five loaves and two fishes

He was washing his jeans in the gutter right next to where we held outreach.

Colleen was getting a language lesson 

Today was the first day of outreaches for the Times Square Church team.  It was an amazing day full of so many miracles and plain ol’ rock your face off awesomeness!  These ladies have proven themselves to be so committed, so sweet and so available to what ever the Lord would have for them!

Seun was teaching the kids how to sing a song. 

Some kids we saw this afternoon.

Autumn and Titus....friends for life

One miracle that deserves mentioning happened tonight.  We went out to feed 30 kids hot food tonight and up walked 65!!!!!!  SIXTY FIVE KIDS SHOWED UP!!!!!!!!!!!  I quickly ran around to everyone and said PRAY FOR A FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES MIRACLE!!!!!  You  must understand something…..just this past Wednesday, at the regularly scheduled outreach we went prepared to feed 30 to 40 kids.  We feed 35 and there was not a drop of food left. 

Tonight, we brought the same exact amount of food.  AND THERE WAS SOME LEFT AFTER FEEDING 65 KIDS MORE THAN ENOUGH FOOD EACH!!!!!!!!!  My camera battery was dead and we were in the middle of our customary power cuts at the moment, or I would have taken a photo of the event.  

IT WAS ROCK YOUR FACE OFF AWESOME!!!!!!!!!  

After everyone had eaten one of the ladies on the team who is a nurse took Jacob into the van and cleaned his feet and bandaged him up.  Jacob has a terrible fungal infection that is causing horrible pain.  So, Jackie took what she knows to do and poured into the boys life.  To me, it was such a beautiful example of the love and tenderness Jesus has for us.  She was so sweet, so gentle and so loving.  It was beautiful to watch.   Jacobs needs were ministered to, not only on a physical level, but also on a spiritual and emotional level as well.  

Please pray for these ladies as they continue to pour out and serve these precious kids.  Please pray that God would continue to direct our steps and guide us while they are here.  Pray for divine protection, wisdom and unity.  Pray that they enjoy themselves, enjoy one another and that they walk away from their time here carrying the burden for these precious kids on the streets back to their homes.

ROCK ON!!!! 

If you are interested in giving to us here in Zambia you can go to tscnyc.org and click on GIVE and follow the menu prompts to MORALES FAMILY / ZAMBIA 

musings on being a missionary

My head is spinning from the events of June and July.  It has been a whirlwind of goodbyes and hellos. 

Many of our friends and our kids friends have left Zambia.  The community here is very transient.  So, most likely you are going to have someone in your life for around 2 to 3 years and then they move onto a different job in a different country.  Much of June, being that it was the end of the school year, was spent in saying bye to those folks.  

Then in July we went to America.  That was a whirlwind in itself.  Loads of HELLOS!!!  Which was really great.  It is always good to go back and see our families and friends that we have known for so long!  My girls built some pretty special memories with their Nana and Papa and aunts, uncles and cousins.  That was pretty groovy.  Then just a few short weeks later it was a whirl wind again of goodbyes and tears and sadness. 

Now we are back in Zambia and trying to catch our breath.   I have spent my first week staring at the wall and drooling on myself simply attempting to process it all.  

I don’t think before now I have felt split between two worlds as I do now.  Being home was great, but where do we fit now?  Kids grow, friends have life experiences that have had nothing to do with you that have changed them.  I have had life experiences that have had nothing to do with them and have changed me.  How do we make those two perspective mesh?  Being here is great but where do we fit with all the goings and comings that seem to happen on a week to week basis.   It is hard to gain a sense of consistency and stability living in a world like this one.  It is part of it though and we have chosen to accept it.  Does it make it easier?  No, it is hard, but it is the life God has called us to and we trust Him daily for the ability to walk with joy in our hearts. 

