It's a Shelter for.......

I have been waiting for just the right moment to write and share all the amazing things God has done lately, but it did not come until today......

The building project has gone so fast and smooth and God has provided so much it is almost overwhelming to take in!! We have had school groups, youth groups, friends, and last week a lot of contractors in here working and everyone has really worked so hard. There are days when we get more "church" done then building and I have to say that those are my favorite. Those "real" conversations where all the people around share what is on their hearts and minds and we pray, talk, cry, or laugh together. People seem to be drawn to this place like a beacon-maybe it is to witness God moving so mighty with the hopes of being inspired-maybe the "work" going on is comforting to so many that are out of work and they enjoy the pace and activities for awhile -maybe just friendship and shooting the breeze with someone, I don't know, but it is working and we are so BLESSED by the people we get to hang out with everyday.

Last week we had 7 highly skilled, luxury home builders working to finish all the furniture pieces in the space. One of them made the most appropriate comment:

"this place is like a shelter for out of work carpenters"!!

How very true. While we can not pay the people working here, we are able to offer a job site, a hot lunch, and that fellowship that only comes from working side by side with other men. They can be creative in design and build. They have to really use their building skills. When we stop to pray for lunch we pray not only for our food, but for their jobs, their marriages, anything they need!! I was marveling the other day how God would wait until he had the highest skilled people available to build this place for the youth of this town. He loves all of us so much that He provides the very best!!

2 weeks ago we held our first Sk8 Church here and actually had skateboarding!! Yes-let that sink in.....45 kids showed up! Last week 65 kids came to skate and hang out, eat a hot meal, and hear the Gospel!!

Before we started the night we all took a knee to pray. When we pray we go around and everyone gets a chance to pray if they want to and the kids that were here just laid it down!! Some were praying out loud for the first time and it was so raw and real. I can not tell you how powerful it is to hear words that come straight out of a young heart when eyes are closed and heads are bowed! After that we ate dinner together and Buck shared his heart and the Gospel then we (they) skated and skated and skated......

It was so awesome to see the kids so happy, and energetic. There was a middle school and high school dance that night so we only had the older die hard skaters. We had a few new skaters show up that heard there was a Skate park here. They all skated for about 4 hours. They cheered each other on, high fived me & Buck often and were sober and happy. At the end of the night they all just automatically cleaned up!! Sweeping, emptying trashes-it was amazing.

So when I think of the statement about this being a shelter- that becomes my prayer-Lord, let this be a shelter for all. A shelter of hope, love, grace, forgiveness, beauty. A place to find rest for your soul and freedom for your burdens!!

At this time we are so overwhelmed with God's provision and love and outpouring that our "needs" are all taken care of. He is more than sufficient for today!! Please rejoice with us in this great day He has made and if you are seeking shelter please come on over-you never know what God will have for you!!!