Although none of us will ever know the full impact of her actions, one woman changed mine and my son’s lives forever.  She allowed her compassion to guide her actions and God to work through her. 

When I was lost, hopeless and completely alone as no one should ever be, she gave sincere thought to my need, and asked me to visit her at Gateway Church.  I found Christ there.  I found answers and strength, and hope and very often, refuge.

When my child and I were abused and threatened, living in fear of what each day might bring, she helped us to find resources to sustain, educate and empower me to change our lives.  She g ...

Every time I pass under I-35 at Rundberg, I can't help but notice that there is a guy living under the bridge.  His 'place' is between the guard rail and big power box. I have parked at the gas station and walked over there with food & stuff perhaps 6-7 times.  After service this Sunday, God asked me what was I scared of? Why would I not go further than just dropping off something hot to eat or some warm clothes?  I really felt led to go meet him and pray for him.  His name is Alan. I prayed with him Sunday, for the first time.  It felt like such a little thing, that lie Ted talked about "It won't make a difference" kept poking me in the ribs, but I did it anyway. I prayed for deliverance from alcohol and for him to be continually in God's grasp.  I asked him what he needed, clothes, warm blankets, etc... and he said that he had 'everyth ...

The other day I was in Dominican Joes a coffee shop on South Congress and while I was waiting on my coffee I overheard a girl talking at the door. She said that someone broken down and she was going to go help push their car out of the street. I went outside to help and it turns out the girl had ran out of gas. We got her car out of the street and I asked her if she needed help getting some gas. After a moment of no response I noticed she was wearing a hearing aid and realized she was deaf. Lucky for her I speak sign langue so I told her I had a chain in my truck and I would tow her to a gas station. Once we got there I even paid for her gas because it turns out she was out of money. I felt God used me to make her day turn from bad to good and I was glad I helped fill a need.

For about a year now our small group has had it’s own benevolence fund. Each member contributes around $10 a month and if we see a need around us we ask the group if we can use the funds.  We have used the money to help someone with loss of wages due to illness or we’ve bought school supplies for low income school kids. Other times we do service projects that don’t require money for example we helped a lady move her furniture out of her house so she could have it re-carpeted.  Any person in the group can bring up a need from anyone they know and the group decides together what to do, the important thing is no one has ever been told “No.” We always find a way to help.

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I went back the CNS to help out with the 2nd grade girls.  It was so fun to see the kids again; I didn’t expect them to remember me, but they did!  One little girl came running up and threw her arms around me!  They all were wanting attention, so there wasn’t a dull moment.  I brought a book with me to read – the after-school teachers have the harder work, I just get to come and play.  As I got ready to leave, they asked me – no, begged me – to come back.  I’m going to take some ‘girly’ things for them next time, and bring some clothes for the clothes closet.  I have been buying a couple of t-shirts on sale at Old Navy and I’ve asked my small group to consider helping me out with getting girls clothing for the closet at Old Navy.  I have a new family in the St. John neighborhood!

Walking in the shoes of an African child, hearing and seeing what she experienced was amazingly impactful. I was really surprised by how quickly I got absorbed into Olivia’s world. I was so grateful to have the space to process this and put up a prayer on the prayer wall. There were several organizations represented in the tent that I had not known about. I got connected with one that helps those with HIV/AIDS in our own community. I want to learn more about that. Saturday night, the Zambian Vocal Group provided some levity and some great music. I was really happy to see them perform again at service the next day!

I got to sit and chat with Moffat Zimba during his recent visit to Austin. Although he seemed quiet at first, when I invited him to share the story of his ministry, Northrise University, he became passionate and animated. I couldn’t help but be interested in what he and his wife, Doreen, are doing to transform their city of Ndola, Zambia. With a belief that education is key to his community rising above the many challenges it faces, i.e. poverty, disease, hunger, inadequate healthcare and orphans, Moffat sensed a call to establish a Christian university. Being one of the many students who did not qualify for university eductation in Zambia (at that time there were only 2 universities in Zambia), he spent 15 years in the US and Australia completing his higher education and preparing to start a Zambian university. A few years ago his dream was realized in the establishment of Northrise – the only gove ...