This video is for those churches and individuals who contributed in any way toward the Cafe 41:11 Memorial Day event. It's our special way of saying: Thank You!

The staff and volunteers are so grateful for your support. Your generosity helped the cafe raise $423 and made Cafe 41:11 a positive, more visible presence in the Medina community.

Judy Totts, the religion editor for the Medina Gazette, wrote a nice article about tomorrow's fundraiser.

Thanks Judy!

Stop by early before the 10am parade for a cup of coffee to go. We're brewing a delicious specialty roast tomorrow morning starting at 8am.

Hope to see all of you tomorrow. Stop by and help us raise money for the cafe. I'll be in a dunk tank! 3 balls for a $1.

Click here to view article!

Who would have thought after a long hard day, an hour at the Juvenile Detention Center could revitalize us? Last night, Tim, Jeff Brianas and I had a great time.

Sue Jarvis, one of the Chaplains at the jail, needed people to fill in for her in May while she was working out a change in her schedule. I knew Tim and I could talk about the Cafe for an hour, no problem but I thought my Tuesday night partner "Jeff Brianas" alias "Mr. Sundae-man" would be a great addition. So there we were, the 20 some young people kinda dragged in, no one responded as we said "Hello, hello, hello..." We found out this slot was called Religion, Ohhhhhh, I'm surprised anyone showed up, guess something to do is better than nothing to do.

It didn't take long as we shared about Cafe 41:11 and free sandwiches, Kool-aid, popcorn, etc for the group to liven up. Statements were repeated, "Where's this place?", "As soon as I'm outa here, I'm there", "No way".

Then Jeff told them about "Sundae Tuesdays" and the Ahhhs and Owhs resounded. I think everybody was smiling by then, including us! Tim shared about "Hope", I shared about bad choices my son made and how it is still effecting him seven years later. Then Jeff wrapped it up telling his life story in a nutshell and illustrating to them to be careful about the choices they make now and how they will effect the rest of their lives.

The hour flew by as we shared God's love and planted seeds that these young people might find their way to Medina's Cafe 41:11 to look us up for further conversation and a bite to eat....probably a Sundae first!

Thanks for being a part of God's ministry, especially to young people!

Janis ><>

I want to share today's Zits comic strip if you haven't already seen it. It tickled me. The cafe ministry couldn't exist without your financial support. The missionaries and volunteers could not be witnesses and servants without your generosity. God has blessed us with so many faithful donors, and we appreciate you. Thank you for donating!

With Gratefulness,

Tim & Mindee Van Arsdale

Janis Nazarian

The Volunteers

Zits

by Jerry Scott & Jim Borgman

Make Checks Payable: Cafe 41:11

Designate Your Gift: Cafe 41:11 or Missionary (i.e. Tim & Mindee, or Janis).

Mail to: Cafe 41:11   P.O. Box 83 Medina, Ohio 44258

Drop Your Gift In The Donation Box: Cafe 41:11   126 N. Court St. Medina, Ohio 44256

So many people always ask me, "When are you open?"

To which I reply in my mind: Never...I'm not open.

But actually say, "The cafe is open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 3-9pm. Wednesday & Thursday 3-6pm."

If conversational instructions don't suit you, I've included a table with the cafe's current hours of operation. Hope to see you at the cafe sometime!

A loud, annoying buzzing echoed off the unfinished walls of our garage early the other morning. I put on my socks and my Sherlock Holmes hat and ran outside to solve this mystery. The buzzing was coming from our electric dog fence box.

The electric current that runs through a wire buried in the ground is disconnected somewhere along the loop. Not fun, and Bubba' isn't happy with us. He is temporarily tied to a makeshift yard leash until I can fix the problem. (Bubba' is the pet name of our beagle for those newcomers to these e-news updates.)

Cooper spent the whole weekend standing in the yard just staring. His once bountiful boundary now limited. His freedom now leashed. It's a bummer.

I'm not sure what is more disappointing. This recent dog fence debacle or the fact that the Cavs will not get the chance to crush the Celtics in the next round of the playoffs. TOTAL BUMMER! Bubba' is bound. He can't chase birds, or traipse the garden, or scare the mailman, or hunt a lobbed tennis ball.

Why don't we let him off the leash and just watch him closely? Good question.

