We know it's been a while since we updated our blog and we apologize! As most of you know, Chris Ann and I (Kristin) have started a business, Love Feast, that features a blog, http://www.lovefeasttable.com/, and it has taken over a lot of my time. It has been fun and a great creative outlet! But, for today, I wanted to take time to share a bit more personally.
Since the last time we posted, the House of Prayer in Brooklyn, MD caught on fire. We had a time of praying in and around the property and God released many words and visions. A number of people had the verse, "Beauty out of ashes..." and felt there was a wealth of fruit under the soil of the property. Kaya had a name given to him for the property, The Post. He said, "Because a post is a place where messages go in and come out. A post was a safe house in times of war. And a post is driven securely in the ground and does not move." We have adopted this name for the community house of prayer (CHOP).
We had a number of words and leads for putting up a pre fab house in place of the burned down one. Our vision is for a two bedroom house in the back with a large garage on the front that can be opened as a CHOP. Devon walked through the doors calling banks, investors, builders, you name it. Because of the economy, there are no rehab or new construction loans available...at all. We feel at this point, as far as obtaining financing ourselves, the doors are closed.
In our own skin, we began to think maybe we should just sell the property, as is...and in all honesty, we're not sure what to do now. Two thirds of the burned property is torn down. It will cost close to $2,000 to tear the rest down. Which we don't have. Do we begin to pray in the part that's left? Move into the area spiritually and see what God does? Do we sell it as is and take the money and roll it into a property closer to our neighborhood? We are really in a time of seeking God for His direction. We know He sees the bigger picture and that His ways are not our ways. We know He can take the heap out of ashes and restore it into something beautiful...but, it has to be Him! Would you pray with us and for us to make a wise decision. Not based on what makes sense, but on what Jesus wants. Thank you!
Our missional community, Safe House, is coming into a new season as well. As we look back at the past four years, we have seen God's hand of direction moving, changing and shaping us. Last year we began to go out into the community more. This year, we are seeing a greater multiplication of that! We were just recently asked to get involved with the elementary school in our area. We are still preparing and sharing meals once a month with women in our neighborhood. We will start back up this month (now that it's getting warmer) throwing down dinner for the skaters up the road. We have also learned of new house churches popping up in our community and are praying for God to knit us together with them as a way of networking and encouraging one another. We are also making plans to begin teaching Mission Bridge courses(missions training through Youth With a Mission) this year. We have a family leaving us in July to become full time missionaries in Tanzania, Africa http://azali.org/. We are so excited about what God is doing with them! His hand is upon their family and we know He has prepared a place for them in Africa! We are also in the process of filing for non profit status with the state.
We are excited about all that God is doing in our community! He is bringing people together and sending people out!!
We will try and stay in touch a bit more often! Thank you for your prayers and support!
These photos are from The Post. Please share with us any words or pictures that God may give you! We have our hearts and ears open!!
