Ministry Report & Prayer Letter

September 2011

I Our Partnership with Other Churches

 Each month there are several churches volunteering their time and services to help the homeless population in west Montgomery. On Sept 11^th the Hope Hull Methodist Church was present and Pastor Reed Depace brought us a message from God’s word, a message from Romans. Then the youth put on a special presentation about the fruits of the spirit and the sins of the flesh. Their presentation also pointed the way to salvation through a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Dear people our building was full to capacity and after services they served a delicious meal and the time of fellowship was a true blessing.

Sunday afternoon the 18^th we were blessed with the presence of the Sav A Life ministry. Susan Bunce spoke to our people about their ministry and expressed a wish to counsel with the women in our houses on Alexander Street. She passed out brochures dealing with the subjects of abortion and sexual immorality, Friends sexual immorality is a serious problem and goes side by side with drug and alcohol addictions and runs rampant among our people. The idea of marriage is a dead subject among many of our clients; they see it as a trap not the blessing God intended. Being with one person for life is incomprehensible to them. It is our goal to show them and to teach them that their lifestyle of debauchery is not the way our Father intended us to live; it is nothing but pure sin that is and will continue to be detrimental to all facets of their lives.

Susan’s husband, Mike Bunce, spoke about his ministry House to House. Mike acquires old houses in west Montgomery, renovates them and makes them available to qualified applicants for around $20,000.00. There are more than 1000 houses in the neighborhoods surrounding us that have been abandoned and many are slated to be demolished by the city. Mike is doing a great work in repairing these houses and making them available for a reasonable price to many who otherwise would never own their own home. There was great interest shown and numerous questions.

On Wednesday the 21^st the Bridge of Life church paid us a visit, These people are faithful to come once a month and they always provide a delicious meal and dessert served by Pastor Matt Wagner and his son. The word of God is delivered and this night Jamie Bostic preached. This church has a genuine desire to provide aid and comfort to those less fortunate than themselves, just as our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to do in Matthew 22:39 “ The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ (New American Standard)

II Musical Inspiration

Mountain View Baptist Church of Wetumpka came on Thursday the 22^nd. They served pizza, a large variety and generous slices, salad and dessert with calls for seconds and thirds for any who wanted. No one went hungry. We were then treated to an inspirational musical presentation beautifully arranged and presented by their Minister of Music, Charlie Kuykendall. For forty Minutes we sang and praised our Lord Jesus Christ. Our souls were uplifted as we raised our voices in worship.

All of these churches are very important to our ministry and an enormous help in our ultimate goal which is spreading the word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank all of you. If you or your church or organization would like to participate please do not hesitate to call Pastor Rosato at 334-467-7688 or Mary Rosato at 334-467-7687.

 III SHELTER REPORT by TOM

My report probably seems redundant because it is basically the same every month, there’s not a lot new to report as the Lord continues His work in our facility. We have several men who are still struggling with their worldly inclinations but I see successes and praise the Lord for his mercy and grace to save us all. The Lord works in His time not ours but He is working in our shelter, and as more and more churches come in the men see that what they learn from us is true and not some fairy tale, for no one not in Christ, or an unbeliever is going to spend one millisecond worrying about the poor, and not one iota are they concerned about the homeless, whether they eat or have a roof and warm bed is not their concern. The men see that the people of Christ have these concerns in their hearts and are willing to sweat and give of themselves for their well-being and it makes an impression upon them. Please continue to come and do the Lord’s work in our facility.

Regretfully I have the sad duty to inform all that grant awards this year are way down so therefore also is our income. Please add to your prayer list: The Lord would see fit to put it in the hearts of the foundation boards to grant the requests Friendship has made so that we may continue the Lord’s work without having to consider cuts to any of our services.

We are in need of toiletries at the mission, we need such things as bars of soap (motel size is fine), body wash, shampoo, disposable razors, and deodorant, also socks and underwear would be welcome. We thank you for your generosity in keeping us in your hearts and donating these things when we need them. Your response is always awesome.

As always please continue to pray for: my wife Kim and myself as we work at the mission, Pastor Rosato and his wife Mary as they carry out the Lord's work, Will and Danette Foreman as she oversees the women and he works with our board, James Avant as he oversees the kitchen and the men working in same, Willie Russell, Sydney Walker, Kenneth Marshall. Ron Smith and Jeffery Boykin our night supervisors, Michael Mann as he maintains our building, Harold Hughes and Edgar Steele as they drive for the mission, and please pray for the women in the houses as they need much. Thank all of you for your prayers and donations freely given and gratefully accepted.

IV The Elderly Need our Help

Dear people, there are many people hungry in Montgomery and unfortunately many of them are elderly. Take the case of Sara Butler a 72 year old lady we are helping. Every month after paying rent, utilities, and prescriptions there is hardly anything left for food. Friendship does the best we can to help. Some of the poorest people we get calls from are the elderly. We try to provide what we can. Would you like to help Sara or some other elderly person? Call me at334-467-7688. Thank you and God bless you and yours.