For a year we prayed for the ministry to receive favor from Whole Foods to donate food to us. I am here to say God answers prayers. Whole Food’s called inviting us to begin picking up donations from their Columbus Circle location. Apparently, another donation company is not consistent in their pickups and as a result, a lot of left over food remained. With this situation, they asked us if we could use the food.

God is good and HE is worthy to be praised…

Psalm 22:26 “The poor shall eat and be satisfied”

Two of us from the Raven Ministry had the opportunity to travel back to Greece for a month in February. We had just recently returned from Greece with a larger team in October 2008. Upon our return, the Lord gave us an overwhelming burden to travel back to this nation to serve and be willing to be given to the work and the needs in Greece.

Prior to our departure, we were asked by the pastor in Greece if we could launch the Women’s Drug Program at the Center. Have we ever done this? No! But we were willing to say, “Here we are Lord take us and use us for Your purposes.”

This would be the first time ever in the nation of Greece to establish a Christian Drug Program for women. It was an honor for us to serve and be a part of this unique and challenging experience. The pastor is currently housing a men’s program at the Center which was established roughly about a year ago.

During our stay, we learned what it truly meant to lay our lives down — to serve and sacrifice without our own conditions, agendas or resources. We had to rely on Christ and Christ alone.

The Lord brought two women who came fresh off the streets that were bound to the vicious addiction of heroin and to a lifestyle of prostitution. In Greece, thousands have fallen prey to heroin addiction. Prostitution and heroin addiction is massive and consumes multitudes of women in the epicenter of Greece and abroad. Male prostitution is also prevalent and widespread in Greece.

It is evident that Satan has a hold on these heavily oppressed areas near the Center. No matter how thick this cloud of darkness looms, we know that the Lord is moving on many aching hearts that long to be set free from this tormenting and gripping way of life. We have witnessed that the ones who remain on the streets, Jesus is beginning to captivate their hearts and is drawing them to Himself.

It was exciting to see many familiar faces from the neighboring streets flow into the Center looking and longing to be released from the grip of the enemy. The scripture comes to mind, A broken spirit and a contrite heart He will not despise!! On ministry nights, we would drive in the ministry van down the street to a nearby plaza and invite street workers and addicts to come and hear a message at the Center. They would anxiously pile into the van and ride back with us yearning for spiritual food and prayer!!!20 One night a prostitute brought her client and he responded to the alter call and accepted Christ into his heart. He returned back to the Center again on a regular service night!

In addition to the Women’s Program and evangelizing, we counseled and held Bible studies with the Center as a whole. We also assisted with the weekly outreaches including the explosive Afghani Ministry community that was birthed last October. The Lord’s power is being unleashed in a mighty way through the Afghani ministry. This ministry was birthed when the October team applied face paints on a few children in the neighborhood. This drew the Afghani’s into the Center and within a week this ministry was born!! What began as an unexpected outreach to the neighborhood with mere face paintings, God had other plans and brought many. Another scripture comes to mind…..God will use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise!!!!

One evening I was across the street from the Center and the Lord showed me that He has this Center and the residents who reside there now in the palm of His Almighty Hand. As I looked up to the dimly lit windows of the Center, I knew and had a hope that there were precious lives inside this building that the Lord was restoring and that He indeed was mending the broken pieces of their lives back together. The Center is that city on top of the hill where many in Athens that are bound, hopeless and rejected can come, just as they are, and come to this place of refuge to find love, prayer, a Word or perhaps a blanket to keep them warm.

The Women’s Program was an unforgettable experience for the both of us. Together with these women we experienced tears, pain, withdrawals, joy and laughter and so much more. Through the passing days, we saw the character of Christ supernaturally develop in the two women addicts and in us as well. The two of us learned about characteristics that our carnal nature so easily wants to escape such as mercy, patience and longsuffering.

Our continued prayers for the Center is, for those who reside there now, their hearts will never grow cold or discouraged and that the Lord will continuously increase a hunger for righteousness and more than anything, that they will have a face to face encounter with the One and Only True and Living God.

Please pray for the nation of Greece and the Center that the Lord will continue to do a work and that lives will be forever changed and transformed by the power of Almighty God.

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. (John 6:35)

The Cross
His body, scattered and spread
His blood poured out

Who am I?
Who are you?
We are One, we are The Body of Christ.

None of His bones are broken.

A body works in tandem. It all functions together. You can’t have one part over here, separated and kinda doing its own thing (like if you cut off your hand, it’s not gonna function!).

Communion to me, means communion with Him, and also serves as a reminder of our daily communion with Him, but it also signifies a Promise to Him, perhaps even as it might have been unspoken at the Last Supper, to keep His commandments, and to join together with others and unite as One. It is as if we are continuing a Promise that the Disciples made during the First Communion at the Last Supper, saying we don’t know where You are going, Lord, but we trust You, we thank You for sharing with us, and we will continue to spread God’s Word and the Gospel, even after You are gone in the flesh, because we are One with You. We are Your body.

