JUNE 9, 10, 11 GET READY

June 9th~ Friday night ministry in SF~ bring socks, water bottles, bibles w/ RAVEN June 10th~ 10am-2pm Evangelism Class w/ Pastor Troy Bohn of RAVEN at The Living Well (Hope West) June 10th~ practical application from class Saturday night locally June 11th~ Cambodia Silent Auction/Dinner at Hope Chapel in Santa Rosa (email luvarekids@yahoo.com for tickets/info) Worship Night with Pastor Troy time/place tba!

Womens Retreat

Pre-announcement for an Unforgettable Weekend!

"Awakened Hearts Retreat!"

A unique personal retreat adventure using song, worship, presentations, life stories & film for females 18 years and up.

 

Special Guest Worship Leader:

RITA SPRINGER!!!!!

 

Coming to Sonoma County

Friday 6pm - Sunday 12 NOON

November 10-12, 2006

Double Tree Hotel, Rohnert Park

 

Full, detailed brochure coming in June.
Prepare now to begin registering June 17th!

$80 registration fee includes 3 meals, Rita Springer and retreat.

Hotel Costs are separate.

 

Your hosts:

The Foursquare Churches of

Northern California Coast District

Bay Area District

South Bay District

 

Plan now to attend this sell-out weekend to discover

your life as part of God's Great Romance!

 

Can't wait!  Rita Springer is wonderful! 

Please come join me and my friends!

Love,

Lori

Let me know if you're in and how many people you've invited!

sin

Today I got a phone call to check the press democrat.
Two friends have their names in it.
One for committing multiple felonies.
The other for simply commenting on it.
Hmmm...
sin
It just keeps spiraling on and on.
How quick we all are to point fingers and keep the spin going.

There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

Anger. Frustration. Disbelief. Hatred.
All these things now transpiring and swirling through emails, phone calls, conversations~
I dare go to Starbucks today as I'm sure I would witness more or become a part of it.

What does JESUS want me to do in this situation?
Join the spiral? Join the sin? Point fingers? Hate? Be angry? Seek revenge?

No.

I'm feeling like I need to ask all of you to pray with me:

Father God, your word says that "If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless." James 1:26

So Lord, if I am to speak about this sin let it be for your glory~ that others will turn away from Satan who is showing up in anger, fear, disbelief~ and turn their hearts and minds towards you. Father God, help me to not point fingers at the speck in another's eye as you well know there is a log in my own~ have mercy for we are all sinners. Protect the people involved from further harm. Let justice be swift. Let relationships be held together from your love. Let lives be saved through your amazing grace. Let this be an opportunity for so many to turn to you for answers and mercy. Forgive me of my sins and those who have sinned against you. Merciful God, bless the children affected Lord. Holy Spirit, Come. In JESUS powerful name, AMEN.

Get up!

Rudy and I have been doing a daily devotional together (EARLY) in the morning~

 I gave him the book for his birthday week (from Costco)~ it's called The 100 Most Important Bible Verses~ it's small, linen covered, red, hardback. 

 If you'd like to join us go buy one and get up first thing in the morning with your spouse, your children, your dog or your coffee~and start your day as Rudy insists, filled up w/ God's word! 

 We're on page 42 today~ LOVE THIS VERSE:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea... Be still, and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:1-2, 10 NKJV

 

Father God, I thank you for today's word~ I thank you for our friends and family who rely on your word to get them through today~ whatever they are facing, let them take a moment to be still and know that you are God. Turn their thoughts and hearts and minds away from anything that isn't of YOU and renew in them a peace~ that peace which surpasses all understanding.  I thank you Father for having the choice to rely on you, by my side in every situation~ forgive me when I choose death~ help me Lord to be still and remember that YOU are with me, with my friends and with my family, with Nick and Terry and Russ and Ashley today at Stanford~ with Bobby and Dakota as they travel to NYC~ with Terry Schuff and Pastor Troy and all the men heading to NY~ have mercy upon them all~ In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, AMEN.

STREETWISE MINISTRY

"Looking For His Children"
Bobby Chance
May 18, 2006

Hey Everyone...

It's getting toward midnight here in Los Angeles. Dakota and I get up at  3:30 am (in just a few hours) and head to the airport to fly to Chicago, then on to New York City.  Dot will be driving us and dropping us off at the airport..

We will be hitting the streets during our Boot Camp in the Big Apple. Pastor Troy Bohn and about 20 other men will join together as we advance His Kingdom. I am writing just before I sleep for a couple of hours to ask you to please cover us in prayer.

Pray for Dot and our family as Dakota and I are away! We covet your prayers.

Many years ago, Mario Murillo told how the Lord had shown him that many of the young prostitutes on the street, gang members, homeless and those trapped in drugs were God's children... His royalty that had been "kidnapped" by the devil. That image always stuck with me.

We got a generous donation to Streetwise a couple of days ago to help with our ministry from Doc and Pam Taylor in Texas. They included a card that reads, "Just want you to know I am praying for you today. " On the inside, they wrote, "Bobby and Dot... Just a note to say hello. May God bless you as you continue to go to the streets to look for His children!"

We are leaving the 99 in search of the one that is lost. We are going to the streets of NYC to declare to the broken and lost... those who have been "kidnapped" by the devil, that Jesus can and will set them free.< br />
With Mario's concept in mind, I wrote a song years ago that says, "God's kidnapped royalty's ransom is paid... the death of our Lord Jesus is what they're worth." Jesus offered Himself as a ransom for us!!

Thank God Jesus gave His life for us... thank God He gave His life to set the captives free. Keep us in prayer as we hit the streets "looking for His children." They are some mother's son, some father's daughter.

