Mechanicsville Christian Center

We have made it to our lodging site. And we’re opening up with prayer and meeting time. Dinner was delicious and we can’t wait to hear more about the ministry of Breaking Free. 

This morning we all gathered together at the Admin Offices/Warming Station for those who desire rescue.  We all feel so welcomed by the staff at Breaking Free.  After our tour of the facility we broke into our car groups to serve at 2 of their 3 housing apartments.  We left a team at the offices to vacuum/pre-treat and shampoo carpets for various meetings. Next stop: organize their hygiene room & canned good items for anyone who walks through the doors of Breaking Free.

We are at 2 "mirror image" apartment complexes where the team just jumped into shampooing carpets, helping in the management office, cleaning out shelves, packing a resident that we get to "move" on Saturday to another complex, filling up a dumpster of broken furniture/appliances/and just stuff that has accumulated within the residents homes.  Thankfully we have a team that can assist in making repairs, plumbing and electrical challenges, too.

These guys LOVED loading up this dumpster, which also meant they got to break down old couches, furniture and mattresses.  Just a reminder that the temps are ranging between 1-7 degrees and they are doing THIS with JOY

Today our team at the Admin Offices of Breaking Free have spot-cleaned & shampooed carpets for meetings that will empower women who have been rescued.  Legal services, psychological & parenting are just a few of the resources offered pro-bono.

One of our team members, Damon, has quite the fan club of boys all around him.  He has given them the "sounds" of a duck, a zombie, and even a "grandma".  This voice especiallty intrigued the boys as we all waited for what Damon would say.  In a very sweet & high voice he hugged one of the boys and said in his "grandma" voice, "Grandma loves her little grandson."

Seriously, it was the most requested voice from the boys from Damon. Such love and quietness was experienced in the room.  How wonderful to make friends.

This morning we were able to spend time with The lord through our devotions and worship. Carolyn and Vangie shared their stories with everyone. Through them we are encouraged by Gods restoration and love for all us. 

We are serving all over Breaking Free Admin Offices...installing fans, cleaning kitchen cabinets & floors, rearranging & creating a kids place PLUS the "Garage" that stores clothes for women & kids, toys, housewares and shoes is getting a total make-over!! Friday morning ministry update...so glad to be here (even though we started at-10 degrees...it's up to 7 right now). 

Keep praying for your team and the other local staff joining us daily. This week we have been moved by the power of God's love extended to all that cross our path.

Our team has been serving the residents at The Breaking Free housing complex. Everything from shampooing carpets, cleaning storage rooms, helping residents clean and pack, to what you see in this photo. Watching kids so moms can rest or run errands. And helping the older ones with homework. It is all such a blessing to be apart of. 

This morning during our devotion and meeting we met Pastor Larry.  He is one of four pastors who uses this building as a place of worship. It was awesome to be able to pray for him and the needs of his flock. 

Awww, just moments ago Lupe accepted Jesus.  She came to the warming house and slept 8 hours with her son escaping destruction.  She has stated over and over again that the Lord brought her here!!!

We prayed with her in the kids room in the basement.  The Lord's presence was tangible.  And we celebrated with the angels in heaven that Feb. 3rd is when Lupe met her Heavenly Father.  Every following Super Bowl she can claim her birthright !!

Meet Willie...he just prayed to receive Jesus...what a day!!! Willie volunteered his truck to help a family move today AFTER he had helped a family who experienced a fire last night and lost most everything.  Tonight he brought himself to Jesus...and the rest is history!!! Love watching God call people to Himself. 

This letter has been written to a survivor...with many sentences of truth and humanity.  Oh may we love Jesus and those He loves like He loves us.  

This week has taken us into the darkness of many stories.... YET our God surpasses and eliminates the darkness.  We have been praying throughout this week with many--yet, it has been ONE person at a time. 

We reminded how our God restores and renews...the miracle of Christ in a life is transformational.

Church for women and kids at one of the housing units we served all week.  10 women and 14 kids hearing about Jesus right now!!!....pizza, spa afternoon and crafts are coming up next!!! 

But in between, women are asking for prayer....God is at work for sure!!!  3 women asked Jesus in their hearts and 10 raised their hands to follow Jesus.  Yahoo!!!  The Kingdom is expanded this morning.

Outside of the Super Bowl and wanting to share an update with you....please follow this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11k3XV8_tEJRbcQ1dlbE9WDYaMWLvXGIV/view

God bless you today!

HAVE to post the food in our Homeless Outreach during the Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis...Awesome food with particular "cultural Minneapolis Tator Tot Hotdish"...Kickoff is about to happen..LOVE MISSIONS!!!  

Wow, Brian our Chef made some amazing appetizers, hot food, tator tot Hotdish, spaghetti, salads, chips and dips....a good game till the very end, too!

Tomorrow, we are sleeping in a bit, and then exploring Minneapolis throughout the day.  We can't believe we are separating to our own flights and states to continue ministry...this has been a great match!!!

Rec Day....Fun in the snow, Mall of America and cheese curds.  On our way to Menehaha Falls & Blue Door for Dinner.  Going to miss serving, laughing and growing in Jesus with this team!!! They are ready for Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta, would you like to join us??? 

Thank YOU for each of your prayers for us rhis week.  Our hearts and minds are still trying to capture it all.  So many ways we saw Jesus invite others to Himself...and He chose us to come alongside Him....AMAZING!!!!

This is my favorite picture of the week leading a Super Bowl 52 Mission Trip here in Minneapolis...I know, a Cali Couple leading a snow-trip to rescue those who needed a safe place. 

Tears have flowed all day from saying "So long to YOUR team-our family now" ..to thanking our cook, our lodging partner and ministry partner at 4 locations with phenenominal people coming from both Coasts and Minnesotans....

We only know of 5 people praying to receive Christ and 12 saying they wanted Jesus to be alongside them...but we are guessing that the Lord did more to protect and invite others to Himself.  Thank you for your prayers...this was one awesome team reaching out to many ages, genders and cultures!!

And now as your trip leaders, Jesse and myself, Katherine & Madi say with very grateful hearts and humble spirits,  WE have been blessed to have served alongside EACH of you as we have partnered together with people from Southern California, Waconia & Woodbury, MN...that God united us to serve with joy wherever we were needed.  We saw God go ahead of us, be VERY present beside us and will sustain those who met Jesus this week.

Jesse and I will go anywhere in the world with any of you...YOU are world-changers....go change YOUR world!!!!

  #ppmusa #ppmglobal #bethepelican #thepelicanlife #bestjobever