our new support circle family

Two members of our team had the privilege of meeting our new support circle family on Thursday. Our team put together a meal, and Melanie, Ann & Ann's daughter Maya took the meal and a couple of small gifts for this young mom's new baby girl and her 18-month-old daughter. We're really looking forward to partnering with this young mom. She is in a tough situation, but she has all the potential she needs to turn things around for her family. She may not realize it yet, but God has a bright future and a hope for her!

A Message of Hope to the Hopeless

Last Saturday, the LWFC Helen Wright Team served lunch to the ladies at the center. As we went about our normal routine, I got a chance to really look into some of the faces of the women. What I saw, almost left me in a state of depression. One, because on their faces I saw, hurt, pain, disappoints, addictions, and every other thing unimaginable to those of us who have be fortunate enough to not to have experienced some of things they have.

For instance, there are 2 ladies that are expecting and are very close to delivery. Could you imagine carrying your child and not really being sure if you will be able to provide shelter for him or her? And to add more to the despair, another lady was there who had just lost her newborn baby 2 days before. She carried around a very nice picture frame that had a picture of her beautiful baby in it. She spent most of her lunch time starring at it almost non-stop, even while eating. As I watched her, I thought about how hopeless she must be feeling at that very moment. Fortunately, one of our team members was able to sit and not say much, but in a very loving way, point her in the right direction that will prayerfully begin her healing process.

I am not writing in an attempt to make anyone feel sorry, but to let you know the awesomeness of the responsibility that, we, who are in Christ have to minister reconciliation to the brokenness that is in the world today.

Join me in prayer as we ask God to continue to gird us up to have a word, a gesture, or a meal that will bring healing to the ladies at the Helen Wright Center for Women.

another great adventure

Our new support circle team is meeting for the first time on Sunday afternoon - nine people who are out to change our community's perception of what real Christians look like. We'll have great opportunities to love, not judge - to give our time, talents, and encouragement, expecting nothing in return. We're really looking forward to starting the process of getting matched with a family that's on their way back to independence.

World Missions

Have you seen the cool Costa Rican info booths that are by the kiosks? They make just want to grab a cup of coffee and tell somebody about Jesus. The talented team that designed and built those booths is part of one of the five teams that will impact Costa Rica this summer.

All of the teams are going to make a major impact on people’s lives. Last year over 500 people gave their lives to the Lord in Costa Rica. This year we are helping a fantastic church to plant a new work in the capital city of San Jose.

Get excited about impacting your World!

Spanish Ministry

Lives are being changed at every 11:00 AM Sunday service as Pastor Steve’s Spirit led teaching is interpreted into Spanish. Last week a gentleman who had been invited by a Milton Campos a valuable member of our congregation gave his life to the Lord. What an awesome team effort.

The English as a Second Language (ESL) team is reaching out to community with an average of 30 students per class. Talk about making an impact, there are not just Spanish speaking individuals come in to learn English, but it is becoming a regular United Nations with students from Haiti, Iran, China and Korea.

The other day one of the tellers at the bank told me her sister in law was attending the ESL class. Pretty cool we are making an impact not just on the people attending the class but with the community as well.

The students are learning about the Word of God as they learn English. They have learned to sow seeds and about serving. One of the students who works two jobs and doesn’t even have a car asked when he could start serving because he had read in his lesson that it was good to serve. Lives are being impacted almost every Thursday. A great team producing great results, the ESL team.

plans for a bright future and a hope (Jer. 29:11)

You may have read Kelsie Newby's (you know, the cool chick with the red guitar) amazing story in the last issue of Impact Magazine. When Kelsie decided to turn her life around, there was a circle of people from 24/7 who loved and encouraged her while she made the hard choices it took to walk out of her old life. They allowed God to use them to heal her (remember the salt covenant?) by praying for her, calling and spending time with her, and modeling a new way of life.

Would you like to be part of a circle of people that cheers on a single parent family getting back on their feet after homelessness? You can find out what's involved, what the time commitment would be, and who you'd be working alongside this Sunday, Feb. 15, from 1 to 2 pm in the Junior Kidz Room. Contact Cindy Rice at supportcircle@gmail.com for more information.

LWFC Help to Tackle Hunger in Wake County

Over the past 2 weeks, LWFC members donated 3/4 of a ton of food for the Urban Ministries of Wake County's food pantry. Members were challenged to donate food towards their favorite superbowl team. Within the last few minutes before halftime, the Pittsburg Steelers fans came in at a whopping 394 pounds. Trailing by a small amount was the Arizona Cardinals fans at 370. Later donations came in bringing the total donated to 778 pounds.

According to an UM employee, the LWFC donation came at a time when the pantry was running low. The Urban Ministires' Food Pantry continues to service more and more families as the economy continues to decline. Hats off to UM!!!

LWFC is honored to be a part of helping to provide meals on the tables of families within Wake County.

If you would like to learn more about what LWFC is doing in the local community and abroad, log on to http://www.lwfc.org/, click on Outreach.