There is a strong Mennonite community near our new ministry with Lifeway Haven. They have their own church and school. Sunday, we visited their service and ate lunch in one of their homes. The men have done work in our facility. The women are volunteering for Bible Study, cooking, sewing, and quilting. We are hoping for some gardening from them also.
Our directors have been 20 yr. in this area and live next door to some of the Mennonite people. They are VERY community oriented and helpers. They are a wonderful, humble people who we are finding to be true lovers of God. Some of them do go into the prison units and minister in a program known as Bridges For Life. We are excited to be going to the graduation in the unit near us this Thursday.
As we sat in the service Sunday, I could not help but feel the smile on God's face. Coach sat
with the men on the right and I tucked into my pew on the left. The ladies all had their white caps on and long dresses. The men, mostly with beards, had long sleeve shirts and ironed slacks on. We came simple, but in our usual dress. They accepted us with GREAT joy! We had a real home cooked meal with such gracious hospitality in the assigned person's home for guest. As the service ended, they gathered around us asking what they can do to be a part of the new ministry! There we were, the Body of Christ, coming together for the burden on the Lord's heart. They came the next day for tours and dinner with us. We laughed at our stories of salvation, honeymoons, marriage, and whatever came our way. Such a delight. We have found some precious people, set apart for God with all their hearts. It will take us all to do the work set before us. Some are hands, others the eyes, or the head. We each have an assignment and purpose. The Mennonite community do drive cars and use our modern technology, but many of their traditions and habits are molded by their Amish relatives. We are neighbors with them, and it seems, they are ready to work beside us to open this transitional home for our ladies coming out of prison. We need their man-power, skills, and knowledge for basic, economical, and life skills to enrich these ladies.
We NEVER can know the plans of God or the Gideon team He will put together. We welcome our new Mennonite brothers and sisters as we labor in the field God has provided at Lifeway Haven.
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