Good Gifts

_

A Street Ministry

We are dedicated to bringing hope and recovery to people engaged in at-risk activities by sharing Christ’s love, compassion and forgiveness.

Abide Ministries 70x7 Street Outreach is a ministry working directly with people on the streets of North West and Central Detroit. The Street Outreach team uses a van as their mobile base. From the van we provide sandwiches, juice, hygiene kits, prayer and a list of referrals for services such as shelter, food, and rehab. Our main vision and purpose for this outreach is to show people of all walks of life that God loves them, without bias and desires a relationship with them, to encourage them and to give them hope.

Our focus is primarily women engaged in prostitution, and substance abuse. We also reach out to others engaged in various at-risk activities.

For More information contact:

Donna McCauley
313-801-2204
70x7outreach@comcast.net

Good Gifts

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matt. 7:11 NLT

At first I thought this passage didn’t speak to what the Lord placed on my heart but every time I thought about our last few weeks on the streets this verse kept coming to mind. I keep thinking how; me as a sinner wants to give good gifts at Christmas knowing that the greatest gift I can give is to share the love of Christ with others who are not my children.

Many of us are very busy at this time of year but if you get the chance to read this before Christmas I want to share with you a beautiful picture story. So that when you open gifts with family or friends you can offer up a little prayer for the people you helped to bless.

“Oh I’m so glad to see you, I need my prayer”, she said. We prayed with her and then offered her a Christmas gift. “Thank you, this is the only gift I will get”, said Tracey. “No honey this is not the only gift you will receive. We are getting ready to celebrate the birth of our savior and He offers the greatest gift you can ever receive. Do you know who Jesus is?” we reply. She mumbles yes she knows of Jesus, but before we can say any more she asks us to wait as there is another girl approaching and she needs a gift and a prayer. Luci approaches the van; we pray with her and give her a gift bag also. The girls start giggling, walk away and sit down on the cold sidewalk to open their gifts. As we drive away we see the girls putting on the hoodies, hats, and gloves, laughing with joy over the hygiene items, socks, candy, and flashlights for those without power.

Down the street we run into a few more ladies, share with them the meaning of Christmas, prayer and a gift bag. The scene repeats over and over, ladies, men, and families laughing with joy over their gifts, not even waiting but tearing into their bags and putting on the items inside. At one stop before we could even say anything the lady said, “I hear you are giving out gifts. May I get my prayer and a gift?” News was traveling fast and our prayer was that the Spirit of God would travel into their hearts just as fast as the news of gifts was traveling. Of the 323 hoodies, and many other wonderful items we received, we have given out over 250 of them so we will wrap-up our Christmas outreach this week and I can’t wait to meet whomever the Lord brings to the van.

So as you prepare to celebrate this most joyous season may your heart be filled with the joy you shared with so many that were blessed by your generosity. The 70x7 team is very thankful for your gifts and prayers. May you and your loved ones be filled with the gift of love offered by our Heavenly Father through His son Jesus Christ and may the Spirit of Christmas fill your hearts and home.

Merry CHRISTmas,

Donna

P.S. if you are a post-Christmas sale shopper and would like to help us keep our clients warm this winter we are still in need of men’s gloves and socks for both men and women. Thank you!!!

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