Hope680

We are so encouraged and thankful for our wonderful volunteers! We recently had zero sign-ups for bagged lunches during one of our outreaches, so we sent out an email to see if anyone would be willing to help provide. Within an hour, all sign-up slots (100 bagged lunches!) were filled! The Lord was so kind to provide so quickly through a number of you!! As you might imagine, it takes many volunteers to make our ministry effective each month, and we are so thankful for everyone who serves alongside us!

Our North Concord team had the opportunity to speak with Eric. Eric has some health problems, and has difficulty getting to the health clinic. He added that the health clinic often has lengthy wait times, which causes him great frustration. Eric became emotional and cried while our team read Galatians 5 and prayed for the Lord to help him with patience and perseverance. We explained that although we can't change the wait time at the clinic, the Lord is unchanging and can provide patience and comfort. We encouraged him to read the Bible we gave him. Please pray with us that Eric turns to the Lord for strength, in faith and repentance, and for Eric's health and protection.

Our Vallejo team had the opportunity to speak with Glen (shown). Glen has health problems and may only have several more months to live. Glen struggles with drug addiction, so we provided him with an addiction booklet, a Bible, food and supplies. Glen believes his good works are sufficient for his salvation. Due to his health prognosis, we felt an urgency to share the harsh truth of eternal separation from God in hell. We then shared the glorious Good News of the gospel with him; that God's gift of grace and salvation is free, and we encouraged him to turn toward the Lord in repentance and faith. Glen was emotional during our prayer with him. Please pray with us that the Lord gives Glen saving faith, draws him to repentance, and gives him an urgent desire to follow Christ, before it is too late.

Our Central Concord team also had the opportunity to speak with Angie (shown). We have known Angie for a few years, and she always engages in friendly discussion with us. Angie admitted that she struggles with the topic of repentance, and said she wasn't sure that she could "do that right now." We shared the gospel with her once again, and encouraged her to read her Bible. Please pray with us that she accepts our challenge to read a chapter in the book of John, and that the Lord would draw her to seek repentance for her sins.

Our Central Concord team had the opportunity to speak with Angel (shown). We've spoken with Angel on several occasions, and he believes his good works will be sufficient for salvation. We went through the Ten Commandments with Angel, and as we went through the list, he seemed to show signs of being convicted of his sin. We shared the gospel with Angel, and explained that our good works do not lead us to salvation. We prayed with him, and encouraged him to put his trust and faith in Jesus for salvation. Please pray with us that the Lord would give saving faith to Angel, and bring him to repentance.

Our Martinez team had the opportunity to speak with Krista (shown). Krista was familiar with the gospel and has a background with Christianity, but admitted her prayer life is essentially nonexistent. We were able to provide her with a Bible and reading glasses, along with food and other supplies. It was apparent that she suffers from mental health issues. Krista requested prayer for protection and housing. Please pray with us for the Lord to protect her in her current situation, to give her clarity of mind, and that she might truly have a desire to follow Christ.

Our Antioch team engaged in significant conversation with Jaime and Chino (shown). They recently served lengthy prison sentences together, and both have a good understanding of scripture. We shared the gospel with them and prayed with them. Chino and Jaime both recognize their need for repentance, and both admitted their use of ma*****na was a barrier to their faith. Chino told us while in prison and drug free, they felt a closeness to God that was profound. Chino and Jaime appreciated their interaction with us, having felt genuinely loved and cared for by our team. Please pray with us that the Lord draws Chino and Jaime to repentance. Pray that He would give them saving faith, and lead them to live their lives in obedience to Christ.

Our Vallejo team had the opportunity to speak with Desmond again. We are thankful for opportunities we've had to share the gospel with him on numerous occasions. Desmond enjoys knowing that he is trying to 'do good things,' but added that it is a struggle, as he is surrounded by people constantly encouraging him to do 'bad things.' He has lost touch with family and is seeking to restore those relationships. We encouraged Desmond to turn to Christ in faith and repentance, as our good works are not sufficient for salvation. Please pray with us that Desmond turns to the Lord in repentance and faith, and for him to seek sufficiency in Christ.

Our central Concord team engaged in an emotional conversation with Jen. We shared the gospel with her, and Jen admitted that she knows she is a sinner and she would be going to hell if she didn't turn to Christ in repentance and faith. While praying for her, Jen and our team members became emotional and cried. Jen explained that she didn't want to commit to repenting quite yet. Nevertheless, we encouraged her to reach out to the Lord in prayer. Please pray with us that the Lord would soften her heart, give her saving faith and that Jen would turn to Christ in repentance and faith.

Our north Concord team had the opportunity to speak with numerous people near the freeway. We were really encouraged when several of them asked for copies of Our Daily Bread devotionals, as they regularly read them! Our conversation with Terrance was fruitful. He said he is a Christian and regularly reads the devotionals. We gave him a Bible and provided him information for the Bay Area Rescue Mission; however, he has a dog and that is always a hurdle when trying to receive resources and support. Please pray with us that Terrance would receive housing assistance. We also pray that the rest of this group would continue to read through the devotionals given to them, and that the Lord would give them saving faith.