Downtown Street Church Jan 31 2007

Notes from StreetHope’s Downtown Street Church

The Downtown Street Church the Lord gave us to start will be definitely in Gods' time. He will draw people to the evening. Our efforts to put together an agenda have not worked out precisely to what we thought we heard God speak to us about. I was not very patient in the beginning of the evening but as the evening pressed on I was pleasantly reminded of the Lord's timing is not the same as mine. We will have to rebuild the trust and relationships we had with people in the Downtown again. It has been 10 months since the closure of the drop-in on Pauline Street.

Eight years ago the first female to come into the FVCC or StreetHope as it became to be known was Tia and tonight she returned and unfortunately back in the streets and practicing prostitution. Penny came in withTia, Penny has been in the streets for the last years and continues in her addiction. Penny told me tonight that the doctors are saying Rick is dying (Her male companion for 20 years). Please pray for how the Lord wants us to intervene in the lives of Rick and Penny?

Rick Mickelson and Lance came via an invitation from Ward Draper (volunteer) to help with the food prep and they want to come back and organize the food for the Street Church. Carole Springthorpe came in the role of Intercessor and prayed continually until the time the service began. Catherine Morris led in the prayers, I addressed everyone and welcomed people and told a story about the 13 Amendment (The Declaration of Emancipation) to lead into the study on the Apostles Creed led by Ward Draper. Wayne Griffith provided us with his ability to run the sound system and Lori Macdonald, Tim Ogden and Paul Deary helped with security, setup and take down.

Maggie teared during the prayers and the Lord answered a prayer for a place to stay the night for her. She is very abused and hurting woman that comes across as a tough sort but we know she is frightened and in need of the Love of God. Bill inquired if I married people because he and Sandy are considering marriage. Ben came back and brought with him the couple wanting to get married. Bobby and his dog Brandon arrived and his well behaved dog began the evening waiting at the entrance of the church until I said he would be able to come in. Bobby was delightfully surprised that I would let Brandon enter the church building.

Ernest arrived while we were in the service and promptly got food and joined in the discussions. One other gentleman showed up got a sandwich and left. Karl came at the beginning but chose not to stay.

Questions arose about God and His character.. We spoke of God and His patience and Love for us and we know that He will be faithful and show each and everyone who comes in His Deep, Deep love for them. Sandy has the thought that God is a mean Father. She will shrug off her comments when we say that He isn't and so that reminds me to let people give their opinion and feelings about who God is to them and correct their misconceptions right away.