8/14/10
A Vietnamese man speaking in very broken English came to the prayer center seeking forgiveness and cleansing. of sin. A volunteer spent much time praying with him. A gentleman stopped for prayer and also needed a refrigerator. He was very depressed and fearful. He received prayer and a refrigerator! A lady with multiply health and emotional problems also stopped for prayer. She has been on much medication but nothing has helped. After prayer, she realized the need to get things right with her family and return to the Lord and church. Sometimes mental health medications only mask what God is wanting to remove. Praise the Lord, or Healer!!
8/07/10
The volunteer at the checkout table asked the guest she was serving, "Did you find everything you needed? Remember the food will help for a season but Jesus lasts forever. Don't leave without Him." The guest stopped still and looked at her. He said, "I heard the message, but have not made my decision yet." She lingered, gently sharing, watching for the Spirit to direct her. This guest stopped and received Jesus before he left the building. Ministry happens everywhere-not just in the prayer center or as the message is given out. Many times, the love received during the shopping experience is the very watering needed to bring forth that new life in Christ.
7/31/10
Diamond is a young girl about 11 years old. Her mother was shopping and she slipped away to the prayer center. She beegan to cry and ask for prayer for a job for her mother, for school supplies, and for herself a closer walk with Jesus. She is a precious little girl who is carrying a very heavy load at home. We were honored to pray for her. We do not have a lot of school supplies right now, but we were able to fix a nice tote bag with a good variety of things to encourage and bless her.
7/24/10
Our team arrived in India on Monday. They will be there until next Tuesday. Thank you for your prayers and support that made it possible for them to go. They have ministered in the leper camp giving out rice, the Word and prayer. They have traveled the deep jungle areas visiting villages and sharing the Word and prayer. They have a long return flight (24 hours) as they return on Wednesday.
7/24/10
Crystal and Brad came to shop. They were living behind a church. Crystal knows Jesus and at one time had an intimate walk with Him. Brad is full of anger and pain. Crystal shared her plight with the volunteer giving the message. He prayed with her and encouraged her to find a church family to minister to her. We were able to direct her to a church nearby. It turned out to be a church that knew her from days long ago when she walked with the Lord. With Love From Jesus was able to partner with this church to help them make some beginning steps in recovery. Crystal's heart is now turned back to the Lord and is seeking His solution and redemption for her circumstances-even her marriage. How we praise God for the Body of Christ and the partnership we have in the gospel.
7/10/10
Tuesday was our first day back after a break for the 4th. Three people responded to the gospel message for salvation and one lady received healing in her arm. She was unable to lift it and was dealing with much pain. She left lifting it up, no pain, and praising the Lord. A dear lady that was ministered to by a volunteer more than five years ago returned for prayer. She had been in an abusive situation. She has her five chilfren now with no visitiation rights for the abusive husband and is doing great. She needs a job, but her spirits were good. It's so wonderful to cross paths with those who have been served in the past and see them waling with the Lord.
6/28/10
The heat and many personal problems can be contributing factors to some of our guests being challenged as they shop for their families. One gentlemen was very disrespectful to a volunteer, but after hearing the message stopped to apologize. Another lady challenged volunteers with her resistance to policies. Later during her shopping time, the same volunteer was bagging up for her a beautiful birthday cake. She explained that it was her mom's birthday and she had nothing to give her, but felt very blessed to have the perfect birthday cake to show her love for her mom. We don't know all that folks are dealing with, but we are always encouraged when we get a glimpse of how Jesus is making Himself known to many that come through this Jesus center!
6/5/10
A lady fleeing an abusive husband stopped for prayer. As the volunteer ministered to her, it was revealed that she was also abused as a child. She is a very sweet Christian. The volunteer helped her with forgiveness issues as well as the intense rejection she is experiencing. She is in a shelter and will be back for more ministry and prayer.
