Malkemes
January 26, 2010
- Staff Care: Ask God to equip us and bring others around to help care for our young adult staff. Many of them are dealing with challenging situations and/or life direction questions. We are also about to welcome another new staff member, Nyesha, who is coming to work with our Neighborhood Youth Ministries.
- Vision for the next 10 Years: We are praying for continued clarity around God's vision for establishing five (5) Neighborhood Ministry Houses in Boston by 2020. Ask God to raise up and connect the team of people to usher in this vision.
- Spiritual Growth in our Neighborhood: The spiritual condition of our neighbors is important to us. We recently had a neighbor ask if we would help host a monthly neighborhood prayer meeting. We are also aware of the evil forces trying to destroy our youth. Pray that people will understand the power and healing found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Debt free in 2010: Glenna and I enjoy giving to others, but at times are limited by our remaining personal debt. Pray for us as we take on a few extra jobs in 2010 to eliminate our remaining debt.
Thanks for praying for our family and this ministry. Feel free to send us any questions or your own updates.
With love and gratitude,
Your friends - Paul & Glenna
January 15, 2010
It was an invigorating time for our staff to come together daily for prayer over eight specific needs. I believe God used the time to help us become more attuned to the Holy Spirit's work in each of our lives. Below is a short summary of His movements:
1 & 2. God closed two doors for Keith & Sarah in regards to overseeing the Jubilee House and an offer on a particular house. It's been a challenging, but growing season for their family. Read their blog to learn more.
3. David & Mindy continue to wait on God for their plans post-June 2010. David may work with us through the summer or start a corrections officer class. You can also read their blog about God's nudging to serve in Haiti sometime this year.
4. We continue to explore how Emily might be more fully used in the life of this ministry. She may be starting a small group Bible study soon with a few neighborhood ladies. Her soul-searching has caused BP as a ministry to more deeply consider how people fit into our emerging Neighborhood Ministry House teams.
5. Glenna and Paul will work hard towards becoming debt-free in 2010. God is providing some additional income in ways that are not detracting, but complementary to our full-time work with The Boston Project.
6. New individuals are being invited to join the Board this winter.
7. We continue to pray for our 2nd Neighborhood Ministry House. Park Street Church is prayerfully seeking if there are members of their church that sense a calling towards this type of ministry.
8. God continues to provide for our financial needs day-by-day. Amen!
January 4, 2010
As we enter 2010 and are faced with the tragedies in our world, we are very thankful for God's mercies (which are new every morning). Some of the things which gave us personal delight in 2009:
1. Retreat with Bethany Presbyterian Church
2. Weddings of many good friends
3. Paul's improved health after a scare in August
4. Positive transition to a new school for Megan
5. Reducing our personal debt by 30%
6. Glenna's Neighborhood Bible Study this fall
7. Spiritual growth in all of us
8. Many friends reconnected with through Facebook
9. Our new children's park on Elmhurst Street
10. Daily opportunity to serve God through The Boston Project Ministries.
Thank you so much for being part of our lives through prayer, friendship, and support of the ministry.
December 1, 2009
In late November the question was posed to me, "If God was to look down from Heaven at The Boston Project's home on Elmhurst Street, would it be known as a house of prayer?"
This challenge collided with the reality that I have never felt so desperate for the future of The Boston Project, yet so full of expectation at the same time!
As a result I asked our staff and Board to enter into 30 Days of Prayer for eight (8) big requests before us. Here are the eight prayer needs:
1. Keith and Sarah Riddle have been asked to consider overseeing the Jubilee House (a Christian ministry house) for six months while the current directors are on sabbatical starting in January.
2. Keith and Sarah Riddle continue to wait on God for the opportunity to purchase a home for ministry.
3. David and Mindy Rameau are praying about their future after June 2010 when David's service with Americorp ends. He could stay with The Boston Project or explore his interest in law enforcement.
4. Emily Oldham is praying about her future and time with The Boston Project. We are also praying for ways for her to more fully use her spiritual gifts in the life of this ministry.
5. Paul and Glenna Malkemes are praying the continued focus to eliminate their remaining debt in 2010.
6. Addition of new members for The Boston Project Board of Directors.
7. Establishing our 2nd Neighborhood Ministry House in 2010. Pray also for Park Street Church who is considering partnership with a ministry house.
8. Boston Project finances. Our current income from charitable gifts dropped in 2009 making it difficult to sustain our monthly work particularly between now and March 2010. Pray for God's provision for our needs.