'Cause beagles run. Cooper has some training, but if his insatiable nose catches a scent...he's gone, baby.

Our insatiable desire to live by the law steals our freedom. Under the law we're a leashed hound dog. We're disconnected from God. Our best efforts result in us just standing around staring. Someone once said, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (NIV, Galatians 5:1).

Jesus gave us His Spirit to set us free from the law. Life in the Spirit sets us free to serve and love God and our neighbor (Galatians 5:13-14). But for some reason, we don't believe that God could ever love us. I witness this all the time with cafe guests and volunteers and even in my own heart. Maybe it's because we look in the mirror everyday and see how unlovely we really are. We think: If I don't love me, how could God?

I was reading last week and came across this nugget of truth, "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself" (NIV, Ephesians 5:28). A thought occurred to me. The opposite of this must be true. If I hate my wife, I hate myself. Those moments when I do not love my wife are pieces of evidence that in my heart I really hate myself. OUCH!

I want to be free to love my wife. I want to love myself. I want to love and serve others and be loved and served by God and my neighbor. I don't want to be bound by the law that was never intended to give life in the first place. It was given to reveal our inability to keep or obey it (Romans 3:20). Obedience to the law will never set us free.

I want the law of the Spirit; the fruit of the Spirit in my life.

Are you living like a leashed beagle?

I sometimes have weird thoughts. Take the word extravaganza. I hear this word and think: What's a vaganza?

No, I'm really not that retarded...just odd. I understand there is no such thing as a vaganza. This word actually comes from the Latin word vagant which means wandering. But extravaganza is its own word. However, it is associated with the word extravagant.

I'm not that excited about the word extravagant. I can't say why. Really...I don't know why. It's a bothersome noise to me like nails on a chalkboard or a man snoring. (I snore - BTW.) I prefer vaganza. It sounds cool and it's unique. Vaganza grabs your attention. It falls nicely off the tongue like the names of Italian pasta dishes...lasagna, ravioli, manicotti...or the way certain foreign dialects roll their R's.

And to have an extra vaganza sounds doubly good. If vaganza is so good, who wouldn't want a second helping?

I'm officially commissioning vaganza as a word. And, starting today, Cafe 41:11's Annual Memorial Day Hot Dog Fundraiser will not be an extravaganza. It will be an extra vaganza.

That's right, cafe blog fans! Cafe 41:11 will be hosting an extra vaganza.

Stop by Cafe 41:11 on Monday May 25, 2009. The cafe will be open from 8:00am to 12:00pm. You and your family can grab a free TO GO coffee, tea, hot chocolate and goodies, or whatever, before the parade (donations welcome). And after the parade, we'll be hosting a hot dog, bag of chips and can of pop extra vaganza (for a suggested donation of $2.00).

Men and women from Harvest Presbyterian Church, Shepherd's Grace Church, and Weymouth Community Church are coming together to make this event possible. We'll have free doggy treats and face painting and maybe even a few extra vaganza surprises (like Tim in a dunk tank...maybe, we're still working out the details). All proceeds benefit the operating expenses of Cafe 41:11. (It'll help keep the doors open.)

All gifts are tax-deductible. It is difficult to issue end of the year receipts for cash donations that day unless you place your gift in an envelope with your contact info. If a tax-deduction isn't a big deal to you, then just bring a wad of Benjamin's or Jackson's and feed your family. Checks can be made to: Cafe 41:11.

We hope you'll stop by Monday May 25 on your way to and from the parade on the square to help support this ministry.

Event: Cafe 41:11 Hot Dog fundraiser Extra Vaganza 

Date: Monday May 25, 2009

Time: 8:00am to 12:00pm

Place: Cafe 41:11 126 N. Court St. Medina, Ohio 44256

Donations: Hot Dog, bag of chips & can of pop (suggested donation of $2.00). Other cafe products offered freely (donations welcome).

Promo: Click 2009 Memorial Day Flier to view and print flier for your church, friends, and family.

It's amazing how things change and grow.

A caterpillar grows into a butterfly. A tadpole becomes a frog and seasons come and go. My wife and I are enjoying the freshness of spring in our backyard. We're planning to plant our garden next weekend. God's creation is truly incredible! And God is doing something similar with the Medina Cafe 41:11.