On top of feeling like a wandering Jew in the desert, Zambia is experiencing crippling power shortages.  The water levels at the Kariba Dam where the power is generated is now at dangerously low levels due to the fact the rainy seasons for the past few years have been relatively dry.   Everyones power gets cut off for about 10 hours daily.  The ripple effect this is causing has the potential to be catastrophic to the entire country.  Small businesses are being badly effected, especially those in the food industry and hair salons.  Our friends had to shut down their small chicken farm, diary farmers are suffering as well.  How do they keep the milk cool?  The availability of propane gas to use for camp stoves and the like is either unavailable or the quantities are being brought in such small amounts, there isn’t enough to go around to meet the demand.  More and more folks have to resort to using charcoal that is locally made using the countries forests.   The hot season is coming quickly.  It September and October and parts of November the temperature reaches record breaking highs.  It is not unusual to have days where it is 115 to 125 degrees.  Our concern for that time is that tempers will start to rise when folks can’t cool themselves down and we might see some real issues then.  Rumor has it that by November the entire country will be in a total black out.  

You get the picture…..It is BAD!  

Please pray for Zambia.  We are in a situation where we have no choice but to trust God for EVERYTHING!   Pray that our faith doesn’t waver and that we can be the light of Jesus in a very trying and testing time for everyone.  

Would you also pray for our family?   Pray that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Pray that we grow closer together as a family through this and that our girls will learn to call on Jesus in their heartache and pain.  I want them to learn about the beauty of Jesus in the valley.  

Would you pray for Streetwise?  I will write more on that at a later time,  But please pray that we right behind the cross of Jesus in everything that we set our hands to.  

If you are interesting in giving you can to to tscnyc.org, click on GIVE and follow the prompts to MORALES FAMILY / ZAMBIA .  Thank you SO much!!!  

Morales Family Update: June 2015

reclaimed "wood"

We take old yucky wood that is meant to be thrown away and we  turn it into something awesome.   Sometimes I find wood in a  discarded pile on the side of a construction site.  Much to my husbands consternation at times I climb said work pile and I pick through it until I find a piece of wood that may speak to me… “You  shall be a giraffe!” or “Thou shalt become a WELCOME SIGN!!!”     And then it makes its way back to our work space and we create something awesome with it…….  

THEN IT STRUCK ME AS I WAS WALKING TO WORK TODAY!!!!!!!!!  

This is EXACTLY what God is doing through Streetwise with the homeless children of Lusaka.  I honestly never saw the parallel before!!!!!!  

When you talk to these guys you learn that there is a thread through each of their stories.  No one wants them!  They have been rejected by their families, abused and neglected in ways that will make your head hurt and your heart bleed.   Because they live little better than animals, society treats them as such.  They are berated, beaten, and cast aside by those who are capable to provide some help.   I myself have witnessed this happening.  These precious children KNOW rejection.  They feel it deeply.  It is a tangible experience for them.  Imagine being told by your own mother “If you weren’t born your father wouldn’t have left, it is all your fault”  And then having that same woman trying to kill you for that reason. 

These precious girls and boys, in societies eyes, are the discarded pieces of wood no ones wants.  God has called us to go pick them out of the heap and help them to understand that they are precious and beautiful in God’s eyes.  That they aren’t forgotten, that they aren’t mistakes and that their lives have value, meaning and purpose.  

The word of God is very very clear on this point! 

Psalm 139 states this:

For you created my inmost being!  You knit me together in my  mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made!  Your works are wonderful I know that full well!  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts O God!  How vast is the sum of them. Were I to count them they would outnumber the grains of the sand.en I am wake I  When I am wake I am still with you!    

Many of you have come around this whole project and have given time and resources to help reach these guys.  THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We have been able to take kids like Fabian to the hospital to receive serious medical attention.  We are able to house and feed Fabian and Joe now.  Because of Streetwise Fabian has decided to come off the streets and live under Joe’s authority and work with Streetwise getting rehab and skills training.  YOU GUYS ARE PART OF THAT MIRACLE!!!!!   Everyday I see a bit of an improvement with him.  Right now I am teaching him how to read and Luis is teaching him the finer points of sanding and painting.  He is simply enjoying feeling safe and cared for.   

