Hello Ladies ~ It was a beautiful day for our meeting/luncheon yesterday. It was good seeing everyone again and we had some new ladies too. Here are some of our sweet ladies enjoying themselves. It is always so good to be together again.
There was still some construction going on in the smaller room where we’ve been meeting, but we had a nice time in the larger room and then lunch afterwards. A delicious lunch by the way, fixed by our chef ‘Tony the Tiger’. We had a delicious soup, a roasted potato medley, pulled pork served over rice, and a nice salad bar, two kinds of salad dressing with delicious rolls too. Soft drinks, tea and coffee. We all enjoyed it.
Our guest speaker was Kathy Caprio who is now the pastor for our group.
Her lovely,inspiring talk was about ‘Focusing on Jesus’. She read to us about Mary and Martha and how Mary was focused on earthly things, while Martha was focused on spiritual things.
There is so much happening in our lives that we can often become distracted by things that keep us from focusing on Jesus. Jesus knows all that we are going through, and by focusing on Him and all that He is working out in our lives we will feel freer and lighter as we go about our daily business.
Thank you Kathy for encouraging us to ‘give all our worries and cares to God, for He cares for us.’
Our own Sue
told us about the good time she and her team had at Aquilla Cay, an assisted living facility, this month. Everyone had a good time and God’s loving presence was felt by all.
Friends Needing Friends has had a Teddy Bear Ministry since 1995. They are given out to widows and others who need cheering. It is a wonderful ministry and those who receive and those who give are truly blessed.
We have started another ministry here at Friends Needing Friends. It is the support of 5 widows in the area of Trivandrum, India. Tom Caprio, Kathy’s husband has been involved with and going to this ministry in India for 8 years now. It is the Kerusomen Gospel Ministries. It is run by Saha Simon and his wife Anju.
Below is a photo of Tom handing out teddy bears to our widow sisters in India.
And here is our collection box for this ministry. Isn’t the collection box neat? There were only two boxes on the shelf when ladies went shopping, and this one with the countries on it was just meant for this ministry.
Our ladies here in s.e. FL have given generously since we started this ministry last month. Here they are getting out their purses and giving from their hearts.
This month we have started another ministry of ‘prayer requests’. We the staff, don’t always know what to pray for our dear ladies, and this is a way for us to find out so that we can ask God’s blessings for them in whatever area they need.
Tom Caprio in his talk to us last month, said that we ladies were in fact a small church. That really had an impact on me. As a church, we are to pray for each other and encourage each other.
Prayer brings us closer to God. By praying we are letting Him know that we are dependent on Him for taking care of ourselves and for the care of others.
In the Bible we are encouraged to pray. To pray that God will lead us spiritually in His path. To pray for our daily bread. To pray for forgiveness for ourselves as well as others.
We are told in Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)
In Ephesians 6:18 we read, Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (NLT)
So dear Ladies ~ as we go out and about our daily lives this week, let us remember to focus on Jesus and to pray for our dear sisters in this journey of widowhood.
Here is a poem I got with my teddy bear as a new widow the beginning of last year. It greatly touched my heart and was just what I needed. Others have said it has also blessed them too.
Jesus Cares
There is never a day so dreary
But God can make it bright,
And unto the soul that trusts Him,
He giveth songs in the night.
There is never a path so hidden,
But God can lead the way,
If we seek for the Spirit’s guidance
And patiently wait and pray.
There is never a cross so heavy
But the nail-scarred hands are there
Outstretched in tender compassion
The burden to help us bear.
There is never a heart so broken,
But the loving Lord can heal,
The heart that was pierced on Calvary
Doth still for His loved ones feel.
There is never a life so darkened,
So hopeless and unblessed,
But may be filled with the light of God
And enter His promised rest.
There is never a sin or sorrow,
There is never a care or loss,
But that we may bring to Jesus
And leave at the foot of the cross.
***
Love, hugs and prayers for all of you,
Rainey
