C.S. Lewis says, “To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
This Week’s Highlights:
*Hotel Manager Opens Door to Healing Team – see Pastor Thomas
*Hot Chocolate Handouts Lead to Prayer Opportunities – see Michelle
*Bible Students Get Introduced to Street Ministry – see Gaylene
Twenty-five Deliverers of Peace came out this Thursday including 5 Providence College Students and 7 Eston Bible College Students. Teams went to Seven Oaks Hospital, Main Street, Siloam, Quest Inn, Kensington Mall, and Portage Place.
When I arrived at Portage Place several regulars were waiting to talk to me – here is a couple of highlights. Homeless Edna, who gets a bed every night at Salvation Army, has been told she can no longer stay there, as she has been staying there for 2 years, and that is the maximum stay allowed. She had the option of moving to a Manitoba Housing suite but turned it down because it was on the 15th floor and she didn’t want to be any higher than the 7th floor. We encouraged her to take what she could get before she has to sleep on the streets. We prayed a blessing of provision for her. Looking toward God’s love providing for her.
Alex stopped by to thank us for praying for his friend Kansas (who used to be a regular at Portage Place). She is waiting for surgery to repair damage to her abdomen that was caused by knife wounds. He said she is gaining strength and should have the surgery soon. He also said she is no longer homeless. An Aboriginal Agency has provided her with a very nice suite and has provided her with furniture, clothing, and food. He also is no longer homeless and has a place to live. As he left he said to keep praying it is working.
Pastor Thomas’ Report:
Tonight I went on our outreach with Quinton, a student from Eston Bible College and two students from Providence Bible College, Erin and Sean. We went to the Quest Inn where we prayed for a lot of people including a woman named Canina from Oxford House who had blindness and could hardly see. After laying hands on her eyes and praying a few times she could see much better and could see colours that she couldn’t before. We then prayed for her friend Florence who needed emotional inner healing so we prophesied destiny over her life. We also met Claire who was from Norway House who had pain in her knees. The team prayed and when she checked for the pain it was all gone. At that time we were met by Pastor Mathew from Cross Lake who asked us to pray for his wife Hilda who had just finished chemo for colon cancer. After prayer, she was overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. Then Pastor Mathew took us around to others and asked us to pray for them. He also introduced us to the Hotel Manager who opened the door for me to go and pray for people any time I want. As we were leaving Erin saw a young girl named Laurel who wanted prayer for her newborn baby who needs to be fed by a feeding tube. She looked so sad but had a smile on her face after prayer. It was a very busy night.
Michelle’s Report:
Ed, Gerald, Audrey and I first went to Main Street. Ed came with hot chocolate to bless the people. Unfortunately, there weren’t many people out as the weather was frosty. After 20-30 minutes of very few encounters off, we went to Siloam Mission. Audrey and I were able to pray for Kevin who had several ribs broken his pain was a 10. We prayed a few times and his pain decreased to a six. Kevin was appreciative of the prayer. I was able to pray for a young woman named Ashley with back pain. Her pain was totally gone after the second prayer. Audrey had a kit of ladies toiletries and gave it to Ashley. Gerald and Ed were busy passing out cups of hot chocolate and talking with many individuals. Our group prayed for some who wanted protection and others that they could find housing and get off the streets. All in all our group felt like we made a difference.
Gaylene’s Report:
I was paired with Anastasia and Brennan from Eston Bible College. They had never done Street Ministry or been to Portage Place or downtown Winnipeg so I gave them a bit of a tour of the area and showed them what a typical Thursday night of ministry looks like.
We started in the food court and immediately ran into Mario from Garden Hill. He was heartbroken because his wife and mother of his eight boys left him for another man. He described himself as a backslider so we prayed for him and his wife. We also spent a little while exhorting him about his faith and we encouraged him to turn back to Jesus, which he quickly did. He’s staying with family near Polo Park so I suggested a nearby church and he wrote down all the details.
Al gave us a box of hand knit scarves, hats, slippers, and leg warmers to give out. We met several women who were grateful for them on a cold night, but only a few wanted prayer.
At the piano where Chelsea and Emily from Eston were leading worship, we ran into Milly, who described herself as Lukas’ girlfriend (he is the homeless piano playing evangelist). She has a whole slew of family issues and we prayed for her and she took a scarf and hat.
In the upper level, we ran into Kevin who was limping, which he said were after-effects from a stroke, and he was happy and grateful to receive prayer. A strong Christian, he believed God would completely heal him so we just partnered with that desire.
I then took Anastasia and Brennan to the abortion clinic on the skywalk between Portage Place and MTS Centre and we prayed over the entrance. They both felt the Presence of God powerfully when we prayed and we are believing He will encounter women when they go for an abortion today.
The last person we met was on the skywalk to the library. Alexander was a street musician from Martinique who plays ska/reggae on guitar. He was not open to prayer, but we talked to him for some time. Anastasia engaged him about music and his culture, and she ended up giving him a prophetic word which he seemed grateful for.