Meeting with the home directors

I have forgotten their names, but I really appreciate the wife's story and burden to reach out to a specific group of women who are on the streets dealing with drug addictions and prostitution. We can partner with them in a few different ways. Primarily, we can help them through prayer. Since we're new to the area and we're all unfamiliar faces, our influence is limited compared to the home directors who have been working with their groups for awhile now. Another way we can help is through material gifts whether its money, service, food, etc. we could encourage them by talking with them during a meal.

As I think about the future for my ministry outreach and the Spirit's involvement, I'm very hopeful and excited. Since I'll be working with one person as a tutor, it'll give me the opportunity to focus solely on this one individual. There is a zeal in me to look at Jesus on my own time, for the purpose of being a bright light to the guy I'll be tutoring. As I taste and see that the Lord is good, I want that to be expressed so that this man also sees the beautiful peace and joy of God. I can already tell that many opportunities will be presented to share the good news of Jesus Christ, so my prayer is that the Holy Spirit would soften his heart and awaken him to the knowledge of God. In a way, I can see this as my first experience in discipling someone who may not know Jesus and then leading them to the Lord because of the example I have set before them.

Meeting with Officer Cooley and neighborhood possibilities

The one main thing I'm glad Officer Cooley addressed (and stressed) is how we are not an exception to the "It won't happen to me" mindset. Honestly though, I still don't think it'll happen to me BUT I will live with caution as if it could happen to me. Another point he made, which could be used in many areas of life, is to be prepared and aware. Simply keep your eyes open and look around you and you will know whether you can move about or if you should stay put. Lastly, look confident and stay with a group. I liked how he mentioned this and how it'll deter the bad guys from making any advances. One extra thing I thought when he said this was to keep a smile on. I can imagine if we walked past a group of people making a deal and we give a look that implies, "you're doing something bad" they might get offended and decide to beat us up. I figure that we can walk around with a smile and look innocent but be prepared for anything.

Within the neighborhood, I believe the best way to get involved would be through the children. Organizing games, a bicycle repair shop, or any fun activity with the kids would open the doors to the hearts of the parents. It wouldn't even need to be organized. Take out a soccer ball sometime when we see kids play outside and start a game of soccer. Bringing treats along would also help start the relationship building between us and the kids which would in turn give us a good relationship with the parents. Personally, I can't wait for winter so maybe then I'll set up a snowball fight with forts and stuff =)