The Only Thing That Counts is.....

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself 

through LOVE." 

Galatians 5:6

This has been a week I will not soon forget. A week that has humbled me. A week that has changed me.

Although I have been quiet on my blog, life has been anything but quiet. We are now getting settled in Savannah, GA and officially starting The Dream Campaign.

To say that God has hemmed in each step would be an incredible understatement. The amount of confirmation and support that we have received in this transition has been incredible and all God.

Let me share one of these experiences where God has taken a nightmare for some local residents and turned it into an incredible opportunity and time of ministry.

There is an apartment complex in Savannah where we have decided to focus some efforts with The Dream Campaign. We have decided that we want to focus on youth in their own environment. Whole neighborhoods where we can serve and impact families. We passed out 200 Valentines to the residents with this message. 

One of the residents asked if she could pray for US! She prayed over our marriage as we serve together and prayed a blessing over our efforts in the community.  That was February 14th. Little did we know exactly 14 days later we would be presented with an incredible opportunity to "express our faith through love."

Last Thursday as I was going to bed, I happened to look at Facebook one last time before closing my eyes. I saw a Breaking News Report of a 2 alarm fire in the complex where we passed out the Valentines. I immediately sent a text to the Leasing Manager (who has become a dear friend.)

To make a long story a little shorter, we were the first people there to help after the Red Cross.

Over the past 5 days, in partnership with our church (Savannah Christian) and other community members, we have been looking for tangible ways to serve the 26 residents displaced, several of whom lost almost everything. 

We have been able to do everything from deliver clean undergarments to their hotel,  help clean out scorched apartments, deliver new pillows and towels, to helping organize community efforts to replace the items they lost in the fire.  We have met incredible residents who have stepped up and said, "I want to help my neighbor and pay it forward," gave hugs and invited people to church with us for dinner tomorrow night. (And everyone has accepted so far).  I have been able to share about the love of God and people listen....why? Because we are EXPRESSING our faith through LOVE.

Here are a few photos to capture the past few days:

We went shopping today for new pillows and pillowcases, towels and a sleeping bag for a 15 year old boy who will not have a bed tonight. I literally cried as I loaded the cart humbled by the whole experience. 

We helped one family unload all of their smokey,  water drenched belongings from the u-haul into their new apartment. Many were trying to salvage ANYTHING. One man pushed a grocery cart back and forth between the scorched apartment and the new empty apartment ALL DAY, searching to fill it with some semblance of home. 

Although I don't believe God caused the fire. I believe He KNEW this would happen and HE put that nudge in our hearts to focus our efforts here.  

I can not tell you how many times this week we have been thankful to be flexible and available as needed. THANK YOU for believe in us, supporting us and helping us to live out the calling God has on our lives through your generosity and prayers. 

Please continue to pray for the families who will be starting over. Pray that conversations will continue and that the Gospel will not only be shared in our words but in our deeds. That people will know love in a new way.

And please pray for favor for us as we continue the process of trying to move into this complex so we can continue this ministry in a full time/ tangible way though The Dream Campaign.

As you go to bed tonight, lay your head on a clean pillow, snuggle under the covers on a comfy bed, wake up, shower and dry off with a clean towel, put on a clean pair of underwear and clothes and start your day. No matter what tries to steal your joy........be thankful. I guarantee there are 26 people who would be so thankful for those simple things tonight. And when you meet someone who is struggling.

Choose Compassion.

It will change your life.