We Thank God Every Time We Think of You

I've been reflecting a bit over the last 10 years of ministry in Lewiston. The way that God provided through so many of you in October of 2013 was a remarkable blessing, but it's the ripple effect of ministry that keeps coming to my mind as of late.

We couldn't have known then what good works God had planned for us to do as we sought to love our neighbors in the Tree Streets.

In the early months of 2014, a group of volunteers started a few English Language Learning classes that is now serving 100+ students, welcoming and empowering immigrants with the language of their new home.

Rooted Afterschool and Super Summer Day Camp has served hundreds of children each year through a robust group mentoring model designed to respond to the educational, behavioral and spiritual needs of our kids. This means both declaring and demonstrating the love of God and making sure each student knows just how important they are to their Father in Heaven.

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More than 250 neighborhood teens have been mentored in first time summer jobs through Lew Crew, learning the importance of work as they serve their neighbors through Lew Crew Lawn Care, Super Summer and after-school Mentoring, and Common Grounds Cafe. They work, play, grow, and gather together, discovering God's deep love for them and the role that they have to play in His Kingdom.

Dozens of families have found more than enough through Abundant Food Share groups. They have found community and friendship while working to provide enough food for their family.

Our teens work the Common Grounds Cafe each week to provide a welcome space for those who are homeless or just looking for a good cup of coffee and a friend.

The women and teen girls of Fruitful Sewing have stitched together friendships while gaining creative and vocational skills. They have added value to their families and been hired by local manufacturers.

There is a beautiful community that has formed around our tiny building in Lewiston, and it's impact is rippling throughout the neighborhood and city. This isn't our doing - not at all. When we step back and reflect on all of this it's clear that God is at work - bringing His Kingdom to this city.

What is also clear is that there is even more work to be done. The Kingdom of God advances through His people - that's all of us. It is demonstrated with the way we love and with how we share about the source of this love, which is of course Jesus.

The Kingdom has also been demonstrated through your generous and faithful giving over the last decade. This growth has been a work of the Holy Spirit in each of you.

The Apostle Paul gives us the right words to say in times of great praise and gratefulness in the beginning of his letter to the Phillipians.

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

I wonder what He has planned for us in another 10 years?

Let's find out.

Joel Furrow, Executive Director