Adventures in San Francisco

This past weekend Aaron and I went on an outreach trip to San Francisco with a few other students from the school of ministry. Our main focus was to partner with "City ministries international" (Bob Johnson, Bill Johnson's brother heads it up). We went on a "nightstrike" (outreach) Friday night shortly after getting there... basically just going out on the streets to hand out food to the homeless, roses to the working girls and pray for whoever wants prayer. It was a great night and I felt at "home" again- bringing back memories of my times on the streets in Vancouver. They have these "juice dispensers" that you wear on your back and it has a pump on one side and a dispenser on the other side. Aaron got to wear the contraption and was having way too much fun! I wish I had a picture of it to post... =)

On Saturday, City ministries organized a big event in a park for the homeless. There was food, clothing, prayer booths, a stage with music and dance teams, etc. It was quite the day and it was cool to see how it brought the church together... there were people from various local churches and churches from other cities, YWAM, Simpson College, our school, etc. There were people that got saved, healed and mostly LOVED by God's kids! We talked with a transvestite for quite a while who although has not changed her/his lifestyle is incredibly open to God and is attending a YWAM program in her neighborhood and being discipled! She had pain in her back due to some bulging disks and when we prayed for her the pain went away completely. Her friend had pain in her ankle and so she said to her, "let them pray for you... they prayed for me and my pain is gone." It was cool to see how as we prayed for the second lady that other homeless people that were around also layed their hands on her as we prayed! It was a powerful time and once again I was reminded of the fact that these are Jesus' friends... they're the ones that Jesus hung out with when he walked the earth.

An Attitude of Gratitude

Last night one of our pastors was talking about having an "Attitude of Gratitude". He was commenting on how so many passionate lovers of God that he's known burn out or become depressed and drop out of ministry. He said that if he looked at each one of their situations he could always trace it back to where they began to foster discontentment and they failed to be grateful for the things God was doing.

As I (Crystal) was hanging out at the prayer house this morning I began to think about the things that I am grateful for and there is SO MUCH! God is so good... our lives are amazing! Sometimes, on the day to day it may not seem like anything great, but when I sit down and actually think about it I realize how blessed I am! For one, I have the greatest husband in the world who passionately loves God and me! God has so abundantly taken care of all of our needs and we are in such an incredible environment at the school of ministry and learning so much every day! I am realizing more and more all the time how God's word is transforming my mind and causing me to think more like him and respond to situations and circumstances in a more godly and faith filled way. It's awesome. Then, on top of all of that there are the daily little (yet big things) that we take for granted all the time... like running water! We went a couple of days without water because our well pump was broken (yes, we have a well! Crazy, hey?) and let me tell you, I am THANKFUL for water. So, take some time out and think about the things you are thankful for... and LIVE with an attitude or gratitude each day. God's word is full of verses that encourage us to tell of all the wonderful things he's done for us... not only does it bless God, but it changes us when we focus on his goodness. Anyways, I hope you all are well! Stay in touch.