I love you Lord!

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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

I love you Lord!

I love you, LORD! You answered my prayers. Psalm 116:1 (CEV)

We are back out on the streets again after a month long break, a month in which we had many things to pray about. What a month it was!! We had the time and energy to take a few groups for a mini-tour of the city, to talk about the vision of 70x7 and to pray for direction for the future of the ministry. We returned to the streets on Monday and Tuesday evening and had a wonderful reunion. How faithful our Lord is in caring for his sheep. Many trials tempted some of our clients but most humbly turned them over to their savior; comforter; redeemer. One of our lady friends faced a very tragic loss this last weekend when her sister shot her niece and then turned the gun on herself and committed suicide. Our friend is naturally very saddened by this tragedy but she said she is praying faithfully for strength, please pray for her continued strength and comfort.

We also saw the burned home of some friends of ours. I can’t close my eyes without seeing this house. It’s not the home of a family that could possibly relocate; it is the home of 12 adult physically/mentally challenged men. What is so sad is that these men are still living in the home. It’s not completely burned just the rooms on the top left side of the building. This building was already a tragic site but to see that these men are still living in the wreck is just heartbreaking. The man who lived in the room that burned was telling us the story of how he rescued the people in the house. This is the only part that brings a smile and a chuckle. He told us how he rushed into the house running through the flames and pulling people outside. He was having so much fun talking about what a hero he was that we actually had to laugh. It’s a bitter-sweet story but one that I hope is not repeated and I pray they fix the place up before winter sets in and these men freeze. There are no windows in the place because of the fire.

Thankfully not all our encounters were so tragic most of the time we rejoiced in seeing and praying with our friends. The most precious sight though was seeing how the little kids got so excited about seeing our young male teammates. These young men have been such a joy to work with, those of us on the team who are older (but not old) have truly enjoyed seeing how our children and male clients respond to these godly young men..

“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” I Peter 5:5

The invitation is still open to join us on a Sunday afternoon to see and hear about what the Lord is doing on the streets of Detroit. If you would like more details or want to cruise with us please contact me via email 70x7outreach@comcast.net or call me at 313-801-2204…..If you are curious or apprehensive about cruising with us I’ve copied (with permission) a couple of emails responses I’ve received from people who stepped out of their comfort zones.

Blessings,

Donna

“I heard about this ministry when I worked at the Tuscan Cafe in Northville, the owner of the shoe store next to the Tuscan was involved with the mission and we spoke of it when she came into the cafe. The purpose of this email is to tell you briefly, although I could go on and on, about my first van ride Sunday 6.27.2010 2:30pm. Donna who does the driving and runs the ministry invited people to come on a van ride Sunday afternoon and see the neighborhoods that Abide Ministries prays for, helps and so much more….
Ty (my son) went with me as well as two other ladies from a congregation I believe in Troy…
WOW is all I can say, WOW- we were basically in neighborhoods not that far from the suburbs. Let me tell you, first, I thought I knew it all about Detroit, growing up around Detroit, both my parents lived there- my son is now going to school there, and volunteering in Detroit and enjoying the “nicer” things Detroit has to offer..
I was wrong- I knew nothing..the only way to know this would be to go and see with your eyes, because me describing it, would not do it “justice” block after block of overgrown lots, garbage blocking the streets (couches, boards etc.) and the houses that were “standing” were half burnt, boarded up, with wood and cardboard, broken windows etc. EVERY HOUSE- no “good” ones- no electricity, no water, no gas , and here is the surprise-
PEOPLE WERE LIVING IN THEM!!!!!!!!!!! ALOT OF PEOPLE, CHILDREN INCLUDED!!!
Block after block-
there was one street where Habitat for Humanity had built homes (Praise God) but the rest was like a war zone- the desolation, destruction and sheer horribleness of it all (is that a word?) was overwhelming-We stopped to “visit” with several people and families living in this neighborhood- One was a lovely woman, 85 years young (she told us she was a teenager) and her 16 year old grandson- they greeted us with smiles, they were glad to see Donna and her friend Cindy (who also rides in the van) accepted a lunch bag, and more importantly, Prayer!!!
Here we were, standing in a place I am sure would frighten the heck out of most people (and rightfully so) holding hands and praying for God’s protection over this lovely family - the young man was proud to talk about school, going into 11th grade etc., many stray kittens circled our feet-can you imagine being able to focus on school?
Another house was more of a “squatting” situation as was the house next to it- this house in particular had several young women in it, all hungry, not only for food but God’s word!
Like I said, I could go on, but the purpose of this email is not to overwhelm anyone, but to let you know what is going on 15 minutes from Northville- (ok maybe 20, I drive fast) The joy that was on everyone’s face I met, not only food but for the knowledge that someone cared, we cared and God loves them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Margo

Hi Donna,

I’d like to thank you so much for allowing us to have a “peek” into your ministry last Sunday. You will never know how much impact that van trip has had on me. It has really reminded me of the love our Lord has for each & every one of us, the love He wants us to have for each other, the responsibility of taking care of each others needs & and the urgency of spreading His Word in this world. I have told so many people over the last few days of your ministry and the amazing way the Holy Spirit is working through it. Everyone is agreeing to pray…especially between the hours of 7-9 on Mondays & Tuesdays. Please let me know of anything at all I can do to help you & this ministry in any way at all.

God Bless you & your team!

Diane