Covington Outreach Scheduled for March 7th

March 1st, 2010

img_4322Every Saturday Manly and I are involved in an outreach to the very poor in a neighborhood about half a mile from our house. This neighborhood is even poorer than where we live—if you can imagine that.

This outreach started a few years ago with quarterly outreaches to the community. Several of the community people wanted more! Praise God!! So about 4 months ago the Saturday outreach began. We average between 20 to 40 people. On Saturdays we serve lunch, have praise and worship, a Bible study, and a time of prayer. It’s absolutely amazing!! We have had many salvations and are seeing people, who know next to nothing about God, the Bible, and “Christianity”, growing in the Lord. The most amazing thing to me is how they are taking over and serving each other!!! The road from “taking” to “giving” is usually a long one—and this absolutely blows me away. In all my years of ministry, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Some of the ladies are now preparing the food and serving it. They tell their neighbors about the meetings and invite them to come. They are putting into practice what they are learning.

Even with the quarterly and weekly (Saturday) outreaches they still want more. Last week we started our first Tuesday meetings. These have a little different format, in that we break up into smaller groups and have table leaders to facilitate. Our first meeting we had enough people to fill three tables!!! And the people loved it.

This coming Sunday from 3:00 to 6:00 we will be having our quarterly outreach. We will have a food, gifts for everyone, clothes and some household items, and music and clowns. I’ve never participated in one of these, but have been told that anywhere from 200 to 500 people attend. The community people will be passing out flyers this week and inviting people to come. Manly and I will be stapling flyers to as many telephone poles as possible covering at least three neighborhoods.

We need people like you to come and help us at the outreach. All you need to do is mingle with the community people, pray with them, and invite them to the other outreaches. I can guarantee that you will be blessed.

The outreach is at Elohim Christian Center, 1205 Maryland Avenue in Covington.

Many years ago, God told me “Love my children and I’ll take care of yours.” That’s all we have to do—sort of like “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”—just love His children. For me that has mainly been the hurting, rejected, and outcasts of “proper” society. These people are becoming some of my dearest friends. …..By the way, God kept his promise! My kids all turned out great, in spite of having me as their mother.

Music at Outreach

February 27th, 2010

For the last couple weeks we’ve had our very own special music. Using the church’s instruments, some of men from the community have formed our outreach band. They’ve had a lot of experience playing in the bars. This is definitely a new experience for them.

Kids In The “Hood”

July 6th, 2009

I have no idea how many children there are in this neighborhood, but they are everywhere - sometimes 5 or 6 in oneimg_3709 house. One thing I know for certain and can count on without a doubt, when they see me walking Ivan children will suddenly appear and gather around him. They want to touch him, hug him, and some even want to ride him (we don’t do that one). 

Pray for the children and for South Side Baptist Church, a community church that reaches out to the people in my “hood.”

Early Morning Walks With Ivan

June 29th, 2009

In the suburbs, even though we had a postage stamp size front yard, our back yard was large and fenced in, perfect for Ivan to run in and play Frisbee. However in the hood, we have no front yard and, although fenced in, our back yard is VERY small. In the suburbs, I took Ivan for walks because we both enjoy walking.  Here in the city it’s the only way Ivan can get the exercise he needs and it also gives us the opportunity to meet people in the hood.

 

We’ve adapted our early morning route to first “take care of business” by going a block down the ally away from the house (1) into an industrial area by the railroad tracks. We usually circle the abandoned tour bus (2), walk across the parking lot to Heidelberg Distribution, pass their dumpster, head down the tracks beside their building (5, 6), and then we’re ready to walk the streets in our hood. We try to remember to take a plastic bag with us (for scooping up Ivan’s “stuff”) but if we forget, we can always find several discarded bags among the trash and broken glass littering the way.

 

Yesterday, when I approached the dumpster (4), I suddenly noticed a man standing half way back by its side. He was barefooted and looked like he had just woken up. I spoke to him. He was very talkative and seemed somewhat nervous. I asked him if he had slept there. “Oh, no! I work here.” This was early Sunday morning. There were no cars, no open loading dock doors, no sign that the company was open at all. I described the man to Manly. Later in the day Manly saw him walking on our street and recognized him as one of the homeless men who occasionally eats at the mission.

