PLEASE PRAY FOR THE HOMELESS

This is what it looks like this morning in Durham. It is very cold out there! Please join us in praying for those that are living out in this weather right now. My only regret from yesterday was that I did not go and get 2 batteries for the kerosene heater. Louis told me that he could get them but I would be relieved to know that they are being warmed by the heater right now. It is hard when we sit in a house warmed by a furnace along with the luxury of a fireplace and think of the conditions that we see people living in on a daily basis.

It also grieves me to think that so many people in this country are so ready to write a check to help in places outside of this country but they close their eyes to what is going on in their own cities. Please don't get me wrong, I know that countries like Haiti need help right now but why do people close their eyes to what is going on around them??? I can take people on tours any day of the week and show them people that are struggling for food, people that sleep in abandoned buildings and many more things that are destroying peoples lives. I also know many ministry people across this country that do the same type of ministry that we do that struggle to make it. Why is this??? I see so many churches in this area that have "Haiti drives" going on when I have never seen them do anything to help the people right outside their own doors. SAD!!!

Our only desperate need right now is for XL, XXL, and XXXL coats, hoodies, and sweaters. We have much colder weather coming in Sunday night which will put the temps into the teens. We do have a place where we can purchase these at a very reasonable price. If you would like to donate to this you can do so by mailing your tax deductible check made out to RAVEN Outreach Ministries to:

6300 Leesville Rd.

Durham, NC. 27703

or you can go to our website http://www.ravenraleigh-durham.com/ to donate by PayPal. Just click on the donate button.

We thank you for praying and any help that you can provide in reaching this need. Also, please keep the following scripture in mind....

Proverbs 19:17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD—and He will repay you!

We are also trying to get help with our fuel bill for the van. I am talking to pastors about their church purchasing a tank of gas every other month. It would be a donation of $600 a year per church ($50 a month or just $12.50 a week from the plate). It is very close to $100 every time we pull into the gas station. We are trying to get 8 churches (or individuals) that would partner with us for this. We hope that this will be "new partners" not those that are currently helping. If you are a pastor we ask that you prayerfully consider helping with this. If you are not a pastor and would like to present this to your pastor I would be glad to speak with them. Sometimes we use more than a tank a week but this plan would save us $400.00 a month which is our largest bill outside of our rent. It would be a great blessing to get this taken care of. We sincerely thank all of you that help us to do what we do. There are so many people that have been such a huge blessing to us and this ministry that the Lord has entrusted us with.

God Bless you all!!!