God Stories

Estelle's Story

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The Rickshaw & Feeding Families

When the Waterboyz India team when to Calcutta in December of 2007 we invested over a $1000.00 in a local church to start several micro-businesses. With Paul Ramsey’s help we bought two bicycle rickshaws and we are allowing local Christian men to buy them over time at no interest. Which means that each year we will be able to buy two more rickshaws, then we’ll have four and so on. An increasing number of men will have a way of earning a living for their families. For $175.00 we are able to buy each rickshaw and with each one another family began to earn a livable wage. How cool is that? 

Coming or Going Jesus is praised and families are making meet their needs.

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The Widow & Her Kids (HIS STORY!) — What happened
last weekend January 19, 2008.

James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress"

A couple of months ago Jeff Beatty got a call from Judy asking for a quote to cut down a tree in her front yard. Jeff came out, looked at the tree and sent her a quote. She called and asked if he could cut down half the tree since that was all she could afford. Jeff being Jeff, cut the tree down for half his usual price and after hearing the story of her husband dying of a massive stroke leaving three kids and a wife with MS behind, he knew something had to be done. Every few days Jeff would call me and ask if a few of the boyz could go and help this family. There is a story in the bible of a women getting justice from a judge who didn't care about justice just because he was sick of the lady asking..... well that isn't exactly what happened here.. But Jeff WAS persistent.

Finally God broke through and our service calendar cleared up enough for us to schedule the makeover for this widow and her kids last Saturday. Greg & Sherri Lueck did a site survey and determined all that things that needed fixing. They figured out the colors for each of the bedrooms that were to be painted, what materials would be needed for each task, and went to countless stores to buy the needed material. They prepared the list of jobs that needed to be done (an impressive list indeed). There was everything from major electrical issues, to a simple landscaping job. It was perfect for anyone and everyone regardless of what their skill level was. As I wrote the email letting the Boyz know about the need, and what the list of things to be done were, I had this special God-tingling in my body. I just knew this was going to be something eternal.

As Jeff was racing around last Friday getting all the details taken care for a project this size, he ran into a news crew from Channel 7 - WJLA. He explained what was about to happen and they suggested we contact the news room to let them know about the event. I called and got through to Vince the news director - on a Friday afternoon a real miracle. I explained that 60+ people were going to do an extreme makeover for a family in need and was told that maybe we would be hearing from them. We didn't.

Saturday morning dawned clear and cold. As the first wave of volunteers showed up, we got them right to work. Pretty soon you could hear laughter, hammers pounding, saws cutting, and lots of conversation taking place all over the house. It sounded a lot like "Holy Holy Holy - you God are King of our lives and we love you and will serve you forever!". The two supervisors (Jeff because he is good at it and myself since I can't do anything else....) were racing around helping people know what to do next. The real fun started a little after 9am when the second shift starting arriving. It was like a flood broke loose. By 9:30 there were over 50 people in the house - painting, fixing, carrying trash, building steps, landscaping, loving this family in a hundred ways. It was the Kingdom of God - it was pure religion - it was unforgettable!

By the end of the day several local businesses had contributed various goods and services, Channel 7 had arrived to capture the event for the 6pm news, and 92 men, women, and children had come and served Judy and the kids. They
had answered the call to 'look after the widows in their distress'. Everyone who came was changed in so many ways. In talking with Tom, who was serving for the first time,  in the girls room as he was fixing the window I challenged him to take the step of publically declaring himself a follower of Jesus by being baptized - he agreed. A neighbor heard about our plan and showed up to help. He is coming to the Tuesday morning 10MEN table next week. Steve, who I had seen often in church but never really talked to, heard and came to help - he is coming to the table this Thursday night.  There were dozens of stories about how in serving, we were changed. It is the difference between building our homes (lives) on sand or on the rock - we heard and we ACTED. I am so proud to call each of you brother and sister.  I love the memory of little Mason Davis vacuuming the sofa, the group of kids washing the sliding glass door four or five times, of Cameron Felix
painting with her dad, of my wife and her friend Sue cleaning and laughing and enjoying the pleasure of serving at the margins. So many stories - each will be remembered, told, and rejoiced over while sitting under a tree in Heaven - each will be the beginning of even more stories and we will only see there in eternity the full effect of our day of service. I can't wait to hear it all - I can't wait to hear the rest of the story.

