"Carver Village" is a government housing community in Bartow, Florida, where Jessie and various volunteers have been investing their time and the love of Jesus for several years, hosting outreaches and children's events. Recently, the effort expanded as Jessie and a team of volunteers opened a "Kids Club" at Carver for Elementary students. This after school program meets each Thursday afternoon, offering tutoring, help with homework, play-time, music, scripture memory, snacks and more. Community outreach days are also held monthly on the weekends, and a Women's Bible Study group was just started.
Your Prayers, Volunteer service and Donations are much needed and appreciated!
Make checks payable to: Oasis Outreach Inc. and mark it "Carver Outreach" Mail to:
PO Box 555, Kathleen, Fl, 33849
If you would like to volunteer, e-mail us and ask to be included on Jessie's Carver e-mail list. Also, keep up with "The Carver Chronicles" Journal entries in the notes section of Jessie's Facebook page. jessiegoodman/facebook.com
(Read a sample, Volume 7, below)
Thank you for your support!
"HEAVEN ON EARTH"
by Jessie Goodman 11/11/11
It hit me fresh yesterday. I was bent-knees sitting on the sidewalk at Azalea Gardens, the "sister" hood to Carver Village. (The 2-story apartment complexes next door to Carver)
I was fighting a cold, tired and a little overwhelmed. But as I was surrounded by children getting prizes from my "grab bag," after an already beautifully chaotic and crowded day at the Carver after school program, I got lost in it. I was painted into the blur of needs and smiles and dirt and faces. I didn't want to move from that picture. I belonged. We are all the same. I too felt so needy in that moment. What can we really do for so many, apart from Christ? And What would I have done if Jesus had not bent down for me? Yet this is exactly where I find Him. In the midst of the crowds, but close to faces. He is near. Most people do not recognize Him in "places like this," because they are not willing to look closely enough-to get that close to the very ones He hides behind. So they keep looking. Waiting for something to happen. They sit in their buildings and pray for Revival, while the Holy Spirit walks the streets praying for them to come out and find it. Do we want true revival or do we want God to do something "BIG" that gets us off the hook for a while? It is much easier to invite someone to "something," than to accept the invitation God has already given us to go and find Him and share bread. To be spiritually hungry enough that we will eat at any table, anywhere, anytime. After all, one scripture even says that "He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies." Right in the middle of a mess! Where do we expect God to be? Why would He need to prepare comfort in a place where we are already comfortable? First we have to Go.
So then I remember, again, to "Love the ONE in front of me." When I get sidetracked by numbers I just remember to focus on one face at a time. Thank God I am not just a number to Him! The Bible teaches that there is more joy in heaven over one lost sheep who returns than over all of the "saved" ones that Jesus leaves behind to find that one.
I look them in their little eyes and smile. "A Smile is the beginning of Love." (Mother Teresa) I follow them home and meet their moms and give away crosses and hugs and one-at-a-time words of hope. I teach them not to take, but to recieve and then share. And I PRAY. I cry out to God, knowing that He is out there with me, looking for the one. He knows their names. He loves Cory and James and Pumpkin and Shannon and Hector and Jayden, and...ME. He loves ME. I am part of the picture. We are all part of the picture. He is painting a beautiful, colorful picture of true Revival. One person at a time. This is Heaven on Earth...
"Blessed are those who are poor and realize their need for Him,
for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs." Matthew 5:3
(Note: This scripture was part of a sermon Jesus taught after climbing out of the crowd)
