on 02/15/2009, the team decided not have another outreach until after Mardi Gras. However, the Lord has laid it heavily upon our hearts to return again, despite the increased number of people at this time of year.
Something that Kati and I had forgotten is that along with the increase of tourist, there is also a spike in homeless people in our city at this time. The homeless visitors range from street performers, traveling kids, artists, con-artists, etc.
The team was deeply impacted by the gross amount of hungry people we met last weekend. We went out equiped to feed eighty people and ran out of food before we got 3/4's of the way done with our beat. In response, we will be beating the streets tomorrow morning (2/23/09) to feed the hungry.
Please cover us in prayer for safety (mind, heart, & soul), effective ministry, strength (mind, heart, & soul), and that every seed will be planted in fertile soil. If you are interested in joining us, contact me tonight via email or text. Thanks to you all for your support!
-Angie
Something that Kati and I had forgotten is that along with the increase of tourist, there is also a spike in homeless people in our city at this time. The homeless visitors range from street performers, traveling kids, artists, con-artists, etc.
The team was deeply impacted by the gross amount of hungry people we met last weekend. We went out equiped to feed eighty people and ran out of food before we got 3/4's of the way done with our beat. In response, we will be beating the streets tomorrow morning (2/23/09) to feed the hungry.
Please cover us in prayer for safety (mind, heart, & soul), effective ministry, strength (mind, heart, & soul), and that every seed will be planted in fertile soil. If you are interested in joining us, contact me tonight via email or text. Thanks to you all for your support!
-Angie
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Update 02-12-2009
December 2008 and January 2009 were very full months for Celebrate blessings Street Outreach as you can read in our last blog. December included street outreach and two additional Christmas projects. January followed that same pattern of full weeks, jam packed with ministry opportunities. We would like to share with you some of those opportunities we have already had in 2009.
We were both equally blessed to take time off after Christmas to spend time with each of our families. Upon my return from Chicago and Angie’s return home from her parents in Harahan, we were reunited with two young women from Rock Harbor church in California. They brought with them a young man from their church as well. It was really great spending time with them again. It was such a blessing to witness all the outreach they participated in on this visit. For the second time, we have learned so much from Kelsey and Emily. They have such passionate hearts to serve!
Up until 3 weeks ago, neither one of us had ever heard of Tifton, Georgia. We did not hear of the town until a group of volunteers from Tifton came to volunteer their time in New Orleans. The volunteer team, comprised of 9 adults, came to New Orleans to help with re-build. One of the things the team wanted to do while they were here was work with the homeless, so we were glad to have the opportunity to share in outreach with them. We were given the opportunity to serve dinner and share a meal each night with the team. As an added bonus, the leader of this team is brother to one of our good friends, Barb, who lives and serves with her family here in New Orleans. It was great spending time with the team before leading them on the streets to minister to the homeless. The Saturday that they were in town (1/14-1/17) we spent a few hours on the streets with this group. They were able to meet many of our friends, and the group was a huge asset to our outreach team. We enjoy sharing in ministry with those who come to New Orleans to serve the city, but it is even more rewarding spending quality time getting to know them before or after the actual hours of street time. A big thank you to 1st United Methodist Church in Tifton!
One of our passions is to raise up leaders from the next generation. When we had the opening to share our ministry with a group of young women at Celebration Church, we grabbed onto that opportunity. We were able to reach out to the Life Group consisting of approximately nine middle school and high school girls. They gather every Friday night to fellowship with one another. It was during one of those times that we went over to share with the group what we do on the streets. We were able to share with them a Power Point slideshow, and they were able to ask questions. Before we take anyone out with us on the street, we do orientation with them and engage them with training. The following week, we went back to their group and helped them assemble sack lunches that we would then deliver to our friends on Sunday. As you can see in the slideshow, we had a great time guiding our team that week. This was our first opportunity to work with a whole team of youths, and we are learning better ways to engage them and to rise up this next generation of leaders. Thanks to Friday Night’s Life group and others who joined us that day!!
Last of all, but not least, we have been connected with a young woman, who shares in our passion to serve the homeless. Her name is Jennifer and she has had the desire to take care of the homeless citizens of New Orleans since she was very young. After sharing that passion with her friend Troy some months ago, he contacted me and we prayed for her and God’s purpose for her life. Then recently, Troy contacted me again and told me that Jennifer was ready to beat the streets. Last Wednesday we were blessed to have Jennifer and Troy join us on an outreach into the French Quarter. It is evident the calling the Lord has placed on her and the compassionate heart he has placed inside of her. Her heart beats for service to those most forgotten. We are unsure if Troy will continue to join us, but he has also been a great asset to the team, and opens a new opportunity of ministry to the homeless men with whom we come into contact. Thank you Jenn and Troy!