5/22/10
We had a lovely event on Thursday as we welcomed in honored guests who had received tickets the previous week to take part in a combined effort between Feed the Children, Concord Hospitality, and WLFJ to bless many in our community. Each guest received a prepared box of food and a box of personal care items from Feed the Children. The expense for this truckload of food was covered by Concord Hospitality and hosted by WLFJ. It was a fun and lovely day for all. Jesus is so honored when His people join together to serve those in need and enjoy the fellowship of His body.
5/15/10
After the message was given, a brother in Christ stopped in the prayer center weeping over his sin. The loving volunteer spent time walking him through the gospel to be sure he belonged to the Lord and then helped him to deal with the sin issues in his life. Both guest and volunteer were weeping as they experienced the Holy Spitit's presence at work.
5/8/10
Kay grew up as a Jehovah's Witness. The volunteer shared the gospel with her and gave her a Bible. She is seeking God. She is close to accepting the Lord. A volunteer overheard a guest celebrating that God had provided her with a lawnmower after praying for one for weeks. The volunteer was delighted as she was that God had answered her prayer.
5/1/10
Jerry started shopping with us in the early days of the ministry. He was a believer but not walking with the Lord. He came because his brother invited him to go to a place where he could get some food and other practical things he needed. His interest was not in getting right with the Lord. He began to hear the Word as it was given out. He knew God was at work in his life. He began to obey the Word that he heard and he started reading the Word again himself.
4/24/10
Mary needed a crib for her soon expected baby. She was blessed with a very nice portable crib, mattress and bedding and an infant car seat. Several of our guests, both English and Spanish speaking, stopped in the prayer center to ask for a Bible.
4/17/10
A gentleman raised his hand in the worship area when the speaker asked "who knows that Jesus is coming back again." Later the man stopped in the prayer center. The volunteer assumed he knew Jesus because of his raised hand. He said that he heard that Jesus is coming but that's all he knows. He accepted Christ and his 12-yr. old nephew with him also received Christ." Wow!!
4/10/10
A dear lady stopped for prayer. Her husband and three older children do not go with her to church and do not know Jesus. She and the younger ones know the Lord and attend church. She was tearful as she sought prayer for her unbelieving family.
3/27/10
A recent guest writes: "I wanted to take the time to personally thank your ministry and volunteers for being a blessing to me. I have been unemployed for 1 1/2 years and WLFJ Ministries has helped to provide me with good food, clothing and household items in my time of need. Most recently, I was very weary and burdened during a visit to WLFJ and one of your volunteers saw me weeping and immediately reached out to me, held me while I sobbed, comforted me, prayed for me, and restored my hope allowing me to release those burdens." It is such a privilege to be the hands, feet, and arms of Jesus to so many hurting families in our community.
3/20/10
Leslie came into the prayer center for prayer . There were many people waiting a turn and many needing furniture. She waited patiently to receive prayer asking for nothing else. She is currently living in a shelter and is in great financial need. She is hopeful that her sister will take her in but for now, she is praying for God to make a way.
3/13/10
A lady came with many fears and hurts from her childhood. A volunteer was able to minister to her and give her scriptures to help deal with this bondage. She left without her burden.
3/6/10
Abraham and his wife stopped for prayer and needed a bed for their son. When the volunteer showed them a twin set, Abraham wanted to know how much it cost. It was with delight that the volunteer said, “please receive it free with love from Jesus.”
2/27/10
Juicea and her mother are from Haiti. They wanted prayer for their family members who they still have not heard from since the earthquake. The husband of the volunteer ministering to them is a surgeon and has just returned from Haiti with a medical team ministering there.
2/20/10
The volunteer shared from John 5 explaining to our honored guests that to receive Christ means to cross from death into life. Mary, a dear lady in her late 50’s, came straight to the prayer center and told the volunteer that she needed to be saved. Her husband died a few years ago, and she has been living in constant fear of dying. She listened carefully to her need for a Savior and the promises of Jesus to meet all those needs. She came on Jesus’ terms accepting Him as her Savior. Then the volunteer was able to minister to her in the area of her fear giving her verses to claim and rest in her eternal future.