 

This morning, as every morning, I took Ivan out for our first walk of the day. As we approached the bus Ivan suddenly stopped in his tracks and uttered a low protective guttural growl. There right in front of me was a man sleeping on the ground next to the bus (3). Ivan’s short series of warning “woofs” got his attention. The startled man jerked his head, then shoulders off the ground to lock eyes with this huge growling canine. I quickly calmed Ivan and assured the man it was OK and we walked on. A few minutes later when we circled back, from across the parking lot I could see him laying in the same spot.

 

My heart is heavy for these people. I would like to have the ability to change people and their situations, but I learned long ago—only God can truly change people and hopeless situations.  He’s a God of the impossible. When any person comes to the end of himself, willing to do whatever it takes, and cries out to God – change CAN happen. The God of miracles takes action. I’ve seen this happen many, many times over the last 28 years.

 Sometimes it happens with instant deliverance but in most instances it’s a healing process that happens over time. Why doesn’t God instantly “zap” every needy, addicted soul with deliverance? I believe it’s because usually the addiction is only the symptom of a much deeper problem. The drugs, alcohol, food, and/or other addiction or behavior is their way of self-medicating to cover the hurts, habits, and hang-ups in their lives.

 

It’s like having a deeply infected gaping wound (The infected part represents the hurts, habits, and hang-ups of a lifetime.) and attempting to treat it with soap, water, and a Band-Aid. Until we go to the doctor and allow him to remove the infected tissue and give us some antibiotics, it’s not going to heal. In fact, it could very well end up killing us. God is our Great Physician healing and restoring the hopeless situations in our lives. He works from the inside out. He works through His Word, His Spirit, and His people.

 

If you know someone who’s hurting direct them towards the Great Healer. Tell them about your church’s help programs, Celebrate Recovery, or other ministries. From there they can be referred, if needed, to professionals: detox, Christian counselors, recovery programs, medical treatment, etc. 

Remember, you can make the difference in someone’s life today! 

 

Healing always takes much more than a Band Aid—it takes the power of an almighty, loving God. It takes a miracle. It’s something only God can do.  

Touched By An Angel OR Touched By A Saint

February 7th, 2009

Many of you were loyal fans of the TV series “Touched by an Angel.” I can’t say that I watched the series faithfully, but each time I did its message of hope moistened my eyes as desperate human souls in perilous situations were rescued by the cast of angels (Roma Downey, Della Reese, John Dye, and Valerie Bertinelli). Although I can’t vouch for the angelic authenticity, and at times was somewhat bothered by the biblical inaccuracies, I found many of the storylines to be profoundly insightful. In researching “Touched By An Angel,’ I was relieved to discover that I was not the only one with these mixed feelings. Martha Williamson, the visionary Executive Producer and Head Writer of the CBS series, herself had doubts about the storyline and almost turned down the job. (Read the article from Guideposts Magazine)

 

The success of the show, in part, I’m sure was the heavenly hope that someone bigger than our most insurmountable problems actually notices and is willing to intervene. We want to believe that God really does care enough about us to become personally involved in our lives and that He is ready to send someone to our rescue. It’s very unlikely that he sends an angel like in the series, but we do know, without a doubt or reservation, that He sent his very best—His son to redeem us and the Holy Spirit to comfort and teach us. And, through the Great Commission and many other Scriptures, He has also sent us. We—every single one of us believers—has been sent by God to touch the lives of other believers and non-believers alike. It is not a suggestion on God’s part, it’s a command.

 

“I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. You are my friends if you obey me. I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. I command you to love each other.” John 15:12-13 (NLT)

 

 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ and the king will tell them, “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters; you were doing it to me!” Matthew 25:37-45 (NLT)

 

We, in a sense, are God’s “angels;” although He calls us His saints. His saints are not diety. They are not sinless and perfect. His saints are people just like you and me, Christian believers he chooses to work through to touch the world. Like I said in September 13th’s post “If Nobody Reaches Out, Nobody Gets Touched!” The Bible tells us several times that we are to love one another, that we are to serve one another.

 

 

Don’t be afraid to lay down you life (inconvenience yourself a little) for others. Remember, when you are showing love and compassion to “one of the least of these.” you are doing it to Jesus. Watch the finale of Touched by an Angel.