Judy was blown away - she didn't know what to make of it. She wants to visit Jeff's church. She has agreed to have some of our ladies come and help her learn how to keep up with the cleaning. God is loving Judy in a way that only He can. Today Jeff and Marty Weaver are finishing the last of the punch list. Tomorrow the new carpet will be installed. Look for the before and after pictures on our web page by the end of the week. In the mean time if you didn't catch the news report here is a link. Check out this link   click

[Click Here]   to access channel 7 story.

Last Saturday was a little taste of heaven - serving with each of you was SO COOL!

Your Brother on the Journey,

Paul

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A Christmas Story

Sometimes we consider the thought, "Do all the good things we do in the name of Christ really have an impact on anybody?" Angie Chandler and her son Bailey live at the Heather Ridge apartments in Frederick, Maryland. Last Christmas, Angie truly believed that she and her son would have no Christmas. A single mother eking out a meager living at best, Christmas was something only for those who were more blessed by God than she was, or at least that's what she thought. Little did she know that Jesus put her on His special Christmas list to be visited by those who had decided to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

In the kitchen of Centennial United Methodist Church on a cold but sunny Saturday morning, a group of Waterboyz, their wives and children had gathered to pickup boxes of food and Christmas gifts for a dozen or more families. Little did they know that this simple act would change Angie's life and bring some morsel of hope and joy to the other families in Frederick and Washington County. The Waterboyz for Jesus with the help of Second Street and Hope, Inc. were going to change Angie's perspective on life that day and neither they nor Angie knew it....but God did.

As the packages were grouped together by family, Santa appeared in the kitchen adding a magical touch to what was a joyous and fun occasion. Least than two miles away in Heather Ridge, Angie was going about an ordinary Saturday with no idea that something God-magical was about to happen.

As each team of Waterboyz participants received their assigned family and packages, an excitement filled the room. Who did you get? What are you delivering? Grown men and women were acting and feeling like the children they had brought with them to experience the fun. If only the same joy pervading this kitchen at this church could be expressed and shown upon gift delivery. All they could do was pray that it would.

Angie and Bailey received a delivery of a gift that day that was more than a few wrapped presents. From what I heard from Juanita Dutrow who organizes the endeavor through Second Street and Hope, Angie's life changed that day. She and her son were treated to presents, songs and praise. Then one woman, who is known only to Jesus, went up to Angie, threw her arms around her in a tight hug and whispered in her ear "Jesus loves you, and so do we"

Today, Angie is on her way to completing an associate’s degree at Frederick Community College with a new outlook on life. She knows that there are people who care and truly do love her. According to Juanita she's on her way to a new productive and promise-filled life...and why? Well Juanita says it's because a woman whispered in her ear...I say it's because God did!

Larry
Paul, I am crying as I write this.

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Waterboyz Make a Splash in Frederick County

I received a call this week from a friend who helped organize the Waterboyz (and children’s Ministry) this summer as we served Frederick Country at the fairgrounds to raise money for a little girl who had cancer.  Renee asked me if our church could do more at the fair next year.  When I asked her what that would look like, she asked if we could provide a Sunday School for the day.  Could we bring puppets, plays, music, dance teams etc.  I was more than happy to say “yes”!  (These are the moments I live for.)

“Will the Waterboyz be available as well” she asked?  “I’m sure they will be” I replied.  “Why?”  “We never want to attempt something this big  without them” she explained.  “As a matter of fact, we had a meeting last week and the person  who organizes these events appointed an entire committee to be sure we don’t hold the waterboyz up next year when they come to work.  Last year the Waterboyz came in and worked so fast, they ended up waiting while we went to get the trucks for them to load.

