God’s Blessings!

These past couple of weeks I have watched as God has blessed us in mighty ways. We received a couple of airline tickets to pick up a car and truck that were donated to us. The car is way beyond what we have ever had. It has fun gadgets on it that I never knew existed. It is nice to know we have a car that is very dependable, very comfortable and beyond anything I ever dreamed. The truck is an extended cab Ford 150. It is nice to have a vehicle that is big enough to help others in moving, hauling things around and it can carry a crew with me in working. I am always taking a hand full of the older teenage men with me on many of my projects. This way they can help me and help others in ministry. What a blessing for everyone. The little Mazda truck had just turned 200,000 miles on it, parts were falling of the engine, the bed was beginning to tear at the seams, and practically it was very hard to fit more than another high school student and myself in the cab without being extremely uncomfortable. By the way did I say the truck had no heat or fan for the past two years? We are blessed to have the new vehicles. Now we are able to again reach out in meeting many more needs as we minister too many in the name of Jesus.

All day today I was in an evaluation of my spiritual life, the weekend ministry, and just how it looked. I do this at times to make sure I am right where God wants me, in the way God wants me and how He wants me. Many times God shows me everything is good but other times God shows me areas that need to be adjusted or changed. As I was praying I was taking to God of all the people that He has put in my life that are hurting in some way or another. Many in the ministry, all my boys have gone through some tremendous hurt in the past couple of week’s even months, and so many others in my life lately. Everyone God has placed in very close relationships with me in one form or another. Because of the sensitivity of this letter and all those who receive it I will not share names, but please pray for each instance, and many times you can rejoice because God has already brought the hurt to praise. A young lady who loves Jesus with her whole heart saw her whole life fall apart from relationship, to health, and job – coming very close to extreme depression. She is on the mend and can see light again. She still loves Jesus more than ever. A young man has walked away from his family promising never to return; he is fighting God over past deep hurts and wants nothing to do with Him. He has turned to the street and everything the street offers to the point he is about to lose his home, family, and job. Another young man went to visit his mom who he hasn’t seen for a long time. He spent a little time with his brother and was arrested. He called everyone asking help only to see that no one accepted his calls. He pled with God for mercy. God granted him much mercy. He was released not being charged 4 days later. Now he has given up the street life and all its trappings that Satan throws in. He has chosen to follow God, not just in words but in practice. He told me the other day that the street wants to get back at him because he left them. This can lead many times to death. He continues with Christ. Less than two hours ago a young 15 year old came to the ministries front door in only his shorts. It is way too cold to not be dressed. He was so cold that it took him nearly a half an hour to quit shivering. I gave him a pair of socks, a shirt and my sweatshirt to wear. He began to tell me that he was getting beat by his mother and that he told her to quit, this has been going on since he was a very young age. She said if he doesn’t like it he can leave with only his boxers. He had a pair of shorts on so he left that way. The last couple of times he considered suicide but instead this time he asked God to help him. God put my name on his mind and he came over. I haven’t seen him for almost two years. We talked for some time. He called up other family members, his mentor and a variety of others to step in on his behalf. He is still leaning on God as his solution, not on suicide, the street, or anything else that will probably fail.

As you can see God has answered my prayer, He has again confirmed that I am right where He wants me for such a time as this. Continue to pray as God would lead in the above situations and for the ministry that we will continue to be a light of Jesus, an arm of Jesus, and maybe just a presence for Jesus. That others will know of God’s love and salvation. Thanks so much for your continued support.

Pastor Keith

Urban Youth Outreach (HFM)

Box 21144 (6647 S Union Street)
Chicago, Illinois 60621
Office/Fax 773-488-4717
Web Site: urban7youthoutreach.org
Colossians 1.25-29
(...I have become a servant by God...to present the mystery...the hope of glory...to this end I labor...!)