InAsMuch Ministry

So this past week at IAM was a little well a little busier than even normal. I have to share just a few stories. The first one, the homeless ask us every day for garbage bags and brooms to clean up. C said to me "we don't want people to think we are messy". To which I responded, you are messy! She laughed and said oh just give me a broom. Monday night, I ran home to walk my dog before coming back for Circles and IAM, and when I returned one of them said to me, "just trying to hold down the expletive fort for you MA." which still makes me laugh. But this one has really hit me hard. We had a young woman, early 20s, who was in front of the building. She was very drunk. We found out later she has an advanced cancer diagnosis. The people on the street asked me to call the police because they were afraid she was going to wander into traffic. So I did. I went down, and DeMarco was on the sidewalk with his arm around this girl praying for her. The officers had their heads bowed. I found out later she had spit on DeMarco and one of the officers prior to this prayer. DeMarco-whose first words to me 2 years ago were "there ain't no God". I get asked a lot why they want to be in front of or in our building. For 4 years I have prayed every day over this building. Pastor Yawberg told me when I came to lay my hands on the building and ask the Holy Spirit to fill the space. I have; and He has. So I know that they feel His presence; His Spirit; His love; His comfort; His Compassion. This afternoon someone asked me why they are there, and I told him this very thing. He rolled his eyes at me. I said roll your eyes all you want, but realize when you do, you are rolling your eyes at the Lord; not MA.

A Seat at the Table Silent auction 'A Seat at the Table' hosted online at 32auctions.

So Emily posted DeMarco's interview on Wane 15, but here is the rest of the Big God Story! At the end of the interview, DeMarco told the reporter that when he first came to IAM, he was "really angry". The reporter looked at DeMarco (today's DeMarco) and said no way, and looked at me. I looked at DeMarco, and we both started laughing. Holy cow was he angry! The first thing he said to me was "there ain't no God", and he didn't want to tell me his name. NOW look at this young man. He is employed; housed; a member of Broadway Christian Church; a member of Bible Study; enrolled in Circles of Allen County, and willingly prays out loud for those who need prayer. What a Big God Story this young man is!

So in the past 16 months, we have found housing for 140 homeless with income. It hasn't been easy; and many times we have asked can we keep this up? But God has been faithful, and we are following His lead.
T and B. They are at IAM every day; they attend Broadway; they are part of Circles; and a year ago they were in a tent. Probably 9 months ago. We found them a boarding house, and they moved in. On Friday, they signed the lease for their very own apartment. On February 12th, Pastor Donnie Foster will marry them in the lobby of IAM.
Nobody can read this; and hear this story (there is way more) and doubt there is a God who loves us. They have worked so hard saving money; learning things they never knew; and building healthy community. We love them, and we are so so proud of them!