2/20/10
The volunteer shared from John 5 explaining to our honored guests that to receive Christ means to cross from death into life. Mary, a dear lady in her late 50’s, came straight to the prayer center and told the volunteer that she needed to be saved. Her husband died a few years ago, and she has been living in constant fear of dying. She listened carefully to her need for a Savior and the promises of Jesus to meet all those needs. She came on Jesus’ terms accepting Him as her Savior. Then the volunteer was able to minister to her in the area of her fear giving her verses to claim and rest in her eternal future.
2/12/10
A lady returned this week praising the Lord for answering prayer. She came last week after we had closed and a volunteer prepared her a bag of food and prayed for favor with finding a job. She called every trucking company in the phone book to see if anyone needed a dispatcher. One did and gave her an appointment for an interview. On the day of the interview her babysitter was sick and she had to take her 2 year old twins with her to the appointment. The owner was understanding about her situation, gave her a second interview and then the job. She recognized God’s intervention and answer to prayer. Wow Jesus!
1/24/10
A man stopped in the prayer center and had a conversation with a volunteer serving there. In the process of their talk, he mentioned that he was diabetic. As he began to shop, the household coordinator came to the prayer center to share that s supply of diabetic supplies had been received. The volunteer was able to catch up with the man before he left the building and encourage him with those supplies. God knows our needs.
1/24/10
All that happened in Haiti has been heavy on the hearts of our community. Several messages this week encouraged our neighbors to keep in mind that the people of Haiti were going about normal life when the unexpected came. Our guests were encouraged to be prepared. Many people responded to the gospel message and received Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
1/16/10
Esmeralda had a friend with a note in English explaining that she wanted a bed. She was delighted to be able to be prayed for in Spanish, and even happier to see the mattress set and headboard that the Lord made available to her.
1/10/10
The crowds were large every day this week. Some guests had to wait in line for a hour. They were told they could come back another day but most decided to stay. Most chose to stay because their need was so great. We rejoice in the Word being sown into the lives of so many.
12/12/09
The Jesus Shop has been well supplied with toys to enable our honored guests to receive gifts for their children’s Christmas. The thankfulness on the part of those being served was lovely to watch.
11/21/09
A man suffering from arthritis in his shoulders and hands asked for prayer for healing. He left raising those once hurting hands in praise and thanksgiving.
11/14/09
A man shared that earlier he had received prayer for employment. This week he was visiting a friend at work, when the boss asked him if he was interested in working there. He needed someone to start immediately. The man and the employer were both delighted.
11/07/09
Glory stopped for prayer and a Bible. She had cried out to God that morning because there was no food in the house. She was driving in our neighborhood and saw cars turning into the back of the shopping center. After asking someone what was going on, she found out that food was being given away.
10/31/09
Monica arrived after we closed. She needed food for herself and her two
small children. She heard about WLFJ a few years ago when she was
incarcerated. The volunteer serving had helped wih the Bible Study where
this young woman received Christ. After leavng prison she married, but her
husband left her when she was pregnant with their second child. She needs
to work, but has no childcare. She was very thankful to receive groceries
for her family and prayer.
10/24/09
For several weeks our volunteers have been praying for a gentleman needing a
bed. This week, a volunteer suggested that he receive a sofa to give him a
place to sleep as we continued to pray for the need of a bed. Together,
they looked at the sofa available. Both the volunteer and the guest were
delighted to find that the sofa was a sleeper with a wonderful, new
mattress!
10/17/09
As Debra prayed with a volunteer for a dresser for her apartment, our truck
arrived with a lovely dresser perfect for Debra's family. She rejoiced over
God's quick answer to her prayer. Diana received Christ recently when she
came to shop. Today she was seeking financial help. The volunteer prayed
with her that the bakery would be able to give her more days to work. Diana
and the volunteer prayed for God's blessing on the owner's business! God is
at work in our community.
