Pepsico, the makers of Pepsi Cola and other products, changed its logo this year. The logo and can design changed but the cola remained the same. The Medina Café 41:11 is going through a similar change.

In 2007, the Medina café team signed a two year lease agreement with our current landlord. The lease was formed with the understanding that when the time came to renew it the Medina café would step out in faith to form its own non-profit organization. The Medina Leadership team and Corporate Office in Norton believed this was God’s direction for the Medina café.

In the fall of 2008, and by God’s grace, the Medina café began this process after receiving the blessing to move forward from Café Corporate. Steve Friddle, the current Chairman of the Board of Trustees in Norton, writes, "We celebrate together with all our friends connected with Cafe 41:11 Medina as you take this next step in transferring ownership of the ministry to your community. We have valued and appreciated the ministry partnership we have had over the past 4 years and look forward to many years of mutual support, encouragement and cooperation as we both strive to serve the Lord and minister to people in our respective communities. May God bless you as you follow His leading and reach Medina with the gospel of Christ."

God is greatly blessing the café with new financial support and volunteers and our service to the community is growing. In the coming months (date still to be determined), Café 41:11 in Medina will become CUPS CAFE. The name and logo will change, but the “cola” will remain the same. The things you see and hear God doing today will continue tomorrow and in the future.

The cafe is in an exciting stage of redevelopment and transition. We ask that you pray for us and be patient as we work with you through these changes. A question I'm asked frequently is: Why Cups Cafe? For many reasons. One is because Jesus said, “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward” (NIV, Matthew 10:42).

The cafe currently serves cups of soup, cups of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, cups of cold water, kool-aid, iced tea and milk, and small servings (cups) of Hope. Our new vision statement will be: Serving Hope one cup at a time. The Hope we serve is Jesus and we serve this Hope one "cup" (one heart) at a time. The volunteers and team members not only serve Jesus Christ through our work, we serve Jesus Christ to our guests.

We're hosting an informational meeting open to anyone wanting to learn more about the cafe and these changes.

Do you have a lot of questions?

Do you want to know the ins and outs of the ministry?

Have you wondered how the cafe is structured, why the name change, who is involved, and/or where the money goes?

Then we hope you'll attend this meeting and bring your friends and invite your church family to come to this meeting!!

Date: Sunday October 18, 2009

Time: 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Location: Harvest Presbyterian Church 1095 E. Reagan Pkwy. Medina, Ohio 44256 (Google it)

Contact: Tim Van Arsdale 330.304.5449 or tim@cafe4111.org

Details: Free to all, Free Coffee & Tea & Goodies, Come with an open heart and be ready for a packet of info to snack on

1999

2009

"Could I use your microwave to heat up my mac 'n cheese?"

These were the words of Danny, who wandered into the Cafe on a recent weekday afternoon. He was a bit uncertain, looking around, unsure if he was really welcome. We offered not only the microwave, but a sandwich and a cup of soup as well. Immediately, Danny said he couldn't do that. He couldn't take the food. He didn't have any money. He was stunned when I told him the food was free.

He asked me if I was sure about it being free. I assured him that yes, we simply give the food away at no cost. (Gosh, it's great to be able to do that!) He gladly took the sandwich from me, got a cup of soup for himself, and devoured both. Danny went on to tell me that he was homeless, living out of his car.

Danny's parents told him when he was 18 that he'd have to leave.

Shortly after he left home, his Mom & Dad moved out of state. Danny said he would be starting a part-time job as a dishwasher later in the day - then he'd have money. Tim gave Danny a food map and showed him that there were other places to get food around Medina.

My heart ached for this young guy. Homeless and abandoned at 19! I thought about his need for food, not just earthly but the heavenly food that only his Father in heaven can give him. What an incredible opportunity to feed and build relationship with those who hunger, pointing them to the only one who can bring fullness to every part of life!

As Danny headed for the door, we invited him to come back anytime. He still seemed a bit awed by how he was welcomed as he left the Cafe. I'm not sure if he'll return. I pray he returns and we have more opportunities to point him to the one who fills every need completely in His time.

- Bill Marras

  Cafe' Volunteer 

A twenty-something cafe guest was arrested for theft and sent to prison. This is an unchurched person who struggled in the past to trust in God. Our volunteers have prayed with, and for, this person and helped out in so many ways. One Christian even spent time in Bible study with our now incarcerated friend.

We knew this sentence was coming; We weren't caught off guard. And so we worked to encourage this guest and be a supportive friend in the face of this difficult situation. Yesterday, a letter arrived in the cafe mailbox. It was from our friend. Part of the letter reads:

Dear Tim,

I was sentenced to six months in prison. I sure have learned a lot so far. I have gotten in touch with God so much more in the short time I have been here. Even though I may have been suffering the first couple weeks in here, it has made my spirit in God grow so much. So I think that this is a time that He may be using as a time of growth. He is also showing me that I should grow in Him everyday, no matter how, I have to make time for it.

