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East St. Louis Dream Center Newsletter
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PLANT A SEED; EXPECT A HARVEST!
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ExecutiveDirector East St. Louis Dream Center |
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July Blog Posts |
July 29: He's Rebuilding Again...
July 30: Healing... |
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There is something that you are called to do. And according to the Bible, in this calling you will find HOPE!
Ephesians 1:18 (NKJV) ...that you may know what is the HOPE of His calling.
Ephesians 4:4 (NKJV) ...just as you were called in one HOPE of your calling.
Even if you are already doing what God has called you to do, He wants to take you even further in it, to the next level, to the next anointing, to the next success within that calling. As you keep moving to the next level in your calling, there will be more HOPE awaiting you. So, don't stop or stay satisfied with where you are at. Keep moving deeper into that calling because there is SO MUCH that He wants to do through you!
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Encouragement from a Teen Boy
Recently one of the teen boys came to my door to ask when we're having Teen Ministry again. We chatted for a bit then I told him that I've been praying for direction about when to start having Teen Ministry every Friday instead of just the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month. I asked him if he would be praying for me that I would know when it's God's timing. He said, "Yes, do you want me to pray for you right now?" I was so blessed by him! We grabbed hands and He prayed a prayer that was straight from his heart and so genuine. One of the things he prayed was, "God, you know that kids get into trouble on Friday nights because they're bored. They don't have anything to do, so they hang out with the older people and start following what they're doing. Help us to be able to have Teen Ministry every Friday."
I often ask the kids to pray for me about things concerning the ministry because I want them to get involved in God's plan and to see that God will answer their prayers. I've asked this boy to pray for me several times before and I have seen his prayers answered. He inspires me! He's only 13 years old and he has a precious heart for God.
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Encouragement from a Prisoner
Over the last year I have watched the young man who I visit in prison grow in His walk with God tremendously. I will call him Kenneth. When he entered prison about three years ago he wasn't even saved. But now he is encouraging me in my walk with God! When I receive his letters, I am always ENCOURAGED! You would think that being in the situation he is in, he would complain a lot, but he is always pumping hope and encouragement into me.
I was recently going through a challenging time and was feeling discouraged. I didn't tell him this, but about a week later I received a letter from him that God used to speak life into me. In a previous letter he told me he is doing a Bible School through the mail, which is so amazing! So, I wrote him back and told him that I am doing a correspondence Bible School as well. He wrote me in response to this and said, "I am proud of you. Your life just gets better and better day by day don't it." I read those words and it was like God was saying that directly to me. I had been complaining and feeling down, but God was saying to me through Kenneth, "Rachel, look at your life, look at EVERYTHING I've done for you. You have a GREAT life and it IS getting better and better whether you feel like it or not."
This prisoner who is surrounded by hopelessness every day spoke words of life into my heart which gave me a jolt to keep going. I wrote him back and told him that God had used him to encourage me. When he wrote me back, this is what he said, "Oh yeah, you didn't notice that your life gets better and better by the day. God always has something good for you to do. Whether it's cooking for the thugs out there, cleaning up out there or having a Bible study, you're doing something great for God and God will bless you for doing so. You are an awesome person Rachel. I know there are many people who would like to be where you are or would like to follow in your footsteps. But, I'm glad that I opened your eyes and encouraged you even more to know that your life is the sh*t (slang for GREAT!). So you should never have nothing to complain about. Be grateful and thankful for everything He has showed you and done for you since you been here on earth and I'm quite sure He has much more planned for you. So keep up the good work sister. I love you dearly."
Ok, now I know you may be thinking, oh my goodness, he cursed in the letter! But when I read that sentence where he said, "I'm glad I opened your eyes to see that your life is the sh*t," it blessed me so much! He truly has a relationship with God and I can see that through his letters and when I visit with him. But the beautiful thing about it is, he began his walk with God in prison, so he doesn't even know how to be religious. He hasn't formed religious rules because he doesn't even know what they are. I'm not saying that cursing is right, but i saw his heart for God coming out through every word. One of my favorite things to see when God is beginning to change a life here is their innocence of not trying to impress you with their words. He thought nothing of using that word right in the middle of an encouraging word about God and I'm sure God was thrilled at his heart behind the encouragement.
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Volunteer Opportunities
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.
Serving Lunch to Young Men (ministering to ages 18-25)
One volunteer needed to help serve lunch every week or twice a month to the young men in the neighborhood. The focus of this time is showing God's LOVE and kindness to them through service. Time Commitment: Every Wednesday OR two Wednesdays a month, 11:45am-1:45pm. This is at least a six month commitment. Teen Ministry (ministering to ages 12-18)
Two volunteers needed to spend time with teens, by playing basketball, doing art projects, or various ministry tasks like signing them in as they come. The focus of this ministry is building relationships through recreation. Time Commitment: 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 6:30pm-9:45pm. This is at least a six month commitment. Apartment Cleaning
One volunteer needed to come every week to clean my apartment. The ministry is run out of my apartment, so it gets dirty easily. Time Commitment: Tuesdays OR Thursdays, anytime from 9:45am-2:00pm, this takes approximately 1-2 hours. Prayer for East St. Louis One to four 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.
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Partnership
I'm so thankful for your generous giving! Thank you for joining with me to reach this city with the LOVE of Jesus. I pray that you are encouraged by the stories in these newsletters, knowing that you are ministering to the people here. I know that God has linked us together to reach East St. Louis. Thank you for sending me! I have a dream of having 30 partners who will support me and this ministry every month. Currently we have approximately 16 partners who send regular support. All donations go towards the cost of running the ministry and my salary. Please take a moment and ask God if He is directing you to become a partner with me and this ministry. If God is prompting you to partner with us, these are the ways you can give;
Check or Money Order- write check to " ESL DC " and mail to the address below.
Pay Pal- click on link below or go to web site
Needs List- Below is a list of items that we use monthly and also large items that the ministry needs. If you would like to purchase these items or give money specifically for these items, contact me and we can discuss it.
- White 4-drawer filing cabinet
- All in one- Printer/fax/copier/scanner
- Modern web site for the ministry
- Professional business cards for the ministry
- Professional logo for the ministry
- P.O. Box
- 60 frozen hamburger patties/month
- 60 hamburger buns/month
- 60 hotdog buns/month
- 60 hotdogs/month
- 60 slices of American cheese/month
- 120 Little Debbie's/month
- 120 small individual bags of chips/month
- 8 bags of ice/month
- 2- 12.5 lb. bags of Kingsford Match Light Charcoal/month
- 20 Zip Lock Gallon Freezer bags/month
- 140 small Styrofoam cups/month
- 120 thick paper plates/month
- 120 Napkins/month
- 4 rolls of paper towels/month
- 20 trash bags (30 gallon)/month
- 50 postage stamps/month
- 50 adhesive seal envelopes/month
- 1 black cartridge of ink (HP 92)/month
- 1 color cartridge of ink (HP 92)/month
Praying that God INCREASES you more and more!
In Christ,
Rachel
Contact Information:
East St. Louis Dream Center
1235 McCasland Ave., Apt. 9B
East St. Louis, IL 62201
618.482.2791
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