10/10/09
Dana shared that she has lost all three of her children because of her drug
addiction. She wanted prayer for God to redeem her family and deliver her
from drugs. She has been one week free from drugs. The volunteer
encouraged her to get into the Word and to find a local church to come along
beside her and minister to her. She received food, clothing, encouragement,
prayer and hope!
10/3/09
A single mom with six children shared that they now have an apartment, but
she can't afford the electricity deposit, so they are without power. Her
furniture needs are also great. As the volunteer prayed with her for these
needs, our truck pulled in with a beautiful table and six chairs. The mom,
children and volunteer praised the Lord for His timely provision. We were
thankful to be able to help and encourage this family.
9/26/09
Margo was weary and heavily burdened. She has two disabled children of her
own. She is also raising her sister's two children and a neighbor's four
children. The neighbor and sister abandoned their children. Margo is
overwhelmed with the care of eight children in her home. The volunteer
prayed for her sister to break free of her addiction and to come to know the
Lord. She received prayer and the name of a church in her area that is very
community minded. It is our hope and prayer that she will find support as
she makes contact with this loving group of believers.
9/19/09
A young father with his toddler and a four-year old shopped this week. The child was not wearing shoes. The volunteer inquired and found that the child had no shoes. She was able to find a pair and bless this dad and child. They also received prayer. The child has autism and is not able to talk.
9/12/09
Miguel served for the first time today in the prayer center and was able to minister to many Spanish-speaking guests. He gave away Bibles and helped people connect with Spanish-speaking churches. Abigail wanted to pray that her husband would find work soon. She also needed a dresser for her children's room. She left encouraed with prayer and the Lord's provision of a large dresser for their room.
8/29/09
Two friends came together to shop and also stopped for prayer. Child abuse, abortions, drugs and more destruction is part of their lives. God connected them with the perfect volunteer to pray for them and advise them. They both left without Christ, but with Bibles May God draw them and their many children to a place of knowing Jesus!
Louis is a new believer. He has broken away from his old friends including his girlfriend. He asked for prayer for himself and for those he has had to leave behind. He was blessed to receive a sofa for his new place to live.
8/23/09
Among the more than a dozen who received Christ this week was a teenage boy. He was pleased to receive a Bible and promised to read it, so he could begin growing in his new relationship with Christ. Notebook paper, pencils, spiral notebooks and gently used backpacks were among the treasures that guests received this week.
8/15/09
Angela shared how she has been exploring the Hindu and Islam religions as she looks for meaning to her life. The volunteer explained to her that Christianity is the only one whose God has done everything for us. We don't have to try to earn salvation. May this young woman find her peace in God! She accepted a Bible and agreed to begin reading the book of John.
7/25/09
A sister in Christ was nudged by the Lord to come in to serve on Saturday. She was a great answer to prayer as our volunteer numbers were small. She left tired, but blessed that God had used her. The volunteer giving the message received several encouraging words and hand claps from the community as he gave out the Word of Trusth. Many received Christ. This volunteer left ministered to as well. For both of these volunteers and many others, the motivation to come is obedience and love for Jesus. In the midst of giving themselves to the Lord, they find that they too are blessed and encouraged! God's ways are amazing.
7/11/09
Crystal is a new believer. She carries a heavy load with an unmarried teenage daughter with two little children. Crystal's extended family is also very hurting. Last night her dad passed away. She has no money to buy gas to go the funeral in another state. Crystal also does not have a local church. Today she came for prayer. She needed somewhere to go to cry and receive prayer and comfort. It was our privilege to be there for her. It was also another opportunity to lovingly remind her that she needs a church family.
6/17/09
A Latino guest stopped in the prayer center to receive prayer. His English was excellent. As he waited his turn to receive prayer, he translated for several other Spanish-speaking guests. He continued to push others in front of himself so that he could assist volunteers to better serve other honored guests who could not speak English. His selfless attitude was very beautiful to behold. Shine, Jesus, Shine!
