Miami is a city well known for it’s high temperatures. This Monday night was no exception to that well known fact. It was hot and it was humid. As the temperature rose, crowds of people began to form. Can you imagine the thirst and discomfort that the people of downtown have to endure, especially on nights like this? As we began to prepare for our service, it was obvious that there was another warm sensation arising. It was from the sweet presence of God. It was special and there was an anointing in the air that could be felt.

Word of God

Tonights word was centered on sight. That’s right, sight. One of the most important senses we have. We learned a story about a blind man called Bartimaeus. He was a beggar who needed Jesus to help him so he called out to Him and became blessed (Read Full chapter):

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. ‘My Rabbi,’ the blind man said,’I want to see!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go, for your faith has healed you.’ Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.” – Mark 10:51-52

In this story we see how the faith of a blind man led him to his healing. Many of us need this in our lives: to understand that God listens to us and cares for our well being. Jesus healed this man the same way that he can heal us today. And so our prayer is that the people of downtown will encounter Gods’ healing and have their sights on Him!

Our Prayer

This Monday was a night of joy! Many people accepted Jesus into their hearts!

Serving Food

After praying for the food, volunteers quickly assembled their work stations and began to serve. One of our most popular meals is the Chicken Alfredo Pasta. It’s a favorite to say the least! After grabbing a plate, people moved to the refreshments station. It was a hot night like previously mentioned, so most came back about 3 times for drinks.

Prayer requests: 

Coming and serving here at downtown is just an ounce of the care that God has for his children there, we are so blessed and honored to have the capacity to come and be with them on such a hot night. We just see lives come together and be in the presence of God like he has intended for us.

We ask that you can join us to pray for our ministry and those who stay in the streets of downtown. That their hearts may be united with Gods, and that their lives can be transformed and cleansed. We rebuke all sickness and addiction in Jesus Name!

The streets of downtown cater to all kinds of people, the student headed to class, the professional going to or from work, the tourist snapping pictures of famous buildings or street art, and those who have no place to go.

The sad reality is that many call certain streets of downtown home, carrying their few belongings to different shelters or spreading them out on the streets to make a sort of “homey” place. Someone on this particular street has a brown reclining chair that they call a bed while others have a dismantled brown box that is used as a chair and bed. Others have shopping carts filled with different knick knacks, or bikes with bags tied to it. Some have nothing at all only the food that has been provided to them for the night. This particular Monday night, there was chicken alfredo, water and juice.

The word of the night talked about Jonah. Crash course if you don’t know about Jonah:

1. Jonah was told to go to a city to warn the people.
2. He refused and chose to travel the opposite direction.
3. He decided to get on a boat in order to flee.
4. While on the boat, chaos broke out when a storm threatened them.
5. Jonah was thrown overboard
6. Giant fish swallows Jonah for 3 full days.
7. Fish throws him up on the beach
8. Jonah now makes his way to the city he was supposed to go to.

You make ask yourself how Jonah who was swallowed by a big fish, have any relation to the struggles of those at downtown and really in all of our lives. If you look closely to Jonah’s story, everything he went through resembles us in our very human nature. Most of the time we are very stubborn and it is easier to run away. The story of Jonah is all of us, knowing what we have to do (or even what not to do) and reap the consequences. There is always a way out, Jonah spent 3 full days in the belly of a fish and many of us spend our entire lives running away. It’s never too late to stop and turn around to face whatever it is what we are running away from.

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'” John 14:6 (NLT)

One of the most beautiful parts occurred during the salvation call. The pastors asked if anyone would like to accept Jesus into their life and there was an immediate answer from a gentleman in the front. He had been there since the moment we arrived and was the first to take a step forward to admit that he was in need of Jesus. Others joined him in this brave act and then we all prayed over their lives.

We set up at our usual spot, in back of the Christ Fellowship Church. Volunteers were ready with plates, utensils, cups and garbage bags in hand to serve the people of Downtown Miami. The menu was rice, ground beef, and black beans accompanied with water and juice.

An important part of this ministry is making sure that we keep the streets clean after serving. This means leaving the streets free from any of our supplies and food. We do this to honor the Lord, as He is NOT a God of disorder (1 Cor. 14:33), to show love and respect for the people who live on these streets, and of course, to obey littering laws and policies.

Thanks for visiting our blog this week! Until next time!

The journey to get to downtown, Miami was a difficult one this Monday. The rain was so strong that it completely distorted the drivers view on the road. We had to stop for a second because it was nearly impossible to drive with the heavy rain. Many would call us crazy. Why don’t we just go home and cancel tonight? This question sounds ridiculous to me when I remember the faces of all those people downtown that were waiting for their food this Monday. They were all gathered up under the yellow hotel building because it’s the only place with a roof that might protect them. Most of them were wet because the rain was so heavy and there were puddles everywhere. The rain did not allow us to have service, but once all the team was there, we gathered up and prayed for the food.

Everyone lined up ready to receive their plate of food; there was an abundance of bread and drinks for everyone. We thank the Lord for helping us get there safely and for all the Love he has for His people. We can certainly say that the Lord never abandons us, no matter what the situation, He is always faithful and always on time!

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”