Hello Everyone,

This is a very exciting time for HOPE. Nigh Johnson met with me and Rick and discussed our not-for-profit status. He has donated his time and effort to help us help those that call the streets their home. I just finished tweaking the documents and will be sending them back to Nigh tomorrow for completion. Rick and I will be meeting tomorrow night to discuss the By-laws and other matters, and I will be calling our first official meeting of the Board of Directors for Hope Outreach within the week. Please pray for this Ministry and the people in it, that we will stay humble, that we will continue to be good stewards with the gifts that God gives us and that it will never be about anything other than Jesus. “JESUS!”

Michael is doing great! He called Five Guys ( a burger place) tonight to see why they didn't call him this weekend like they had said. The managers still haven't met, and will be meeting sometime within the next 48 hours to determine who they will hire. Please keep Michael in your prayers. Michael is now involved with NA ( Kind of like AA) and is really participating and trying hard. I am very proud of Michael in his struggle from the street life to a better life. Nothing worth while is easy. Michael is continuing filling out applications and I am hoping and praying the cleaning business my brother Troy owns will allow Michael and myself a couple of accounts here in Liberty or surrounding area.

Friday night was a hoot as usual. We had a house full of people willing to serve and make a bunch of food for our neighbors on the street. We ground up a whole turkey and used it with onion, peppers, cheese and egg to make some awesome breakfast burrito's. I love the fellowship and laughter that is always present Friday nights. Lot's of love, Lot's of Jesus!

Saturday morning came around and Dan, Rick, Michael and myself met at Scott's house to load the van with food and supplies. Scott's house always smells so good from the night before. We prayed with Scott and headed down the street. Marvin, Paula and Speedy were waiting for us under the railroad bridge. We hooked them up with some burrito's and batteries. We also gave Speedy some milk bones, she seemed very excited. We got back in the van and headed down Front Street to River Front Road. Will was flying a sign on the median just past the highway and Whiskey was walking towards us out of the brush by the guard rail. Will is always so polite and very soft spoken, Whiskey told us that he really needs a brown tarp or camo tarp ( We went today and got him a brown tarp from Rogers Lures). We hoped in the van and away we went down the street. We fed many people as we see them walking on the street, we pull up and ask, “ Hey brother, would you like something hot to eat this morning?” Usually, we are greeted with a big smile and a big, “Yes!”

We made it up to where Nicki hangs out and sure enough, she was there this morning too. We pulled up along the curb, got out and started talking to her. She didn't seem as joyful as usual. She said she was waiting on a bus to go to some meeting. We hooked her up with a couple of burrito's. While we were talking to Nicki, this young girl came walking towards us from a few blocks away with no shoes or socks on, a pair of short capri's and a t-shirt. I don't think any of us could believe our eyes. She was walking on snow and ice. I motioned for her to come over by the van and she ran over to me. She said she got angry at someone inside of Restart and stormed out. We got her into a pair of socks, a blanket and some food. She walked up the sidewalk and into the Restart building. About that time, a woman with four or five children walked past us and into the Restart building. We forgot the toys, we will never forget those again after seeing those children. Rest assured though, that they are warm and fed living with their mother in Restart. Restart has a great program.

Like I said, we stop as we see someone in need. There are so many encounters, it's truly amazing how God just brings us to them and them to us. You know I have always loved to fish. There is nothing like the thrill of having a fish take your bait and then the reeling in of the fish. Jesus said he would make us fishers of men. Matt. 4:18-20 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. That's exactly what we are doing every Saturday morning! Praise God!!!

One man really stands out in my mind since that day, and has really been in my thoughts a lot. His name was John. He had two flannel shirts and a pair of jeans on. He was carrying a pack with his stuff in it. We pulled up along side of him, and asked if he would like something to eat. He said yes, and then we began talking to him. He said that he had a camp somewhere close by, but had no tent. He had a tarp or something. He stayed warm by hovering over a candle. I weep as I write this, I can't believe that a brother would only have a candle to keep warm by. He said he stays in the Mission when he can, but it costs money to stay there and they don't let you work it off anymore. There are too many people. “Father, forgive us for being so selfish and not helping each other.” I asked John if he had a coat and he said that what he had on was fine. I opened the back of the van and pulled out a beautiful Carthart coat, lined with thick flannel. I asked him to try it on. It fit him perfect!!! “Thank you Jesus!” John asked,” Where do you guys come from?” I said, “ From Jesus, brother.” I began to fill a bag with a blanket and an emergency sleeping bag and chapstick, some socks, gloves, stocking cap and some candles. Again he asked, “ Where do you guys come from?” Rick said,” From Jesus.” We hooked him up with some burrito's and I wrote down my name and phone number and offered him a 120 minute phone card. I told him if there is anything he needs or he needs help, he can call me. Please keep this brother in your prayers. Keep praying for a building that we will be able to bring people like John to.

Thank you on behalf of all of the faces I see hungry, thirsty and hurting. Your prayers and donations are changing lives here in our community. There are a few new pictures on the website. I would like to ask again, please pray for the people on this e-mail list. Because of your love for Jesus, people are being fed and given supplies to help make their lives a little easier and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ on the streets of Kansas City. It is contagious! Amen! God bless each and everyone of you and your families.