For those of you who like to pray for us each time we hit the streets, Sunday February 15 we will be going downtown to Jackson Square and up along the River Front. As our team continues to grow, in addition to the four of us (Angie, Kati, Shaan, and Jack), we will have at least four other youth and adults joining us.
We hope that you enjoy the slide show and thank you for supporting us through prayer, financially, and emotionally. We love you and continue to pray for you.
We were both equally blessed to take time off after Christmas to spend time with each of our families. Upon my return from Chicago and Angie’s return home from her parents in Harahan, we were reunited with two young women from Rock Harbor church in California. They brought with them a young man from their church as well. It was really great spending time with them again. It was such a blessing to witness all the outreach they participated in on this visit. For the second time, we have learned so much from Kelsey and Emily. They have such passionate hearts to serve!
Up until 3 weeks ago, neither one of us had ever heard of Tifton, Georgia. We did not hear of the town until a group of volunteers from Tifton came to volunteer their time in New Orleans. The volunteer team, comprised of 9 adults, came to New Orleans to help with re-build. One of the things the team wanted to do while they were here was work with the homeless, so we were glad to have the opportunity to share in outreach with them. We were given the opportunity to serve dinner and share a meal each night with the team. As an added bonus, the leader of this team is brother to one of our good friends, Barb, who lives and serves with her family here in New Orleans. It was great spending time with the team before leading them on the streets to minister to the homeless. The Saturday that they were in town (1/14-1/17) we spent a few hours on the streets with this group. They were able to meet many of our friends, and the group was a huge asset to our outreach team. We enjoy sharing in ministry with those who come to New Orleans to serve the city, but it is even more rewarding spending quality time getting to know them before or after the actual hours of street time. A big thank you to 1st United Methodist Church in Tifton!
One of our passions is to raise up leaders from the next generation. When we had the opening to share our ministry with a group of young women at Celebration Church, we grabbed onto that opportunity. We were able to reach out to the Life Group consisting of approximately nine middle school and high school girls. They gather every Friday night to fellowship with one another. It was during one of those times that we went over to share with the group what we do on the streets. We were able to share with them a Power Point slideshow, and they were able to ask questions. Before we take anyone out with us on the street, we do orientation with them and engage them with training. The following week, we went back to their group and helped them assemble sack lunches that we would then deliver to our friends on Sunday. As you can see in the slideshow, we had a great time guiding our team that week. This was our first opportunity to work with a whole team of youths, and we are learning better ways to engage them and to rise up this next generation of leaders. Thanks to Friday Night’s Life group and others who joined us that day!!
Last of all, but not least, we have been connected with a young woman, who shares in our passion to serve the homeless. Her name is Jennifer and she has had the desire to take care of the homeless citizens of New Orleans since she was very young. After sharing that passion with her friend Troy some months ago, he contacted me and we prayed for her and God’s purpose for her life. Then recently, Troy contacted me again and told me that Jennifer was ready to beat the streets. Last Wednesday we were blessed to have Jennifer and Troy join us on an outreach into the French Quarter. It is evident the calling the Lord has placed on her and the compassionate heart he has placed inside of her. Her heart beats for service to those most forgotten. We are unsure if Troy will continue to join us, but he has also been a great asset to the team, and opens a new opportunity of ministry to the homeless men with whom we come into contact. Thank you Jenn and Troy!
For those of you who like to pray for us each time we hit the streets, Sunday February 15 we will be going downtown to Jackson Square and up along the River Front. As our team continues to grow, in addition to the four of us (Angie, Kati, Shaan, and Jack), we will have at least four other youth and adults joining us.
We hope that you enjoy the slide show and thank you for supporting us through prayer, financially, and emotionally. We love you and continue to pray for you.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Christmas Projects 2008
We want to thank all of our brothers and sisters who financially supported and faithfully tithed in 2008. It was because of your faithfulness and generosity in giving that Celebrate Blessings was equipped to serve multiple families through our Christmas projects. As always, the Lord took what you gave and multiplied it just as he did when he fed the five thousand who had come to hear him teach. And just like the Lord used only what was in the basket, he used only the amount of money we requested for the Christmas projects!
