March 15th Prayer Update
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
I hope you are getting excited! Because our 3rd Annual Walkathon is right around the corner! We have a fantastic day planned so if you haven't registered, click that button!
Where: Lafayette Reservoir
When: Saturday, April 26th 8:30am - 11:00am
Who: Bring the whole family
What: Walk together around the Reservoir and enjoy hot coffee and breakfast
Why: This is our biggest annual fundraiser event. Funds from this event enable us to continue serving the homeless. Regardless of the amount raised, we always look forward to our day to fellowship together.
Our most recent outreach had our teams at North and Central Concord, Martinez, and Vallejo. We distributed a total of 19 Bibles and two booklets on Freedom from Addiction. We were blessed with an abundance of food for both our volunteers to enjoy for breakfast as well as many lunches to distribute. This enabled many gospel seeds to be scattered. It's our prayer that much fruit will be harvested for God's good pleasure.
Darryl approached on his bike and was receptive to receiving a Bible, specifically a small New Testament. He spent 27 years in prison and was doing well after his release until he lost his job, money, and ended up in his current homeless situation. We shared the gospel with him, emphasizing Jesus' power to break addiction. Darryl is struggling and claims to be eager to enter a program to combat his addiction. We provided him with a ‘freedom from addiction’ booklet. Please pray with us that he reads the material, enters a program and most especially that he will come to understand and accept the free gift of God's offer of salvation.
Our team spoke with Elane and Deborah near the AM/PM in North Concord. Elane unbelievably has 10 dogs she cares for. Despite the noise, we had a good talk with Elane. When asked she responded that she knew a bit about the Bible. and that she believes in God. We talked about sin and needing a savior. She listened carefully. We lovingly proclaimed the gospel giving her instruction on the need for repentance and the fact that belief in God is more than just saying a prayer. She took a Bible and we told her where to start reading. Sadly, one of the dogs bit a team member, causing a small wound that our nurse treated. Deborah was quiet but listened to everything and also took a Bible. Let's pray for these women.
Our team spoke with Mike, a 61-year-old former Marine, who claims to be a believer though he doesn't acknowledge that Jesus is God which is more in line with his past belief system. Mike was resistant to prayer and shared his view on stealing not being a sin. In addition, he spoke of being incarcerated in the past. He rolled a joint during the conversation. Time was spent gently correcting Mike's thinking and attempting to stress his need to follow God and His word. Please be in prayer with us that God would help him understand what is needed to be truly saved and that he would desire a relationship with the one true God.
Marissa accepted a Bible and a pair of reading glasses from our team after a long conversation with our volunteer Chip. She was very open about her life and shared that at one point attempted suicide. She prays to God and our team asked her what she understands from the Bible. Chip opened up John 3 with Marissa and directed her to the verses talking about being born again and explaining what that means. She was very appreciative. Her mom lives in a car nearby but didn't come out to talk to the team. We were thankful for her openness and pray for her salvation.
Last time we saw Jim, he told our team to keep our distance as he was struggling with long COVID. During this outreach, our team was able to have a longer conversation with him. He accepted a Bible admitting he is a skeptic. He talked with us about creation and that he believes "in science," and thinks the Bible contains a lot of contradictions. We are thankful for some progress made with Jim. Pray with us that he reads the Bible that was provided and that God would use that to reach his heart.
Please pray these individuals read the Bibles they received.
Daniel - took a Spanish language Bible
Marian
Randy
Roy - needed and received some medical attention
Jim - believes there are contradictions in the Bible
Heather - received a Bible, Clothes and prayer
Pacheco - got an eviction notice and is asking the Lord to provide shelter
Marissa - received a Bible and reading glasses,
Danielle
Rich
Elane
Darryl
Deborah
Jesus
Jose - received a Spanish language Bible
Ray
Pray for those who were friendly but declined Bibles.
Chovonni - after administering first aid two outreaches in a row, his arm has recovered
Larry - listened to the gospel
Jack - following up with the gospel from the previous outreach
Busy - a self-proclaimed Spiritualist
Billy
Daisy
Christy
Mike
Louis
Kelly - took a Freedom from Addiction booklet
Joe
Cheryl
Claude
John
Angie/Priscilla (she used both names) - listened to a gospel presentation. She was surprised to know about sin.
Jesus
Shawn - pray he follows through and goes to an addiction recovery program
Maya
Kareem
Rodger - our team are specifically praying he'll agree to a Bible study
Maria
Cathy
Pasha
Ray
Nacho
Pray for those who were closed to conversation, that God would soften their hearts before our next outreach.
Renelle - extremely hostile to the gospel
JOIN US!
Our Next Outreach is April 5th 2025
Please consider serving during a Saturday Outreach in one of the following ways:
1) Prepare Lunches
2) Evangelism at the Homeless Camps
3) Volunteer Breakfast
4) Cookies for Volunteers
Our ministry is a labor of love with the main purpose of providing gospel hope through practical means to the homeless. Thank you for serving alongside of us!
We continue to pray for those who might be able to contribute a small additional monthly gift of $25 or $50 a month to help with ongoing Hope680 expenses, including our ministry supplies, offices, and RV maintenance. We are trusting God to continue to provide through you!
FYI Our Executive Staff and Leaders (including Toby and all team leaders) are unpaid volunteers - all donations go 100% towards the running of Hope680, including administrative contractors, our facilities, and RV maintenance costs, as well as ministry supplies.