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!  

What does Streetwise need?

I decided to make a list of the specific needs Streetwise has.  We have been racking our brains about how to let people know what the needs are and how to get folks inspired to come on board.  THEN IT STRUCK ME!  DUH MYRANDA!!!!  Just lay it all out there and let folks decide!  So, I have compiled a brief list of ways people can get on board with Streetwise.  I would say that number one is the priority!  Doesn’t matter where you are, who you are or what has been or is going in your life.  You can get involved!  The bit that you can offer does make a difference!


PRAYER!!!!!  Like I have always said “A missionary is only as effective as those standing behind them in support”.  Who would commit to pray?  For us, for the work, for the boys? You make think  “All I can do is pray! Wish I could do more”  POOPIECOCK!!!!!  That is the biggest thing you can do! 

SPREAD THE WORD!!!!  How can you spread the word about Streetwise from where you are?  How can your church get involved?  Prayer groups?  Fund raisers?  Awareness campaigns?  Get the kids ministries involved by praying and teaching them about Zambia and the culture?  Loads of ways!!! 

PEOPLE!!!!  We need PEOPLE!   Our long term vision is to have outreaches going on everyday.  We believe that the strategy God has given us is relationship and consistency.  When we show up consistently and build relationship, the kids begin to trust and are willing to open their hearts to what God is wanting to say to them.   As the boys begin to come into the outreach center and learn the Streetwise Craft Co. project, we need folks.  One on One is the key!  We need folks to read to the kids.  We need folks to help bring lunch.  We need folks to help bring kids to the clinic as the need arises.

SOUP!!!  As it stands we bring food on Wednesday nights to the kids.  We feed anywhere from 30 to 50 kids a night.  Would you be able to cook soup?  We make 20 litres.  You can do that much, you can do 10, you can do 5. Doesn’t matter!  Any bit you can offer is awesome!  

SANDWICHES!!  We are beginning an outreach on Thursday mornings in town.  I would love to be able to bring sandwiches to them.  Pb&j?  Eggs?  Bananas and yogurt drinks?  

FINANCES!!!!!  I realize, that might be a bad word to some, but we need finances to run this.    Everyone can pray!  BUT, we understand that time is a precious commodity for folks.  There just isn’t enough hours in the day!  If you want to be a part of Streetwise, if you believe in the vision God has given us to reach the street kids of Lusaka, you can give financially.  “Where would it go?”  you ask…..

• the feeding program.  As of now we spend roughly 100 kwacha per week feeding 30 to 50 kids.  That figure includes the periodic purchase of charcoal, mealie, and paying Misozi for cooking the nshima (no small task!)
• Rent and food for the house where the boys are going to live who take part in the Streetwise Craft Co, center.  They will live there and get discipleship training as well as remedial skills help and job skills training.  We are looking at 1000 to 1500 a month depending on how many boys are there.  
• We need donations to set the house up!  We need beds, mattresses, towels, sheets, pots, pans, plates….etc.  
• Rent on the Streetwise Center, which is 4,000 kwacha per month.  
• Joe Chibanza is going to begin working with us full time.  He will be getting paid 600 kwacha a month.  As he will be living at the house his rent and food will be taken care of.  

Thanks for taking the time to read and consider Streetwise.  I think what I am driving at is this…..There is a way for everyone to get involved!  Something for everyone!  

ROCK ON!! and BE BLESSED!!!! 

If you would like to donate financially go to tscnyc.org and click on GIVE…follow the directions to MISSIONARIES and choose MORALES FAMILY / ZAMBIA

PLEASE PRAY FOR STREETWISE!

This was probably one of the toughest weeks Streetwise has faced to date. 

We lost our first student and it was a blow!  He was doing SO WELL!  Then, all of a sudden he came in angry and defensive and unwilling to hear us.  It was so awful.   

(A little praise report……I wanted so badly to say “LISTEN YOU LITTLE UNGRATEFUL NERD!!!!!  If you only knew what we have gone through to help you!!!!!”  But God, in his infinite grace and mercy kept my mouth shut! PRAISE THE LORD! )

It just so happened to be Wednesday, outreach day.  (of course!)  I wasn’t feeling very “outreachy” but thank God we walk by faith and not by sight!  

As some of you may remember me writing about Joe Chibanza.  He was saved from a life of 10 years on the streets and Jesus has RADICALLY transformed him!!!!!  

When Joe started at teen challenge 3 years ago.

Joe always comes on Wednesdays and stays the night with us so he can participate in the outreach and help out around the outreach center.  He has also started another outreach Thursday morning.  It was going on for a month before we knew about it.  He just wanders the city looking for pockets of kids to talk to.    

