I hope all is well with everyone and you are seeking God in everything you do. Over the past four months, I have been stretched and pulled into places I never thought I would go. We have seen people receive radical answers to prayers and have had people begin to open up to us and share their deepest needs. We have had ex-prisoners break down in tears in front of us and have given people a meal for the first time in days. People who came in at first to have their own needs met are bringing others in with them.
It can be a little overwhelming when you think about it. The needs around us are so great, and it is hard to understand how we can even be making a difference. Then God shows up and we see Him at work right in front of us, and we know we are right where He wants us to be.
In the month of February, we served 1,387 meals and hosted two night events that brought in 440 people. Fourteen people attended our first cooking class. We also started a community garden with Providence Presbyterian church in the Hillsdale community. It will not only provide the cafe with fresh vegetables, but will also give us a chance to meet the needs of community around us. God has given us lots to do, and He has been blessing it.
We are also in the process of obtaining our 501c3 status. This will open doors for us to purchase food at the food bank, and will allow us to accept monthly support from local churches, businesses, and individuals. We are excited about this and feel this is an important step in the growth of this ministry.
As many of you know, we are going to Uganda in less then three weeks! We are so excited about this and know God is going to do a mighty work, not only through us, but also in us, and we cannot wait to see what that is. We need a couple of things: prayer warriors to lift us up in prayer and to pray for all of us on a daily basis, starting now until we return. We will be leaving April 14 and returning April 24. Please pray for our travel. We leave out of Atlanta and have an eight-hour flight to Amsterdam, then another eight-hour flight to Kampala. Please pray for Mary Paige and Abbey as well as both of us during this time.
We will be going to different villages in and around Kampala doing water purification, cooking, building urban gardens, putting on kids carnivals, and doing medical outreach and education, so they days will be full. Pray for strength for the entire team. Secondly, we still need to raise around $4,000 for this trip, and we only have three weeks to do it. We have African jewelry for sale that was made by the women of Kampala if you are interested, and the proceeds go toward our trip. We will also have a garage sale to raise money. We know God is not broke and He will provide for us to go where He guides. So if He has put it on your heart to give financially to this mission, please do so. You can give online at www.4cornersministries.org or send a check to 4 Yacht Club Dr., Daphne AL 36526. We know this is going to be an awesome step in the ministry of Ransom Cafe, and we cannot wait to see all that He wants to do in and through us. We will also be blogging while in Uganda, so be on the lookout for that.
Thanks again for all those who support Ransom Cafe and all the many volunteers that make this possible, but most of all, thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory for ever and ever Amen.
Matt And Tara Armbruster