 

What Scriptures motivate you to reach out and serve? Leave your comments

 

Was your life touched by a saint? Did someone show you undeserved love and compassion that changed your life? To encourage others, go to the Message Board and leave your story for all to enjoy.

 

If you were encouraged by one of the stories left, please reply to the message and/or comment at Your Story Inspired Me!

December

December 31st, 2008

This was a slow month as far as ministry. I had surgery at the beginning of December and had to take it easy (difficult for me to do) for the rest of the month.

Holiday Letter Announcing “Our Last Great Adventure”

December 29th, 2008

 

Dear Friends,

 

Manly and I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that your New Year will be filled with God’s very best blessings for you and those you love.

 

It has been an exciting year. Last spring my book Letters to Lori won the Independent Publishers Best Regional Nonfiction Award!!. We have used the proceeds from the sales of Letters to Lori to benefit Appalachian ministries in WV and TN. We plan to continue this—PLUS add something new!!

 

During 2008 our hearts have been more and more drawn to the people in the inner city of Northern Kentucky experiencing hopelessness because of the life-controlling issues they face every day—including: generational poverty, relationships, abuse, addictions, and life’s other hurts, habits, and hang-ups. We have spent much time talking and praying, and our love and concern for the people in KY, WV, and TN has continued to grow.

 

Working with hurting people is nothing new to us, but we do feel that the Lord has shown us a new direction for serving Him for the remainder of our lives. For the past 28 years it has been our calling to “love His children” (the hurting and many times the unlovable ones). We have done this by “working” through church involvement (support, recovery, & discipleship groups), “serving” in fulltime ministry (residential treatment programs & recovery ministry), and “training” pastors and lay people how to effectively work with and help individuals with life-controlling issues. We have lived and worked among the hurting all these years—so what’s new?

 

Not much! Over the years we have seen hundreds of devastated lives changed for God’s glory. Many of those former drug addicts, pimps, prostitutes and gang members are now pastors, evangelists, missionaries, or faithful workers in their churches, in the jails, and in other ministries. We desire to continue in ministry work as long as God allows us. It is a huge part of who we are. We are older now—in our retirement years, even though we have not really retired.

 

Manly will be 68 in March, generally still in very good health with some aging slow downs, and still plans to keep working for a few more years at Fairhaven Rescue Mission where, as you may know, he heads up the long-term (up to one year) residential program for men who desire to turn their lives around.

 

So, what’s new? Since 1981 we have brought people from the streets in to live with us—into our home or into residential programs where they would live among us on our “turf.” With our children all grown and married, now is the time for us to move out of the suburbs and live among the people who need help the most—“on their turf.” We will most likely begin in the Covington, KY area as Manly continues at Fairhaven. We will remain open and available to respond if God chooses to send us elsewhere later on.

 

We need to be living within our retirement income. Hopefully, the Lord has found us faithful over the past 28 years and we have many riches reserved for us in glory. But we have to admit that we have not shown much “earthly wisdom” in saving up wealth for our old age here on earth. It seems that there has always been someone else who needed help or a ministry work that needed to be done which paid little or nothing at all. So, our retirement income will only be Social Security for both of us and the proceeds from my book Letters to Lori.

 

We feel we can purchase a home in the inner city on a short term mortgage of 5 or so years. Repairs are usually needed on older homes and repairs in a low income housing area can be significant, but Manly has done this type of work numerous times—one of those necessary “hobbies” in residential ministry that has become a real godsend in gaining experience.

 

We long to live among the people “just being:” a neighbor, a friend, an encourager, an example, a grandma, a grandpa—“just being” whoever Christ wants us to be! January through June of 2009, we will start by volunteering to help existing ministries, church outreaches, etc. while continuing to live in Elsmere. In July we will move into the inner city.

 

We wanted you to know how the Lord is leading us. Please keep us in your prayers—AND tell everyone to buy my “AWARD-WINNING” book!! It will help us carry out our mission. I plan to blog (www.letterstolori.org) about our experiences and would love for you to follow what’s happening in the “Last Great Adventures!” of our “Senior Years.”   

 

Blessings Always,

Barbara League              

Christmas Day

December 26th, 2008

 Early on Christmas morning Manly and I drove over to Ohio to watch our grandchildren (Autumn 6 and Lincoln 2) open their presents. Heather (our daughter) and her husband Jared had been looking forward to Christmas and a visit from Jared’s parents, who live in PA, and his sister and her boyfriend.   

