Week 28, post 1: Radical Women?

I recently had a home visit with a woman in her 60s. At one point, I mentioned to her that I thought her community needed a women's prayer and Bible study group. Would she be willing to help start one? She nearly burst into tears; this is what she had been praying for/about for some time. It was a deep longing for her. Soon after I contacted two other women in this same community to see if they wanted to begin. They'd been thinking of it for some time. One promised to contact the first lady. Each knew one or two women who might want to participate.

In Missouri or Oklahoma or wherever, women gathering to study and pray is not all that common, but it is not so rare, either. Here down the bayou, it is very rare. It is radical. The group is still just an idea in gestation. But it looks like it might just fly. This could be a big deal. Please pray for these sisters.

The men of the community are coming close to getting their own group going, too. Big.

I believe I am following the example of Jesus. We of Bayou Grace are freely willing to bless individuals, families and communities however we can, with what we can. There are no conditions or strings attached. But it doesn't stop there. There are many people we encounter and serve who also have gifts to share. At least 50% of our work is to notice and call forth those gifts. Many of these people, battered by storms of a multitude of sorts, still have a lot to give. Part of our role is to be giving; part of our role is to be demanding -- as did/does our Lord.

One thing we very much need is to maintain efficient contact with volunteers who've been here and left -- an e-newsletter to them. Our little Bayou Grace staff is overwhelmed right now. Could someone help us? I've been told by many that it's a simple task -- but it escapes me! Let us know.

We also need volunteers who can sew -- curtains -- for houses for families rebuilding after the flood. Can you help?

Some of these volunteer jobs could maybe be done remote.

Peace, Warren