Thank You Lord!

Proverb 3 verses 5-8
Part 1 verses 5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart - fully - finally come to the understanding you cannot make it without Jesus period. Trust here means put your confidence and hope in Christ with all that is in you
With all your whole heart. Every part every area your total heart.

The heart- the center of man’s actions! Out of it flows the issues of life.
Jeremiah 17:9 the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it?

Jeremiah 31:33 I will put my laws in their inward parts and write it in their hearts.
Psalm 119 : 11 your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 51 create in me a clean heart oh God…..
All others trust need to be renounced forsaken repented of- break ties- relations with.

Lean not to your own understanding. Do not trust in your thoughts only Your Thinking our own thoughts your mind only or always your whole life.
Psalm 119:130 the entrance of your words gives light it gives understanding to the simple.

Proverb 2 - Out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding - meaning only by the word of God the bible the scriptures do we have true understanding
Ephesians1: 18 - The eyes of your understanding being enlightened understanding here means the mind. The eyes of your mind invaded with light and life -made to see- sight - enlightened

The natural man’s darkened mind will deceive him at times and the heart is desperately wicked our mind can be our worst enemy what we think about can actually help to destroy us our hearts and minds are working together what you think you will speak and will believe it over a period of time - this fallen world system feeds us erroneous info. and we embrace it if not replaced with the truth it will bring destruction, sickness, worry, fear, doubt.

So even through this little study we see we learn that our eyes have understanding the mind has understanding so many wonderful things to be shown -learned and to understand about ourselves and God by God but only found in His word revealed only by trusting His word….. so do not lean or trust your own understanding ever!!!

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths
Acknowledge To recognize the rights authority or status to take notice. To admit knowledge of / or agreement with give recognition to God ….power and authority and that He is God the only God. The Mighty God El Gibbor- GOD THE WARRIOR Isaiah 9:6

Psalm 16; 11 YOU WILL SHOW ME THE PATH OF LIFE.
Psalm 23:3 he leads me in paths of righteous for His name sake
Psalm 119: 105 your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

We (two members of the greece team) have continued to uphold, encourage and pray for Stella who is presently residing at the Mercy Center. We have learned from our short time here (1 wk so far) that patience is a key that unlocks mercy and grace to the addicted, helpless, wounded and desperately vulnerable. Stella has all these characteristics and has never been exposed to a normal life. As each day passes she is learning how to see the world with new eyes. A new birth has taken residence in the heart of Stella. Heavy loads are SLOWLY being removed from her previous lifestyle of drugs/heroin addiction and prostitution. Life is springing up little by little as she recovers from a past life of detriment. Can these dead bones live? Absolutely!! Please keep her in your prayers along with Raven.

The Afhgani community was here on Tues night, and it was an astounding experience. The growth of this newly birthed ministry has multiplied tremendously. At 7pm they desperately flocked together in a huge mass outside the iron doors waiting for the door to be unlocked. Women, men, children and youth (young men) push one another to make their way through. We have to let them in slowly to avoid any violent eruptions amongst themselves. Once everyone is safely inside the Center, the message is preached in Arabic to its entirety. The regulars listen intently with hungry hearts, and newcomers gather with a curious countenance on thier faces. The children (30 or more) squeeze into the small adjacent room. American Bible students from a neighboring college volunteer and are helping hands to the children’s ministry. That in itself is another ministry!

The Lord has provided an Arabic pastor to come on a weekly basis to preach. The following day the Afghani’s return to sift through clothing donations and diapers for the babies. They are predominantely rejected refugees and are very needy people. At one point we were surrounded by almost 20 women begging and pleading to us for clothing for their little ones. So many have given their lives to Christ. Words cannot express the joy in our hearts to see how the God of Israel has touched these Muslims who are learning who the true Savior is.

Please continue to pray that God will be glorified in the nation of Greece.

On Saturday December 6, 2008 I went to do some Christmas shopping at Walmart at Five Towns, NY.

After some time at the check out line I discovered my wallet was missing. $1550.00 in cash and credit cards was gone. My pocket had been picked.
After the initial shock I managed to call the police.

I told my wife that I was not just going to lie down and let the Devil take my stuff. I said I am putting the Devil on notice, he can not have my wallet. On the solid rock I stand because all other ground is sinking sand.

I PRAYED.
Father you said whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven. Also whatever I lose in heaven is loosed on the earth. I declare and command you Devil to return my wallet in the Name Of Jesus. Father I thank you that by the authority given to your children through your Son, Jesus Christ, I can expect the return of my wallet. I declare it so in the Name above all Names. Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord.