We still need help covering the cost of this outreach and many others coming up this summer. Prayerfully consider sending in your best missions offering right away to help us. We can only do it with your help. We need you to stand with us in prayer and financial support.

Let us know how we can pray for you.


Going For Jesus,
Bobby and Dot Chance  <><
Streetwise Ministry
P.O. Box 869
Hollywood, CA 90078
cell: 818.661.8355

THURSDAY

Praise God!

Another Thursday~ another 350 grocery bags that JESUS

has provided to give away to 350 families in Santa Rosa! 

Come be a part of what JESUS is doing right here

in the streets known as the "most dangerous parts of the city." 

 

 A HUGE thank you to Heidi Jorgensen, Ken Kreischer, Pastor Mike Gandy

for providing the vehicles to use tomorrow night! 

 A huge thank you to the Schumacher's for tens of pounds of rice and beans! 

Yes, we collect rice, beans, toilet paper, soap costco sized every week!

Go shopping and leave donations at church or at Gonzalez home!

Ongoing $ donations make checks to your church memo UGO4GOD/Food!

It is costing us about 75 cents per grocery bag~

How many families do you want to feed next week?

 

 If you cannot make it on Thursday nights please pray

for protection over the food,

 protection over the RAVEN team taking the food,

protection over the families receiving the food

and lift up in prayer the leaders of The Living Well, Hope Chapel Santa Rosa, Hope Chapel Windsor, RAVEN Ministries, and Streetwise Ministry as they continue to encourage us all through prayer and donations to take JESUS TO THE STREETS!

 

This weekend UGO4GOD:

Thursday:

Meet at the Living Well (Hope West) at 3:30~5:30 to load up 350 bags of groceries~ questions? contact:

5:30 to Papago Ct (contact gonzofamily5@aol.com)  Lori Gonzalez

6:00 to Apple Valley (contact hjorgensen@hjorgensen.com) Heidi Jorgensen

7:00 to Roseland (contact nickpaff@hotmail.com)  Nick Paff

7:30 to Guernville (contact Tonie Quigley quigstuff@comcast.net) Tonie Quigley

 

Friday:

Meet at the Gonzalez Home at 5:30 pm to load up for SF outreach~ only on if you RSVP by Thursday night!

478.7061 Lori cell/ 206.2748 Rudy cell 578.2105 home

 

Sat/Sun:

Worship at Hope Chapel 5:30 & 7:00 pm Saturday

Worship at Hope Chapel 9:00 & 10:30 am Sunday

 www.hopechapel-sr.org

5680 Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95409

 

Worship at The Living Well 10:00 am Sunday

Coffey Lane in between Pump it Up and Vertex Climbing Center

 

 

 

Start an outreach in your neighborhood/church contact recon1991@aol.com  Rudy Gonzalez

Help w/ homeless ministry contact bennettspainting@worldnet.att.net Brian Bennett

 

 

If anyone knows of friends/family/neighbors who could use groceries please don't hesitate to grab some bags~ and please don't hesitate to pray for them!

Have you read the book?

The Da Vinci Code~

Good story!  Exciting, thrilling, stupid ending though.

Oh, and it's fiction :)

Anyhow, yes, I did read the book as well as others from the same author.

I love to read!

Will I see the movie?

Of course, I love to go to the movies!

Am I disappointed in the attention it's gotten?

No.

I have had more conversations with friends who either are or aren't Christians about it~

And you know me, I love to bring up JESUS in pretty much every conversation~ so, it's been just another way to open that door!

 

I can't seem to find many who believe in it as truth~ and even if they do, that's between them and Jesus, not me, them and JESUS!  And guess who I think will win that one?

 

Again, here's the question:

Have you read the book?

(no, not the da vinci code...the other one!  THE BOOK OF LIFE)

draw close

My thoughts these days before I make a decision is, "will this draw me closer to God or keep me further away?"

 

If I am to profess that I surrender to JESUS and want to live in this world without being a part of this world, it is a constant choice. Sometimes, most times, it's difficult to surrender things of this world but I have to say it's gotten way easier.  This question helps me determine whether or not I'm living the life I so much desire~

 

 I remember when Pastor Dan talked about this in a message over a year ago...to choose LIFE in every situation.  It had a big impact on me, hearing  to choose LIFE.  Too many times that's become a question only when it comes to pregnancy~ choose LIFE... but really, it's in most our decisions....if we look at it that way.  For instance, if I choose life I'm going to be healthy in body, mind and soul~ as opposed to choosing to not care what I do w/ my body, mind, soul.

 

 And when  Mellissa talked about sin a couple months ago and how you don't just end up there, it's a matter of choices along the way before you find yourself like David in a big, big mess... it's a series of subtle and sometimes not so subtle choices. 

 

My prayer for today is for all of you and me to ask forgiveness for the times that we haven't chosen life!  Ready?

 

Father God in Heaven, I thank you that I can come to you, almighty, merciful Lord and ask personally for your forgiveness.  Please Jesus, forgive me for all the unnecessary time I have wasted looking for things of this world to bring me happiness rather than focusing on things of YOU.  Forgive me JESUS for making poor decisions and for breaking your heart when YOU alone have already sacrificed so much so I can live and live with freedom of choosing life.  Help me JESUS draw closer to you today, right this moment in deed, in love, in faith.  Almighty God, I thank you that you designed me to live a full life of hope and through your amazing grace I can come to you and lay down all my insecurities, discretions, sins, poor choices and by your sacrifice be made new.  Lord, please draw me close to you and never let me go.  THANK YOU Lord, amen.

