Leah Rade

Rosie - Update

I am touched by so many inquires about Rosie.  If you're unsure what or who I'm talking about, check out my post from yesterday.  I heard from Sherri and Jay today and was delighted to hear that Jay was able to talk to Rosie about God while driving him to the Raleigh bus station.  While I don't know the details, I do know Jay and I'm sure that he shared the awesome Jesus whom he trusts.  Upon arriving in Raleigh Jay bought Rosie dinner before watching him board his bus to Rocky Mount.  After a quick wave, Rosie disappeared into the crowded bus.

While we all believe that we were placed in Rosie's life to help him with the basic necessities of life...I believe that Rosie was placed in our lives in order for us to grow and be blessed by serving him.  Several of our group members shared feelings of being part of something profound.  Want to get closer to God?  Want to be part of something bigger than yourself?  Serve someone.  We serve a monthly meal to 100 men residing at the Main Durham Rescue Mission on the first Sunday of every month and we'd love to have you join us.  Are you ready?  Email me at leah@newhorizonchurch.tv.

Rosie

There's been lots of life-stuff going on in the past couple of months and I have to confess that the blog has taken a backseat to other priorities.  However, I absolutely have to share this amazing story!

Last night our small group met and we used Rob Bell's "Rich" as a great one-time follow up study to pastor Dave's awesome message.  We had just worked through some provocative questions, including: "Do you consider yourself to be a follower of Jesus?" "Do you live the kind of life that Jesus described his followers would live?" "Do you believe everything you own is in some way a gift from God?" "Everything?" "Are you generous? With your money? Your time? Your stuff?" "What can you give? Who are you going to bless?"

As if on cue, the doorbell rang and we discovered Rosie, a homeless man who had traveled all the way from Florida on his way to Roanoke Rapids where he had a brother.  Needless to say, he was wet, cold and hungry.  Our group was now stunned at the timing of the appearance of Rosie.  It was amazing to watch everyone scramble to get him some chili, cornbread, cake slices, water, as well as pack up the leftover carbohydrates for his journey.  The group also pooled together money for a hotel room with the questions, " What can you give? How are you going to bless?" still fresh on our hearts.

Below is an email follow up from a couple in our group and the ongoing story of Rosie.

"Jay and I left Rosie (the homeless man) at the Scotsman hotel tonight after he ate the bowl of Chili and cornbread.  We may never see Rosie again but as Jay said, God may have sent him as an angel to us to see how we would respond.  How appropriate Rosie's timing after just hearing about how fortunate/blessed we are and how God wants us to give to others. It is with Gods love that we were able to pay it forward to one of his people.  Contentment.... I felt very content and at peace by helping Rosie tonight and being a part of Gods ministry. It makes me proud to be with people like each of you to serve God by giving to his people.  We will may never know what an impact we just had on Rosie  but the situation tonight has had a profound impact on me.  We may not be able to save the world but if we can help just one person.... 

 

I thank everyone tonight for another wonderful community group time together and experience!!! 

 

Have a great week and GOD continue to BLESS US...so we can be a blessing to others."

The following email just arrived from the same couple sharing the ongoing story:

"Jay just called me and on his way home from school, guess who he saw walking on the road.... yep Rosie.  He pulled over, called me and we decided to see what was up with Rosie.  Jay is currently on his way to Raleigh bus station with Rosie!!! Rosie is trying to get to family up in Roanoke Rapids area.  I called the Gray Hound in Durham to learn that they leave from Raleigh at 6:30 tonight to Rocky Mount which is the closest place to Roanoke Rapids.  Jay said Rosie smells much better and he is going to make sure he has dinner before he gets on the bus.  Please pray for Jay right now as he is going to share God with Rosie and I ask that you pray for Rosie that if he hasn't accepted Jesus that he will during this ride with Jay.  I told Jay that this is not by coincidence and that God put this man in our path again so that he will know Him.  Wow... I said last night that Rosie has made an impact on me and he continues to do so.  I will keep you all updated about Rosie!"

Wow, is right, Sherri...To be continued.

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'Matthew 25:37-40