The first family we served was a family who had just recently moved out of the family shelter at the New Orleans Mission. Both the mother and father have worked very hard and saved their money in order to have a place of their own for their two young children. From the very beginning the father told us about how brave and courageous his children have been through their circumstances. He tearfully exclaimed at one point in our conversation, “They have been so understanding and have adjusted through our different circumstances so well. I just want them to feel appreciated. I want them to feel special.” Also, when the father asked his children for a Christmas wish list, each child made a list of eight or nine items. Some of the things on their wish list were “love, my dad to get better (both children), big thank you’ll see at Christmas, and a fairy to come to my house”. They of course requested toys such as a play station, art stuff, and Air Jordan’s as well.
When we went shopping for them the Lord took the money we had and equipped us to purchase both children with basic undergarment clothing needs, as well as multiple new outfits for each child. When we paid for the daughters clothing we were rewarded with an automatic discount on our next purchase. Praise God for that because we used it immediately for the son’s clothing! Also, we were able to purchase multiple toys for each child. We were excited to find an art desk/easel for a third of the money we had to spend on the daughter for toys. That freed up the remaining two thirds to fill up her desk with all the art and scrap booking supplies a little girls heart could desire (which happens to be her passion)! We also decided to purchase a PS2 and one game for the boy. As you know, they are very expensive. Yet again, God is present, and we were able to purchase a PS2, an extra controller, and not one but three games. It was really awesome how the money was stretched to get the things that the parents wished they could buy for each child and we did not have to sacrifice quality in those items at all. Praise God for providing so big to this family!
The second family we served was a single mother and her toddler. This mother had also had moved out of a family shelter at the New Orleans Mission just a few weeks before Christmas. We were able to take her out shopping with us two days before Christmas. Have you ever been shopping at Wal-Mart two days before Christmas? I would not recommend doing it, unless you are taking Jesus with you. Despite the craziness and chaotic atmosphere of last minute shoppers, all five of us (yes Shaan & Jack too) had a BLAST! It was such a blessing for us to get to spend time with her and get know about her and her son. Also, it was a lot of fun to share in her joy of getting to pick out new outfits and toys for her child for Christmas. Again, God really worked through this opportunity and multiplied what we had in order to meet all the needs of this little boy.
The focus in our work is to build relationships with the people we serve in the community. Our desire is to not only introduce people to Christ, but walk along side with them as we mature in Christ. Although, we are not always the vessels that God uses to walk alongside of them, we always enter each new relationship with the expectancy for God to work in big ways. Please pray that if the Lord wants to further use us in these family’s lives that he will open those doors for us to further connect with them.
The second part of our Christmas project involved supporting Cherie Wright a member at Celebration’s River Parishes Campus and her desire to put together some food baskets for Christmas. We met Cherie and her husband Shawn at a leadership summit. Shawn was in need of Bibles to give out. For anyone who does not know Shawn, he is a man on fire for the Lord. It doesn’t matter where he is; he is going to talk about Jesus. If you don’t know Jesus, he is going to show you the way! It was in this encounter that we were able to put Bibles in their hand and learn about Cherie’s desire to make food baskets for the holidays and to start a pantry.
Once Kati and I prayed, and agreed that we needed and wanted to support Cherie and her desire, God started making things happen. It was really awesome to see how all the life groups, in addition to their own individual ministries, pulled resources together and also engaged the community to accomplish this project. I could tell you everything we witnessed, but I think Cherie’s testimony more adequately portrays the events that led to the Lord multiplying their baskets.
We want to ask that you will pray for our RPC that they will be able to have more opportunities to pour into the families that they served through their Christmas project. Also, pray that they may continue to believe God, trust God, and let God work in and through them.
Again, we want to just say a big thank you to our family at Celebration Church who continually steps up to support and equip us to serve and give to those for whom our heart most desperately beats. We love you and continue to pray for you!
Angie, Kati, Shaan, & Jack
The first family we served was a family who had just recently moved out of the family shelter at the New Orleans Mission. Both the mother and father have worked very hard and saved their money in order to have a place of their own for their two young children. From the very beginning the father told us about how brave and courageous his children have been through their circumstances. He tearfully exclaimed at one point in our conversation, “They have been so understanding and have adjusted through our different circumstances so well. I just want them to feel appreciated. I want them to feel special.” Also, when the father asked his children for a Christmas wish list, each child made a list of eight or nine items. Some of the things on their wish list were “love, my dad to get better (both children), big thank you’ll see at Christmas, and a fairy to come to my house”. They of course requested toys such as a play station, art stuff, and Air Jordan’s as well.
