Addicted

Addicted is a word that is typically not associated with positive attributes. We typically associate addictions as harmful, negative, and devastating aspects of a habit that can not easily be reversed. Recently, I have been a witness to the positive side of being addicted. For a couple of weeks now there has been a ladies class on Monday night called “More than Sisters” at Missouri Street Church. Several Wonder City Members have become part of this class. While I have planned to attend, I have yet to have the opportunity. However, I have received phone calls about the “addictiveness” of this class. Phrases like “Oooh, you need to come to this class,” and “I can’t believe how I love going to this class,” are spoken as encouragement for others at Wonder City to attend. Last Wednesday night, the ladies that are attending were so pumped up, they were excited about being able to share, laugh, and learn about God in a way that is truly focused on Women in Christ, who struggle in today’s world. Linda even stated that she was going to hate missing a class, but in the event that she missed, she would get the materials from anyone who is willing to share. She even stated that she herself is “addicted” to this class. Being able to bring ladies, of all ages and backgrounds, together is an awesome thing. I know that every Monday night, God looks down and smiles because his power is creating an addiction that is positive and it is consuming the ladies at Wonder City who have made the decision to be “More than Sisters.”

Written by: Amy McFarland

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One of the amazing aspects of this ladies class on Monday nights has been the Acts 2:42-47 nature of the class. It has been reported to me that one of the things the class hopes to do is take care of the needs within the class. Participants have the opportunity to write prayer requests and needs on a card. Then as the class has the means and ability to address the needs, they are taken care of. Last week—right as Amy and I were preparing to leave for vacation—the class facilitator called me and told me they were going to take care of a need that a Wonder City participant had. This is an older lady who lives in an old apartment that does not have central heat and air. Her window AC unit had gone out. She put on her prayer card that God would provide an AC. The group from the class found not one, but two units for her. When they called to set up delivery, they discovered they were too late. God had already provided two units through a family member. God showed up and he showed out! This is just the tip of the iceberg of what I have been hearing that God is doing through this group of ladies. True Christian community is being formed and is having an impact.

A Success Story?

It is too early to know just how much of an impact has been made this past school year. Through the quiet generosity of several individuals a 2nd grader from Wonder City was able to attend West Memphis Christian this school year. Earlier this week we received a note from her teacher, telling us the great progress this student made academically. Her reading level has gone from 1.3 to 2.3! While she is still slightly behind where she needs to be—she has progressed a whole reading level during the course of a school year. She has also completed 13 levels on Math Facts in a Flash. However, I believe that her accomplishments academically pale in comparison to what has been accomplished spiritually. After school every day she has been coming to the church office to wait on her day care van to pick her up. For the past couple of weeks (at least that is how long I have heard her) she has been signing Christian songs like Sanctuary and Someday. Here is a young girl, singing “Oh Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary…” all on her own. She doesn’t care who is around or who hears her! This combination of education and love of Jesus is exactly what it will take to break the cycles of poverty in the lives of many served by Wonder City. Sadly, at this point this child’s mother has decided to return her to public school next year. It is my hope and prayer that God will take this one year and use it as a base that will propel her throughout the rest of her life. But, I am also praying that her mother changes her mind!

"New" Worship Space

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, some men from Missouri Street's Just Brother's Monday night men's Bible study group came to Wonder City April 21, for a service project to improve our worship facility. I finally have the pictures together to share. Here are the before pictures of what the building used to look like.

These are the pictures from the men working at the building. (some pictures were taken with a disposable camera and are not the best quality)

Finally, the "finished" project (some things still need finished--however, it is much better than what is was before). A special thanks to Lyndal Dale, Don Hilburn, and David Arnold for coming down everyday the following week to finish up. Also a special thanks to the C.I.A. (Christianity In Action) group who came this past Sunday and did even more work.

Combined Worship

Sunday, April 22, was a great day for Wonder City and Missouri Street—we held our first ever combined worship service. The worship service itself I can’t describe. This was not the first time I have been in a Church of Christ that has intentionally held services with a congregation of a different predominate race that sought to appeal to both cultures. The worship in that setting is something that simply has to be experienced. God was in the house that morning! I know that God is always in the worship of his people—but there are those days and times where you know it more than because that is simply what you believe, you know it because you experienced it. That is exactly what happened almost two weeks ago. We worshiped and enjoyed a fellowship meal together. Christians who normally don’t associate with each other from different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds were together worshipping their Lord and sharing life together. I still have not stopped hearing positive things about worship that Sunday morning from both Missouri Street members and Wonder City members. Praise God for tearing barriers down.