Dear Friends,

“I had just been asking the universe for guidance on some things, and I came here, and your sermons hit right on two of them! It was like, ‘Whoa! I guess I was supposed to be here!’”

These words came from one of the West Bankers who attends House of Hope fairly regularly. Now, whether or not I agree with the fact that it was the “universe” who answered this woman’s prayers, I was quite encouraged that God was speaking to her through our service. She went on to tell me that I was one of the few “people of the cloth” she has ever trusted.  Many times she has told me that she has always known that we at House of Hope are “the kind of people she wants to be around.” I am honored to be her friend and to get to represent Jesus in her life. That night, I prayed with her and sent her off with a few big hugs. What a joy.

~~~

“It’s free because of Jesus.”

So said a Somali man whom we had never met before at Jesus Kitchen, telling his friend that he could have some food, too. I thought to myself, “Yes. What better way to describe it could there be? It is free because of Jesus.” Let’s be honest: Why else would I stand out there in the cold, giving out food in the middle of the night?” I am not compassionate enough by nature to do such a thing. It must be because of Jesus. I love it when people who have no idea what they are saying remind me of the most basic and profound things. It’s free because of Jesus. Like so much else.

~~~

Moments like the ones described above are really important to me. They are brief moments, but they provide more encouragement than I can say. They remind me why I am doing what I am doing. Sometimes I can begin to feel overwhelmed with the weight of this ministry, and I am not sure how to keep going. After all, I never planned on starting a church! But when I hear the responses of people who encounter God through what we are doing—whether they realize the fullness of what they have experienced or not—it shows me just how worth it this all is. Every so often, I think about the fact that a year ago, our new church did not exist, and it strikes me that simply because we are here, many people have come into the presence of God and have heard of his goodness and love. People who wouldn’t done so otherwise. People who don’t trust other “people of the cloth.” These are precious children of God, and they are having the chance to meet with him and share fellowship with his people that they wouldn’t have had if we did not start the House of Hope with the goal of preparing a place for people who have no place. It is important, and I believe God has asked us to do this. But it is hard, and I need your prayers. I am not strong enough and am not enough like Jesus to do this well. Please pray for me—that I would be transformed into his image, that I would love well, serve well, and grow in compassion, wisdom, vision, and strength. And that the Lord graciously remind me of all the good he is doing through this work so that the enemy’s attempts at discouragement fall flat.

The next few months promise to be an interesting time. Our Jesus Kitchen team has grown to a consistent team of nine people, which is more than we have ever had and, during the winter, is more than we often need. Simultaneously, I have had many people expressing interest in joining the team. So we are going to implement something I have wanted to do for years—create two teams on Saturday night, one of which will be where the Jesus Kitchen has been for the last fifteen years, and one that will roam the neighborhood. This will allow us to connect with more people and also make more room for those who want to be involved. In addition to this, the House of Hope is making big plans for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. We are going to be spending the next few months planning and observing this most important season, and I am very excited. Finally—and most daunting for us as a new church—we have been asked by a member of the West Bank Business Association to start an outreach to young Somali men who tend to loiter on the streets during the warmer months and can cause some problems in the area! We are praying about what this will look like and how to build meaningful relationships that will actually affect the local environment. This could be a small weekly event, or we may decide to take this opportunity to try to start something much more substantial. We are just trying to follow what God is doing, which is a great privilege and quite an adventure! We are so glad to have you along for the ride!

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

Molly S. Waggoner
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
http://blogs.myspace.com/mollysidera

Praise
~Thank you for praying for the quarterly meeting I mentioned last month. It went superbly well! We shared a meal together and spent some time just having fun together as a team, and when we got to “business,” everybody had great ideas. I felt like we really came together and used the creativity within the team to set out some exciting new plans. I continue to be so amazed at the unity and fellowship on our team, and I thank you for your continued prayers for us.

~I am also happy to report that God is answering our prayers for employment for our team. One team member who does contract work still needs the rate of his work to pick up, but everyone is currently employed.

~God continues to prove that he is a God of miracles in the fact that in the last month I have not only begun taking a whole day as a Sabbath, but have also added working out to my schedule… and somehow I am still getting everything done. I think he must be altering the space-time continuum for me somehow. Also, I am actually enjoying working out and feel good to be active.

Prayers
~ A couple who has recently returned from the mission field are considering joining our team, as they feel called to the urban poor and are passionate about Muslims. That combination of characteristics leads right to the Somali population in our neighborhood! They are simultaneously feeling called to work with youth as parental figures, and I was introduced to them right around the time that we were asked to start this outreach to Somali youth. It all seems to line up, and we would love their help. Please pray for guidance for them to know in what capacity to join us. Please also pray for all of our team as we seek guidance on this new endeavor—that we would know what to do and that each person on the team would know whether they should be part of it, and if so, how.

~Please pray for us as we develop other plans—specifically the new Jesus Kitchen format, and creative events we have in mind for Lent/Holy Week/Easter.

~I would appreciate your prayers that I would be growing in intimacy with God, that I would hear his voice so that I have the right perspectives and thoughts, and that out of that people would hear from him as I speak.

~My roommate Lorie has been quite sick with a mystery illness. Please pray for a very speedy recovery and for provision for the medical care she has had to receive, as she does not have insurance.

~As always, pray for increased wisdom, vision, understanding, and love in our interaction with the diverse people on the West Bank. We want to bring God’s Kingdom and communicate his truth, but we need his leading to do that well.

Tax deductible financial support can be given to me or to the new church at http://www.steiger.org/.
Click the “Donate Now” button, and write “Molly” or “House of Hope” in the comments section.
You may also send a check to Steiger Int’l, PO Box 480, Huntington, MA 01050. Write “Molly” or “House of Hope” in the memo.