WELL!!!  Thursday morning dawned bright and beautiful and I woke up feeling beat up and completely defeated.  Luis was feeling the same way.  The first thought that entered my mind was “I don’t need all this mess!!  I just want a nice drama free office job and get my kids through to adulthood!”  In the middle of my mental tirade Joe said that he wanted to speak to us.  I will confess my thought was “NO LORD!!! PLEASE!!!!  I CAN’T HANDLE THIS AGAIN!!!”  

So, with a sigh and a determination to just get it over with we went and sat with Joe.

He opened his mouth and out came words straight from God’s heart.   He said that he had been up early praying for us and God told him to encourage us.  He saw that we were pretty discouraged.  Honestly, I don’t remember what he said specifically.  While he spoke I kept remembering him 3 years ago smelling like a distillery, barely able to hold his head up and comparing that image to this strong, healthy, capable, handsome, whole and set free young man sitting in my living room.  

Joe, leading an outreach about a month ago

I did my best not to ugly cry all over the place.  Zambians don’t take well to public displays of emotion.  

God told me in that moment “Just keep pressing forward.  Never give up! (cue Ben Crandall voice for all you TSC’rs reading this)”

THEN!  The team from the Thursday morning outreach came in and gave their update.  You guys my heart was full!  Eva told us how a boy pulled her aside to thank her for the food we brought the night before!  Alex told how a boy was so thrilled that he remembered his name!  Moses!  He said his little face lit up with such joy that he was remembered.  All day God just kept bringing little treasures to find along the path that pushed us forward. 

My conclusion is this!  WE NEED YOU!!!!  We need prayer!!!   This isn't easy what God has asked of us.   These precious boys have issues and needs that are way beyond us!  We need prayer!!!!  We need you to help stand in the gap for the lives of these precious babies!!   The word of God is clear on this point........"I am  fearfully and wonderfully well and that my soul knows VERY well!"   I pray that verse over my own children and the lives of the kids on the streets all the time!  They are fearfully and wonderfully made and the Devil has done his level best to convince them otherwise.  

Would you pray for Jason?  He is the student that booked out on us last week.  PLEASE pray that his heart is open to hear the voice of God!  Please pray that he stops fighting God and recognizes that the only way for a hope and a future is in Jesus and Jesus alone! Please pray that Jason finds the rest of Jesus for his weary soul.  I was trying to find a picture of him in my files but unfortunately I don't have one.  But Jesus knows who he is and what he looks like! 

my pot of soup miracle

Wednesday morning I woke up with a profound sense of exhaustion.  You know that sense?  When you wake up and feel completely overwhelmed and tired with what you have to face in the day?  

I sat on my couch and prayed a desperate tear filled prayer.…  “God HOW am I going to make it through the day!?  I have to make 20 liters of soup for the outreach!  I have work in the shop to do that needs my attention!  My kids need my attention!  LORD I CANT!!!  WHAT AM I GOING TO DO!?!!”  

You guys!  Not seconds  AFTER I PRAYED I got a phone call!    Sweet Sweet Rose Goddard called me at 7 am to tell me she had MADE THE SOUP FOR THE OUTREACH AND COULD I COME PICK IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!  (As I write this I am getting choked up with the goodness of God and his ability to provide!!!)  After I ugly cried my gratitude to Rose and to the Lord, Jesus spoke to my heart. 

“I GOT THIS!!!! Just step where I tell you to step and I will take care of the rest!!”  

All exhaustion fled my body and I was flooded with the joy of the Lord that truly and sincerely is my strength!  

At the outreach that night I saw one of the most beautiful displays of generosity I have ever been privileged to witness.  

We had just finished handing out soup and rice to the kids and were settling in to hang out a bit with them.  

I was sitting with Tembo.  Tembo is a man in his mid to late 20’s.  He has some obvious mental issues and is probably more like an 8 year old in his mind.   As I was talking with him I realized he hadn’t received any food.  I had no clue what to do because we had just handed out 20 liters of soup and double the amount of rice.  A TON OF FOOD AND IT WAS ALL GONE!!!  One young man was near us and heard this interaction.  He had a full plate of food.  When he realized Tembo’s predicament  he got another plate and gave him half his food!   I rejoiced!  I even saw some kids put their extras in containers they found so they could have for later.  Like the 5 loaves and two fish!  

Jesus truly does provide a table before us in the presence of our enemies!  