On January 10, 2009, I received a notice in the mail of a package to be picked up at the Post Office. When I arrived, a white envelope with out postage demanded payment before receipt. Since it was addressed to me I decided to pay the due postage. Upon my delight when I opened the envelope I found my wallet. Although the money was missing, all my credit cards, my job ID, and all other personals were there except one debit card. Praise the Lord, Our God answers prayer.

From Raven Member

In each situation and circumstance, we need to pray and stand upon the settled word of God. In every situation and trial we must overcome. By overcoming, we allow the resurrected, ascended, glorified and exalted Christ to have his rightful position in our hearts.

When we go through a trial or tribulation and fear overwhelms us, we try to think on the Lord but fear controls us. What do we do to overcome? The word of God is God’s will. When we pray the word by the spirit, we are praying God’s will back to him and there is plenty power in that.

Some books we recommend are those of Colossians, Ephesians, Philippians and 2 Timothy. These books are about the church and its calling. When we as Christians begin to prayerfully read the scriptures, we find the word begins to live and operate in our lives. What’s even more exciting, as we read and pray the word back to the Lord, our mind will be girded up.

As we pray the word of God, the breath of God begins to take hold of our heart and we begin to see the problem from God’s vantage point (The Throne). Our situation may not change but our thinking does and we will begin to see that he’s good and he’s in charge.

As we pray the word we will come up over any problem. Not only that, our mind would be re-newed and we would turn away from self and begin to pray for the needs of others. As we pray the word of God our sword is turned towards the enemy and we begin to do battle for God’s plan and God’s people.

The leader gave us a book in the January meeting entitled “Praying the word” I really recommend that you read it. From the book this is what I got as I read it. God bless.

Daniel 3:16-27

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, ” O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us out of thine hand, O King. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up.” Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was charged against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

And he commanded certain mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their hosen, their tunics, and their mantles, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste: he spake, and said unto his counsellors, “Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said unto the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the aspect of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace: he spake and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth out of the midst of the fire. And the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, that the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair on their head singed, neither were their hosen changed, nor had the smell of fire passed on them.

1 Peter 1:6-8

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: Whom not having seen ye love; on Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

The trial of your faith. A sailor can’t be a good sailor unless he passes through the storms. When the 3 Hebrew children faced death because of their faith, they went in willingly. As I read the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, I said to myself, if I was placed in that situation what I would have done? We as believers must stand strong for Christ no matter the problem.

The book Nor the Smell of Fire had four things that were the outcome of the trial.

1. The self destruction of the enemy.

The 3 Hebrew men made a choice in their hearts and said to the king that they would not bow down to any god other than the Most High. They didn’t compromise whatsoever in their walk with the Lord. If our lives are in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ, we don’t have to fear the fire (the trial or situation). He hasn’t given us a spirit of fear but of love, power and of a sound mind. Also, the very means that the enemy uses to bring about the fire would be consumed.

2. The loosing of Bonds.

King Nebuchadnezzer had the 3 young men bound (noticed bound) before they threw them into the fire. When the king looked into the furnace, he noticed they were no longer bound in the fire. The book states that the fire is ordained of God to loosen you from any bonds or strongholds in your life. Think about it, fire consumes and the Lord allows the enemy to turn up the heat with the purpose of loosing the bonds that are in our life. That is so awesome! What the enemy meant for evil God turns around for our benefit. As I read on, I thought about a glassblower who makes sculptures out of glass. In order for him to make the shape he needs to make, he places the glass in fire so it can be easily molded or mended into the shape of his choosing. That is how the Lord is with us. Each of us has a different shape and he uses the fire so we can be easliy molded and shaped into the image he wants us to be. He is the potter and we are the clay…

3. Closer fellowship with the Lord.

As the king looked into the fiery furnace, he saw four men loose, not three. He asked his servant if they threw in three men and the servant said yes. Then he replied saying, I am now seeing four men loose in the furnace with the fourth looking like the son of God. As I read this, I said ‘Wow Lord, you really are true to your word. You said you would never leave or forsake us and even in the midst of our trials and tribulations there you are with us.’ Saints, the Lord loves us and he will never leave us nor forsake us. As a result of the Lord being with us in the fire, we see a little bit more of Him or He reveals a little bit more of His nature to us (which is the friend that sticks closer than a brother). Faith increases in our hearts regarding Him (i.e. when future trials come, now we have the assurance that he would take us out of the next one) and we now have a testimony to share with others. We can say ‘I was in this situation or trial but I wasn’t alone. The lion of the tribe of Judah was there with me and he gave me the strength to endure.’

