Arthur and Sarah - Democratic Republic of Congo, Western Africa
Arthur and Sarah got married in April and in May their house burned to the ground.
Arthur was awake at 3am and heard a strange noise in the living room. What he found was a growing fire that blocked their escape through the front door. He grabbed a hammer, woke Sarah up, and broke through a window so they could escape the fire and smoke.
Once out on the street they watched their home, and all their possessions, except what they were wearing, be consumed by fire.
Arthur is my friend Flavian’s brother; they live in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Arthur and Sarah are staying with Flavien and his family while they try to raise money to rent another home and replace their necessities. In the DRC, like other African countries, landlords require at least 6 months’ rent in advance. It will cost Arthur $100 a month, $600 up front, to rent another home, which is inexpensive compared to United States home rental prices.
During our J3K Ambassadors weekly bible study last Friday, which Flavien attends faithfully, we were discussing John the Baptists comments to the crowd of people coming to be baptized. The crowds asked John what they should do to “bear fruits in keeping with repentance?” To which John responded, “the man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise (Luke 3:8, 10 & 11, NASB).” I love John’s response; he isn’t giving them some religious mumbo jumbo but practical ways to love God and their neighbors. Where, you might ask did John get these ideas? From God of course, when God defines what an acceptable fast is to include dividing “your bread with the hungry (Isaiah 58:7 NASB).”
Do you have two coats or enough food to share with another? Arthur and Sarah need about $2,000 to rent, furnish and supply a new home.
Can you help them with a $12 donation, or if married $24, 1% of the stimulus check you received last month? How much is that extra coat worth that you haven’t worn in months or years’? If I came to your door tomorrow asking you to help Arthur and Sarah with groceries, what’s the cash value of what you would share with them?
Can you imagine the joy and gratitude they will experience and the joy and contentment you will feel when they receive your help?
When you help people, like Arthur and Sarah, God says;
“Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness,
your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight.
I will always show you where to go.
I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places— firm muscles, strong bones.
You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry.
You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build a new,
rebuild the foundations from out of your past.
You’ll be known as those who can fix anything,
restore old ruins,
rebuild and renovate,
make the community livable again.”
Isaiah 58:8-12, The Message
When you click on the Give Now button choose J3 Khai Ministries and put "Arthur and Sarah" in the remarks section.
Weiss Words
Thanks’ to those who responded to my last newsletter about the rising food prices in Malawi. The Readson’s are grateful for your prayers and financial support.
Osman, in Sierra Leone, is rejoicing about being hired as an Assistant Accountant for the Government. He has worked hard for years, taking accounting classes and pursuing job opportunities. He is grateful for all the prayers, and school expense support, he has received. I encouraged him not to jump for joy inside because, being six feet seven inches tall, he might damage the ceiling.
Even though I am saddened by the recent police brutality’s, and riots, I am encouraged by everyone who continues to be mindful of their neighbor’s welfare and health. We are becoming stronger people as we preserver through this difficult season.
Our discipleship group, "J3K Ambassadors," meets every Friday from 8am to 10am EST using Zoom. We are working our way through the Gospel of Luke. Please join us as we pretend to be Theophilus (Theo) reading Lukes investigative account of Jesus' life written just for him. Send me an email, mjw1958@gmail.com, if you want to join us and I will share our Zoom link.
We'd love to know how you are doing, so please feel free to send Darlene an email at DLWeiss@me.com or Michael at MJW1958@gmail.com. You can also call/text Michael at 757-329-9753.Giving and Additional Resources
Giving
J3 Khai Ministries (J3K) is making a greater impact because of supporters like you. We are able to apply 100% of each donation to our mission of discipleship and spiritual coaching. Check out the various ways you can give below.
We receive donations through The Bridge Christian Fellowship.
To give online check the Yellow "GIVE NOW" Box above and select "J3 Khai Ministries" in the drop-down menu to make a recurring or one-time donation.
If you are designating your gift within J3K, to help the Readson's, Flavien, or Osman, please include that in the note section of your online donation or memo line of your check.
Please make your check out to The Bridge Christian Fellowship, include "J3K" in the memo line, and mail it to 1116 Hillwell Rd, Chesapeake VA, 23322.
For assistance making an online donation or viewing your giving history, please contact minerva@thebridgecf.org.
Ministries and Resources
Here are some of my favorite tools and ministries. I encourage you to check them out to deepen your spiritual walk and discipleship footprint. Click on the name to go to their webpage.
The Bridge Christian Fellowship
Disciplers International Sandals Church
Simon Sinek author of Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last and
The Infinite Game
Healthy Leaders by Malcolm Webber