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Protecting the Word
A big thing that the devil is after in your life, is the Word of God. He tries to steal and destroy the Word that you have heard or read. He hates the Word and he hates what the Word of God will do in your life.
Have you ever wondered why you get in a fight with your family or hear about devastating news, etc. right before or after you hear or read the Word? The devil stirs up trouble and/or persecution, because he doesn't want the seed of the Word to develop roots. If we let it, trouble, worry, strife and persecution, will pluck up that seed.
Matthew 13:21 (NIV)
But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the Word, he quickly falls away.
Begin to see the Word as a precious seed that you protect with your life. Be on guard after you have heard or read the Word that you don't let the devil get to what he really wants. He wants the Word, he wants to steal The Truth from you. If he can steal the seed of the Word from your heart, he can steal your success, prosperity, healing, restoration, etc.
Protect the Word in you so this precious treasure can take root. |
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What God Has Done
Gabriel and James
After the incident happened with the two young men getting shot, it had been over a month since I saw them. I wondered how they were doing, so I asked God to bring them around here so I could see them. I didn't have either of their contact information, so I knew the only way I would see them is if they came back here to the neighborhood. Earlier this month, I saw both of them on the same day! It was a surprise from God! I was prayer walking and I heard someone yell, "Rachel." I looked around but didn't see anyone. Then the voice said, "I'm up here." I looked but still couldn't tell who it was because I was far away. He said, "It's me, Gabriel." He was in the 2nd story window of one of the apartments. I was so excited and ran over to the window, looking up as I talked to him. I told him that I've been thinking a lot about him and wondered how he was doing. He said his leg was doing better and he is walking much better since he has been going to physical therapy. He was like a different person than the boy I knew before I visited him in the hospital. He was happy to see me, kind and even responded with, "I love you too," after I told him I loved him. The walls were gone. The hardness was gone. Being able to visit him after he was shot formed a bond that was not there before. God blew me away! Later on that day I was driving back to my apartment and I saw the other young man who I will call James. He was the one who got shot in both of his hands. The last time I saw him was when he came to my door with bloody hands. I asked him how his hands were and he said one was worse than the other and they are going to have to do three more surgeries on it. I asked him if I could pray for his hands that they would heal quicker than expected. He said sure and let me pray for him. Before this happened, I didn't know Josh, but now when I see him in the neighborhood we say hi to each other and he is very respectful. As for Gabriel, two weeks ago, he came by for lunch that I serve to the guys on Wednesdays. He had a huge smile on his face and gave me a hug. God is so faithful!
Basketball With the Young Men
 
I'm trying something new with the young men on Wednesdays. After they eat, I am letting them play basketball with the portable basketball hoops that we have. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out the first time because I told them that if they wanted to play they had to show up at 1:30 to help set the hoops up. Three guys showed up to help and we carried everything to a lot a few buildings behind mine. They began playing and 5 more guys showed up. Some played and some just watched. They had a blast and I haven't seen these guys with their guards down before. They were laughing, smiling and playing like little kids. As I sat and watched them, my heart was filled with joy to see them laughing. One guy sat next to me the whole time and just watched, we chatted a little, but I was so surprised that he stayed the whole time. At one point a man came to the back and saw the guys playing and hanging out and said, "I was wondering why there wasn't anyone on Front Street." "Front Street" is what everyone in the neighborhood calls Bond Ave., the main street that runs in front of John DeShields. This is a huge deal that no one was on that street, because this is the street that these young men stand on to hang out and sell drugs. When I overheard this man say there was no one on Front Street, I was rejoicing inside and thanking God. Those words were like music to my ears! Knowing that even if it was just one hour out of the week that these young men had something better to do, than to hang out where the trouble is at, it was worth it. They not only helped me set up, but helped tear down as well. Even them showing up and staying was a big deal, because like I said, they RARELY leave their "post" on Front Street... but that day, they did!