My process of being born again is continuing. I have also learned that we should praise God for filling us with the Holy Spirit. So I hope you have been doing well and have been successful in your path with God. Write me whenever you can and just give me some idea of anything you think may help me get through these six months. Because I am trying to find more moral support. But I am using God our Lord, our Savior, to help me and will continue worshiping and praising Him.

Hope to see you soon.

The work of Cafe 41:11 continues and, by God's grace, we are seeing the young people of Medina touched by His love and mercy. Please be faithful in giving and spreading the word to your friends and family about all God is doing through the team at Cafe 41:11. Your support puts real arms and legs behind His transforming power. And we sincerely thank you.

• Please pray for this young person.
• Pray also for the volunteers and for Janis and me.
• Ask God to give us all "some idea of anything that may help" these young people place their hope in Jesus Christ.

My daily complaining and whining regarding decisions about what to eat, what to wear, where to go, what to watch on TV, enhancing my credit score or purchasing power, putting someone else's needs above my own, or whether my cell phone, car, and computer are working properly seems even more insignificant after receiving a letter like this one. I'm not suggesting that you and I not care about these decisions, but we surely shouldn't worry about them or allow them to distract us from the most important "thing" we should be seeking (Luke 12:22-34).

Then why do we?

The writer of Hebrews reminds us, "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (NIV, Hebrews 13:3).

Man...oh man...how guilty most of us are of not loving each other as brothers, or entertaining strangers, or remembering those in prison as if we were their cell mates.

God have mercy.

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

The child holds me with her tiny hands. One hand grasping my arm. The other gripping my back hair. (Yeah...I have back hair). Her razor sharp, newly formed fingernails scratch my sun beaten skin. I step carefully into the cool water reassuring her along the way.

"I've got you," I lovingly whisper.

My daughter is not convinced. She is only a few years old. The pool is a new experience. The clear water is rugged and wild. Things look strange under water. It is unexplored territory filled with fear, anxiety, worry...the unknown. Mollie is uncertain of what will happen by going in the water.

The water rises and wraps around us as I step further out and away from the pool deck, away from what is known, what is safe, what is comfortable. It is deep enough to tickle her toes. Her grip tightens, but I hold her. I embrace her securely as she hums and moans looking back to dry land and reaching for mommy.

I recently had a vision from the Lord. It was similar to this. In the twitter list e-mail update, I mentioned that I heard Him say, " I love you." And, "Live life."

In this vision, I am the baby and God the Father holds me securely in His mighty arms. He does this for His children. He carries us into unknown waters, into new territory, new experiences. We hold on with desperation not wanting to go, because it is terrifying and filled with anxiety and fear and uncertainty. Maybe your unknown water is the death of a parent or a child. Maybe it's the loss of a job. Or any uncertainty you may be facing. You feel like you'll surely stop breathing. You worry and wonder if you'll even survive. But you will. You'll survive.

Please know that He is holding you saying, "I've got you, and I love you."

Dad's got you. He is walking you into unknown waters filled with strange and wonderful things all while reassuring you along the way. We're reminded by the Psalmist, "...with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever" (NIV, Psalm 136:12).

This isn't just poetic encouragement. It is real. Unknown waters are rising around you. But He's got you in His arms, and He loves you.

Are you holding on?

Do you trust Him?

Or are you looking back at the pool deck?

Live life my friend and explore. And don't look back.

Conan O'Brien, host of the Tonight Show, says, "Twitter is all the rage." This e-news update is a twitter update on some of the past "goings-on" at the cafe. Thank you for your support and prayers. Keep more of both coming our way. Enjoy!

1. Gave a new Bible away to a guest last week.

2. One type A organizer helped one non-type A person (me) organize and clean our pantry.

3. More people helped organize our pantry.

4. Prayed for a freezer and fridge for the cafe. Received two freezers and a fridge in less than 48 hours.

5. Medina city historical board voted unanimously to approve our new CUPS CAFE outdoor sign.

6. New CUPS CAFE business cards printed and donated to the cafe.

7. Shepherds Grace Church hosting a community VBS program at the cafe this week for young people in Medina.

8. Beat my wife in a quick game of corn hole.

9. Medina Presbyterian Church VBS collecting and donating canned goods and supplies for the cafe this week. I'm speaking there Sunday and they're coming to the cafe to refurbish our outdoor tables...YEAH!