How can you pray for Streetwise? 

1.  Pray for Fabian!!!  Pray that he stays the course and allows God to do all He needs to do!  Pray that Fabians mind is healed from all he has experienced on the streets and that we can find his family and help in the reconciliation process.

2.  Pray for unity, wisdom and direction for Luis, myself and Joe (our full time worker).   I will write again about all that God is doing with Joe.  IT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!  But as of now, our full time staff consists of the three of us.  

3.  Pray for the resources………specifically…..a work vehicle!  And the rent money to cover costs on the center and Joe’s rent and salary.  (if you wants specifics on that let me know and I can send you information)

4.  Pray for our family!!!  Pray for my children!  Amira, Hannah and Brooklyn.  

BTW!!!!!!!!!!  We will be in NJ and NYC for the month of July!  WHO WANTS TO HANG OUT!? 

If you would like to give financially to Streetwise please go to tscnyc.org, click GIVE and follow the prompts to MISSIONS / MORALES FAMILY 

His shoulders are broad enough!

I have just had a wonderful time with the Lord! 

The past 2 weeks have been in a word….AWEFUL!!!!!!!! 

While Streetwise is progressing and moving forward at break neck speeds, on a personal level I have battled confusion and frustration like never before.  I have at times felt the icy breath of bitterness down my neck and whispering in my ear.  It has been a battle folks!!!!!!!  

My prayers have consisted of 

“GOD WHAT ARE WE DOING!?” 

“LORD ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING!?”

“GOD DON’T LET BITTERNESS TAKE HOLD!!!!!!!!!  PLEASE FIGHT FOR ME!!!!”

“God!  Please let all this make sense!’

“Lord, I know in my heart that your word in true, please remind my brain of that!”

I have attempted to read my bible only to have the words swim before my eyes, not able to make sense of any of it.  

Confusion the likes of which I have never known. 

I have just had a rare moment alone….no one in the house but me and Jesus.  So, I got on my face and cried out! 

“Lord I won’t let go until you speak!  I know you hear me!” 

THEN! Psalm 91 came up!  

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High WILL REST in the shadow of the Almighty!” 

I haven’t been dwelling in the shelter of the Most High!  I had to repent!  I have been dwelling in my own abilities and work.  Things at Streetwise have begun to move SO FAST that I have become consumed with Streetwise and not with Jesus!  

In Jesus there is no confusion!  In Jesus there is no frustrations that can’t be solved, there is no inabilities that can’t be met with the His strength and grace and wisdom! 

If he is the same yesterday, today and forever, the same God who raised HIMSELF from the dead, who raised Lazarus from the dead, who healed the lepers and fed the 5,000 starting with barely a mouth full……can’t he meet us today with all the provisions that we need?  Spiritually, Mentally, Physically?

I don’t know where you are at, what you are going through or if you even know Jesus.  All I can is this……He is the answer!  I am no bible scholar, no intellectual by any means, but all I know is this…..I cried out just 1 hour ago in desperation and tears and Jesus met me!  I KNOW Jesus has met me and I am hidden under the shadow of His wings!  You can’t argue a changed and peaceful heart!  

Let Jesus shoulder the loads you were never meant to carry!  

turning corners

Streetwise is turning a corner this week!!!!  

Remember Joe?  

Not the best photo of Joe but I wanted you to see him on an outreach

WELL!!!!!!!!!!!  He is coming this week to work full time with us!  YEAH!  We are VERY VERY excited!!!  He has completed the Teen Challenge program and has shown himself to be very faithful and all around rock your face off awesome!   His heart is to be on the streets doing outreach and Streetwise offers that venue for him.   Our dream has been to see outreaches happening every day and for them to be in the hands of the locals.  SO, Joe coming on board is an answer to lots of prayers…..the proverbial “kill two birds with one stone” scenario!  

His job is going to be two fold…..

