70x7

Same-same but different

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but

because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 

I Peter 5:2

I have been very remiss lately in sending out email updates and I need to get back on track.  We have been very busy loving on our friends and I have been having such a wonderful time getting to know some of the new young ladies we have on the team.  Every week when I sit down at my computer and try to write an email I go over in my mind the events of the evening and the next thing I know I’m praising God for the awesome team we have, 2 hours have passed and I haven’t written a thing.  I used to wonder why I was so blessed with the opportunity to serve on the streets but now I just give thanks! 

Tonight I’m doing something a little different, something I should have done a few months ago.  I would love for you to take the time to read the attached blog, Lindsey is a blessing and I give thanks to my Heavenly Father for her love for Him and for others.

http://lindseysrestoration.blogspot.com/2012/06/bangkok-to-detroit-same-same-but.html?m=1

Blessings,

Donna

P.S. Christmas is fast approaching if you’d like to help us bless others please email or call me at

313-801-2204 and I can let you know our needs, Thanks!

Heavy hearts

Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.  Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.  Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.  Psalm 126:4-6

I keep reading this passage over and over again, praying for the songs of joy to come.  These last few months have been high and low.  We’ve had times where we’ve rejoiced in the looks of astonishment on faces that have seen the light and are turning their lives around.  There have been times of laughter in the van with some very special visitors.  But there have also been times, like this week, where our hearts are very heavy and it’s a struggle to find the joy. 

We’ve lost a few of our girls this summer to the hands of people that took their lives.  Sunday night our friend April was brutally murdered and I am so deeply saddened.  I can’t get her face, her beautiful shame filled face out of my mind.  I’ve met a lot of women over the years and I love every one of them but every once in a while you meet one that really touches your heart.  April was one of those women.  I’ve been spending hours on the phone the last few days talking to friends of April, sharing memories of her life, her struggles, and the love so many had for her.  One friend of hers is feeling guilt over not being there for April.  This friend left the street life, drugs and the neighborhood about a year ago but still kept in touch with most of the ladies still in the life.  This friend keeps calling me asking me to tell her she made the right decision by leaving the life behind and trusting that the Lord would take care of her.  My heart aches for April’s friend as she reaches out to the Lord for love and acceptance, she still doesn’t understand that she’s been washed clean. 

Father, some nights our hearts are so heavy for these lost women and the battle they are in.  Please continue to guide us, go before us, and prepare the hearts of these precious ladies.  We are trusting in you to lead us in showing love and acceptance to these ladies.  We are thanking you that we had the privilege of getting to know April and we pray that she is now at peace in your loving arms.  Help direct our hearts and minds to stay on the sacrifice of your son Jesus for each of us; that you love all of us more than we can possibly imagine or hope for.    

Restore our fortunes Lord, restore our strength, and renew our hearts with the love and knowledge that it is You who performs the miracle of changed lives, You that loves us beyond measure, and You that is always reaching out with hope!!  We thank you for the opportunities that you continue to present to us to love each other. 

Blessings,

Donna

“Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.” Deut.28:6

Fellowship Rocks!

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  I John 4:12

Things have been so different this summer that I feel like it’s really the ‘lazy days of summer’.  We have only been doing outreach 4 times a month and the rest of the month we have been having the time of our lives taking clients out to dinner. 

We’ve had the privilege of sharing meals with people working the streets, homeless gents, x-addicts, x-prostitutes, and beautiful young children.  I wish I could share pictures of everyone with all of you but I only have permission from 1 person.  This lady’s story may sound familiar to some of you because in the past you have blessed her with prayers and get well cards.  What is really awesome is that she has kept ALL the cards she has received. 

She almost didn’t go to dinner with us because satan kept telling her she wasn’t good enough, didn’t have the proper clothes, and had no money.  Thank you Jesus that she trusted you enough to step out of her comfort zone and bless some of the 70x7 team with her presence at the dinner table. 

Judy is what some might call an x-everything; addict, prostitute, thief, liar, etc.    We’ve known Judy about 4 or 5 years now.  When we first met her she was into everything, including telling us to get lost.  Then one day she sent word out on the street that she wanted to see us and everything changed.  She told us that she wanted to turn her life around and that she wanted us to teach her about Jesus.  Things have not been easy for Judy since she accepted Christ.  She developed diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, blood MRSA, had her lungs surgically scraped twice, and a few other physical challenges.  Her joy and thankfulness while dealing with these issues is an encouragement to everyone who meets her.  At dinner she asked us to teach her how to pray so we told her to just talk to him like he is her best friend.  She said, “I don’t know if I can do that He is GOD!  So I thank Him for everything He has given me and struggle to ask Him for anything”.  Judy God loves you with a love that is deeper and wider than anything you’ve ever known or imagined.  You’ve trusted Him to help you walk away from a destructive lifestyle now trust Him to fill you with peace, joy, and love.  His grace IS sufficient. 