10. Training two new volunteers. One next week. The other in a couple weeks.

11. Cafe blessed again this year with a contract from the fair to raise money for the cafe. Will need workers. More to come on that.

12. Ran out of paper towels. My wife donated some today.

13. Mollie spending a few days this week with grandparents in Pennsylvania.

14. A community service person asked me to help keep them accountable with an addiction.

15. A woman will donate cans of whipped cream on a weekly basis through the rest of the summer.

16. A volunteer asked if it was okay to continue playing a game with a teen. OF COURSE!! I reply.

17. Two volunteers helped out a guest. Took this person to a church outing.

18. Free spa night Monday July 20 for young teens and women. Already have some sign-ups!!!

19. Donuts run plentiful at the cafe.

20. My wife got a raise. She made more than me last quarter.

21. Met new cafe neighbors renting the location next to us. Cool.

22. Umbrellas look sweet outside in the nice weather.

23. A man just released from jail stopped in asking for a cup of cold water. Our new vision statement at work. I think we touched his heart.

24. A special donation of $500 made to the cafe last week will help us pay the rent for August. Any matchers for September?

25. Stopped everything, all the noise, for a moment late one night when I couldn't sleep to listen for God's voice. Found it to be a good exercise (u should try it). Heard Him say, "I love you." And, "Live Life." Yeah...um...still processing that last one.

26. A friend came over and got on my roof to help me work through a roof problem.

27. A friend bought me a brand new hammer drill. Undeserved...but thankful.

28. Cafe hosted a live teen band last Friday night. 70 guests came through the doors.

29. Gave canned goods from our pantry to a woman and her shut-in grandmother. Told her it was from God and that God is real and He loves her. She wept.

Clouds creep close together slowly blocking the afternoon sun. Young and old gather at the cafe for hot chocolate and soup. It's a beehive of activity when a man in a denim coat steps through the red train car door and approaches me saying, "I need to talk to you for a minute."

"What can I do for you?" I ask.

"I heard you have a food pantry here or something...I just got laid off from my job and I'm havin' a tough time right now, man."

"Yeah...we do," I reply. "We also have some fresh bread up here. Go through it, take what you need, and then meet me downstairs."

Together, we raid the shelves of the cafe pantry like hungry teens on a sleep-over attacking mom's fridge at night. It was nearly a robbery, and it's a good thing no one saw us. They would've called the police.

We knock over canned goods and rummage through cans of coffee and boxes of tea. Bags of chips fall clumsily from our hands. The man in the denim coat stuffs plastic grocery bags with nourishment tearing one of the bags. I top off the ripped bag with four rolls of toilet paper. (You all know how I feel about toilet paper.)

We shake hands. And he leaves thanking me and wishing me a God Bless You.

An older gentleman drops in to give the cafe a special donation to help pay the rent. (We still need more.)

Afterwards, a mother chases her two little girls into the cafe. Mom enjoys a chicken salad sandwich on white bread while her children crunch popcorn with mouths missing two front teeth. They wash down their afternoon snack with green kool-aid. The chins of those two precious girls barely clear the top of the coffee bar. Their toothless smiles push back the curtains of clouds and the sun once again shines through the dusty cafe windows.

My wife and daughter stop in on their way to the library.

"I missed you today," Mindee says. She hugs me and gently kisses my cheek.

Teenagers pile in the cafe. And I have a chance to talk to them about music and Christian music and about the love of God found in Jesus Christ. Yesterday, I delightfully discharged all the duties of my ministry.

It was a good day.

My heavenly Father always manages to provide the financial support for my family and for the cafe. I am thankful, but mission work is hard. And yet I'm reminded to endure hardship as if navigating dangerous seas in search of a safe harbor. Most days I wish the source of my salary, and the money needed for the cafe, was more like a calm ocean, a safe port, a place of peace and rest and lacking danger rather than rough seas. (Maybe someday.)

I remember from my days in the Navy how unspeakably beautiful a calm ocean is. It's like a glassy mirror. It's perfectly flat without disruption. I'm not exaggerating. An ocean like that will lull you to sleep. But my support level may never get to that place and that's okay. Again, I'm reminded to endure with a thankful heart. There is a great reward awaiting those who endure rough seas. The reward is an unbreakable promise.

I hope you've come to realize that the reward for enduring hardship is truly worth it. Don't give up. Don't stop sailing just because your journey is stormy. Endure hardship. Oh how I pray you'll endure.

I've cleaned out a special room in my heart for the letters written by Paul to Timothy. Mainly because my name is Timothy (silly...I know). But I read them as if the postman just delivered them to my mailbox today.

Paul reminds me, "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry" (NIV, 2 Timothy 4:5).

Share below what you're enduring with a thankful heart.