Ministry Opportunity – Urgent Request

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Folks,
 
First of all Kim and I want to express our deepest thanks and gratitude for your servants’ hearts!  We thank God for each one of you!
 
We have THREE main things to cover in this local Prodigal’s Home update… all three are important so please read the entire note.
 
Thing 1: Sunday, September 14
Kim and I are leaving town Thursday afternoon (9/11/08) returning on Sunday afternoon (9/14/08).  We’re heading up to the Mogollon Rim for some time together and some rest.  I believe we should work from a position of rest… not rest from our work.  The problem is I have not been following this advice very well over the last several months.  I ask for your prayers I may return to this posture.
 
We need to do some logistical planning for this week.  Each week there is a significant amount of preparation needed for Sunday morning.  Here’s what we need help with this week:
 
Beverages, Bananas & Lunches
·         Purchase 12 gallons whole milk
·         Purchase OJ concentrate for 12 gallons  of juice (we have the empty containers)
·         Purchase sack lunch supplies and make sack lunches (including transportation of lunches to El Gran Taco)
·         Purchase Gatorade and prepare using 5-gallon Igloo containers
·         Purchase 200 lbs of ice (40-Milk, 40-OJ, 60-Water, 20-Gatorade, 40-Evap Coolers)
·         Purchase 60 lbs of bananas
·         Pickup hygiene kits & socks (from our home)
·         Mike Kienzlen will bring water when he arrives but there is about 6-8 cases in the storage container now.
 
You’ll need to have a truck to pick up three large (165 qt) coolers and the four  5-gallon Igloos from our home by Wednesday (9/10/08).  We’ll provide the debit card to purchase these supplies.
 
Coffee
Pick up the coffee urns and 5-gallon beverage containers (4 each of the urns and beverage containers) along with the sugar, creamer, and stir sticks  from our house by Wednesday (9/10/08).
We’ll give you the details on how to complete all this in a timely manner but essentially you prepare the urns the night before… get up at 3:30 a.m. and plug them in… at 4:20 the first batch will complete brewing… by 4:45 you’ll have them into the beverage containers with the second batch ready to start.  By 5:30 a.m. the second batch is complete… it’ll take another 30 minutes to empty the urns, get them cleaned, and get the beverage containers into your vehicle.  Start the trip down to El Gran Taco by 6:00 a.m. so the guys doing setup can have some hot coffee (this is important!).
 
Setup
James Morgensen will coordinate the setup and teardown Sunday.  He’ll be at El Gran Taco at 6:00 a.m.  We normally have 4-5 people there by 6:00 or so to unload the storage container and prepare for the tent/tarps to be setup.  We need help with this…. There is a lot to the setup each week.  Where we have been having a few challenges is with teardown… It takes a minimum of 10 people to move the tent frames to the back lot at El Gran Taco.
 
Donuts
Coordinate with Justin Miller (623-256-9662 or Justin@JustinLMiller.com) on picking up donuts, pastries, and bagels from the Dunkin Donuts at 67th Ave & Beardsley on Saturday night. A big thanks to Justin Miller for making this  huge score at the Dunkin Donuts at 67th Ave & Beardsley.  This store just reopened and didn’t have any groups picking up the “day old” product.  Previously, Mike & Maureen Alianza were getting product from several different stores… now this one store is providing ALL we need.  What a gift!
 
 
THING 2: AFTER BURNER
One thing we don’t get to do very often is simply hang out with the folks called to serve in this ministry.  Beginning Sunday, September 21, and again every six weeks or so, we’ll meet after teardown inside El Gran Taco to share a meal, give updates on the ministry, discuss any “business”, and pray for the ministry, those we serve, and for each other.
 
As a note… all who serve are welcome to attend this gathering.  It is my intention to invite those who are living outdoors to be part of this gathering as well… folks like Dennis, Tom L., among others who regularly and consistently serve this community of faith.
 
 
THING 3: BREATHE
It’s some advice I should take myself.  But seriously, right at this moment take 5 seconds… close your eyes… inhale deeply… hold it for just a second… and then exhale.  Really… do this right now.  It’ll only take .0000578% of your day.  It’s easy to get caught up in the “busyness” of life.    It can also be difficult serving where so much pain and hopelessness exist.  Often we ask ourselves what God is calling us to do with our lives.  I think it may be as simply as what God says through one of the ancient prophets “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).  This is how I see Jesus living his life.
 
I have the great blessing of being able to simply sit and chat with folks on Sundays.  I hear so many who say they are so grateful for what is happening here on Sunday mornings.  They feel loved and cared for.  As you walk around with donuts or bananas or a burrito… or pour juice or milk… or hand out sack lunches or take the time to listen to people’s stories; know they are grateful for the love being shown them through your care and compassion.
 
And as you prepare to arrive in the morning or leave after the work of the day sit quietly for a moment and breathe.  Feel the Holy Spirit entering into you through your breathing and know the pleasure God takes in you.
 
 
Grace & Peace,
 
Mike
Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath.
 
Mike Ricker
cell: 602.478.2378
fax: 602.513.7093
e-mail: mikericker@cox.net
Skype: mike.ricker
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