Judy made a wise decision about a year ago and moved away from the neighborhood where everyone knew her.  She did confess that she is very lonely in her new place and is sometimes tempted to go back to the old neighborhood but when she starts thinking that way she gets on her knees and thanks God for what she has.  We thank God that He is her strength in times of weakness and an inspiration to all of us on the team. 

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18

Blessings,
Donna

Pic: Betty (team), Cindy (team), Judy (new sister in Christ), Jeana (team), Donna (team)

“Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.” Deut.28:6

Fowl

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luke 12:24 KJV

Rather than take clients to dinner this week we did outreach so that we can stay connected to our friends.  It was a joy to see some of them and they were delighted to see us after an absence of 3 weeks.  Unfortunately there are some new women out there working the streets and they broke our hearts. 

When we saw her the first thing we noticed is that she really looked out of place.  She was dressed in a pretty beige sheath, wearing high-heels, perfect make-up and hair.  She looked like she just stepped out of a corporate office, but the look in her eyes was absolute fear.  When we approached her we thought she might run away but she timidly said yes to our offer of a lunch bag and prayer.  She was not the only girl out there these last 2 evenings.  We meet way too many new girls working the streets.  Some evenings your heart is just so heavy with the knowledge that these ladies are walking a path of destruction.  Heartfelt prayers are offered up for these women, Kleenex is passed between hands as they cry when we pray for them.  As we drive away we seek the Lord’s strength to love these lost souls, to bring healing to their bodies, their souls and most especially to their families, Mom’s, Dad’s, and children. 

The Lord is so faithful to remind us that He cares for each of them by allowing us to see a visual reminder of Luke 12:24.  Thank you Jesus that you care for us more than even the fowl hanging out in the middle of the hood! (pic of birds not attached)
 

Blessings,

Donna

Persevere

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10

This is a verse I have to repeat over and over as I struggle with some of the people we meet.  Last week’s dinner guests were a joy to spend time with and we rejoice in the opportunity to get to know them better.  A few of our guests are fighting the good fight but a few are also still very lost.  Please keep them all lifted up in prayer.  Because of the choices some of our friends are making 70x7 will not be sharing the pictures of our dinner guests from last week.

This week we focused on taking out a few of the families we have met over the years.

Monday night we had the pleasure of sharing a meal with Dee and her 3 adopted children.  This woman is amazing, for 20 years she was a foster mother and then she decided to adopt these 3 precious young ones.  Dee is pictured on the far right with her children in front, Donetta, on the 70x7 team, is next to her and then Terry and Cindy, also on the team, are next to the kids. 

We met this family about 2 years ago when we were visiting a crack house down the street from them.  We would stop and visit our friends at the crack house and then drive by Dee’s home without stopping.  The kids would wave to us as we drove by but we never felt comfortable stopping as we didn’t want to draw attention to them from the people we had just visited.  Well one evening that changed and we all felt this gentle prodding to stop and offer them a lunch bag.  Thank you Lord for the prompting of the Holy Spirit, it has been a joy getting to know this wonderful family. 

Linda, far right with the walker, we have known about 6 years now.  When we first met her she didn’t know where her kids were as they had been kidnapped by their father 10 years prior to our meeting her.  Many evenings we prayed with Linda for the safety of her children and for the Lord to make a way for her to find them.  God answers prayer in the most miraculous way.  2 ½ years ago Linda got a call from Child protective services in Ohio asking her to come get her kids.  The most amazing thing is that Linda was wheelchair bound at the time but Jesus gave her the strength to get up out of that wheelchair, get on a bus by herself, attend the court hearing in Ohio and “Yeah God” return home with her kids.  The kids are standing behind me, in between Cindy and Judy (70x7 team) on the left and Betty (70x7 team) on the right. 

Thank you Jesus for bringing these wonderful, preserving mother’s into our lives.  May you continue to bless them with the strength, resources, and love they need every day to be the women you’ve called them to be.

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.  James 5:11

Blessings,

Donna

www.70x7outreach.org

Communication

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Eph. 4:29 KJV

This summer we are doing things a little differently.  Instead of doing street outreach twice a week we are taking clients/friends out to dinner.  We will be doing the dinners the first 3 weeks of a month and outreach the last week of the month.  We did a few of these dinners last year and they were such a hit with our friends that we decided to expand it this summer so that we can grow deeper in friendship and in our sharing of the Gospel. 

Tuesday night 9 of us got together for dinner and had a wonderful time.  We even got to celebrate one of the 70x7 team members leaving for 6 months to go do ministry at an Orphanage in India!  Jeana you will be missed but we are rejoicing with the Lord in your willingness to step out in faith and love on His children in India!

Please keep us lifted up in prayer that we be used to minister grace unto the hearers we invite to dinner. 