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RAVEN MIDWEST UPDATE

I am sending this update that Steve put together and also because some have called and e-mailed to see how to make a check out and where to send it. Make it out to:

RAVEN Outreach Ministries

1121 Bay St.

Elkhart, IN. 46514

Note: forwarded message attached.

Sunday, May 14, 2006

Awesome Detroit Outreach!!

When we started out Saturday weather conditions were poor. But we were praying and believing God that the weather would clear up and Praise God! He is Faithful!! The weather cleared up and awesome ministry went forth.We hooked up with a local team of "on-fire" believers that live near the Detroit area.

The team consisted of: Terry & Eileen, Steve &amp; Jodi, Kathy, Rich & Debbi, Rod, Patrick & Mary & kids, Josef, Bill & Lisa & kids,Norm and others

We headed for Cass Park in the Cass Corridor (also known as Detroit's Skid Row). We arrived to many homeless and less fortunate people in the park. We started unloading and the people started gathering. Before long their was a long line as Brother Patrick of Sterling Heights kicked off an awesome message given to him by the Lord. He preached the UNCOMPRIMISED WORD OF GOD!!!!

Many people were heavily affected by the WORD!! Brother Patrick finished up his message then Brother Josef of Toledo stepped up to give the even longer line a second helping of God's Word before they ate. Brother Josef didn't hold anything back and again the people were very stirred.

We fed the people "Maxwell Street" polish sausage with grilled onions and hot peppers, hotdogs, baked beans, macaroni salad, chips, donuts, pies, cookies, pop and bottled water. I said that once we had the trailer that we would never run out of food. Everytime we looked at the food line it seemed to get longer. We had 5 pounds of cold meat to use as a backup and they even wiped that out. We estimated that we fed somewhere between 250 and 300 meals.

The one on one ministry was absolutely awesome. The team did an awesome job of serving the people and delivering the Word of God!!!Many divine appointments had taken place and the message of "repentace" was ministered. People were strongly convicted of sin and I know the HolyGhost is drawing many to turn to God and leave their life of sin. Praise Jesus!! It was an incredible day! Jesus gets all the glory!

Please prayerfully consider being a monthly partner of the ministry. Even $10.00 a month can make a big difference when we know that it is coming in. With gas prices rising we could use your help. We thank you in advance for anything that you can do. We also greatly appreciate those of you that have helped in the past!!!!

==UPCOMING MINISTRY OUTREACHES==
New York City: Patrick, Rich, Steve, Anthony and Terry will be heading for New York City this coming Thursday the 18th - Monday May 22nd **-Please pray for the outreach there as we hook up with other RAVENS and Streetwise Ministries.
Chicago: Saturday May 27th.
Detroit on the 17th of June.
Los Angeles (Skid Row): June 22-26

God Bless You!!
-Raven Midwest

---

Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

HUMAN RACE!

Hey!!! We're getting ready to start walking! We will leave Audio Blogs along the way~ Just to let you know, incase you didn't, we're carrying a cross through~ NO ADULTS!! Just kids~ It's going to ROCK!

thank you JESUS

For your sacrifice~

For providing over 9,000 lbs of food for only $471~

For providing enough funds to pay the food bill~

For providing children and adults the opportunity to serve others~

For providing enough space to fill 700 bags of groceries~

For providing enough hands and feet to get the outreach done~

For providing enough vehicles to get the groceries delivered~

For providing enough rest to get the team assembled~

For providing protection~

 

HOLY IS THE LORD!  GOD ALMIGHTY!!!

 

from Bobby and Dot

Are You Thinking of Someone?
Bobby Chance
May 12, 2006

Hey Everyone...

Have you ever thought of someone that you felt you must get in touch with right away, but through the busyness of the day and crazy circumstances, you were delayed in doing so?

For the last couple of weeks, the Lord has put on my heart to contact dear friends of ours in Colorado, Kris and Meredith Johnson. They don't usually pick up their cell phone calls immediately and if I leave a message, they eventually call me back.

So over the last couple of weeks, I called their cell phones and left messages, but no call back. I tried to call Meredith's office, but the 411 operator said there was no number listed for them. Dot says I became obsessed with contacting them. I didn't know where Kris worked, so I couldn't call him there.

I finally called their cell #'s again this morning and left them my new cell #, as I had to get a new phone and could not keep my old number. I went on our computer and dug up an email address for Meredith and emailed her this morning. I told her Dot and I had been thinking about them and Jesus had put them so strongly on my heart for the last couple of weeks.
 
I said, "Please email me right back or call me and let me know how you and Kris and the kids are doing."

Late this afternoon, my cell phone rang, I answered it and the voice on the other end of the line said, "Hey Bobby, it's Kris." I excitedly said, "Hey Kris, How's it going?" He responded, "Not too good."

I asked him what was up and his reply hit me in the stomach like a baseball bat. "Meredith was killed in a car wreck April 24th." I felt like I had been hit by a brick.

As I talked to Kris, he told me she had been driving late at night and must have fallen asleep, veered into the oncoming traffic and hit a semi truck head on. He told me his heart had been ripped out.

Kris and Meredith had joined us in Mexico last summer and worked their hearts out helping us build onto the church in Tijuana.They had also made a big donation to build the church, which has now in my mind, become a memorial to her.

Kris and Meredith had known each other since the second grade. They were a couple totally in love with Jesus and their love for Him was contagious. They have two children, one aged 12 and one three years old.

Please pray for Kris and the children. Please pray for Jesus to take them in His arms and hold them close, give them peace that "passes all understanding."

Kris told me he had tried to call me to come to Colorado and minister at Meredith's service. He could not get me because he had an old cell # for me. I knew, that I knew, that I knew the Lord was burdening my heart for them. Now I know why.