6/6/09
A guest stopped to share that last week she received prayer for help with her finances. This week she returned to praise the Lord for an unexpected credit in her bank account for $500 that allowed her to pray her rent and water bill. Among those who were saved this week were three children. A litle girl brought her family into the prayer center for help. Her dad was arrested for driving without a license. He was in jail, and his family sold all their possessions to raise the money needed for his release. He little daughter led the family to ask about furntirue. They received prayer, and she received Christ. Praise the name of Jesus!
5/30/09
Paul and Laura came to the prayer center to ask for God's touch for employment and healing. They left with Jesus, the Healer and Provider. There was much rejoicing in the prayer area as a volunteer prayed with Bridget for healing from a lifetime issue of pain in her leg. The Lord released her of this pain, and she cried tears of joy as she told everyone around her. Christine stopped in the prayer center to thank volunteers for praying for her. Weeks ago she asked prayer because her roof was leaking. A local church was God's answer to prayer for her house--at no cost to her. The Body of Christ is beautiful!
5/4/09
An elderly gentleman shared in the welcome area how he had recently received Christ and was baptized. He wanted everyone around him to know that only after accepting Jesus has he been able to break free of alcohol and cigarettes. Blake drove a friend to WLFJ to shop. After hearing the message with his friend, he stopped in the prayer center to receive prayer for himself.
4/18/09
Juan, a teenage father, came to the prayer center with his toddler son to ask for prayer for his health needs and his relationship with the Lord. An elderly man received Christ. He doesn't read. The volunteer encouraged him that prayer and a local church could a much to help him strengthen his walk with the Lord. Tony stopped a volunteer to thank her for the love and joy he always sees in the lives of the volunteers. He asked what church supported this work. She explained that we are supported by the Body of Christ, and that more than 35 churches help in some way to make the minsitry possible. He was blessed! "Hey Church, our unity is showing!" Praise the Lord!
4/4/09
Shirley was one of our honored guests who received Christ this week. She stopped in the prayer center because the message interested her. She knew nothing about Jesus or His work on the cross. Tammy, the volunteer who ministered to her, was very surpirsed that this lady living in Raleigh, N. C., in the USA, knew absolutely nothing about Jesus. Tammy spent a long time answering questions, praying and ministering to Shirley. She was given the name of a church inher meighborhood to attend.
3/29/09
Some of our honored guests this week included Anthony who wanted prayer for his family of eight children, Betty who wanted prayer for her 21-year old daughter recently released from prison, and James who suffered a heart attack and stroke and wanted prayer for healing. The needs of our community are great, but our God is greater! Ten different churches served together this week to bring glory and honor to Jesus and to reach our community for Him!
3/21/09
Lottie, an elderly lady in poor health, came to shop for the first time this week. She was delighted with all the good food that God provided for her. She needed $115 in order to make her rent payment. A local pastor volunteered to visit her and see how he might minister to her. His church reached out to her and provided the needed funds for her rent. We are the Body of Christ. God is glorified when we work together to further His Kingdom.
3/14/09
Melissa and her husband lost their jobs recently after moving into a new apartment. In the midst of an already difficult situation, their refrigerator died. They tried to rent one, but were denied because they are unemployed. Melissa came to WLFJ and received prayer. She was delighted to recieve the lovely refrigerator that Jesus left here just for her. God is Provider!
3/07/09
Among those that received Christ this week were three sweet Latino ladies that accepted the Lord because we had a very faithful Spanish-speaking volunteer who could work one on one with them. They were given Bibles and the address of a good church near their homes.
2/21/09
Ernestina sat quietly with her tiny baby in her arms as the volunteer spoke about the love of Christ. She reminded our honored guests that if they did not receive a Valentine last week from anyone else that John 3:16 is God's Valentine message to them personally. She encouraged guests to say "for God so loved (their name) that He gave Jesus." Ernestina made it very personal and cried out to Jesus for salvation.