Blessings,Donna

www.70x7outreach.org

Counting feet

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Rev. 7:9

We have an unwritten rule while praying with people during outreach, only the person praying is allowed to close their eyes.  Everyone else in the van is to keep their eyes open and watch what is happening around the van.  The same is true when we are standing outside the van praying with people.  Well this week there was a group of us standing in a circle holding hands and praying, my mind started straying and I counted the feet of the people in the circle.  There were 19 pairs of feet and when it really hit me that we had such a large group I kept thinking of all the scriptures where the Lord had His people count the tribes, the followers, etc., etc.  Then I remembered in Revelation where the crowd was so great they couldn’t be counted and my heart really started to rejoice.  Lord, how many of these feet will be walking with you in heaven?  How many of these precious feet represent different nations, tribes, people, and languages? 

Our next stop took us to the abandominium of some of our cross-dresser friends.  Cindy got out of the van to pray with our friends and the rest of us stayed in the van and kept watch.  Next door a man was mowing his lawn, going back and forth, back and forth, until he noticed the prayer circle.  He turned off his mower and leaned against his car, folded his hands and bowed his head.  He looked up once and I caught his eye and beckoned him to come closer.  He proceeded to tell us that we were an answer to prayer.  In the last few weeks he felt he needed to seek God and go to church.  This past Sunday he stepped out in faith and went to an LDS church.  He told us that somehow that church didn’t feel right and he came home and asked God to show him the right path.  Monday night we showed up at his neighbors and thus were an answer to prayer.  We asked him to try another church in the area and trust the Holy Spirit to guide his feet to the right church.  We have a feeling that we will be seeing a lot of this man.

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.  Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:18-20

The Lord wasn’t done showing us feet walking a new path.  The last person we saw was a homeless man we have known for quite a few years.  This man always claimed a faith in God but did not believe that Christ was God.  He faithfully read the New World Translation Bible and when he would talk about it we would challenge him and then ask him to read the Bible we gave him.  Well about 2 weeks him picked up the NIV and started reading it.  When we saw him we saw and heard a new man!  He was talking non-stop about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He had accepted Him as his Lord and Savior and he was so excited to tell us.   This man’s feet were now walking in the light!  Thank you Jesus!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor. 5:17

Blessings,

Donna

“Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.” Deut.28:6

Radiant!

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Ps. 106:1

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.  Ps. 5:11

Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?  Ex. 15:11

Outreach this week as been an absolute joy, I’m so thankful our Lord is so very, very good.  We connected with a client that we haven’t seen in almost a month.  It was an encounter we almost missed because we didn’t recognize her at first.  She was dressed in a pretty dress instead of her usual grubby sweats, her hair was washed, and she had a glow about her that was absolutely radiant!

 “Oh, I’m so glad I saw you, I was afraid I would miss you.  I have left the streets, I haven’t shot up any heroin since April 23rd, and I feel a joy and peace I never imagined I could have.”  “I was hoping I would see you so we could pray”, she said.

Her joy was so evident and contagious that I think the whole van lit up like a Christmas tree!  We serve an awesome God who is always at work in the lives of those who surrender to His will.  Father we thank you for opening this young lady’s heart to the hope and future you have for her. 

Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!  Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!  The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy.  The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.  Zeph. 3:14-15

Blessings,

Donna

www.70x7outreach.org

P.S. we are getting quite a few requests for deodorant, wash cloths, and razors.  Now that the weather is getting nicer everyone is shedding their layered look and wants to smell clean and fresh!

Focus

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. Matthew 6:6 MSG

I wanted to sit down and write about all the wonderful people we saw this week and all the challenges some are facing but I find I can’t keep my mind focused. I keep straying to all the emails I’ve received this week and the wonderful people that took the time to write them. So I think that this week I will pray for all the ministries new friends and hopefully get my focus back on the streets again next week. I do have one request though. We met with one of the families we see on a weekly basis and while visiting with them we heard gunshots very close to their home. I jumped when I heard the shots but the kids just stood there and said ‘oh don’t worry we hear gunshots all the time’. Please pray for the protection of these young children that have to live in the midst of the warzone we call a city.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:10-12 NIV

Blessings,

Donna

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. Ps. 90:17
The favor of the Lord was with us as we handed out over 670 Easter Baskets this year. Thank you Jesus! And thank YOU, all of you who donated baskets or prayed for us. We had so many wonderful encounters with people. There were tears of joy, opportunities to pray the salvation prayer with others, receiving knee hugs from the little ones, and looks of amazement when we shared the meaning of Easter with those who had never heard the message of the Cross.

This year 70x7 was blessed with the opportunity to have a few visitors ride with us and share in the joy of handing out baskets. And on Saturday we had a group from Revive load up their vehicles with baskets and hit the streets. I think they must have had fun because a small group of them hung out with some young men in the neighborhood and played football!

Thank you everyone!!

He is Risen Indeed!!!

Donna
www.70x7outreach.org