Are your arms full?

Friends and Family,

A few weeks ago before heading to Main Street in Flushing for the prayer station, I was praying for our team and those we would meet on the street. While praying, I pictured myself standing with my arms out in front of me forming a circle with my hands meeting. I saw the Lord filling my arms up; like He was giving me things to give out to those around me. It was an encouragement and reminder that He fills to overflowing, and that we were not going on the street empty handed.

Later on at Main Street I prayed with a Chinese woman who was so blessed that she went and bought some food from a nearby Chinese bakery for us. I put the bag under the table to share with the team later. Shortly after, a man with a mental disability was talking with Ryan and shared that he was hungry and asked if we were giving out food or clothes. Ryan checked in to see if he could buy the gentleman something to eat, and I told him about the food we had on hand.

It was a quick exchange, and as I was standing on that busy corner, I was reminded of the picture the Lord gave me that morning. He literally just put something in my “arms” to give to someone in need. I was initially thinking of spiritual food to give out, but God loves meeting physical needs too. What a picture of His love and concern for that man! I am convinced that no need of ours goes unnoticed by the Lord, no matter how great or small. Like He says in Luke12:7, “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

I am trusting that we will see more of this on the streets as people come with different needs. Whether internal or external, dire or insignificant, God wants to fill our arms up to give to those around us! I pray the same would be true for you in your sphere of influence. For your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and strangers you meet daily. Let God fill you up so you can pour out to those around you- for His glory.

Again, thank you so much for your partnership with me to see God’s Kingdom advance in New York City. I could not be here without your prayers and support and continue to thank God for you. God bless and have a wonderful Thanksgiving, Jess

Ps- For my Grace and Peace family- depending on traffic I will try to make it out to the praise night next Wednesday and would love to say hello!

Here is a woman with her daughter stopping by the table on a Saturday morning.

New Step Van!!!

The Lord provided a new stepvan for us! Our current truck is a 1979 Ford with the frame rusting out. We were certainly in need and did a special fundraiser the months of April and May. To our joy we were able to raise $38,000 (thank you who gave) and purchased a 2003 stepvan. It is much much newer, nicer, and 4 ft bigger which gives us room to take more food, clothing and supplies to the streets. The truck is being customized this summer and we are hoping to begin bringing it out this September. We are thrilled at how God hears and answers prayer!

Here is the new stepvan on the left and the old on the right. We were so excited when David brought this home!

Reaching the nations....

One sunny Saturday morning in Flushing a man named Kais stopped by our prayer station. Seeing the table covered with literature he walked over to Amy and asked if we had anything in Bengali, his native tongue. Amy chatted with Kais for a few minutes and found out that he is Muslim and lives with his family in the Bronx. Then she checked in our mixed language box and found a stack of Bengali tracts! We don't meet people from Bangladesh very often, so it was a big deal that we "happened" to have Bengali tracts out with us that day. After Amy handed Kais the gospel tract, he pulled from his pocket a tract in English he received a few weeks prior. He could not read English and was carrying the tract around hoping to read it eventually. Though this seems like a small exchange, our team marveled afterward at God's timing and provision. Here a Muslim man from Bangladesh received a gospel tract in a foreign language and had a desire to read it. Through the prayer station and our team being available, Kais was able to get a tract in his own language. We continue to pray that the Truth written on the small pamphlet will pierce his heart and bring revelation of who God is. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12