Isaiah 49:16 “Behold I have engraved you on the palms of my hands: your walls are continually before me”

I don’t ever want to forget that a Holy, righteous, loving God has me on His mind and says “I don’t forget about you. I’m committed to you. Everything that I’m doing–I’m thinking about you!” There is no doubt that life will get difficult at some point. We live in a fallen world that is in hourly need of God’s glorious salvation and restoration. Even on the good days, we need the humility to know that God is holding us in the palm of His hand. It’s such a picture of our homeless and their daily struggles. I want to share with you one of my friends, Mike. I met Mike about 15 years ago. He was raised by 1 foster mom but became rebellious and at 18 was kicked out. Mike even joined the bloods for a while until his addiction became too much. His foster mom passed away and he realized he was alone and we became like a 2nd foster family. He was in our men’s shelter for a while, (hiding out when he exited the gang). We placed him into 2 rehabs and then a few years ago he went into Victory Outreach in Philly. He gave his life to Jesus there and began to really see what life could be like in Jesus. He left Victory Outreach after a few months for a job. He really had dreams of reuniting with his son and his girlfriend. Mike continued to struggle with addiction then sobriety--back and forth. I just saw him last week on our Street Outreach. We got a big hug and talked for a while. He said he was sober and he looked it. He was homeless again, living in a tent in the woods and looking for work. Then Saturday I received a message that he went to be with the Lord. As broken hearted and sad as I am, I rejoice that he is with the Lord now and his struggles are no more because Mike was engraved in the hand of the Lord! I ask that you pray for his son who is fatherless now but lives with his grandparents. Also pray for the other homeless people that were living with Mike. My prayer for them is that they see that tomorrow is not promised and there is hope. The hope that Mike found in Jesus, that we all can find. Pray for my staff and volunteers that go out with me, that through the sadness they see that they are truly the hands and feet of Jesus! I feel privileged to have experienced the power of agreement when churches and you reach out to the Christian Caring Center in support, prayers and giving to help others, and I can tell you this — I wouldn’t want to work in God’s Kingdom any other way. Unity among the brethren reflects the heart of the Father, and He says that where unity prevails, the anointing of His presence saturates and commands His blessing to manifest in their midst (see Psalm 133)! The Christian Caring Center has continued to be a blessing to individuals and families all because of your generosity and agreement and we are grateful! Thanks so much for your continued support and prayers as we all minister to the kingdom of God.

Madelyn Sutton Executive Director