It is going through a metamorphosis. Our Father is changing the cafe and blessing the cafe with new guests, new volunteers, new financial support, and new donations of food and drinks.

We're growing. We're changing...and this metamorphosis is something we've been expecting since we signed our lease agreement two years ago.

The Medina cafe would not be where it is today without your faith in what God is doing through us and without your love and prayers and financial support. We praise Him for inspiring you to join Him in this cafe ministry. So we thank you from our hearts!

This ministry is not about Tim and Mindee, or Janis, or the volunteers. It's never been about us. We're dispensable. The cafe has always been about God and what He has placed on our hearts to do in Medina Ohio and for His glory. I'll shoot you straight. I'll be honest. I'm writing this update to tease you about what is to come. It's called marketing and...unfortunately...it is part of my job.

The cafe is changing from a caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly so it can fly and fulfill its God given purpose. This purpose? To form its own non-profit organization with the blessing of the Norton Cafe 41:11 and corporate office. We're still in the cocoon stage. We're half-way through the process. We've formed a local Board of Directors and articles of incorporation. We have approval from the State of Ohio. The next step is to send paperwork to the IRS and in June to pin down a new logo, business cards, and letter head.

What is the benefit of doing this? (Great question!)

• To give ownership of this ministry to Medina and its churches.
• All support will stay here.
• Board of Directors made up of people with a heart for Medina and invested in Medina.
• It will save us some money.
• It's God's plan for us.

I promise...the work we do in Medina will not change. What you see and hear happening today will continue tomorrow and in the coming months. You'll still receive these crazy e-mail updates. The name and logo will go through a metamorphosis, but our day-to-day operations and desire to meet the physical, spiritual, social, and mental needs of young people and families with the Gospel will not waver.

So what's the new name? (Great question!)

You'll have to wait. That's the teaser (sorry). You'll have to keep watch over your e-mail inbox and snail-mail box for more info. Don't panic. Don't worry. I know change can be scary. But we're not afraid. We're asking you to trust us as we trust God. You've seen God provide for our needs. He is definitely invested in this ministry, and He's still involved. (If you read these e-mails, you know this to be true.) No matter the name or logo or articles of incorporation, we're believing God to provide for us and guide us.

Some of you know our new name. I'm politely asking that you keep this a secret. Don't spill the beans...as they say! I know you're probably going crazy wondering about these things. But we'll contact you with the details you'll need when the time is right. For now, we simply ask that you:

• Pray for the cafe and those serving.
• Continue sending in your support as normal.
• Join in our excitement and anticipation for all God is doing in and through the Medina cafe and its servants.

Getting Ready to Fly,

Tim Van Arsdale

The cafe ran out of Kool-Aid Wednesday. Our need for more of this sugary drink has been on our needs list for months, but no one has brought any to the cafe for awhile.

A couple nights ago, I was talking with my sister-in-law Tina in Alaska about George Muller. He was an evangelist and coordinator of orphanages in England. George was a man of great prayer and faith. He would only ask God to supply his needs. He didn't express his ministry needs to people or seek out individuals to give, and God always provided the needs of the ministry. The orphans never went hungry.

So when the cafe ran out of Kool-Aid, I decided to try the "George Muller" method. I stopped everything and only asked God to provide. I didn't ask friends or family. I didn't cry out for the Kool-Aid man to break through the cafe walls to save the day. And I didn't use my own money to buy more. I simply asked, "Father...Dad, we need Kool-Aid and crackers. We're all out. Please provide."

Four o'clock came...and no Kool-Aid.

Four thirty and five o'clock passed...and still nothing.

I closed the cafe at six still believing God to provide. I thought: Shoot...if He can pay for sin by dying on a cross and defeat death by rising from the grave, I know He can pay for a few packs of kool-aid and defeat our needs. If He can form heaven and earth by simply speaking, He can speak to someone on this big rock to drop off a box of crackers.

I basically believed Him.

It was now about 8 o'clock. I was resting comfortably at home checking e-mail when someone knocked on my front door. It was my sister Brenda and brother-in-law Ty.

Brenda stood at the door holding a bag full of kool-aid. God heard me, answered me, and placed it on my sister's heart to take care of the need!

