Noonday Ministries

I went to Noonday Ministries daily outreach one last time before we left Albuquerque. We had put together 125 Homeless Packs, Bibles and reading glasses. Director/Pastor Danny Whately, Kitchen Supervisor Gilda McBain and a handful of faithful volunteers run a well organized outreach. Prior to noon, lunch is made and the serving line is setup. People begin to line up around the back side of the building well before noon time. A Christian Legal Aide representative shows up to sign up anyone who wishes to see an attorney for council. One or two police officers also arrive just prior to noon, to help keep peace and order. At noon the doors open and the people flow in and seat themselves at long rows of tables. The room is a large one that was once used as an indoor basketball court. It still might be at other times. The crowd grew to about 300 people. The back row of the room, which is closest to the food, is for those with disabilities or limited mobility. These folks get served first, after the message. Pastor Danny gives a 15 minute, or so, Bible lesson with the Gospel.  He announced that I was there to distribute Hygiene Packs (Homeless Packs: Bible, Bible study bookmark, toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving razor, shampoo, headache medicine packet, bandages and antibiotic pack, and other varying items). So, as people got their food they walked by my table. I got to ask each person if they needed a Bible and a pack. I also told people to check the Bible and make sure the print was large enough for them to read. I asked them to let me know if it wasn’t. Some people needed one of the large print Gospel of Johns while others needed to be outfitted with new reading glasses. I passed out all 125 Homeless Packs and switched to giving out a Bible, shampoo and toothpaste. Once, I ran out of the shampoo, people were still very thankful for the Bible and toothpaste. After I was done, one of the volunteers made me a tray of the food they had finished serving. The stew and cornbread were delicious! I pray that God continues to use Noonday Ministries to feed the spirit and body of those in need for many years to come. 
-Christopher

Surprising Responses from the Auto Scripture

We figured that we would have a lot of negative feedback to having Bible verses on the backs of our van and RV, because after all, Jesus is “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense” (1Peter2:8) for those who do not believe.  But, so far, there was just one person to date who showed they disapproved.   The fact that this person had to read it served its purpose, anyhow.  :)

We have instead been amazed by the excited responses while driving the van around on our daily tasks.  Many happily wave, point upwards with a big smile, or give a thumb’s up.  There have been some who honk, often startling us, in order to get our attention to show that they like it.  It has been fun to meet fellow brothers and sisters in Christ we wouldn’t have otherwise.  When we’re parked somewhere, we have had people come right up to the van to let us know how much they love it.  A woman yesterday said it was just what she needed to read!  Wow!  I don’t think any of these people realize what an encouragement they are to us, motivating us to keep on going on, especially on days when we’re feeling a little run down.

We’ll probably get more negative responses in the future, but we will continue to keep in mind these things…

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:12-13

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;

it shall not return to me empty,

but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,

and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11

-Kerry

Downtown Albuquerque

Noonday Outreach

Albuquerque, like most warm climate metropolitan cities, have a large homeless and transinant population. One of the local outreaches is Noonday Ministries.  They offer a meal after a message from the pastor. We stopped by and were allowed to offer Gospel of Johns to anyone who wanted them. We passed out 150 Gospels of Johns in about ten minutes.  Most people let us know how grateful they are for the large print.

Hitting the Streets Together

Robert is an Elder at Church of the Redeemer in Los Lunas, NM just south of Albuquerque.  Robert and I hit the streets with Bibles, water and homeless packs.  Robert speaks Spanish fluently and witnessed to 2 Cuban men outside of Noonday Ministries.  We also walked the streets downtown and met Norman (“Homie”) and Silvia.  They are both homeless and struggling to find a way off the streets.  Robert and I shared the Gospel with them and encouraged them to follow Jesus.  Please pray for them. Here are their requests.  Norman needs intercession forunderstanding in how to follow Jesus, and a job.  Silvia would like know Jesus and get a job.

This week Robert and his family will be traveling to Ecuador.  God has called him to plant a Bible school to train up domestic missionaries.  They will be traveling to 3 of Ecuador’s largest cities as they seek open doors for this ministry.  They will be moving to Ecuador in 2014.

-Christopher

A Different Type of Street Evangelism

 “And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways” – Luke 14:23

Auto Evangelism
          Did you ever think that you could share the Gospel to someone and not even be around? Put the Gospel on your car using scripture. God promises that His Word will not return void.

          “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” -Isaiah 55:11

          Just think about how many people drive behind you in a day, a week or a month. So let’s say that you don’t drive much and you average one short car trip a day. If five people read the back of your car a day for a week, then you have reached 35 people with the Gospel. Over the course of a 30 period, you will be planting scripture in the lives of 150 people. This doesn’t take into consideration that there may be more than one person in the cars that drive behind you. At the very least you could be sharing God’s Word with 1825 people in a year!

Parking Lot Evangelism
          Do you ever park your car anywhere besides your garage? Think about how many people walk by your car at work, at the store, and so on. Please consider putting God’s Word on your car.
Once you have installed the Gospel using scripture, you can try what we like to call Parking Lot Evangelism. Is a simple, just park your car with the Gospel side of your car facing where the most people will see it.

          "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12

Here are some suggestions:
     Park near store and other destination entrances.
     Park near an intersection where cars stopping can read your car Gospel.
     Park next to or in front of cars, that display non-Christian beliefs, like the car above with the Darwin fish.
     Drive politely in front of cars that display non-Christian beliefs.
     Park your car Gospel facing the end of your driveway for the neighborhood to read. 

     ***IMPORTANT NOTE – Park legally and obey all traffic laws.***

Get started by calling a sign company about making a custom vinyl sticker or email us with questions.

-Christopher