Reconciliation Resource

Ministries

Summer 2007 Newsletter Update Scott Reese, Director.www.christcares.org 223 W. Memorial Drive,-

Mission possible…

Our last newsletter began with, “WE NEEDHELP! MISSION POSSIBLE – HELP SCOTT & HISFAMILY”. Well I guess Lisa has a much betterand more direct way with words… the Lordused this to touch many hearts and we havebeen overwhelmed by the response.In the midst of a very difficult time, we haveseen God move in a powerful way. Thank youfor your willingness to be an instrument ofGod’s love! I didn’t see a way out, and wasout of strength, but God had other plans.Matthew 19:26… “with men this isimpossible, but with God ALL THINGS AREPOSSIBLE.”Members of First Reformed Church of Lansingcame to our house and prayed for us. Theythen sent us on a much needed vacation andtook a special offering for us. They alsosecured the help of Living Springs CommunityChurch, Crete Church, and Grace Reformedto completely redo the outside of our house:a new roof, siding, and windows! We hadwater leaks, windows that didn’t open,decaying wood, drafts, etc. We standamazed at God’s goodness and words are justnot adequate to express our thanks…Rich Van Til, Debbie Liccar, and MarciaTamminga got together and planned a fundraising banquet for us, celebrating my 30years of Urban Ministry. June 8, 2007 wasone of the most amazing days of my life!Over time, I had withdrawn and felt quitealone… I was amazed that 240 people came!We had a wonderful night of testimonies andfellowship. Enough funds were raised to keepthe doors of our ministry open, to allow forsome back salary due, and to meet someother pressing financial needs. To all of youwho came and participated – thank you somuch!!! You encouraged and helped us morethan you can imagine

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!!! Others have blessed in various ways as well,and to

EVERYONE

that has helped us, all wecan say is thank you for your willingness tobe used of God! We are so profoundlygrateful to you for stepping in with your

love, care, prayers and actions

! It’s been along journey and you have helped begin therevitalizing process for me and my family ~

Health Update On Scott ~~~

I’m grateful to report that I am doing better~ My Thyroid doctor has ordered a brain MRIand a radioactive pill test, to test for thyroidand pituitary problems. They are quiteexpensive, and I will be taking these testsonce our health insurance deductible is met.My body temperature though low, is nolonger

dangerously low

. I have however, hada lot of weight gain in a very rapid period oftime, and thyroid medicine if necessaryshould address that.Thank the Lord the high-power scan I hadlast week, determined that that the spot onmy lung turned out to be scar tissue. As theinitial scan indicated a possible tumor, thatneeded to done before further thyroidtesting ~ and it did add another $1,900toward my $4,000 deductible <grin>!!Additionally, I’ve had one doctor say that Ihave Lyme’s disease, and another that hassaid no…therefore, further testing is needed.That being said, the out pouring of love hasreduced my stress and that has had such apositive effect in itself for me! I so

appreciate your prayers and concern…

Why is Scott sooooo Slow??

One other major issue that I haven’tdiscussed before is that I have adult ADD,(not the hyper part associated with children,but the distracted/disorganized aspects). Iwas previously able to compensate for theADD but believe that the health problems,particularly my thyroid, (Lyme’s?) as well asthe impact of Post Traumatic Stress hasreally reduced my ability to ‘get by’ like Iused to. I am in a constant battle to beorganized, uncluttered, (both in my brainand my life/ministry), prompt, etc. As manyof you know all too well, I appear scattered,run late, and my return phone calls leave alot to be desired! We have decided to seekprofessional ADD assistance. This is where anADD Specialist or Coach, who understandshow my brain is wired, teaches me newhabits to overcome or compensate for thisdisorder ~ a whole new way designed aroundthe ADD brain that will help me to beorganized, timely, caught up, etc., in a waythat will work. We want to address this, aswe are resolving my other health problems,to be sure we’ve done everything possible toturn this around. We’ve read up on this ~ aswell as sought out counsel ~ so:I wanted to ask that if any of you knowssomeone who specializes in this, to PLEASElet me know ~ I am praying for a personalrecommendation that I can trust to get thishelp, while Lisa is investigating sources viaassociations and the Internet. Thank you!!!

“Taste of Reconciliation” ~Next Sunday, August 5

Please help us spread the word, inviteyour family and friends, because I dohope to see you there!! Those who haveattended in the past can testify that Goduses this event to touch and changehearts in a powerful way.

I have enclosed a flier with thedetails: please call if you have anyquestions, or if you would like tobring some ethnic food or a culturalheritage booth.

This year we will be featuring a combinedmulticultural choir for those inChicagoland that love the Lord and alsolove to sing. Please, Please, Please helpme get the word out on this, (yes – I ambehind). I believe there is a multitude of people who would love this uniqueworship opportunity. There will be a brief practice the daybefore the “Taste of Reconciliation”:August 4

at Living Springs 9:30 a.m .:Free breakfast & fellowship. 10:30 –Practice.Hope to see you on the 5

, and PleaseCall With Any Questions!!

Back to School EvangelisticOutreaches

Please see the ENCLOSED FLIER fordetails ~ what to collect, dates, drop off,etc. ~ and on the reverse side is acalendar of upcoming events andactivities you should be aware of. Moredetails on these in the Fall Newsletter!

Prayer Requests

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Scott will be starting several NEWBasketball & Bible programs inSeptember!!

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Several homeless people requestedprayer Saturday. One of them, Maria,requested prayer for an angerproblem; (she had to flee her homebecause her daughter witnessed amurder and the killer’s familythreatened them.) She is also prayingfor a job and a new place to stay.

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Fred is a young man I’ve know formany years. He is now a faithful fatherof 6. He is hard working & is helping usfix up our home. We recently enrolledhim in a wonderful Carpentry Classsupported by Chicagoland PrisonOutreach, where he will become anapprentice, then a Certified Carpenter– AND, this program offers AWESOMEdaily Bible teaching!!! NOW WE AREPRAYING for his salvation – his heart is