When we went shopping for them the Lord took the money we had and equipped us to purchase both children with basic undergarment clothing needs, as well as multiple new outfits for each child. When we paid for the daughters clothing we were rewarded with an automatic discount on our next purchase. Praise God for that because we used it immediately for the son’s clothing! Also, we were able to purchase multiple toys for each child. We were excited to find an art desk/easel for a third of the money we had to spend on the daughter for toys. That freed up the remaining two thirds to fill up her desk with all the art and scrap booking supplies a little girls heart could desire (which happens to be her passion)! We also decided to purchase a PS2 and one game for the boy. As you know, they are very expensive. Yet again, God is present, and we were able to purchase a PS2, an extra controller, and not one but three games. It was really awesome how the money was stretched to get the things that the parents wished they could buy for each child and we did not have to sacrifice quality in those items at all. Praise God for providing so big to this family!
The second family we served was a single mother and her toddler. This mother had also had moved out of a family shelter at the New Orleans Mission just a few weeks before Christmas. We were able to take her out shopping with us two days before Christmas. Have you ever been shopping at Wal-Mart two days before Christmas? I would not recommend doing it, unless you are taking Jesus with you. Despite the craziness and chaotic atmosphere of last minute shoppers, all five of us (yes Shaan & Jack too) had a BLAST! It was such a blessing for us to get to spend time with her and get know about her and her son. Also, it was a lot of fun to share in her joy of getting to pick out new outfits and toys for her child for Christmas. Again, God really worked through this opportunity and multiplied what we had in order to meet all the needs of this little boy.
The focus in our work is to build relationships with the people we serve in the community. Our desire is to not only introduce people to Christ, but walk along side with them as we mature in Christ. Although, we are not always the vessels that God uses to walk alongside of them, we always enter each new relationship with the expectancy for God to work in big ways. Please pray that if the Lord wants to further use us in these family’s lives that he will open those doors for us to further connect with them.
The second part of our Christmas project involved supporting Cherie Wright a member at Celebration’s River Parishes Campus and her desire to put together some food baskets for Christmas. We met Cherie and her husband Shawn at a leadership summit. Shawn was in need of Bibles to give out. For anyone who does not know Shawn, he is a man on fire for the Lord. It doesn’t matter where he is; he is going to talk about Jesus. If you don’t know Jesus, he is going to show you the way! It was in this encounter that we were able to put Bibles in their hand and learn about Cherie’s desire to make food baskets for the holidays and to start a pantry.
Once Kati and I prayed, and agreed that we needed and wanted to support Cherie and her desire, God started making things happen. It was really awesome to see how all the life groups, in addition to their own individual ministries, pulled resources together and also engaged the community to accomplish this project. I could tell you everything we witnessed, but I think Cherie’s testimony more adequately portrays the events that led to the Lord multiplying their baskets.
“Believe God, Trust God, Let God work!” We always hear things like this or even sometimes say them ourselves. But it is the most amazing experience when you actually believe God, trust God and then see God work. Our original intent with our Christmas project was to help at least 5 families. And though 5 seems like a small number, because we have such a small congregation 5 was actually a pretty daunting task.
We began with just asking members to bring in can goods & collecting donations through our Life Groups. Then Angie and Katie called us to let us know that they were going to help us in our efforts by purchasing the perishable food items for us. What a blessing this was! With all the donations we received in can goods, gifts and the food that was donated through Angie and Katie, we were able to bless 11 families. More than double what we were expecting.
But the blessings did not stop there. Our almost nonexistent food pantry has so much food now, that we really don’t have enough space for it. Since Christmas we have been able to help at least 6 more families. We are now able to continue to help those in our congregation and community who are in need. It has been truly wonderful to see how God has touched the hearts of the people of RPC and allowed them to give above and beyond to those in need. PRAISE GOD!
We want to ask that you will pray for our RPC that they will be able to have more opportunities to pour into the families that they served through their Christmas project. Also, pray that they may continue to believe God, trust God, and let God work in and through them.
Again, we want to just say a big thank you to our family at Celebration Church who continually steps up to support and equip us to serve and give to those for whom our heart most desperately beats. We love you and continue to pray for you!
Angie, Kati, Shaan, & Jack
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