First of all he is going to be given the authority of the outreaches under our direction.   We will be there to give direction and support as needed.  

Secondly, as the need arises boys will live with Joe.  Case in point, last week Fabian needed to to to the clinic to have 11 teeth pulled. 

As we had no other place to put him, Fabian has been sleeping on the floor of the Streetwise Center, not ideal, but better than where he was.  So, Joe will help give care and guidance in situations like that.  Should a boy want to come under streetwise as a student, he will live with Joe for a period of 6 months, sort of like a Teen Challenge-esque situation.  

How can you be a part of the exciting events unfolding in Streetwise?   You can be on the team even if you can’t get on a plane and get your bootie over here!  

PRAYER!!!!!!!  I say it often and and I will say it always!  A mission can only be as effective as those who are praying!  This is serious warfare and these kids have been institutionalized into the life of the streets.  Their comfort level is the insanity.  Who will commit to pray?  

FINANCES………It costs money to run a ministry.   Will you consider allowing God to stretch your faith a bit by committing a certain amount a month?   The finances given help us to live here, help us to feed the kids on the street, help pay for the rent on the center, help pay for the rent on Joe’s house and his salary, plus it also helps to pay for a kid to get through the program. 

YOUR TIME!!!!!  We need bodies!!!!  YOU GUYS!!!  There is SO MUCH WORK to be done!!!   We strongly believe that by being consistent in their lives and showing up when we promise we will be there will speak volumes of the love of God and will also begin to build bridges of trust between them and God.    I know there is a short term team coming in August……maybe consider making a trip?  I am a good cook!!  My mother taught me well! 

AND FINALLY!!!

PRAYER!!!!!!!! 

YOU GUYS ROCK MY WORLD AND EVERYTHING IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you are interested in giving financially to Streetwise Outreach go to tscnyc.org and click on donate.  Follow the directions to missions and select MORALES FAMILY / ZAMBIA.  

highs and lows

As I sit here trying to find words to express what is in my heart I am finding myself oppressed with a severe case of writers block .

HOW do I put it all down on paper!?  

I have experienced extreme highs and lows in the past six weeks since we have opened the center.   

The high of moving forward in the ministry.  The high of knowing that we are in the center of God’s will and doing EXACTLY what we are supposed to be doing.  You know that high?  Kinda makes one feel invincible.  

AND the lows…..the lows of reality that we can’t reach everyone.  The low of reality that not everyone wants the help we offer.  That we can extend ourselves and sacrifice until we are blue in the flipping face and still it will at times get thrown back into our faces.  Deals with the invincible feelings, thats for sure! 

THEN!!!!!  The high again!!!!  This time the high of the reality that none of this has A DARN TOOTIN THING to do with me!  The reality of the high that Jesus won the victory on the cross and that the work we do in Streetwise is all about Jesus!!!  It actually has nothing to do with the Morales Family Clan or even the precious homeless babies of Lusaka.  IT IS ALL JESUS YOU GUYS!!!!  It is all about the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf on the cross, NOT about the “sacrifice” I make by living in Africa.  That doesn’t impress Him one bit!!!  What he wants is a broken spirit and a contrite heart.  The work of Streetwise Outreach and Craft Co is simply an overflow of the abundance of grace and mercy that has been poured into my own undeserving heart. 

It takes the pressure off!!!  The pressure of thinking that it is our responsibility to get these kids into heaven, the pressure and burden of seeing that kids who have never been given a fighting chance in life are given one….the list is endless…….

Those pressures belong to Jesus!  My responsibility is to make sure they know they have a choice, that they have the information in their hands to make the choice to follow Christ.   

All I have to do is walk in obedience everyday to what Jesus has called me to.  The rest is up to Him! 

If you are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted today, I pray that these words encourage you today and lift the burden of pressure from your shoulders.  Rest in Jesus!!  Let Him carry the burden for you!  Let him take the load of responsibility!  

WOW!!!  Look at that!  I think I was freed from my writers block!  YEAH!