inside #06/2011 - June 2011

Serving alongside the team

I'm a graduate student at Michigan State University but originally I'm from Germany. There, I used to go to the "church" that sent out the "HfaN"-team. I had always heard many good things about this ministry and so this summer I had the opportunity to come down to Austin and serve alongside the team for two weeks.
Pursuing a doctorate degree like I do, it is easy to get caught up in research and live detached from the real world. This is why I decided that I wanted to do something different this summer. Although I didn't have much time to spare, I saw this outreach as a chance to do something meaningful and help out with practical jobs on the "LIFEHOUSE" property and outreaches into the city.
During the outreaches I could see the fruit of the team's going to the streets for many years as they have been able to establish friendships with many of the homeless people. I never saw anyone react hostile to our presence or talk badly about the "Cream and Sugar Ministry". Instead, conversations in the trailer were always cheerful and I got to know some of the folks that otherwise I may have seen as a nuisance and passed rather quickly.
Now these faces have names like Crazy Boy, 21, travelling the country without a destiny, or Dave who may appear somewhat crazy on first sight but who turns out to have the sweetest spirit.
When they shared snippets from their lives, it would often be stories of despair and hopelessness. In the Cream and Sugar trailer, though, they can experience a time of rest and peace and see that there is another way. Some people come only to get a bottle of cold water or a snack, others stick around and chat for a while. The team and volunteers are always ready to listen and pray when people are open.

I guess two weeks is really too short and I wish I could have stayed longer but nevertheless I had a great time and I hope that I was of help to the team. For me it was encouraging to spend time with other believers and to take a break from all the hustle and bustle of life as a graduate student and I left more refreshed than after a vacation trip.

-Jens-

Thank you!

In our last newsletters we told you about the new community house that we were given. To be able to move the house to our property, we asked you for your financial support and many of you have responded generously.
And praise God! The necessary funds have come in and now we'll be able to transport the house as soon as it's ready for the move. Thank you for your generosity.
We'll keep you posted...
your HELP for all Nations-team