For those that don't know, Christmas is a huge deal for me, it
always has been, in fact I will likely start shopping for next years Christmas today.
Presents galore, a great meal and a wonderful time together. Yesterday was
special though because it was the first Christmas in the Mosaic house, we had 3
formerly homeless guys who are a part of the family who also celebrated
Christmas with us. That's right a part
of the family, they aren't just formerly homeless people, they are real live
human beings that I and my wife are blessed to share life together with.
I could tell all kinds of stories, how one of the guys, who
is working now, gave my wife, a box full of socks of all kinds that will last
her all year long, the $50 Visa Gift Card I got from this person, all from a
formerly homeless man who is working at improving on his life, obtaining his
dreams. I have to tell you about his story though, one of his gifts.
Mary Jane, my wife, had spoken with this person
quite a bit about Christmas pasts, he told her that when growing up he had
always done well at Christmas but never got the slot car race track he wanted.
I decided to make it our mission to get him a slot car track for Christmas. I
posted on Facebook, sent out an email, but there were no takers, I guess folks
didn't understand the importance of sometimes giving another person a dream or
a fantasy, a fantasy if you will, that could impact a life. Unfortunately,
sometimes as care providers, we get so caught up in the horrid situation some
people live in that we forget to share in the joy of life, the joy of being
dream givers. For this one individual, he had never forgotten about that one
present he always wanted, that one thing that seemed out of his grasp, out of
the possibility of having. I am a
dreamer, I have been touched by people like Langston Hughes who wrote of dreams
and their importance, I serve a God who understands the importance of hope,
dreams, and an eternal future full of blessings, blessings that can, and
should, begin on earth.
Mary Jane, my wife, had spoken with this person
quite a bit about Christmas pasts, he told her that when growing up he had
always done well at Christmas but never got the slot car race track he wanted.
I decided to make it our mission to get him a slot car track for Christmas. I
posted on Facebook, sent out an email, but there were no takers, I guess folks
didn't understand the importance of sometimes giving another person a dream or
a fantasy, a fantasy if you will, that could impact a life. Unfortunately,
sometimes as care providers, we get so caught up in the horrid situation some
people live in that we forget to share in the joy of life, the joy of being
dream givers. For this one individual, he had never forgotten about that one
present he always wanted, that one thing that seemed out of his grasp, out of
the possibility of having. I am a
dreamer, I have been touched by people like Langston Hughes who wrote of dreams
and their importance, I serve a God who understands the importance of hope,
dreams, and an eternal future full of blessings, blessings that can, and
should, begin on earth.
We couldn't get a donation for the slot car race track so Mary
Jane and I began a journey that had us driving all over Wichita to I don't know
how many stores, taking I don't know how much time, and we won't even talk
about all of the internet searches.
Eventually we went to Menards in Northeast Wichita,
a lumber store that seems to have everything, including slot car race tracks.
We saw several of them, and while we didn't purchase the cheapest track, we
purchased a good track, wrapped it and placed it under the tree.
One is never too old to dream, or to old to want more and we
should never be too old to help those in need. Sometimes that need is to
revisit a dream, even if that dream is a slot car race track. Have you
encouraged others to dream, to focus on their potential as opposed to their
situation? Let me tell you, there is reward in that, a reward that once one sees
others care about their dreams, they care about obtaining, and going after not
only old, but new dreams, dreams that instill and provide hope. Of course at
Mosaic we are about getting people to their eternal dreams, dreams of a
fullness of life with a Savior. The
Savior whom Christmas is really about, the son of God born in a manger, but one
where the story ends with the cross and resurrection. When we believe and
surrender to Jesus, we gain eternal life and an ultimate hope that can't be
topped.
If wanting to support Mosaic in any way, please email us your tax deductible gift to 1249 N. St. Francis, Wichita KS, 67214 or visit our web site to donate online at www.mosaicwichita.com You are welcome to also subscribe to our email list by subscribing at mosaicwichita@yahoo.com.
God bless you, and thank you in the upcoming year 2014,
Sincerely,
Mike Furches
Pastor
Pastor
Mosaic and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry. Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work. Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.
Click here to donate to Mosaic
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The Virtual Pew
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Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information
Mosaic
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org