Turns out, Kris'scell phone was out of order too, so he never got my message. He was scrolling through Meredith's cell phone this morning and heard my message.

Have you ever thought of someone the Lord has been prodding you to get in touch with... to reach out to? Take my advice and do it today. They may need you... to hear your voice, to hear a kind Word from the Lord... to hear you pray for them. I know I have a few more calls to make to a few more people... How about you?

By the way, if you want to call me for any reason, my new cell # is (818) 661-8355. Hug your family, kiss your kids, love your neighbor and serve Jesus with all you heart. This life is but a vapor... then we stand in His presence. Hallelujah!!

"I can only imagine... what it will be like."

Going For Jesus,
Bobby and Dot Chance  <><
Streetwise Ministry
P.O. Box 869
Hollywood, CA 90078
cell #  (818) 661-8355

RAVEN

MISSION: AMERICA
RAVEN: Pastor Troy D. Bohn
May 12 2006

Dear Friends,

The headlines of this Nation's newspapers are wrought with stories of murders, rapes, assaults and other heinous acts against humanity. It seems as though every time we turn to CNN, FOX or one of our local news stations that the lead story is another tale of senseless tragedy.

Traveling this country from coast to coast has allowed me come to a simple conclusion: The problems in our cities are getting worse and worse by the minute, and the answer is not bigger government or even building bigger church buildings--but the answer is for the Body of Christ to be bigger in their faith and bigger in their actions to take the BIGGEST answer to where the needs is the greatest.

The answer is JESUS; Not a cowaring, passive, reluctant Savior, but instead the same Jesus who said in Matthew 11:12, "...the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, but the violent take it by force."

This Nation is "suffering violence" at the hand of a very real and very sinister adversay (Satan) and God is raising up, equipping and calling out a new breed of Forceful Men (and women) who would dare stand to stem the tide of destruction and boldly lift up the name of Jesus throughout this country.

I was with my friends Pastor Sam & Lucy Croghan in the City of Baltimore this past weekend. We were "spying out the land" and looking for some strategic spots to target in the innercity in the next few months. As Pastor Sam took me to places referred to as "The Heroine and Crack Capitol", I rolled down my window so that I could listen and look at the people as we drove through many troubled neighborhoods.

As we came through one particularly at-risk area, the street was teeming with young people. They were somewhat perplexed at a car load of white people driving through what was primarily an African-American neighborhood. I told Pastor Sam to stop the truck as I jumped out to talk to the people. I could hear a voice in the vehicle say as I took off, "There he goes!"

I aways want that to be said about me in relationship to the Gospel of Jesus Christ: There He Goes with the Good News! Praise God I was able to share and minister to tow young men (who were brothers) while a presumed drug dealer approached the truck to inquire as to why they were sitting there. They told him, "We're about JESUS!"

Next Thursday we are leading a team of FORCEFUL MEN into New York City to be a light shining in the darkness. My dear friend, Bobby Chance of Street Wise Ministry, has so graciously agreed to help head up this "Boot Camp in the Big Apple" as we seek to disciple, train and mentor an awesome group of guys who are coming in from all over the nation to "win people to Christ."

Next Month: We will be taking the Gospel to San Francisco, Daytona Beach, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Austin & New Orleans. In July we will be back in New York City for another week in the streets and then in August we are going international as we travel to Amsterdam to minister five hard-core days and nights in the infamous Red Light District where prostitution and drugs have been legalized.

SOMEONE HAS GOT TO TAKE A STAND before it is too late! Too late for the young woman being abused and exploited. Too late for the man desperately bound by drugs and alcohol. Too late for the businessman who thinks suicide is his only answer. Too late for the atheist who has never heard the true Word of God!

God is Good and His mercy endures forever. Above all things, Raven is a Mercy Ministry! God has been so good and merciful to us and we just can't help but to take that love, mercy and truth to those in such desperate need, but we need YOU HELP TOO.

The mass majority of those that we reach out to are not able to help themselves: In June, I will be driving 5,000 miles roundtrip from Daytona Beach, Florida to Los Angeles' Skid Row with our trailer packed with cooking supplies and things to feed the multitdudes that wander those streets in desperate need of deliverance. The LA TIMES recently reported that "Skid Row is ground zero for homelessness in America." There are an estimated 20,000 homeless who sleep on skid row each night and as many as 90,000 in LA County!

Because our "congregation" meets under bridges, and on Bourbon Street, and in the ghettos and street corners of this nation--there is not a lot of "tithes and offerings" being gathered to build the church coffers. We are truly a faith-founded and faith-dependant ministry in the truest sense of the word.

For this reason, we appeal to our friends and people who share the vision and compassion to reach those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to hear the Good News of Salvation. EVERYDAY it is your generosity and faithfulness that enables us to share Jesus with a lost and dying WORLD.

Would you consider standing with us in these critical next three months as we criss-CROSS this nation and beyond with the message of Christ Jesus? We love and appreciation you greatly and pray God's infinite blessing be upon you.

His Servant,

Pastor Troy D. Bohn

RAVEN OUTREACH P.O. Box 113196 Metairie, Louisiana 70011

GO4GOD IN JUNE! COME JOIN US!

Join Us On Skid Row!!! - You Don't Want To Miss This!
Bobby & Dot Chance
May 09, 2006

Hey Everyone,

We are gearing up to feed the homeless on Skid Row in Los Angeles and to minister Salvation on
Saturday, June 24th. We like to call it "SKID ROW  SUPER SATURDAY!" We are expecting great miracles on the streets. We are expecting to see people get saved, set free and to once again have hope in their lives! You don't want to miss being a part of this.