Teen Ministry
Four to five teens, plus one volunteer come early on Friday nights to help set up and when the rest of the volunteers get there at 6:30, we all worship and pray together to prepare for the night. Lately, the teens that come early have been so much more respectful and during this time. In the past, they would be antsy and several of them would giggle and laugh all the way through worship and prayer. Now, one of them is praying out whatever God puts on his heart and when I have called on them to pray, they are being bold to pray even if they feel scared. It's amazing to just hear them pray from their hearts.
One night this month, we broke up into groups to pray for the teens if they needed it. During this time, two of the kids opened up about not feeling close to God and a girl asked for prayer because she gets angry a lot. We were able to encourage them in their relationship with God.
Another night, we had many kids show up who hadn't been in several months. These are the kids that when you look at them, seem like the tough ones, but this night, they played basketball and laughed a lot. They played till they were exhausted. As they played they were able to escape for a short time from their troubles in John DeShields.
Prayer Walking
One day this month a dear lady was sitting on her porch. I stopped and sat down next to her and we talked about what was going on in her life. She had been struggling with anxiety and a lot of pressure. I shared with her that I believe God wants to speak to her heart as I prayed for her, and to be listening to what he wanted to tell her. After we were done praying, I asked her if God told her anything. She said, "Yeah, He told me that I was gonna be ok." Thank you God! A few days after this, I saw the father or her son and I stopped to talk to him. He is a Christian and he let me know that he was looking out for me as I prayer walked. |
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Volunteer Opportunities
Lunch and Basketball for Young Men
(ministering to ages 18-25)
One volunteer needed to help serve lunch every week to the young men in the neighborhood. We will play it by ear each week if they want to play basketball. The focus of this time is building relationships by showing God's LOVE and kindness to them. Time Commitment: Every Wednesday. 11:45am-1:30pm lunch without basketball, 11:45am-3:00pm lunch with basketball
(ministering to ages 12-18)
One volunteer needed to help sign teens in as they come to the program AND one volunteer needed to participate in basketball with the teens (playing, watching them play, keeping score, etc.). The focus of this ministry is recreation and building relationships with the teens. Time Commitment: 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 6:30pm-9:45pm. This is at least a six month commitment.
Prayer Walking
I prayer walk around the neighborhood Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and I'm looking for people who have a heart for Spirit led prayer. This could be one person who would be able to come all three days or three different people who can come one of the three days. Time Commitment: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and/or Thursdays, 8:30am-9:30am.
Prayer for the City
One to five volunteers needed to join me in praying for an OUTPOURING of the Holy Spirit for the City of East St. Louis. This was the first thing God told me to do when I started the Dream Center over 4 years ago. As we worship and pray, we will see and sense the heart of the Father for this city. Time Commitment: Thursdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm.
Apartment Cleaning
One volunteer needed to come every week to clean my apartment. This includes cleaning the kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom. Time Commitment: Thursdays, anytime from 9:45am-2:00pm.
Sam's and Wal-Mart Errands
One volunteer needed to shop for purchases at Sam's and Wal-Mart. This will include dropping off the items at my apartment. Time Commitment: Once a month, approximately 3 hours. Drop off can be done Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 9:45am-4:15pm. |
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May Blog Posts
5/11/2010: The Dark Places
5/18/2010: So Thankful for Angels |
Rachel Buttig
Executive Director East St. Louis Dream Center |
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Sowing Seed
Thank you so much for your faithful giving and praying! It is such a joy to know that so many people are connected to this ministry. Your support whether it be financial or by prayer is PRECIOUS. Thank you for being a part of changing East St. Louis, one relationship at a time!
If you would like to sow into this ministry, you can do so by making checks payable to "ESL DC" and mailing them to the address below. Or you can click on the donate button below. You can also sow into this ministry by checking out the NEEDS LIST on the web site and contacting me about what you would like to give.
In Christ, Rachel
Contact Information:
East St. Louis Dream Center 1235 McCasland Ave., Apt. 9B East St. Louis, IL 62201 618.482.2791 esldreamcenter@att.net http://www.eaststlouisdreamcenter.blogspot.com/ |
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