Today, we set out as a family, baked goodies in tow, hoping to meet many of our nearby neighbors and begin to build relationships and find out specific needs to lift up in prayer. We prayed before and as we went, specifically for open doors and softened hearts. No deep theological discussions or even Gospel sharing planned, just high hopes of a beginning of loving on those of whom God has placed us immediately in the midst. Oh, how convicting that we didn’t really know some of our Alabama neighbors. May we never neglect fellowship with the ones so close by, ever again. Would you join us in praying very specifically for the ones we met today and continue praying we can meet even more and grow into deeper fellowship with some? Would you join us in praying that the Gospel may be made known on these streets and that other laborers will be raised up for the harvest before our year here ends? Would you accept the challenge to meet your neighbors and hear their stories and pray over their homes? God is mighty to save, in your neighborhood and ours!!
Specific needs…please intercede for these, and others we don’t know about yet…
Next door on one side…Eric and his wife Sarah, raising two daughters (ages 7 and 4), grandmother and grandfather living in home as well. He was actually born in Huntsville, AL and is a college football fan. Only God could orchestrate that! Pray football will bring our families close and Gods love would overcome them, soften them and change their hearts to be patient and loving inside their home.
Next door on the other side…very brief interaction bc our timing interrupted an online exam. Pray we have another chance soon. Pray for her as she juggles a career and schooling. Pray God will soften her and help her want and make friends.
Behind us, there is a short street with several homes. At a few, no one answered. Pray a time will come when we can meet those.
Pray for Donnie, a very young father with two babies. The lady of the house and the two babies were napping, but Donnie was very friendly and said he will bring the family around to meet us one afternoon soon. Pray for them as they work to provide and care for 2. Pray God will bring us into conversation again soon and deepen our connection.
Pray for Andrea and Jesse, a young couple expecting their first child in December, baby Ava. Andrea welcomed us in, was very open, the kids played with her cat. Jesse is currently deployed overseas with the Air Force, due home in November. Pray for him to arrive home safely, before Ava’s arrival. Pray we can minister to her in his absence and have a chance to meet him when he returns. We exchanged phone numbers in case she needs a handyman or anything else in the meantime. Pray God will comfort her in her loneliness and protect her and Ava’s health.
Pray for Cindy and her husband. Eric had already met them last Thursday when one of our pups escaped the fence and ran to their house. We were able to thank them again for rescuing him, and to meet their 4 large inside dogs. Her husband was sick today and couldn’t visit. Pray for physical healing for him. Pray for God to bring us together again to talk and deepen our fellowship.
Pray for Craig, a recently divorced man, living alone. He is experiencing some bitterness and loneliness, it seems. He is a general contractor looking for more work. He was very friendly and open and has lived in the neighborhood for 18 years, so he may be a link for us, to many others. Pray we can chat with him again soon.
Pray for salvation for each of these, if not already secured. Pray that if there are other Christians in our neighborhood, that God will reveal it and allow us to serve together. Pray for more opportunities to meet and minister to our neighbors. Pray for a large group gathering at our home soon, outdoor ice cream social or grill out party. May we continue to grow more intimate with Christ, study and memorize His Word, seek and obey His will, and be salt and light in and around our new home. May all Glory be God’s for what he has done, is doing, and will do!
