It’s been a cold few days here in Miami. We are not used to sweater weather at all. On Saturday night we received a message from some of the men who are currently homeless and living on the streets in Downtown Miami. They said that their belongings were taken from them and were absolutely freezing and didn't have any blankets to keep warm for the night. We quickly collected blankets and sweaters and made our way to Downtown Miami. We were heartbroken to find rows and rows of homeless under the transit station, some enduring the harsh cold without any protection, others snuggled under blankets that they had. As we drove by looking for the men who had called, I noticed an older lady lying on her side. She was huddled up in fetal position trying her best to stretch her over sized sweater down to her knees so that she could gain some warmth. Thankfully we were able to give her something to cover her legs with to help. The streets were covered with people just out in the open enduring the cold night. It was the harsh truth: this night there were so many people suffering in front of our own eyes.

It’s important to know that we are a full time ministry. Our outreach missions take place every Monday and Wednesday, but every day we are operating and working towards a goal to permanently take these people off the streets and help them restore their lives. This Saturday night is not a new sight for us, but a reminder of why this ministry exists. We are committed to sharing the love of God, helping those abandoned and in need.  Yesterday we were back for our Monday outreach. Usually, on difficult nights when the weather is too cold, we don’t have our regular service. This is because we like to get through the night quickly so that the people we are serving are not standing in line freezing. Upon arriving, we did a prayer for the food and began the nights serving. It was a peaceful and quick night. We were able to serve warm food and warm drinks for them to help combat the cold.

There are countless reason as to why men and women are homeless here in Miami. Here at Jesus Rock of Life, we care about identifying the root of the issue in an individual basis and then working on solving that issue in Jesus name. We don’t care for condemnation or judgment towards anyone. Jesus came to give us a clean slate (1 John 1:7). Jesus transforms us and makes us new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:7). Whether the cause is an addiction to drugs and alcohol, lack of employment, or mental illness, we believe that Jesus is the answer to every single problem. Only He can set you free from any strongholds in your life that are keeping you from living the purposeful life that God intended for you.

Monday night kicked off the beginning of this exciting new year of 2015! Rock of life Ministries is more than excited to start our first week serving the streets of Downtown Miami. Yesterday was jam packed with obstacles left and right but we had the complete victory though Jesus Christ! Last Monday (01/05/15), led me to remember when I once asked myself a silly question: What could lead us to cancel an outreach night? And I received a response: “we never do, rain or not we go”. 

The night I asked this, it raining intensely and I thought that it would've been easier to just cancel that night. But little did I know that through that response, Jesus taught me to have a deeper appreciation for this ministry I dearly love.

 Yesterday was the day that Jesus made me realize why that response was given. I understood that there’s a responsibility we have and it's an honorable one. The enemy will always try to set obstacles, but we, the ministry, and you, where ever God has called you, have to say no to the easy way out and YES to the fight. Last Monday, not once did I have doubt that the night would be canceled. I was so firmly confident that Jesus would finish the good work He started and that nothing could come in between that. It’s so easy for us to give up when we face struggles of many kinds, but Jesus always has the last word. I got closer to understanding the heart that Jesus has for this ministry, he never gives up and has such a deep love for those at downtown.

With all that being said, the circumstances of yesterdays outreach night fit in so perfectly with the word preached. The main verse was in Philippians 4:13.

As the message quickly finished, we all united in prayer and started the serving of food. We gave out plates of warm rice and beans with a delicious beef stew. The food was so great that many were complementing on the chef’s food that night.

God bless 
- J