“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

"Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”"
1 Peter 5:2-3,5 NIV

Sometimes the Word of God just seems to come alive.  Literally jumping off the page.  I have been wanting to blog about my experience this Saturday at our first Common Ground mens breakfast.  This morning this verse envelopes everything that I wanted to say.  

It was such a great gathering and I am so thankful that God has allowed to us to be a part of this fellowship and serve alongside such awesome men.

Pastor Terran shared and challenged us with 6 very short and very practical steps for us as men.  
1. Love God Well
2. Love your wife well
3. Lead your family (kids) well
4. Work Hard!
5. Steward your cash well
6. Fight for your brothers.

But then it happened.  I was shocked at first.  Surely this could not be happening, I mean after all this was a group of Christian men and these were Pastor's and elders.  In today's church these types of things do not happen.  Aren't Pastors supposed to be perfect and better then the rest of us.  I mean, we are just men.  These guys are pastors.  I am being a bit facious, but in many churches today that is how things are.  Pastors are not allowed to be open, real, and honest about what's happening in their personal lives.

But, this is Common Ground, and as the name suggest we are all on common ground.  Pastor Terran after sharing his 6 basic points for men, went on to share his struggles in each of the 6 areas.  Not past struggles before he was a christian or even things he struggled with years ago, but recent as of yesterday type struggles.  Following his lead, the 3 other elders also did the same.  It was awesome.

Following their sharing, Terran asked us just to break into groups and just pray with each other.  The effect of the leaders humility and humblesness was evident as we all continued to share our struggles and lift each other up in prayer.

So amped about what God is doing here in the Valley.

The Xmen - week 1

              Column 1                                          Column 2                                         Column 3

Columun’s 1,2, and 3 are different views of the same room

Row 1 is the first day on the job.

Row 2 is end of day one

Row 3 is end of day two

Row 4 was end of day 3

This was our first week of Xmen our Handyman Academy.  It was just Ricardo and I this week, but already we have 2-3 more LifeXchange guys interested for next week.  Thank you to Living Hope for allowing us to work on some projects while we teach the guys some basic skills.  Above you will see a storage room that we are converting into office space.  Day 1 we cleaned out quite a bit of clutter and busted out a wall back in the corner.  Day 2 we finished the ceiling in the back area which will become the back office.  Day 3 we started working on the walls that will create the new office.  Day 4 we worked a ½ day and finished the wall across the front.  There will be one small office on the left and one larger office on the right.  Next Monday we will finish the wall that will split the two and also start hanging some sheet rock.  Depending on our man power we may even start some painting.  Ricardo is a bit camera shy, but I was able to catch him in a couple of photos. Ricardo and I also spent a few days looking at other work, and learning how to do quotes and invoices.  We also had someone ask to build some raised garden beds from recycled wood she had around the house.  We knocked out these two boxes in 2 hours.         
   

Please continue to keep this project in your prayers.  We are hoping to start a handyman business as part of LifeXchange in which these guys can begin to work and earn some money.  Ricardo got paid R50 an hour this week for one of the jobs and he said that was the most he had ever made.  That’s equivalent to about $5.

Big News - Jan Newsletter

BIG NEWS