The L.A. Times recently declared,  "Skid Row is Ground Zero of homelessness in America." ;

Pastor Troy Bohn and the RAVEN team will be joining us. If you are not in Los Angeles but would like to come from June 23rd-25th and need housing, there are still some spaces available. We need to know you are coming - the price is only $30 (that's right, thirty dollars) for dorm-style accommodations in Hollywood. (most meals are NOT included).  We must hear from you right away.

If your church group would like to come serve the Lord with us by feeding the hungry please let us know right away. (Under 18 welcome as long as they are accompanied by a strong leader) This will be a day that will truly touch your life!

We also need some churches to volunteer to bake cookies for us to give the homeless. We need toiletry bags (hotel size soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste, etc) So far, we can fill about 50 bags.

On June 24th we will be serving a hot meal to about 500 people. We will be giving them toiletry bags a nd a street meal they can take with them and eat later. Our friend, Pastor Rocky Whiteside from Florida taught us years ago to put street meals together and carry them in our car. A street meal contains packaged food items such as pudding, applesauce, beanie weenies, cheese and crackers, apple juice, a napkin and a spoon in a zip-loc bag with Gospel literature included.

You can also begin to gather CLEAN t-shirts, socks, blue jeans to bring with you.

INTERCESSORS, we need you to begin to intercede today. We are believing God that  we will see drug addicts lay down their needles and drugs on that day. We are believing God that we will see healing take place in the people that day.

For more details, please email us right away.

Going with the Gospel,

Bobby & Dot Chance

Streetwise Ministry

PO Box 869

Hollywood, CA  90078-0869

everyone reach one

C'mon Dot, PREACH IT! 

Seems so simple~

Every ONE....reach ONE person.

 

2M babies die within 24 hours

 

As many as two million babies born in the developing world every year die within the first 24 hours of life, while a further one million die during the following week, a major new report has found.

The report, State of the World's Mothers, has been published by Save the Children, an independent organisation which aims to create lasting change for children around the world.

It notes that of the more than 10 million children under the age of five who die every year, around two million die within the first 24 hours. A further one million die between days two and seven. While a total of four million die within the first month.

"The first hours, days and weeks of a baby's life are critical. Yet only a tiny minority of babies in poor countries receive proper healthcare during this highly vulnerable period", explained Save the Children CEO, Charles MacCormack.

He said that simple and low cost health measures, such as immunising women against tetanus and providing a skilled attendant at birth, could reduce newborn deaths 'by as much as 70% if provided universally'.

The report pointed out that most newborn deaths are the result of preventable or treatable causes, such as infections, low birth weight or complications at birth.

"Newborn deaths are one of the world's most neglected health problems. While there has been significant progress in reducing deaths among children under five, over the past decade, we have made little progress in reducing mortality rates for babies during the first month of life", Mr MacCormack said.

In fact, he added, newborn deaths are so common in some parts of the developing world that parents put off naming their babies until they are up to three months old.

The report notes that 10 countries account for more than two-thirds of all newborn deaths worldwide. The highest number of deaths take place in India (one million) and China (416,000). However because of their large populations, neither of these countries has the highest rate of newborn deaths.

"Overall the region of the world with the highest newborn death rates is sub-Saharan Africa, where one out of five mothers has lost at least one baby in childbirth", it said.

The report makes a number of recommendations, including:

-Increased investment to allow young females in poor countries to have greater access to education, modern contraception and better nutrition.

-Increased provision of low cost, simple solutions that save lives during pregnancy, at birth and immediately after birth, such as tetanus immunisation and prompt treatment of newborn infections.

-Greater availability of good quality healthcare to mothers after childbirth.

 

So what are we going to do about it?................ any ideas?

 

Rudy

His word....

Isaiah 55:11

It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Tonie

VBS Help!!

 

What a beautiful day...God is good!!

 

VBS at The Living Well (Hope West) is coming SOON!!

and we could really use your help...here is a list of the

craft needs that would be awesome if we could

donated.  Is this something you and your kids could

help us with?  If you see anything on here that you

could donate please just email me, blog it here or call me.

You can drop it off at the church, at my house or

the Gonzalez home....the kids of VBS will be so blessed!!

Thank you for helping in any way you can. Please pray for

Gods hand to be over this years VBS and that there be

many children touched by Jesus.

 

VBS Craft Needs

  

 

 

Construction Paper

 

Craft Wiggle Eyes (Small & large)

 

Hole punch  3  Donated

 

Children’s scissors (20)

 

Cardstock: Green 50 sheets

Light Blue 50 sheets    Donated all colors

Dark Blue 50 sheets

           Various other colors

 

Craft Glue  4 bottles

 

Craft Cement  4 bottles

 

Packing Tape (clear) 2 rolls Donated

 

Glue sticks  50 Donated

 

Green Tissue paper  at least 50 sheets

 

Heavy Duty Paper Bowls 50 Donated

 

Medium width paint brushes or sponges for glue 20

 

Small Empty Butter Containers  25

 

Yougurt Containers w/lids  50

 

Newspaper Donated

 

Empty water bottles with labels removed  100 Donated

 

Aquarium gravel (any color) ½ cup per child (enough for 100 kids)

 

Plain colored (inexpensive) aquarium gravel to fill bean bags

 

Small craft pearls 

 

1 bag green mylar

 

Colored electrical tape  (Please No black)

 

Craft Foam: All colors (definitely some yellow)

 

Red felt  100 sheets

 

Foam fish  150 pcs

 

Small Sea shells  150 pcs

 

Tropical/Ocean scene fabric cut into 15”x18”  50pcs

 

11x14 cardboard sheets  50 Has been donated, need someone to cut to size

 

7” Colored Rubber bands   100 Donated

 

Bright colored Fabric Paints

 

Thumb tacks  300 Donated

 

Legal sized Manila Folders  30

 

Cotton Balls  10 Bags Donated

 

1” Angel stickers  50

 

Fine grit sand paper  Gray 25 sheets

 

Fine tip markers  Donated

 

Black Markers Donated

 

 

Blessing to you all and thank you to all those who have already donated!!