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When we arrived the grandkids were still in bed. Amazing! I thought, remembering how our three were always awake before the sun’s first glow peaked over the horizon! The tree was beautiful and had packages piled high all around it. On a table beside the tree, where the plate of cookies and glass of milk had been lovingly placed the night before, was a thank you note from Santa. Two cookies, each with big bites missing were all that was left. The glass still held a couple swallows of milk. How sweet is that! I whispered to Manly as I looked back at all the presents that would soon be opened. Over on the kitchen table and counters were plates of cookies and other Christmas baked goods and snacks. Later that evening we would have a huge Christmas dinner with ham, sweet potato casserole, and other family traditional delights that help make Christmas special.

 Autumn and Lincoln were about to have the time of their lives—another memory of a happy childhood. Yes, it was a happy time but I couldn’t shake the sadness I felt for the children who would not wake up to such a lovely site. Would not even wake up in a warm house.

  I thought about another grandmother who lived only thirty or forty minutes away, across the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky. This grandmother was raising her three grandchildren by herself. It was difficult making it day by day, trying to see that the children had what they needed like food and clothes to wear to school.

 

 There was never enough—of anything. She had been able to get a small Christmas gift each for two of the children, but had no idea what to do for the twelve-year-old. There was no money left, even for food, and her check wouldn’t come until the first of the month, two weeks away. Just when she was about to give up, she heard about a mission that, the week before, had given out brand new Christmas presents and even a shopping bag full of enough food to make a Christmas feast. Maybe they would have a gift left for her grandson.

 

 Embarrassed for having to ask, she knocked on the mission’s door. Her heart broke when she learned that all the toys had been given away. There was nothing left. Nothing at all. “But wait! We do have a sleeping bag he might like. It’s brand new. We give them out to the street people when it gets really cold.”

 

 The grandmother’s eyes filled with tears. She could barely get the words out. “Thank you so much! That will be the perfect gift. You see, my apartment is small and we don’t have any beds. We sleep on blankets on the floor. My grandson will think he’s camping and the sleeping bag will keep him nice and warm. It’s the perfect gift. Thank you!                                              

 

Manly and I are looking forward to moving into this Northern Kentucky area as we launch out on our “Last Great Adventure!” We are looking forward to sharing the “Perfect Christmas Gift” with people like this grandmother and her grandchildren—the only gift that continues to bring hope all year through, not just at Christmas time.  After all, HE IS the one who brings good news to the poor, comfort to the brokenhearted, freedom to the captives. HE IS the one who gives beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair.

___________________

 

It’s great being a grandma. I had never experienced being close to my first two grandchildren. Their dad is a Lt. Col. in the military so they have lived in several different states and for five years they lived in Germany. For a few years they lived only two and a half hours away from us. Tucked in my treasure chest of memories are the Thanksgivings and Christmas mornings we spent with them there, and the soccer games, swimming at the Y, and the weekends we spent helping them remodel their house.

 

Heather and her family live with us. They moved from Maryland last July with high hopes of quickly finding jobs so they could get settled in an apartment. With the economy as it is, jobs are not so easy to find. Jared started working a couple months ago and it looks like Heather will start working soon. PTL!! The benefit for us—we can spend time with our grandchildren every day. They love their grandma and grandpa and love being around us.

In my book, Letters to Lori, Opal speaks to Lori (her granddaughter) of the special relationship she had with her grandmother. 

I used to sit on the porch and snap beans with my Grandma Corn and we would talk for hours. Grandma had many wonderful and incredible memories of the past. She would eagerly gather us up in her arms and tell us as much as we wanted to hear about how things once were. She’d tell us tales about the Civil War and her family and all sorts of things. Most of the people we knew growing up did not like to talk about the history of their families. Maybe there were too many things they didn’t want known. Many were too preoccupied with the hardships of the present day to want to remember times that were even worse. Oh, but not my grandma! She built within us a love and acceptance of our heritage. Isn’t it amazing how some people—no matter how much bad happens to them, no matter how difficult the situations life seems to hand them—can come out on the other side even stronger? That’s how my grandma was. Of all my grandparents, Grandma Corn had the biggest influence in my life and the biggest place in my in my heart.”

