We just returned from the Bowery, where Curt did maintenance, installed some cameras, and taught Bible studies and chapel, and MJ taught GED English classes.
When we arrived, the kitchen was unbearably hot. There was something wrong with the exhaust fan and no air was circulating at all. The kitchen staff told us that it was terribly hot all day, but by the afternoon, it would get worse—even if the ovens were off. The Bowery was looking at $4000+ for repairs. Curt did some checking and it turned out that the fan was turning in the wrong direction. Someone had wired the motor in the wrong phase and he simply changed the phase and it started doing the right thing. On top of that, a large attic/gable type fan was broken and the repair company was going to charge $400 to fix it when all it needed was a new fan belt! He also installed a temperature sensor on it so that the fan wouldn’t run unless the temperature reaches a certain degree.
In addition to teaching during chapel times and house devotions, Curt offered a Bible study in the evening to anyone who wished to come. Each night, a few more guys showed up. They all had lots of questions and Curt was able to direct them to the Bible, which has answers for every problem in life. Living in community at the Bowery (or anywhere!) can be challenging. It gives the students frequent opportunities to die to self and to practice doing the Word. Pray that they would be rooted and grounded in the Word so that they can succeed in this challenge, that they would continue to study the Bible together, and that they would allow God to have all of their hearts.
We count it a privilege to be allowed to encourage our brothers in Christ at the Bowery, but it seems like what the Lord is really up to is encouraging
us. We have recently decided to take another step toward going full time in disaster relief. MJ will not to return to teaching high school English this year so that she will be able to take on more work of the ministry and be available to travel more with Curt. This will allow us to stay in the field longer when we do respond to an area. At this point, we are self-supported. We know that the Lord is faithful and will continue to provide for us, but of course the flesh part of us wonders how and when! Well, while we were in NY, a church on Staten Island was having a VBS and wanted to give their offering to disaster relief missionaries, but they did not know any. The pastor there called his son, who is the pastor at a church in Manhattan. He did not know any disaster relief missionaries either, but he knew someone who did—Bowery director Tom Basile. Sure enough, Tom knew two who just happened to be in town at that very time! We were invited to New Dorp Baptist Church, where Curt spoke to the children and showed some pictures. They blessed us with the offering and then we hung around afterward for some fellowship. Youth leaders Cathy and Ron, who headed up the VBS, and the rest of New Dorp Baptist are part of a good work and are excited for what the Lord is doing among them. It was a beautiful picture of how God cares for us and “how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1).
At the VBS, we met Danny, who invited us to attend Horizon Fellowship Brooklyn for Sunday services. We were blessed by a good message about unity, and then even more blessed as the congregation put the message into action by making us feel so welcome. Danny and his wife Daniela are interested in joining us for Thanksgiving at the Bowery.
As the work of the Bowery continues, please pray that the men would have victory over the strongholds in their lives. Radcliffe, a student who has been at the Bowery for about a month, said that when he is inside, he is able to do what is right, but as soon as he goes outside, he gets into trouble. He was one of the men who attended Curt’s evening Bible study. He said that he was very encouraged to hear how the Lord can make permanent changes in his life that will last even after he leaves the Bowery. Another student, Joel, came up to Curt before we left and said in a joking way that he was mad at him. The Bible studies about dying to self had convicted him and he hadn’t been able to sleep the past night because God kept revealing all the areas where he wasn’t dying to self! He now realizes just how selfish his life truly has been and with God’s power he wants to stay focused and allow God to change him permanently from the inside out! Another student, Domingo, who is a new believer, said that he was really challenged in what the Bible had to say about living his life for the Lord, but now he knows that as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, the Bible has everything he needs to live a Godly life no matter what he is going through. Pray for him as he was having some chest and arm pains when we left and was sent to the hospital. He also quit smoking while we were there.
We are blessed that God allows us to share His Word with these men. Even within the protection of the Bowery, the men struggle. Just this week, a student who has worked with us in past disaster relief trips made some poor choices and left the Bowery. We are heartbroken when this happens. Please pray that the men would turn wholeheartedly to the One who upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry, who sets prisoners free, gives sight to the blind, and lifts up those who are bowed down. Pray also that the Holy Spirit would soften hearts so that the Word that is sown will fall on good soil, grow, and produce a crop that will multiply. It really is a matter of life and death.
Thanks for all your prayers and support.
Lord Bless,
Curt & Mary Jo Hencye
Relief Ministries Calvary Chapel Sarasota
Website:
www.ReliefMinistriesCCSarasota.com Contact info:
Curt:
941-915-9560
Email:
Curt@ReliefMinistriesCCSarasota.com Skype-Hencye
If you are interested in helping with the ministry's expenses we have set up an online giving section on our church's web page, https://ccsrq.cc/online-giving, or you can contact us directly, or mail a check to:
Calvary Chapel Sarasota
Relief Ministries
3800 27th Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34235
Please note Relief Ministries in the memo.
All dontations are tax deductible. We are self-supporting missionaries. If you wish to give directly to our living expenses, please note that as well.
A mission's ministry of Calvary Chapel Sarasota.
