The alarm goes off at 5:30am and I struggle to get out of
bed. It’s still dark and my mind doesn’t instantly click into gear and work.
It’s my morning to serve in the coffee shop, so this means my hair goes up and
I need to find my trainers as I can’t wear open toed shoes. I find my We Will
Go shirt and run out the house.
I drive down the quiet streets, that normally has so much life in them. The sun begins to rise, and I smile, thanking the Lord for His beauty. As I get to the coffee shop I look at the litter that has been dropped outside during the night, and pick it up on my way in. As I go in, I do the needed things to get ready for the day. Make the coffee, turn on the machines, get the ice, put out the chairs. The coffee shop (The Urban Sip) is not here to make money. In fact, all the money goes into giving people jobs and into running the business. The Urban Sip is here for ministry. As I prepare and open-up the shop, I am preparing a place for people to come and hear about Jesus.
I drive down the quiet streets, that normally has so much life in them. The sun begins to rise, and I smile, thanking the Lord for His beauty. As I get to the coffee shop I look at the litter that has been dropped outside during the night, and pick it up on my way in. As I go in, I do the needed things to get ready for the day. Make the coffee, turn on the machines, get the ice, put out the chairs. The coffee shop (The Urban Sip) is not here to make money. In fact, all the money goes into giving people jobs and into running the business. The Urban Sip is here for ministry. As I prepare and open-up the shop, I am preparing a place for people to come and hear about Jesus.
Through-out the morning people start to trickle in. It is
raining outside as we get a day of cold weather from the hurricanes. So, the
Urban Sip becomes a good place to get out of the weather and rest for a moment.
I have a homeless person come in and tell me all about their
meetings that they have today about potential housing. I give them advice, pray
with them and see them on their way. I have students come in and make the most
of free wifi to get their essays done. I have another homeless person come in
to take a nap, as they haven’t slept all night. I have one of our young men
from the gym come in, just to ask for prayer. He wanted to just get through the
day, mentioning that he heard God for the first time. He wanted to clarify that
it was God and that he wasn’t going crazy. So, I talked about reading the bible
and learning the truth from there. You won’t hear anything from God that
doesn’t line up with scripture. We talked about worship and I showed him and
his friend some YouTube clips of worship. I had missionaries come in and send
emails to connect with colleges in the area, about serving together in the
Jackson area.
The man who fell asleep woke up and talked to me about his
struggles. He is unwell and is getting worse news every time he goes back to
the hospital. He then doesn’t want to go back and has a real fear with
hospitals. I talked about my same fear, and how God has come in every time I
have had to go. We prayed together.
I don’t think we sold a huge amount of coffee through-out my
morning there. But, God moved in so many lives. He reminded people who they are
and what He was doing in them. He showed people how much they are loved and
seen by Him.
I am about to go to Mozambique in November, and I am excited
for God to do the same there. I have seen God move anywhere I am in the world,
and I am learning the simplicity of it all. God wants to simply walk with you.
Even there your hand will lead me, and your right hand will lay hold of me. Psalm 139v10
I am learning that He wants me to have Him as the 'Go To'. To
choose His joy when it doesn’t make sense. To listen to His guidance with each
step. To have faith, even when it looks impossible through my eyes.
To know
that He rules and reigns in it all.
Look Ms Ruth, I spelt your name right! |
Thank you again for all your faithful prayers, kind emails
and messages cheering me on. You are all amazing!
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