Talk about “shock and awe” – the Waterboyz made quite a name for themselves that day.  No one had even thought of having “waves” of workers come in so people were always fresh.  Renee couldn't say enough about how the men came in and were able to set up, take over, and tear down.  I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but I may have agreed for “kidtown” to be run by the Waterboyz and Children’s Ministry next September.  What an amazing way to witness!  People were willing to come and sell things, give things away or wander around the fairgrounds, but most people didn’t see the value of taking care of the kids.  The Waterboyz not only kept the kids safe, they upped the fun factor by throwing them onto velcro walls, teasing them as they entered the mouth of the giant caterpillar and made playing games the highlight of the day.

Another wave of men hit late in the afternoon when everyone was too tired to care anymore and helped clean up quickly and efficiently.  There are many ways to witness to our neighbors and friends – but this was a HUGE one.  The men in the Waterboyz stepped into a sweltering hot day of ministry and became the “go to guys” within an hour. 
I am so proud to have had the experience of working beside you that day.  It must have been the hottest day all summer and yet you were all laughing and playing with each child that came through as if playing with them were the most important thing you had to do that day.  You didn’t get grumpy with the heat, impatient with the kids or even ask for breaks.
So many times in life we do the right thing at the right time for an audience of one.  While we should continue to do that, just know in your hearts that on one hot summer day as you were serving Jesus, people noticed.  Because of your willingness to do the hard work, we’ve been given the opportunity this September to bring the gospel of Jesus
to His youngest friends.  Lives will be changed because you did the hard thing.  You put yourselves out, sweated and laughed as you opened a door for the kingdom.

Thank you!
Jeannie

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A Couple of God Stories:

Dear Family,

This past weekend Eric Rice went on a camping trip with some of the youth from DRCC. They had a great time and experienced God in a real and personal way. On his way back home he decided to treat his niece to a TCBY. As he was pulling his truck into the parking lot he saw a parking spot right in front of TCBY. When he got closer he noticed that there were some 'shady guys' parked in the next spot over, so he decided to park somewhere else. He circled the parking lot a couple of times - no spaces - so finally he pulled into that last remaining spot. As he got out one of the 'shady guys' yelled to Eric - "Hah I know you from somewhere!". Eric didn't recognize him but started to guess as to where it could have been - "I'm a member of DRCC?" - "Nope" "2nd Street & Hope" - "Nope" "Frederick Rescue Mission - "Nope".

Finally Eric said - "Well you must just being seeing the Jesus inside me!!". The man said, "Well I'm an alcoholic and I need something - maybe it's Jesus". This started a conversation where Eric simply and powerfully told the story of who Jesus was and what He could do. Then he asked the man if he could pray for him. The man agreed. As soon as Eric finished praying the man said - "I felt something powerful inside of me". Eric responded "That is Jesus and the Holy Spirit". They parted both with something to think about - Eric had just heard a man testify to the power of our risen Lord - it is true. The man now has to decide what to do with this Jesus. Pray for him - Marlea is!!

Ruthie Marsh struggled Mother's day Sunday. She wasn't a mother and her own mom has pasted away several years ago. Should she go to church or just take a pass? She decided to go just because it was the right thing to do. As she listened to the sermon God showed her that if she just changed two words everything Bob was preaching about applied to her. She took notes and was blessed deeply. After church she sat down and wrote out 25 ways that God had blessed her for coming to church. In fact in typical God-like fashion she actually lead her small group in unpacking the sermon the following Tuesday night.

If Ruthie had stayed in bed - she would have probably had a very average week. But because she put herself in the company of believers she had an overcoming week. A victorious week. A week that blessed both herself, her fellow workers at work, and her entire small group. I am increasingly convinced that the treasure God has for us is often found when we just do the little things we already know we need to do. If we are faithful in obeying in little ways - God is faithful to bless and multiply in ways that only He can.

Be faithful this week - take a chance and do the right thing - just because it is the right thing. Watch and see what God does.

Your Brother (just reporting the action from the front)
Paul

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