4. Nor the smell of fire, but Joy unspeakable.

When the 3 Hebrew men came out of the fire, not even the smell of smoke was on them. Wow not even the smell of smoke! That means that if they didn’t tell you, you wouldn’t even know that they were in the fire. As believers I ask you. Is there anyone reading this post who can say that they went through a trial, a tough situation or a serious challenge and no other believer would know it unless you told them? And even if you didn’t tell them they wouldn’t see that you are going through a tough trial but instead all they see is peace and joy? The enemy is a thief and my fellow believers don’t let the enemy rob you of your joy. Greater is he who is in you than he that is in the world. Jesus Christ is the prince of peace, by the enemy robbing you of your joy he is robbing you of your testimony in Christ Jesus.

Read the book “Nor the smell of fire” that the raven leader gave us in the January meeting. It’s the little blue book. God bless.

This past fall Oct. 2008, members of the Raven team participated in a missions trip to Athens, Greece. We worked alongside a Pastor at the Mercy Center a place of refuge for the lost and drug addicted that come off of the streets of Athens. Presently, those who are residing there now have been set free from heroin addiction and their lives are being transformed and restored by the power of Almighty God.

In the heart of Athens, the team ministered primarily to people that are enslaved to drug addiction, alcoholism, prostitution, homosexuality and homelessness. Our main target location was at a neighboring park called Omonia Square Park. This place is saturated with dark spiritual strongholds and is also a large demonic temptation for the youth of this area. Heroin is the choice drug and is used openly and without shame. Many confessed that they are tired, weary, and drained from their addictions. We prayed, embraced, and shared the love of Jesus with these young men and women whose hearts are crying and aching to be set free. We also performed a powerful drama that was supernaturally animated by the Holy Spirit. The drama demonstrated that they too can be freed from their bondage to sin and addiction.

To our amazement Athens is exploding with an ocean of immigrants from the surrounding countries that border Greece. We ministered in a heavily oppressed area with hundreds of refugees from across the world within a 3 block perimeter. The vast majority of these immigrants are Muslim and many are frantically seeking work. Because there are no job opportunities they resort to drugs, alcoholism, prostitution, drug sales and homelessness. Stealing and violence run rampant. We have never witnessed a mass of hopelessness in one location of this magnitude before. Many wander aimlessly looking for a way out but it is evident that they are bound and desperately seeking to fill that empty void in their hearts. As we ministered, we discovered that many were spiritually hungry and were open to knowing “Who is this Jesus?” Streams of poor and needy people anxiously stood in line to receive a sandwich and curious souls crowded together to hear the Gospel and testimonies.

A testimony birthed in Greece! One night we hosted a children’s outreach at the Mercy Center with face paintings and a children’s drama. To our surprise for the very first time, Afghani women and children began to pour into the Mercy Center. Initially the women were unapproachable and were hesitant to receive our warm welcomes. By the end of the night they were smiling and felt accepted and loved and in return they loved us back. We recently received a report that these women have returned with their husbands and an entire Afghani community is making the Mercy Center their place of worship! Multitudes have received Christ as their personal Savior and they are being nurtured and fed the Word of God! In addition, just recently, Athens erupted into massive violence and political protests fueled by anarchists. In the midst of what was one of the worst riots, 30 Afghani men and women raised their hands at the Mercy Center and accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts!

One night in Omonia Square Park, a team member shared about Jesus to three young Afghani men. They were very skeptical and claimed that they were Muslim. The team member invited them to come to the Mercy Center to the service and to hear us talk more about Jesus. The young men attended the service that following Tuesday! A seed was planted in their hearts that night as they listened to the message with open hearts. They received Bibles in the Farsi language and were ministered to after the service. The next time we saw them at the park they volunteered to pass out tracts with us and introduced us to the rest of their Afghani friends. They were beaming and open to receive prayers and it was a night of rejoicing for all of us.

Trader Joes

This year (2008) Trader Joes provided us with food to distribute among the homeless and the people in need in our church. We receive food from them twice a week and God has been good in that department.

Brooks Brothers

We have also received clothing from Brooks Brothers and they provided us with shirts, khaki pants and some undergarments.The Raven Ministry leader shared this with me; he said for the eight years he has been a leader, God has always provided for the ministry. He kept saying Jehovah Jireh my provider. I remember he once told me that God’s heart is for the poor and defenseless. As I saw the clothes and food that was given to us, it proved that God really is true to his word.

God called him to lead the Raven Ministry and he has provided the necessary tools for him to carry out his task. When I say tools I mean wisdom, discernment of spirit, patience, favor from the right people, etc.

What has God called you to do? Has he called you to sing in the choir? To witness at your workplace? Start a ministry? Help feed the homeless? If you don’t know, go before him, seek him, ask and wait. He said in his word, “Seek and ye shall find, knock and a door shall be opened.”

We would like to thank Brooks Brothers for the clothes donation and Trader Joes for the food donation. God bless you.