What are you facing today that is overwhelming your heart?   All I know is this…… When we are walking in obedience to what God has told us to do, he WILL meet us!  He WILL provide any and everything that is needed to get the job done!  And it WILL be provided in a way that ONLY God can get the glory!  So all will see that Jesus reigns and there is none like him! 

If you are reading this and you don’t know Jesus, I urge you!  I implore you and yes, even beg, CRY OUT TO HIM!  Jesus has the answers you are searching for!   The Word of God says that Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life!  It also says that every knee WILL bow and every tongue WILL confess that Jesus is Lord.  Either here on earth, or in the after life.  TRUST ME  you want to do it now!  Life is hard folks!  There is no way around the hardships.  But this I promise you, with Jesus there is fullness of joy in the middle of the greatest pains that we have to endure.  There is hope and there is peace that surpasses all understanding.  Come just as you are and Jesus will take your hand and guide you in the greatest adventure you will ever know!

If you would like to contribute financially to Streetwise Outreach you can go to tscnyc.org, click DONATE, then MISSIONS, then MORALES FAMILY / ZAMBIA 

streetwise, family life and all that entails.....

Wow, is it MARCH already!?  HUH!!???

Raise your hand if 2015 started out the gate fast and furious!  

I have barely had time to stop and think five minutes ahead, let alone to sit and write a much needed update.  SOOOO, here it goes!!! 

STREETWISE STOREFRONT AND OUTREACH:

We have been working and praying for 3 years towards getting a center where we can conduct ministry from.  DRUM ROLL………WE MOVE IN THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We can hardly believe all that God has been doing.   I will post pictures of what I am dubbing “THE BIG MOVE 2015” (which begins tomorrow barring any vehicle issues....this being Africa and all)  

I took this photo from the doorway looking into the center.  

The Streetwise Center is going to serve a couple of functions. 

1. It will be a place where the kids can come on a day to day basis and learn the Streetwise Craft co skills.  The boys will get help in reading, writing and math.  They will also learn job skills      
2. We will be able to conduct ministry outreaches from the center.  This is wonderful because it will allow us to control the environment a bit more effectively.  As of now the kids are free to come and go with their drugs and it is hard to regulate that.  We feel that in order to be more strategic and effective in the lives of the kids, they need a safe, clean environment to come in off the streets for a bit. 

ALL IN ALL WE ARE PUMPED!!!!!  After all the blood, sweat and tears we can hardly believe it is happening!   How can you get involved? 

You can pray!!!!!!! 

You can volunteer your time!  

It is going to take loads of hands to help with these kids. 

Each need is so varied and so diverse, that it is going to take

 a hands on, organic, God driven approach to reach them 

You can give financially.  

The monthly costs as of now is around 970 USD per month to run the program, 

however we expect it to grow when we move into the store front.   I would be happy to give a breakdown of that number to any one who wants .

This is Titus.  He has been off and on the streets for the 7 years we have known him. 

 

OUR FAMILY:

Luis and I have enjoyed learning how to work together on Streetwise.  It has been a challenge learning how to mesh our vastly different personalities together….but really and truly, we love what we do and enjoy getting to do it together!

We call Hannah the Dog Whisperer (she didn't get her love of animals from me!)

Our girls Amira, Hannah and Brooklyn are doing well.  Amira is 12 and has started junior high with a bang.  She has taken life by the horns and is doing really well.  Hannah is 10 and is turning into such a beauty.  Her compassion for this around her leaves me awe struck.  Brooklyn is 8 and she is a fire ball.  She leaves us in stitches all the time.  The kid is hysterical!

Amira has gotten so big!  

Ok, you guys, here is goes, I am just going to lay it out there.  (my eyes are squeezed shut) We need help getting home this summer for a break.  We need money in order to do that.   Currently we live on 2,000 USD a month. ( our rent is 1,000 per month and then I have to feed three hungry kids)  As you can imagine, it isn’t easy to save money for airfare with the fluctuating exchange rates and the sky rocketing inflation that is happening right now.   Would you consider helping us out with this? 

Brooklyn and Luis having some quality time on the front porch

OUR PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Pray for the storefront.  

2. Pray for Luis and I to continue to work in unity and with wisdom and God’s direction . 

3. Pray for the financial resources to do this work 

4. Pray that we can make it back to the states this summer!  We wanna hug some necks and eat some of my dad’s famous BBQ!

We love you all so very very much!!!!  Please let us know how you all are doing as well!  We love to hear from you!!!!   

If you are interested in giving financially to STREETWISE you can go to tscnyc.org…..click on DONATE….go to the drop down menu for missions and find MORALES FAMILY / ZAMBIA.