2/7/09
A lady came to the back door after we closed. Her husband was in the car just discharged from the hospital that day. They had no food in the house. A volunteer fixed several bags of groceries and prayed with them before sending them on their way. The wife is a believer, but the husband is not. May God speak to his heart through this difficult time.
1/31/09
Angela's husband left her. She and her son are now in a difficult financial situation. She works, but with the snow days and other school holidays, she lost several days of pay. Now there is no way to purchase groceries. Her case manager at Wake County encouraged her to come. After receiving prayer and shedding lots of tears, she left with a smile on her face and the joy of the Lord. Her circumsances didn't change but her focus did! She knew the Lord, but felt downcast. She left with hope (and groceries).
1/17/09
Robyn came to shop today. She has been off drugs for 7 months. She is so excited to have the privilege of shopping today with her little daughter who lives with her dad, but is able to spend the day with her. They were looking for clothes for the child. Robyn stopped in the prayer center to ask for prayer for her twin boys who are in foster care. She wants her children back, but knows she has to earn that right. The radiance of the Lord was obvious in her life. She is resting heavily on the Lord. She called the volunteer ministering to her "an angel." To us, she was "an angel."
1/10/09
One of those who received Christ this week was a young man fighting for his life with cancer in his blood. He has extended family members that he is caring for, and his mother was struggling not to cry as he shared his story and crisis. How wonderful for him to now have life in Christ and to know that his Jesus will never leave or forsake him. There were tears of joy mixed with the tears of sorrow!
12/20/08
The "Jesus Shop" was a busy place this week as many people received new toys to supplement their Christmas needs. It was so much fun to watch as parents slipped into the Jesus Shop without their children and left with a large, black trash bag full of concealed goodies to surprise their children for Christmas. God cares about even gifts for the children. Today was a very busy day with many honored guests, many toys and other special treats for families, and many who received Christ. That is the perfect Christmas gift-Jesus!
12/14/08
We praise God for answered prayers large and small. A lady needed a coat for her daughter. We exhausted all our resources and found nothing. As someone prayed with the guest about the coat need, a donor arrived at the back door with one donation-a coat in just the right size. A homeless man needed bedding to make a place to sleep. As volunteers searched for something, a donor brought in a wonderful down-filled comforter. It will be so warm on these very cold nights. With only 30 household items available for the next day and the expectation of more than 200 guests, the leadership prayed for God's provision. The phone rang with the news that a local church had 125 boxes of items available for us to pick up that would meet that need. Within 45 minutes our truck was backing up to the dock with God's rich provision.
11/26/08
A volunteer wrote: Today I was helping out at With Love From Jesus and had my first experience working in the parking lot. I rather enjoyed it as a change of pace from my normal duties. A guy pulled up, rolled down his window and asked, "is this were Jesus is?" It was clearly his first time as he was trying to locate the facility and then asked a few other questions about the operation. I had a big grin on my face as I answered him, "yes, Jesus is here."
11/15/08
A new shopper rejoiced at the checkout area for the groceries he received and quickly accepted the offer of prayer from the volunteer serving him. Eric received prayer for his need of a job and the challenge of meeting his family's needs. A man stopped in the prayer center for help. His young son is having nightmares. A volunteer prayed over this family including their two little boys. He left with the address of a church in his neighborhood. We can't solve all these problems, but we can "plug" folks into the "Source" who can--Jesus.
11/8/08
A volunteer serving today in the prayer center was a blessing to many of our honored guests. Afterwards, she shared that several years ago when we were in our first building on Chapel Hill Rd., she was one of our honored guests. She was delighted and blessed to be able to pass on the ministry to others.
10/25/08
Margaret came after we closed for the day. She was bringing her mom home from the hospital and there was no food in the house. There were specific healthcare items that she needed to care for her mom. A volunteer asked if she'd like prayer. She quickly responded with a "please." After praying for Margaret and her mom, the volunteer gathered the items she needed along with a few bags of food. Margaret left encouraged.
10/18/08