Thanks for praying with us! - paul & glenna
November 4, 2009
"...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether
well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything
through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12b
Recently our family watched an episode of ABC's Extreme Home Makeover. Megan loves hearing each family's storyline and we are amazed at the quick house transformations (considering it took Paul a few months to replace a broken toilet seat!). The family featured ran a ministry in Illinois called Salt & Light, which provides food, clothing, and furniture for families in need. We were inspired to see another family that serves together.
On a recent Saturday, our family joined neighbors and volunteers of all ages to build a new garden-park around the corner from us. It was a real joy to care for God's creation by planting trees, flowers, and picking up stones (Grace's job). We love the opportunity to regularly show our daughters that God has made us to love Him and our neighbors.
These days we are also very thankful for our daily bread. As highlighted in our last newsletter, financial gifts both for our work as missionaries and the General Fund of The Boston Project have dipped significantly during the middle of this year. We know many people are affected by our current economy - including ourselves. It is our desire to be like the apostle Paul and learn the secret of being content in any and every situation.
We ask you to pray for us. We have no doubt that God is at work here. He always shows up. But as husband and wife, we are trying to best understand how He is going to provide; through charitable gifts or possibly a part-time job for Glenna. Our tension is rooted in the fact that we believe God has called us to serve together through The Boston Project (and a second job might hinder that). Yet, we also believe He does not want us to accumulate debt either.
At Glenna's neighborhood Bible study last week the speaker said, "God is predictable in his character, but unpredictable in his activity." Because God is Jehovah Jireh - our provider - we can trust in Him. We are hope-filled as we wait to see how He will provide.
October 18, 2009
I was about to close my Bible when God grabbed hold of my heart this morning. I was captured by Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Recently, I have been struggling with feeling overwhelmed. As you know, we love our neighborhood and are huge champions for all the good that happens here. But there is this other reality where evil is present with us and wearing me down (mostly through my heavy-heartedness for people). I have been spending time with some young people who we love dearly, but their decisions to engage in unhealthy activities has grown. Additionally, there is a subculture that supports their choices.
What I was struck by in this verse is God's strategy. How do we combat evil - by continuing to do good! As we work with young people and in our community, there is a transforming power in doing good. In the end, we need to remember that it is God who will take care of the evil.
Thanks for the encouragement God to press on!
October 1, 2009
The beginning of autumn has been full of many answers to prayer; Paul's health has improved, Megan loves her new school, and we are slowly finding time for personal and spiritual renewal. Praise God.
Personal and Spiritual Renewal: September has been a good start, but continue to pray for us as we are restored while resting and enjoying ourselves in the presence of God. Paul is setting aside more study time as we prayerfully consider the future of The Boston Project's Neighborhood Ministry House movement. We are also looking forward to a few dates while the girls are at school!
Sharing the Good News: This week we start a new outreach called FIZZ. It's a weekly Bible Club for elementary students on Thursdays after our Homework Center. Glenna leads this creative time that incorporates science experiments in teaching biblical, life principles. Our teen Bible study, Real Life, has also launched for the semester.
Needed Mini-Van: Please pray for wisdom as we search for a used mini-van. (we are not experienced car shoppers - smile.) Our finances are limited, but we would like to have a vehicle that will last us 4-5 years and allow us to travel to churches and family out of state. Pray for God's provision of a Divine deal!
Fruit that will Last: John Perkins (CCDA) writes, "I am convinced that the key to bearing lasting fruit is not in developing programs but in developing people - leaders." Pray for us as we invest more time in staff and partner organizations helping to develop Christ-centered leaders. Jesus said, "I chose you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last" - John 15:16b.
With love and gratitude,
Your friends - Paul & Glenna
September 19, 2009
Meg the oldest daughter here. So the yard sales are here and we are getting ready to sell our stuff. Just the other day my mom saw a yard sale sign and said" I wanna check it out" Well change has been hard for our family, but fall is here (and my mom's and I b-days) and that's when our family gets back in our schedule. Yard sales our my favorite kinds of buying styles. We can get awesome stuff for discounts. A yard sale today is at Mellville park and boy, my dad is excited.
So I wanna say to you guys reading to shout "HALLA"
TTYL, megmeg
September 14, 2009
Like many of you, we have launched into a new school year! The new schedule is a bit more rigorous, yet we are all enjoying the change.
After a challenging few years at the Lee Academy for Megan, we made the decision to transition her to another school. In early September Megan began attending South Shore Christian Academy with one of her best friends from church. We believe the school will provide a strong academic challenge for Megan and a calmer environment for her personality.
Cady and Grace are returning to the Lee Academy with excitement to reunite with their friends and school community.
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