 

Terry

GO4GOD IN SANTA ROSA!

Hi all~

This Wed. night from 6-7 please try and get some friends/family/home group/coffee group whatever (!) to help for one hour to pack 700 bags of groceries at Hope West (The Living Well is Hope West's new name) for the next 2 week's reach out to local families in need! I will finish up on Thursday morning~ if you can't make it on Wed night (like me), I'll be at the church from 11-2:30 finishing up on Thursday!

Kids are VERY welcome to come help if supervised! Their little hands, and feet work sooo hard! It's a great way to get involved locally~

Thank you so much!

GO4GOD this week!

All good things,

Lori

PS I will be out of town Tuesday afternoon until late Wednesday night (I'll be shopping on Tuesday at 11)

brave

01 : Brave
(Nichole Nordeman, Jay Joyce)


The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been

'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...

Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything
So long, I'm gone

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
I wanna be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

(no subject)

Lori,

After sending the message to you, God really impressed on my heart a spirit of THANKFULNESS!!,
when we gave the leftover bags from Project Grad before,  I was thankful that I had them in the garage... but tonight, as I'm counting and stacking in the garage,  God reminded me how thankful I am that THESE 117 grocery bags are because of his provision!! I am thankful that we have these bags because we were able to buy groceries for our children, which means my children are fed!! Praise God !!!! and praise god for friends like you!!

Love,

Susan

paper not plastic

When U go to the store this weekend/week please say "PAPER" not plastic~ we need 11,900 bags for the rest of the year! 

Think 20!

Shopping/Fun Opportunity to GO4GOD!

We need your help making 20 hygiene bags for families in need~ the girls will put them together either at a slumber party/camp out in our backyard or at UGO4GOD girls~ either way, here's how you can help:

 

Pray that God will cover these basic needs in the lives of local families and homeless people!

Give 20 pennies or  20 nickels or 20 dimes or 20 quarters or 20 dollars!

Go to friends/family and have them empty out their drawers of hotel shampoos/soaps!

Go w/ your kids and have them pick out 20 things at the Dollar Store or Wal Mart or Target!

Go to Costco and buy a big thing of soap or toilet paper!

Go to a dentist office and ask for toothbrushes, floss, mouthwash!

Go to a doctor's office and ask for bandaids, ice packs, whatever!

 

Think 20!

 

shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, toothpastes, mouthwashes, floss, razors, bandaids, toilet paper, bars of soap, WHATEVER! 

 

If you want to gather 20 of one thing that's fine or if you want to mix it up that's fine too!

God's in the details!

 

Please drop off at the Gonzalez porch in Santa Rosa or the Mullins porch in Windsor~ or bring to church! 

We've got 2 weeks to come up w/ 20 bags~

 

GO4GOD!

 

(On the 20th of each month we will let you know what God has brought to 20 families!  We will be making household bags/baby bags too, but this month we're starting w/ the hygiene bags~ there is a desperate need in this county for the basics for children~ please pray about making a difference in the lives of these children!)

Dear Jesus,
Tonight's reach out was SO AMAZING~ THANK YOU for going before us tonight~ THANK YOU for equipping the RAVEN team that came out to shop, bag, pack, load, worship, pray, translate, babysit, lend, give and GO with the gospel to Papago Ct, West Ninth, Gurneville, Roseland and into homes and on the streets~ we counted near 50 people (probably more!) saying the salvation prayer on Papago Ct! Lifting up HIS name! Father God, we are amazed at what YOU are doing~ when our neighbors were told about the article in the Press Democrat how the crime rate is near zero there Rudy asked who do we attribute that too? Nacho raises his fist in the air and says, "de DIOS!" When we talked about who the food is from again, Nacho cries out, "de DIOS!" Applause for YOU JESUS! Heads nodding, smiles, unity~ Lord, BLESSED BE THY NAME! When we asked everyone their names and introduced each other like family~ and how important it is for us to know each other in Papago Ct because we are one family under GOD, men, women, children participated~ there was unity, FATHER! Lord, when we talked about not knowing when our last outreach was because we never know really (!), we were able to say that just like the food, we don't know how many days we are promised~ but with JESUS, we are promised eternity~ because of what YOU did on the cross~ when Rudy led the entire group of people into the prayer of salvation with eyes wide open and out loud, I couldn't seem to find anyone not repeating~ men, women, children~ WE PRAISE YOU JESUS~ THANK YOU LORD~ Thank YOU for your provision~ for the mommies and children and young women who came today to bag bell peppers so that we would have something to bring as a love offering from YOU! For Gloria and Rosi translating~ for Nick and Carlos translating, for Pastor Dan, Matt, Michelle, Shayne, Katie, Cece, Maddie, Nick, Yaya, Brian, Heidi, Ken, Nick Paff, Tonie, Gloria, Marty and others (!)~ for Pastor Troy's comp that we listened too for encouragement~ for the word given by Rudy to treat this as if it were our last outreach~ Father, thank YOU for those in Apple Valley who want to volunteer and be your servant~ LORD, thank you for Hope Chapel allowing Rudy to use the van and trailer tonight (!)~ thank YOU LORD for The Living Well~thank YOU JESUS for allowing us to be your servants~ PRAISE YOU JESUS, PRAISE YOU, Draw us all closer than ever before, we all come from the same address~ JESUS~ may there be men built up in YOU to serve as leaders of Papago Ct/Apple Valley/ Roseland/West Ninth/Windsor/Santa Rosa/San Francisco/Gurneville under YOUR NAME~ may the women be used in mighty ways to lead others to a closer relationship with YOU~ may the children who proclaimed YOU LORD and repented of their sins tonight be used in a mighty way for YOU, JESUS~ I pray all of this in the name of the FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT AMEN! AMEN and AMEN!

got a truck?

