Austin City Life

Some amazing things have been happening through the South City Group as they have been loving and engaging Austins homeless. We want to encourage you with this story as it unfolds. Here are excerpts from a letter written by Austin City Lifer Nate Schlueter regarding Austin's homeless.

City Group-

Many of you know we have been reaching out to a homeless camp in South West Austin and are making steps in developing a relationship with Brian, Michelle, and Corky. I want to thank all of you who have visited the camp with me or given things to these people who are so desperately in need.

It means a lot to them that people are willing to build relationships with them and help with tangible needs.

Yesterday Justin and I went out to the camp with a tarp, some trash sacks, and a fire starting log. Once they saw us you could see the excitement that we had come to visit. Michelle gave us hugs and told us all about her week.

We talked with Brian about work and found out they typically make 30 dollars a day asking for money. We talked to him about the possibility of micro enterprise being more effective than holding out a sign. We told him that we would come up with a plan (and get his input) on how he could make this work.

They are also going to get in trouble for all the trash they have at their camp. They are going to bag it up this week and I am going to pick it up Saturday and take it somewhere.

One of the most interesting things that happened yesterday. When we left, they were out begging for money to eat dinner and I asked Brian what else I could do for them. 

He didn't ask me for money (none of them ever have).

They look at me as their friend, which is totally what I want to be.

 
Keep Austin Safe,

Nate Schlueter

I don't know if you are aware but a homeless man named Mike has sporadically attended our church for the last 3 months. I met him greeting in Nov. and we talked of our struggles and he was "sorry" he was "doing wrong". I tried to explain that God and Jesus loved him and that it wasn't about doing the right things and that if he just asked God for grace and accepted Jesus and his sacrifice to be the Lord of his life, God would forgive him. I explained that this was the Good News, that this was the Gospel regardless of what he had heard.  (I hope I got it right!). He shuffled uncomfortably and mumbled, " I have been saved. I have been baptized." He asked if he could come in. I said "of course".

He would then attend for the next 3 weeks and we would have more conversation.  I brought him a sleeping bag.  A raincoat. A blanket.  Multiple sweaters, pants and lunches at the Corner of San Jacinto and 6th St during that time. He shared where he lived.  Under the fence, in the alley, directly across from our church and that it was the music that wafted out onto the street that brought him to us. To me. He shared that he was sad that he was an alcoholic (I confessed my struggle), that he was out of prison after his 5th DUI, that he wanted to believe his childhood teachings about "being saved". That he wanted to work. That he wanted to be off the streets. That he wanted many things including forgiveness. I said that Jesus offered all those things.

Sadly, I left Austin for a month and didn't see him. I didn't see him the last three weeks as I resumed my role as the greeter.  I was worried and prayed every Sunday that God would lead him back to us. PRAISE GOD, Mike showed up at the door this past Sunday.  He had REALLY been struggling, he said.  I noticed that he had lost maybe 30 pounds as I gave him a hug.  He said "we" needed to talk.  I invited him in to ACL and to get some coffee.

I prayed during your sermon this past week that he would stay the whole time (he often left early).  Nicole and I got up to leave and Mike was talking to Justin.  I pulled him away and we went down the stairwell to the quiet of the landing and just asked "what was up?".

He asked for clothes. He said he was so cold. He avoided my gaze, embarrassed as he asked. I said "Mike,  Sure I can help you.  We are so glad to see you." So we arranged to meet at our "normal corner" of San Jacinto & 6th. Nicole and I brought him many things including food. We met and I took a chance,outside my comfort zone, and asked if I could pray for "us". He teary eyed said "Yes".

The three of us stood on that corner @ 1:20PM and held hands and prayed. Prayed for salvation, prayed for truth, prayed for healing. Shockingly, as we separated hands, Mike asked if HE could pray. He said he didn't know how. I said to speak you heart to God and Jesus as that was all that I did. He wept and repented and thanked and became speechless. We all hugged. He walked away smiling and muttering praises to Jesus and God.

Nicole and I were crying. Both of us have prayed that God would continue to offer comfort and that He would draw near and that Mike be kept safe and begin to separate himself from all the lies the enemy has made him believe. It was a bit overwhelming. I would like to ask that you add Mike to your prayers. I hope to see him next Sunday.

I just thought you should hear this story of what ACL by God's grace can and does do all over Austin.

Warmly,

Chris and Nicole

Last Sunday we commissioned our own Tara Jamieson, an Austin RN, to serve in Haiti with a medical team composed of doctors and nurses from across the US. It was a simple, sweet reminder that God was allowing our small community to carry the gospel to those in need. Her City Group joined her up front and as the body of Christ we prayed for God’s provision over her trip and praised him for his promised goodness in all things.

This opportunity unfolded over the course of around six days. On Thursday, Tara received an email informing her that she was on the team that might be traveling to Haiti and she would need to raise around $2000 dollars in the next four days to get there. By the end of Sunday, her total cost of the trip was covered!

How did this happen? Tara’s City Group rallied around her and helped her raise the money she needed. Not only that but they invited their whole neighborhood to take part in sending Tara. It was a simply act of gospel-centered community. A need was realized and a need was met through the sacrifice of believers and unbelivers!

Our communication with the team will be very limited, if at all. From what we know, the team will be working in a hospital. They will be limited in resources such as food, water, and medical supplies.  We ask that you join with us in pray for this team while they are serving in Haiti. Here are a few things we are ask God for:

• Safety and protection for the team
• Endurance, both emotional and physical
• That they would be a comfort and peace to the Haitian people
• That the gospel would be made known

Thanks for praying with us and we will keep you updated if we hear any news from the team!

A guy in our church had recently been through some tough financial times. Due to the downturn in the economy, this husband and father had been laid off from his job, losing not only his income, but the company car. Another guy from the church happens to have a pretty good job, and a pretty nice car…and decided to give it to the family who had recently lost theirs.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts. - Acts 2:42-46