Learn more about my book here.

Christmas in November

November 30th, 2008

Much of my time in October and November was spent at doctor appointments and testing. But we did participate in Christmas in November, three days of meetings sponsored by several churches and hosted by a downtown Covington church. We served as greeters and then as prayer partners at the end of the services.

 

At events like Christmas in November—which are great—I can’t help but question, What’s the follow up plan? Most people who are caught up in addiction and other devastating life controlling issues need discipleship and a strong support system to work through their issues. These problems are severe and may even need professional help.

 

At Christmas in November I had the opportunity to pray for a lady who told me she was an alcoholic. She didn’t want to drink any more. She wanted her children back. She wanted to stop making the same type of bad choices over and over.  And I wondered Where will she get the help needed to break this addiction? Yes, prayer is needed. Prayer is wonderful and comforting. This lady will need a lot of prayer to make it back to sobriety. In fact, I would ask that you add her to your prayer list as well as the others like her. Yes, there’s hope, but that hope is only through Jesus Christ, prayer, help, and support.

Getting A Feel For The City And Existing Ministry Work

October 31st, 2008

Because of Manly’s involvement with Fairhaven Rescue Mission where he works, we were already somewhat familiar with a number of local churches and pastors. The types of church ministries vary.

 

One church, on the south side of Covington, has served that community for over 100 years. For the past 40 years they have also offered a complete child care and learning program for children birth through age 10 for very reasonable rates. In 2000, the church purchased “The Salty Dog Saloon” which was attached to the end of their church (many of the buildings and houses in the city are connected) and turned it into a community activity center. The center provides one-on-one tutoring for kindergarten through the 5th grade; an adult bimonthly Bible club that includes, in addition to a Bible study time, dinner, games and fellowship; a children’s Bible program every Wednesday; a food pantry; the monthly youth nights (middle school and high school) include games, food, and fellowship; computer classes for adults; AA meetings every weekday morning; monthly family activity nights include movies, popcorn, and drinks or game and crafts nights which includes dinner.

 

Another church downtown provides a strong outreach to the very poor and homeless on Sunday evenings. With the help of congregations from the suburbs, they provide a meal, a message of hope, and prayer. They also have clothing and food available for those attending to take with them. The church gym is used for a weekly youth activity. This church has a very strong desire to do much more within the area but is limited by the lack of church members and volunteers to carry out additional programs and ministries.

 

Several of the beautiful large churches of the city have very small congregations—maybe 20 to 40 people at best and most of them elderly. Others ministering to the poorer population have had to close their doors due to lack of funds to pay the mortgage and utilities.

 

We have started looking around at houses in the Northern Kentucky cities of Covington and Newport. There seem to be a lot of them available but they don’t stay on the market long. We suspect that investors are buying up some of these shabby homes to refurbish and turn a profit. We won’t be able to buy until around June but we are getting a feel for the neighborhoods.

 

Diversity is interesting. But in the city it’s just plain out strange to us how one street can have nicer older homes (lower middle class), the next street over the houses can be trashed, and the street after that part of the historical district with its very expensive houses.

 

We feel called to this area and believe that we are to use our combined experiences in the areas of recovery and discipleship to walk along side the hurting no matter which of those streets they live on.

 

From the very beginning of our ministry in 1981, Isaiah 61:1-3 has been our foundational Scripture. Below is the devotional for Step 12 from The Life Recovery Bible.

 

Our Mission

BIBLE READING: Isaiah 61:1-3

 

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

 

A life set free from all addictions by the Lord is a beautiful sight to behold. When we practice these principles and share our experiences, people will see the glory of God in our life and gain hope. We know from experience the depths of suffering, affliction, and brokenness. We know the pain of being enslaved to our passions and blinded by our denial. We have endured our seasons of grieving. We can relate to those who struggle to be free. We also know that there is more to life than bondage. In Christ are healing and freedom, clarity and mercy, beauty and joy.

 

When Jesus came to earth he had a mission, which was expressed in these words: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, Because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come…. To all who mourn…. He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair” (Isaiah 61:1-3).

 

This mission has been passed on to us. Some people talk about “preaching the gospel” but may alienate those who need the Good News the most. We are in a unique position to share our experiences, our strengths, and our hope in a way that broken people can understand and receive it.