Hi all~

Pastor Russ won't be able to make outreaches for the month of May~ so we could really use your truck to pull the trailer!  If you don't have a truck but do have an suv or minivan that works too!  Please show up around 4:45 at Hope West now known as the Living Well!

Thanks~

 

This taken from the Redwood Empire Food Bank website.

Our interviews with emergency food recipients uncovered four significant findings.We found that the unique economics of Sonoma County directly contribute to hunger in vulnerable populations; there is a high degree of food insecurity for families with children; large numbers of senior citizens are in need of food assistance; and, finally, that there is an under-utilization of government assistance programs by qualified people. The following statistics are derived from the people interviewed at emergency food sites.

Finding #1

• The high cost of living in Sonoma County leaves people struggling to put food on the table.
• For recipient households that pay for housing, 51.6% of their income is spent on rent or mortgage, creating hard choices between necessary living expenses and food.
• 81.7% of people attending food distributions often or sometimes do not have enough money to purchase food for an entire month.
• A job is no guarantee against hunger—45.6% of recipients who are working often run out of food.
• Many with disabilities need additional assistance—55.7% of disabled recipients often run out of food.
• Public assistance does not ensure food security—55.2% of respondents receiving public assistance often run out of food each month and do not have money to buy more.
  

Finding #2

• Households with children are especially vulnerable to hunger.
• 75.5% of recipient households with children have incomes below the federal poverty line (an annual income of $18,100 for a family of 4).
• Of all those interviewed, households with children have the greatest experience of hunger—93.7% sometimes or often run out of food and do not have enough money to get more.
• 77.7% of recipient households with children report that they sometimes or often can’t afford to eatbalanced meals.
• When asked if their children were ever hungry and did not eat because they couldn’t afford enough food, 24.4% answered yes.
  
  

hi there!

So, the evening packing nights for the rest of the year will be:

 

 May 10, 24

June 7, 14, 28

July 19

August 2, 16, and 30

Sept 13, 27

Oct 11, 25

November 8, 22

December 6, 20

 

Arrive at Hope West (now known as The Living Well) anytime between 6:00-7:00pm ~ work for the one hour or half of an hour!

 

If your family/friends/home group/bunko group/coffee group/youth group/cub scouts/girl scouts/mens group/ women study group  could pick one of those dates (JUST ONE) that would be so great!  Let me know and I won't double book anyone~

Kids encouraged as long as they're supervised! 

 

I will not be there on Wed nights but I will finish up on Thursday mornings with the regular Thursday morning crew or by myself! (just check the blog for updates on times following the Wednesday dates above)

 

Even if you just get the 700 bags lined up w/ cereal boxes in or bag the fruit...whatever!  Please consider spending 1 hour  this year helping with this reach out that is happening in Roseland/Santa Rosa/Apple Valley/Papago Ct/West Ninth/Gurneville area~ it started w/ 16-18 bags in our kitchen and look what God has done!  Praise God, I need your help!

 

 

Thank you for praying about being a part of delivering 11,900 bags of groceries and JESUS to 11,900 families in need this year!  It will only take 17 hours to get this done...c'mon!  God's provided the food~ I just need some help bagging it up!

 

All good things,

Lori

(no subject)

Legal vs Illegal

So, a big deal in the press about "illegal" immigrants~ note the term "illegal." Struggling with how a person is deemed "illegal" but an abortion is "legal." If we as Christians are to follow the laws of this land and they are so different from His laws....???? Hmmm.... makes me wonder. Who knows Foursquare's response to the Illegal immigration bill? The Catholics are calling on everyone to ignore it citing scriptures.

The Press Democrat: Article emailed from a friend

You have received the following Press Democrat article
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060502/NEWS/605020330/1033/NEWS01


FEEDING THE HUNGRY Summer stock

Redwood Empire Food Bank reminds people that low-income families still need food during the warmer months
By MARY CALLAHAN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
What if you could spend $10 and buy $50 worth of food for someone hungry? OAS_AD('Middle'); The Redwood Empire Food Bank says you can. And they hope you will this summer.

In its continuing mission to remind the public that hunger is a year-round challenge - extending beyond the traditional holiday food drive season - the food bank is gearing up for a four-month campaign aimed at ensuring everyone has enough to eat.

"Having hungry people in a community is an urgent matter," Executive Director David Goodman said. "And what I'm hoping is there's a corresponding outrage to the urgency, having people say, 'This cannot happen here.' "

Beginning today and running through the end of August, food barrels will begin appearing in various stores and businesses around the county, including Safeway, Longs Drugs, Albertsons and G&G stores.

The food bank also encourages businesses, individuals and organizations to host cash drives that will enlarge the agency's ability to distribute $5 in groceries for each $1 raised and help ensure its shelves are stocked for all people in need.

"We are appealing to the same kind of good will that makes our annual holiday drive a success," Goodman said. "Hunger and food insecurity are a year-round reality, and we hope Sonoma County residents realize that many thousands of their neighbors need our help every month of the year."

In a county where more than 21,210 school-age children qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, the need is profound, he said.

The food bank distributed 8.5 million pounds of food to people in need last year. That's 17,000 meals daily.

