Dear Partners, Friends and Family,

 

Thank you for your treasured support. It makes it possible to be here in the neighborhood God has called to.

 

I pray that God continues to BLESS your socks off! And that you become more and more aware of the LOVE He has lavished on you.

 

 Rachel Buttig                                                          In His LOVE,

 ESL DC Director                                                       Rachel :)

                                                             
                                                                                                  

     

Today was a first for 7 teenage boys... their first time ever building a snow man! Aghhhh, I love it! I was standing on my porch and saw several of the teenagers throwing snow balls at each other. They all came over and we began talking and throwing snowballs at each other. I stopped and said, "Hey, do you guys want to build a snow man?" They kind of looked at each other, hesitating for fear of losing their coolness, while one of them said with a negative tone, "If we build it, someone will tear it down right away anyway." I couldn't let them get by with that excuse, so I said, "Let's just build one, we'll take a picture with it and then we'll at least have the memory of it." Several of these boys are the tough ones who do their best to show it. But, one boy finally got on board with me and encouraged his friends that it would be a great idea! We all began working together, while sharing our gloves with each other, to build their first snowman. While the boys worked at building it, I ran into my apartment to gather the necessary snowman supplies; a carrot, Oreos for the eyes and Cheerios for a smile. More boys joined in as their peers persuaded them. They were having a BLAST! The snowman was almost done, when we realized that it needed the finishing touches of a hat and scarf. So, one of the boys volunteered to run to his apartment and grab some. The whole time we were building it, I saw these boys come to life.  It was something they had never done before and they were so proud of it. I grabbed a camera and took pictures. They loved it and asked me to take more as they posed beside their snowman. When we parted ways, I was left amazed at the simple fun I was able to witness these boys have. They got to be kids all over again!

One day this week, my heat wasn't working. Yikes! So all day I was bundled up until the ESL Housing Authority came to fix my heat, which I was so thankful for. I began to think of the homeless guys who hang out around the neighborhood, one guys in particular who I will call Derrick. I asked God if He would show me if there was anything I could do to help Derrick since it was so cold. That evening I was on my way out and I saw Derrick shoveling snow off of porches in John DeShields for money. He had a spring trench coat on and no gloves. I knew he had to be freezing. God was showing me the answer to what I asked Him earlier in that day. I stopped and asked Derrick what size long underwear he wore and told him that I would like to get some for him. He got a huge smile on his face and said THANK YOU! He needed a warmer coat, so I called my Dad to see if he had an extra coat that he didn't use anymore. He said he did! The coat my Dad gave him was very warm and thick. It was perfect for Derrick! After that I went to K-Mart and purchased the items to go along with the coat. I got home and couldn't find Derrick, so I asked God if he would have Derrick come around soon because I couldn't stand thinking about him wearing that thin trench coat any longer. As I went to open my apartment door, Derrick called my name. I handed him the coat and the bag full of warm things. He was thankful, we hugged and told each other I love you. I pray that receiving those items, would make him feel the care and LOVE of God towards him.

God is so faithful and continues to provide for every need! I LOVE watching Him work and prove Himself as my SOURCE.

 

If you would like to sow into this ministry, you can click on the "DONATE" button below or you can write a check to "ESL DC" and mail it to the address below.  

 

If you would like to give a ONE TIME GIFT, you can give to help the ESL Dream Center become a "501 C3" tax exempt organization. The filing fee is $750 and I currently have $225. Please write "501 C3" in the memo on the check or note area on Pay Pal.

 

Blessings,

Rachel :)

 

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