I got the coolest jacket the other day, for the small clothing bank we have at the cafe. It was black leather with red trim and had a really neat AND1 basketball logo on the back with yellow and orange flames shooting out of the hoop. Truely a coat of many colors. I had somebody in mind immediately to give it to.

There is this young man who has been coming to the cafe since I have been there. I think he is 12 or 13. At first he hardly spoke and very rarely did he ask for anything to eat or drink. He just kind of sat there for awhile and then left. After a few weeks, we began to joke around and eventually became "cafe buds." So when I got this coat I thought of him.

I gave him the coat and said, "If it doesn't fit, you don't have to take it."

And he said, "I know it fits."

I said, "You want to go look in the mirror to see if it looks good?"

He said, "I know it looks good."

I had to laugh out loud as he slung the jacket over his shoulder and struted into the cafe. He was smiling from ear to ear and so was I.

This little episode made me think of the story of Joseph and the coat his father, who loved him very much, had made for him. Joseph had alot of bad things happen to him but through it all he remained close to God. He made "good of the evil done to him" (Gen. 50:20) and God richly blessed his life.

Just as Joseph's father loved his son, so too our heavenly Father loves us and through that love we love others. I pray that if and when bad things happen to this young man he remembers his coat of many colors, given to him with love, and he too make good of the evil. May God bless his life.

I Love This Place,

See you Tuesday's 3-6

Paula Browand

(The Medina cafe is becoming CUPS CAFE. This story is also posted at www.cupscafe.org If you're subscribed to our feed here you may want to check out our new website and subscribe there because we will no longer be Medina Cafe 41:11. Thank you for following and praying for our ministry.)

Home is where you hang your memories, rest your head and open your heart. Home is where you have peace, joy, laughter, tears and love. My home away from home is the cafe.

As I think of the time I have put in at the cafe, a smile comes to my face. I have had the privilege to serve, listen, laugh, cry, and pray with the young and the old. I feel totally at home and can't wait to get there and see what God has to offer for the day.

As each person walks through the door, I look up and my face lights-up and I say, "Hello!"

These people are becoming my friends...my family. I am getting to know them better and better each week. I look forward to their arrival. The more the better!

The Lord is moving in ways I never dreamed of, not only in their lives but in mine as well.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME...AWAY FROM HOME!!

I Love This Place!

See You Tuesday's 3-6,

Paula Browand

Another busy week...another experience...another memory...another lesson learned.

When I arrived at the cafe this week, we had people waiting to come in, waiting for a refreshing drink, waiting for a meal, waiting to talk. It amazes me the regulars that come in counting on us to provide and to be there for them. I feel the Lord has us all there at the right place and the right time.

After half an hour of hustle and bustle, I got to spend some time with a young man who just came off a great experience of coaching a boys basketball tournament. Hearing how he related to the kids, and how well they did in taking second place, touched my heart. I listened as he shared things about the game and his life. I got to congratulate and encourage him. I let him know that when he comes into a room it just lights up with his joy and shining eyes as he talks. Yes, he has had some hard times but he continues to shine.

I am reminded that we all are to let our light shine. Matthew 5:16 tells us, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven" (NIV).

I hope we that volunteer here at the cafe are a light; a beacon to all who come in. I hope the people who come in see the Lord's light in us as we try and meet their needs both physically and spiritually. I pray that light leads them to the truth.

Let it shine! Let it shine! Let it shine!

I love this place!!

See you Tuesdays 3-6,

Paula Browand

The cafe was jumping last week. With the temperature outside at 94 degrees, refreshing beverages were being poured out one after another. Pizza, sandwiches, bagels, popcorn, & desserts were gobbled up like crazy. We could hardly keep up with the dishes.

Finally a break came in the crowd and I sat on a stool, with my ice water, and rested my head in my hands...AHHH! A friend of mine from Church came and sat next to me tired after a long day at work. We smiled but barely spoke...just relaxing in the moment.

A woman who had been in the cafe for awhile came over and started a conversation. From what I could tell she had been struggling in all areas of her life and the Lord was currently bringing her out of a great valley. She was accepting of the bits of wisdom she had learned. She was radiating in the beauties of creation surrounding her. She was beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and she was grateful. Praise the Lord!

She asked a question of me, "Do I really have to go to church if I have the temple inside me?"

I shared with her how God's word says in Hebrews 10:24-45 that we are called to not give up on meeting together and to lift up and encourage one another towards love and good deeds.

There is a purpose for our gathering in God's house. It's not about just what we can receive but what we can give. It's not about how full our cup is but how much we empty it out for another. It's not about us...it's about God's love flowing through us in a sharing of the gifts and talents He has given us.

Through the tears in her eyes I could see the Holy Spirit had touched her questioning mind and healed her wounded heart. Had I not "taken a break" from my busy deeds, I would have missed the opportunity provided to me to not only give to another but also to remind myself I need to keep pressing on no matter what the road looks like before me.

We are called to come together...one another...FOR HIS HOUSE...HIS PEOPLE...HIS GLORY.

I love this place!!

See you Tuesdays 3-6,

Paula Browand

A woman came into the cafe this week and ordered her usual Chicken Salad Sandwich. Except, this time she wanted just a half. I took a moment to glance at her and noticed she looked defeated...worn...lost. I made her small meal and went over to her seat asking if we could talk.

In time, we shared things from our past and our present. I found that the roads we traveled were quite the same. They were broken and filled with chuck holes. We talked for quite a while and ended with how we pray to God:

She goes to the throne of the Lord as a frightened woman.

I go to the throne of the Father as a trusting child.

Same road...same God...different approach.

I was reminded of the Scripture Matthew 25:34-40. The nations asked when did they feed and give drink and visit the Son of Man. Jesus answered, "When you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."

I could only love on this woman as she shared her story. We can't always fix a broken life, but we can go to the One who can! We hugged...we parted...we will meet again.

I love this place!!

See you Tuesdays 3-6,

Paula Browand

Sometimes a cup of coffee ain't so bad. I've never had a cup of coffee in my life, and I'm 59 years old. That's a lot of life...LOL! But during one shift at Cafe 41:11, I had my first coffee experience. A group of kids stopped in aging from 15-18 years old. They were a happy group, and we started to kid around immediately. They saw some coffee flavoring on the counter and asked if I could make them a Latte.

I said with raised eyebrows, "What's a Latte?"

They thought that was pretty funny. (I didn't get the joke...as usual). Well, anyway, they taught me how to make a Raspberry Latte. We laughed about different ways to say the word Latte (guess you had to be there). Within 10 minutes, I felt we were looking into each others faces and eyes really smiling with one another.

It was then that I realized:

Sometimes a strong cup of coffee (i.e. strong message) needs a little warmth of heated milk (i.e. love added to it) topped off with a sweet dab of whip cream (laughter) and a drizzle of chocolate syrup (friendship) to make a sweeter coffee (connection with the Lord's love for us).

Smile and Drink up!

I love this place!

See you Tuesdays 3-6,

Paula Browand