During its first annual Summer Hunger Drive that same year, the agency collected almost 16,000 pounds of food, Community Relations Manager Lee Bickley said. It also took in almost $4,000, she said.

Connections with growers and partnerships with other food banks allow the food bank to stretch the dollar, Bickley said.

Grape juice and cereal products that stores don't want because they are within 60 or 90 days of their "best if used by" dates are sometimes available for the cost of shipping only, Operations Manager Don Lindsay said.

"The grocery stores don't want to be under pressure to move stuff right out," he said.

There may be donated pallets of milk that has reached its sell-buy date but which, if refrigerated, is still good for a week, Lindsay said. Once made available at the food bank, "it's gone the same day," he said.

The agency ships in about 18,000 pounds of oranges each week which, while not always as pretty as oranges in the store, are sweet, juicy and nutritious - and inexpensive, Lindsay said.

Shipments also include potatoes, onions, zucchini, peppers, and stone fruits like peaches and plums, sometimes for 3 cents a pound, plus transportation.

"We probably have been a little more aggressive on produce than food banks in general. It's probably 37 percent of what we do," often at pennies on the dollar, Lindsay said.

Splitting truckloads with other food banks means cutting transportation costs, and wholesale canned products can sometimes be bought at half the price groceries pay, he said.

Having volunteers to sort and package food further reduces costs.

Donations can be made online via www.rfb.org, or by check to Redwood Empire Food Bank, 3320 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa, Calif. 95403, Attention: Holly Silva.

To donate via Visa or Mas-terCard, call Silva at 523-7900, ext. 27.

Lifting up the name of Jesus in front of 33,000+!

Jon Moore you ROCK!!! Thank you so much for that surprise~ wow! We're at the SF Giants game in the luxury VIP BOX and Jon tells me to take a picture during the middle of the 5th! I was looking for a Cingular ad and look what came up on the JUMBO TRON!!!!!!!We are FREAKING OUT! Maddie, Anthony, Cece! Look what was put on the board in front of tens of thousands of people! How GREAT is our GOD?!!! THANK YOU JESUS! Anyone who knows us knows we love cheering on the giants~ what a night! what a surprise! THANK YOU JESUS!

Dear Jesus,I lift up Steven to you tonight Father and I thank you that eventhough we don't know where he is tonight or what he is doing, YOU do. Cover him tonight Father, keep him warm, safe and clean from drugs, violence and anything else that would bring harm to him. Father God I thank you for the conviction that he felt when we talked with him in love. I thank you that he kept the conversation "real" as he put it. A lot of us have cried out to you at one time: "but I'm not ready, it's all good today but tomorrow I will go back; I'm not worthy; I know the devil is making me do this and I know I shouldn't but life is hard." Father God, how many times have I cried out to you? How many times have we all felt that way? I thank you JESUS that your grace is sufficient even in our weakness and that you do not wait for us to get everything ready or perfect before your grace covers us~ I thank you JESUS for all that YOU have done for me and for Steven. I ask Father God that the seeds that were implanted in him while in prison were watered last night by the RAVEN team that went out to deliver him the gospel on the streets. That there were hands and feet of believers at that holy moment of taking a different street down a lonely lane right outside St. something or other church where we found him. I thank you Father that he felt convicted and didn't want to shoot up right infront of us~ that he knows your laws that are written on his heart. Our hearts were broken by the drugs being such a presence that he went ahead and shot up right there weeping. Father God, please LORD, giver of life send another who will continue letting him know that YOU are GOD and YOU will accept him as your child just as he is. I ask Father that you would be magnified in his life tonight. That in YOUR NAME JESUS all drugs will be rebuked from his body and he will take the steps to move away and get the help he so desperately wants. I thank you for him seeing our presence there as a simple reminder that YOU are faithful in providing all needs~ whether that be a kind word or a pair of socks or a hug from another with a listening ear~ but Father God, Rudy and I stand in expectancy of your greatest gift for him and that would be his surrending himself to a relationship with YOU. We lift him up to you Father. Holy Spirit move within his heart tonight so that he may turn his face away from Satan and open his mind and heart to your amazing grace. Have mercy on him Jesus, have mercy on us all. In the name of the powerful Holy Spirit, Father God and Son Jesus, AMEN.

reachin out in roseland

GROCERY BAGS, MORE GROCERY BAGS AND GROCERY BAGS! That's all we need this week! Oh, and socks from Costco, and rice and beans and toilet paper...got some? I'll be shopping at the food bank for Roseland this week~ if you would like to come help pack up 100 bags, please meet me at Hope West around 12 noon or the food bank around 10:45 on Thursday~ I'll be loading up in my car all the groceries for Roseland~ Thank you to Heidi Jorgensen who has committed to help gather bread and fruit for Papago, Apple Valley this week~ Heidi, want to get some for Roseland too? I'll get the rest~ We need 1,000 bags by next Thursday the 11th~ who knows someone who knows someone who has access to grocery bags or works for a grocery store? Please email me gonzofamily5@aol.com and/or go get some bags! Everyone~ get 10~ that would make 1,000 easy! Thanks y'all! Opportunities this week: Thursday 10:45am Redwood Empire Food Bank (need your truck or suv!) Thursday 12 noon-2pm Pack groceries for Roseland Thursday 4:30-5:30 load 350 bags of groceries for Papago Ct/Apple Valley/Gurneville/Hope4Homeless/West Ninth/ Roseland we need a truck for the trailer and your other trucks/suvs! Thursday 5:30-7 reach out with the gospel that saves! Wear black on top (no red or blue please) and come be a part of the revival that's happening in Sonoma County in Jesus name! Pray! Give! Go!