John 4:35 was used by God to teach me something new this week. Our missionaries use this verse in their work and our churches use it to encourage people to bring in the unsaved.

But God used it to encourage me. As I left the Cafe Tuesday, I felt overwhelmed, in over my head, thinking there is nothing I can write about this week that would be encouraging to someone else. I was tired. As the days went by and as I prayed about this, God opened my eyes to the "field" he wants me to see.

Cafe 4111 is the field that is ready for harvest. I am where God has sent me, to do His work. It is not by my strength but by His Spririt and His power that His work will be established. My strength is renewed and my focus is back. See you Tuesday.

"Open your eyes, look at the fields, for they are already ripe for harvest."  John 4:35

Here come the children!   They come alone or in pairs or in groups on their way home from school.

It is a long walk and some stop because they are thirsty or hungry.  Some come in because there is no one at home waiting for them.  They need a smile, a greeting, and someone to talk with.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."  Mark 10:14

I have to pour Kool aid now, a bit of heaven just walked through the door.

Lynn

"It's my birthday today!"  Happy Birthday was shouted throughout the Cafe.  He is excited and very talkative.

He leaned over to listen to a discussion about God between a worker and a young lady.  He seemed very interested so I began talking with him about God.

"Do you go to church?" I asked.

"No," he replied.  "I haven't been to church in 8 years.  I believe there is a God because someone had to make the first person."

I reached for a Bible and had him read a few verses in Genesis 1.  His heart was so open.  We then turned to John 3:16-18 and he read the verses.  We talked about God's love for him personally.  I explained about sin and that Jesus took his punishment for his sin upon himself so that he could one day live in Heaven with Him.

"Do you want to pray and ask Jesus to be your Savior?" I asked.

"Now?" he asked.

I said, "Only if you want to."

He immediately clasped his hands and bowed his head and prayed that Jesus would forgive his sin.  Such joy filled his eyes that I knew he was sincere and God had done a work in his life.   

When I asked him to tell Paula what he just did, he said, "Hey Paula, I belong to Jesus now!"

We got him a new Bible and dated it.  I told him that he is now born into God's family and God is his Heavenly Father who will always be with him.  He is now born again on his birthday.  I showed him where the Book of John is so that he can read it and learn more about God's love for him.  

What a joy to have been an instrument, in a moment of time, that God could use to bring this young man to salvation.  He will be back with questions and I look forward to them.  I now understand completely the vision and ministry of the Cafe to feed hungry souls.

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS MIGHTY WORKS!

Lynn

A - acceptance

B - boys and girls

C - coffee

D - drinks

E - excitement

F - free food

G - games

H - help when needed

I - ice cream

J - Jesus known

K - kick back and relax

L - love given

M - many people

N - no one turned away

O - openness

P - pizza

Q - quiet it is not

R - ramen noodles (kids favorite)

S - soup

T -  time to talk

U - understanding

V - volunteers

W - water of life

X - xtra helpings

Y - you are important

Z - zany, fun people

I love being part of Cafe 41:11,

Lynn