I shared with them what happened that day, and how God used them, and they didn't even know it. I thanked them, then hugged my sister and knuckle-punched Ty.

Ty said, "That's awesome! And we weren't even going to stop by tonight. I was going to put everything in my car and drop it off another day, but we decided at the last minute just to bring it over."

Our Heavenly Father has this quirky way of often providing for our needs right when the need arises. We went a month without a Kool-Aid donation, because we didn't need more. The moment we ran out, Dad provided.

The crackers haven't arrived UPS from Heaven yet, but there's still a few crackers in the tray. The supply is not totally exhausted. I'm confident God will ship more to us in time. He cares about the little things in our life. He really does! And He simply asks us to ask Him and then follow our asking with belief. Jesus said to His disciples, "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (NIV, John 16:24).

And later in the chapter, Jesus said something often overlooked. He reminds His disciples (and us), "In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God" (NIV, John 16:26-27).

Did you see that?

We will ask in His name, but Jesus will not take our requests to God (Dad). We have direct access to Dad when we love Jesus and believe that Dad sent Jesus. Because of this, Dad loves us and loves hearing us ask.

I pray that you will keep asking Dad to provide for your needs. You have His attention. He's listening. Our Dad is bigger and stronger than the Kool-Aid man. He can break through your economic circumstances, relational hiccups, and employment disruptions.

Do you believe Him?

This truth comes with a warning. If you love and believe in Jesus, then Jesus' Dad loves you. So be careful what you ask for! But don't be afraid to ask.

When Tim approached me during my usual Wednesday afternoon shift asking if I would do him a favor I said, "Of course!"

Not even thinking it would be such a blessing in return. Tim asked me if I would go for a ride to the Clark gas station with a stranger not even a 1/2 mile down the road to buy $20 of gas for a woman. Tim reached into his wallet and gave me the money. Understanding that Tim was rightfully protecting him and his family by sending me, I excitedly, but nervously took my apron off and put the money in my pocket.

Tim explained to the woman who has 2 young children that I would take her. I had no idea the specifics of this mission, but I knew Tim was walking by faith. I noticed tears streaming down her face as I gave her a little hug. We got in the van and she told me how embarrassed she was to have all of her belongings crammed into her van. Her and her children were spending the night with different friends and relatives and sometimes in their van. It broke my heart at how hurt this woman was not only because of her living arrangements, but that she was frustrated for continuing to wish she could go back to the child's father who kicked her out.

She told me how he wasn't steady and didn't provide the things she wanted, but he was obviously the one she looked to for trust and loyalty. I quickly prayed that God would give me the words to comfort and show this woman how important it is that she trust and place her loyalty in God alone. I recently memorized Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

This verse hit me hard when I realized what exactly it meant to me. Everyone in the world could and would fail me. But I know that Jesus Christ was, and always is, consistent in my life. Whether I give him 100% or 5%. I tried my best to show her how she can't keep trying to trust and pursue this man when she has the perfect man there for her every second of everyday. God will provide more than the man she thought had all the answers she could dream of or imagine.

I told her how I struggle everyday with trusting that God will provide. She slowly calmed down, and we drove to the gas station.

God put the gas in her car yesterday. And I tried right there to show her how God has entrusted Tim with the burden of Medina. That Tim has a wife and a daughter and he gives his time and money to anyone who needs it at the cafe. I watched him several times take care of people today and every other day by giving of himself.

I tried so hard to recall 18 years of church lessons and the one I came up with is that I believe God has entrusted Tim with all that he has because he realizes that the money he has, the car he has, the home, and time he has is ALL GOD'S!!!! I think right then it hit her that Tim wasn't rich, but Tim was FAR from poor.

He knows what is important and is grateful for what he has. I explained to her how missionaries get there money, and I believe she was much more grateful for the $20 in gas. This also taught me a lesson I will remember for years to come. And it's exactly what I had to tell her. The lesson that God will always be the constant variable in my experiment of a life. God is in control and will protect me and those I care about.

I've never had the opportunity to use scripture in witness like this, and it's so encouraging to memorize God's word because God just overwhelmed me with a feeling of accomplishment and the feeling that He, my Heavenly Father, was proud of me. And that He is in complete control, not me.

--Crystal