Molly's June 2007 newsletter

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?  Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered….  Consider how the lilies grow… not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”  -Luke 12:6-7, 27

There is beauty in the little things.  Infinite beauty.  About a year ago, I began taking close-up pictures as I was out for walks, and I felt that in a strange way, I was connecting with God simply by noticing the beauty that exists on a level that is often overlooked.  I think God notices the little things.  I am sure he does.  He created them, and I believe that he is glad when they bring us joy.  There have been a number of “little things” in the context of ministry that have brought me immense joy recently, and I wanted to take this letter to share them, and hopefully bring a smile to your face while reminding you that we are surrounded by small happenings in life that are cause for thanks and praise, regardless of what else we are experiencing.

A few weeks ago, Kristofer, a new member of the Jesus Kitchen had the pleasure of meeting a friend of ours, “Tim,” known for his crazy antics (the most impressive of which few people besides me have actually witnessed… the feat of jumping into the air and kicking himself in the forehead with both feet simultaneously).  Tim frequently comes by the Jesus Kitchen, lies down on the ground, and goes to sleep.  On this particular week, another team member had a blanket that we draped over him, at which point he asked to hear a story from the Bible… preferably one about dragons.  So Kristofer had the pleasure of sitting on the ground, reading to Tim from Revelation for much of the evening.

The next week began with our regular delivery of pie from another friend.  Yes, there is a gentleman on the West Bank who brings us homemade pie on an almost-weekly basis.  It is a blessing—another little thing that I do not want to forget—and a great attraction to passersby who might not be interested in rice.  As it so happens, on this particular evening, the forecast had been for rain.  I am not sure if I have mentioned God’s track record for weather and the Jesus Kitchen.  Since I started leading four years ago, we have never had to cancel due to rain.  And on numerous rainy days, after we have prayed about the weather, the rain has stopped about five minutes before we set up the Kitchen, and started again as we pack up.  So on this night a few weeks ago, we again expected God to miraculously flout the forecast so that we could talk to people about him. As it so often does, the rain stopped before the Kitchen began, and right around midnight, we felt sprinkles starting.  However, one of our team members started another conversation right about then, later than we would usually be there, and “coincidentally,” the rain stopped again.  After that conversation ended, a few of us sat on the curb chatting for a bit, and the rain began to fall again.  Then a gentleman came up to us and said in stilted English, “I was here many weeks ago.  Are you the people here for the propagation of religion?”  We were already there much later than usual, but the guy wanted to talk, so he sat down on the curb with us.  Of course, as if on cue, the rain stopped again.  After I had spoken with this gentleman—an East African Muslim who is more than eager to dialogue about faith—the remaining team and I went to the parking lot to say our goodbyes, at which point it promptly began to pour. 

Sometimes it’s the little things.  Life may not be easy or always go the way we want, but God is there, and he provides opportunities to smile and thank him all along the way.  Glimpses of beauty and hope can permeate any dreary landscape.  As I head to the Rainbow Gathering (June 22-July 6), I will be looking for the little things—for hope and peace amidst the chaos and spiritual oppression.  (One of my favorite “little things” at the Gathering is that for many years I have prayed that, despite the fact that any and all wildlife scatters at the influx of people, we would have birds singing in our camp to wake us up in the morning.  And we have!  This year, I am also praising God that my tentmates and I purchased a huge tent that will provide much more “comfort” than previous years!  Unfortunately, one of my tentmates hates birds…  Hm…)  Please pray that God would bless this trip.  Specific prayer requests regarding the Gathering, as well as others, are on the back.  Thank you so much!

Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong!

Molly S. Waggoner

• The Rainbow Gathering
• Please pray for our bus to make the trip without problems, as well as for the team’s safety and health.  It is a very physically challenging experience, and often a number of people from our team get very sick at some point during the two weeks, which makes the experience even more difficult.  This year, we also have a smaller team than usual, so we need everyone in good shape!
• We can always use more funding.  It looks like we will make it financially this year, but it is going to be close.  So please feel free to pray for more financial support to come in…. and for low gas prices!
• Pray for God to lead us to the right spot for us to set up our camp, and that he would anoint that place with his Spirit.  People frequently comment on the “good energy” at the Jesus Kitchen, and we pray that God’s presence there would be tangible.  
• Pray for spiritual protection and authority.  As most of you know, since you have been hearing about this trip for years, the Rainbow Gathering is a very dark place spiritually.  The one who is with us is greater than the one who is in the world, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t experience a fight.  Please pray that God’s light would burn away the darkness that we encounter and that, specifically, our camp would be a place of refuge and spiritual freedom.
• Pray that our team would be united and that all the gifts of the Body would emerge as needed.  Pray that we would be open to doing things differently and allowing the Spirit to use us in new ways.  Most importantly, our love for one another is often the greatest testimony we have among the Rainbow Family, so pray that we would represent Jesus well.
• You may remember that last year’s “theme” for me was the fact that God’s word does not return void.  Please pray that God will not only give us his words to speak to people that will pierce their hearts and accomplish his purpose, but also that there would be a harvest of the seeds we have planted in previous years.  Pray that many would come to know Jesus.
• The women’s group I am leading is going well.  It is a very intense experience, and I need wisdom to continue blessing and leading our times of discussion.  Please pray that these meetings would result in hope, deep healing from aching wounds, and new identities in Christ.  I would love to start another group in the future after this one comes to a close, so please also pray for guidance in that matter.
  
• I really need a roommate!  My former roommate moved out last month, and I cannot afford the rent by myself for long.  Please pray God would bring the right person soon and provide financially until that person arrives.
  
• One of the Salvage Yard elders has decided to put together small gifts to give to visitors.  They will include treats, but she also wants to make sure that no one leaves the church without hearing the Gospel.  So she has asked me to write a message of the Gospel, which will be recorded on a CD that also contains a message about the fundamentals of walking with Jesus for those who are new in their faith.  I am deeply honored that I have been asked to do this, yet simultaneously aware of what a responsibility it is.  So I would ask for your prayers that God would lead me to say exactly what should be said in order to touch the hearts of those who don’t yet know Jesus.
  
   

Thank you all.  You are a blessing, and your prayers sustain me.

Molly