Friends,
Thank you so much for your continued support throughout the 2008 year. Thank you also for your prayer support and your willingness to help and pray for those in need. 2008 was a year of miracles for this ministry.
In 2007, God spoke to my heart about trust. I was not sure what He was calling me to do, but one thing I am sure of now is that it was definitely about prayer. You see the Bible says that God knows what we need before we even ask for it. Matthew 6:8. So why ask? Well I’ve come to realize as I am sure many before me, prayer should not, and is not, all about asking God for provisions or favor. I began the year hungry and thirsty for him to draw closer to me and me to Him. I soon realized all I was doing was asking God for this or that or for provisions for His people.
Through January and February, I struggled with the needs of many people who were losing their homes, their jobs, and not being able to afford the simplest of things such as roof repairs, window repairs, broken heaters, and other necessities. Because of the economic state of our country, our own business suffered dramatically. We went from having 160 employees in 2006 to about 10 in the beginning of 2008.
The donations coming into the ministry were about 1/100th of the need. We were still in the process of raffling off the Unleashed motorcycle. Through April the donations received from the tickets was a large source of revenue for the ministry. There were approximately 2300 tickets released in exchange for approximately $46,000 in donations. All of the money raised went to help those in need. Thank you Jesus! But by the end of April it was clear we needed to raffle off the motorcycle. A woman named Rosemarie in Henderson, Nevada was chosen as the winner. We were blessed to meet her and her family. They welcomed us and showed us the love of Christ with their hospitality. Thanks Rosemarie and your family for your kindness.
By the end of April I was actually feeling angry. Angry that we were not able to meet the needs of those struggling. Angry that we were not even close to helping fill the requests from the people, ministries and churches who were struggling. So I cried out, God help me, help us, help those in need, help your children, help your people. There I was again, back asking. I spent most of my days wondering where He was. I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5. Well I do not know how you feel about visions and dreams, but boy oh boy did he show up. I went from feeling angry to realizing once again that all of God’s promises are true. He took me from a desert into a lush garden of His promises. Instead of asking God, I began to thank Him for everything even when there seemed to be nothing tangible to thank him for. I knew He was there. I started my days in worship and praise. I began to really understand what He wanted from me – worship and love. He opened the floodgates, not in a way I expected but go figure.
He poured out an abundance of blessings. We saw a home for single mothers and their families that was about to close be able to keep their doors open for another six months. Please pray for God’s hand and his love to stay with Travis and Cyrina at Naomi’s House. He supplied building materials for the Chapel of Hope project. As I was wondering how we would get it built before winter, He supplied a spirit filled church whose heart for missions should be a model for us all. First Sierra Baptist in Alta. Wow, what a great group of brothers and sisters.
He took us to a small church in Auburn, California, Combie Church, and between them and Chapel of Hope’s congregation we were blessed with the seed money to start the Stephanie Martinez project. We have been able to help a young, disabled woman to have her own handicapped accessible room and bathroom. This will also include a patio and trellis. This project has not been done without a multitude of volunteers including Bonnie Plumbing, Livingston Concrete, Timberlake Cabinetry, Kelly Ames, ABC Supplies, and so many others. We thank you all for your help and support.
He poured into our hands people, volunteers, and Bibles for outreach. He also provided a truck and trailer full of refrigerators, stoves, doors, and washers and dryers for an outreach. We also received a large donation of cabinets and carpeting. I was now overwhelmed with God’s blessings and we were steadily finding families for His provisions. I soon realized my relationship to God had changed and I was no longer asking for things but was just praising and worshiping Him and trusting in Him. Even in the hard times I could feel His presence.
I know God loves all of His children because He sent His own son Jesus to the cross in order for us to be redeemed. I want to encourage you to stop asking and start learning how to worship and love and watch the floodgates open. Walk in the Spirit.
Richard A. Wilkins
Awakening In Him Ministry
