It’s time to grab your friends, neighbors, and family and make a difference right here in Omaha, as we join together with thousands of believers across the metro area to demonstrate the love of Jesus in practical ways.

Participants will have two projects to choose from (each project lasting about 4 hours).  In the morning, we’ll be at New Creations housing (www.newcreationsinc.org); and in the afternoon, we’ll be working with Recycled Fish (www.recycledfish.org) and doing a little “Creation Care” outside, most likely at Carter Lake.  Sound like hard work?  Well, it is, but it’s a lot of fun, too, so grab your friends and register today!

Cost is $7, with a maximum cost per family of $28.  Fee includes a signature Step Out t-shirt and boxed lunch.  (T-shirt and lunch are optional.  Please let us know you’re coming even if you don’t order a t-shirt and lunch.)

To register, or if you have questions, contact kristin@thestorehousemovement.com.  When you register, please include:

• your name

• a contact phone number

• your project choice

• any special skills you have

• if applicable, your shirt size & lunch order  (ADULT SIZES ONLY S,M.L,XL,2XL,3XL,4XL,5XL)

For more information, visit www.stepoutomaha.com

If you have a “Step Out” story, let others know by posting your comments here!

Jonie,

The Storehouse will give another $2,000.  We have it in the account, so let’s give it … as a love offering of worship unto Jesus. 

Josh, any of your disciples out there available to give to the desperately poor?  Can’t get a much cleaner, Christ-centered gift directly into the hands of the poorest of the poor and the heart of the Muslim world.  Spread the word.

Ask the Lord.  “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have” 2 Cor. 8:12

You can route via The Storehouse, or give directly to Omaha Rapid Response (omaharapidresponse.org)

The need is immeasurable, but Jesus can take our humble offerings and feed the multitudes.

In Christ,

Eric

This is an update/prayer request for Ken.  I spoke with him today for a long time.  He is really exhausted and is taking a day off tomorrow, Saturday, July 18 (which is actually tonight while we sleep).

There are still so many IDP’s (refugees) coming for help.  Ken is offering them food, water, and a roof overhead for just 4-6 weeks more but nothing beyond that.  The Pak government is still not helpful.

Waheed has taken 3-4 “much needed” days off.  This disaster has taken a huge toll on their bodies, minds, and emotions.  Waheed’s baby boy has gotten sick again, and they are seeing a doctor.  His younger brother had a couple bad seizures, and his community has been showing jealousy and displeasure with him and his family because Waheed came to the USA, and they are expecting financial help from him.  A close relative even excluded them from their wedding because of this.

The needs are intense and the people get Waheed or Ken’s phone numbers from someone and call for help.  They are not turning anyone away.  Ken purchased toys for children, and there are many; in fact, more than half of the refugees are children.  The 2 mile line they ran to supply water requires oil for the new generator, so the water can travel to the tanks.  There are 2 toilets for more than 50 women plus girls.  Then men and boys ‘go’ outside.

Please pray that Ken’s paperwork to extend his visa beyond July 5th will be completed.  The US Embassy and USAID have not been helpful either.  It is a very difficult situation and wears on Ken, who is trying to get these people help. 

Three of eight local churches in Omaha have lovingly, quickly, and generously given to the needs.  We are so grateful for this.  The fact of the matter is the NEED is deepening daily.  Ken said this is far beyond what the media describes or makes known.  Please pray as individuals, and ask God how you can help. $5, $10, $15 dollars … any amount will help.  We are sending this to all of the ORR database, which includes some 250 plus people.  A little from all would be a great help, and a lot could make a dent.  Our request is for many helpless people.  Ask God - please help.

Please pray for stamina and strength for Ken and Waheed, as well as other men working 12 or more hours each day in 120° heat.

We need you all.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any gift.  With Jesus’ love and on behalf of those he loves and longs for.

Many blessings,

Ken and Jonie Smith

Hello All,

Thank you for remembering Ken and the needs in Pakistan.  I spoke with him the other day, and he has been sick with slow recovery.  I think, because of this, it is easier to feel some discouragement.  The enemy does not like what is going on in regards to Jesus’ presence there.  Please be in prayer for his health and strength, as well as hearing the voice of God in specific ways.  The work is difficult, and often, because of a government unwilling to help their own, things can really intensify.  It seems so slow going.  In many disasters around the world we can hit some glitches but generally break through and have somewhat of a flow in meeting needs.  This setting has brought about more “road blocks”.  The Lord wants to show HIMSELF to the needy. Apart from Him we can do nothing.  When we are weak, we are strong (in Him).  Ken needs wisdom and discernment in this environment.  He is wanting to launch with a new boldness and faith by word and deed.

There are many refugees, and Ken wants to take in all who ask till the place is full, trusting God for provision like the feeding of the 5,000.  We are counting on you for prayer covering at this time.  Ken will not return home until August 14th, so please remember him daily, and as the Lord puts him on your heart.  It is hard not to be there to pray together in person, but I am thankful for the phone contact.  Jesus is always there, but the fact that he is the only Christian there can be trying on the soul.

Thank you so much for holding him up.  You are a blessing, and we look forward to sharing with you how God answers our fervent prayers.

With Jesus’ love and much gratitude,

Jonie

P.S.  Here is a link to our latest blog on the website:  http://omaharapidresponse.blogspot.com/2009/07/idps-dadar-camp-vidio.html#comments

by Teeg Stouffer

Had an excellent time on the water with friends old and new, and with our Father, who is so fond of all of us.

Campfire time and camping were great as well -  here are a couple photos from the day.  I also posted to Facebook, for those who are into that.

Thought I’d share these beyond the circle of folks who were able to come since I know many of you who weren’t able to make it asked that I share a recap and photos.

I took more photos than this.  If you’d like more, or to get your photo in high resolution, let me know and I’ll send it to you individually.  If you know someone who was there but don’t see their name on the list at the top, please forward this.

A few quick hits for those who weren’t able to make it.

- Amy wound up not being able to make it.  She woke up Saturday morning with a lime-sized “growth” in her armpit!  It was very painful, so she headed to the doctor, and our friend Sam came over to help load up and take stuff out to the river.  She learned at the doctor that she had a little infection (she’d been sick earlier in the week) so got some antibiotics and joined us for campfire time and camping that night.

- We had a mix of people who were paddling a canoe or kayak for the first time, or on the water for the first time in quite a while.  That always makes for fun.  We managed to all stay dry side up EXCEPT … for the boat with the 3 year old in it :)  Nobody got hurt, although we are reminded that cell phones like to be in dry bags better than pockets - ouch.  Hope they dried out and came back to life, guys.

- Weather was great.  We got a very brief rain shower which was gentle and warm, and really felt pretty good.  We also got a brief windy period, which also felt pretty good.  Had a mix of sun and overcast, which was just right.  Nice day, and a big relief from the oppressive heat of the week prior.

- We made two stops.  One for lunch and one for a time of “Open Church”.  The paddling inspired many to share good reflections on the metaphors of water, a river, and the relationship of that to us, and our relationship with Father.  Another theme was Father’s provision, His steadfast, faithful provision - and our desperate need for it.  We shared testimonies and built relationships, we sang with only the accompaniment of birds and bugs and wind and water, we prayed for one another.  May we never run short of reminders that it absolutely does not matter WHERE we meet, or HOW we meet, but it’s sweet when we do.  There’s no such thing as GOING TO CHURCH.  We ARE church.

- Our friend, John Sundberg, had to split before dinner, but Kyle’s friend, Kevin, showed up for campfire time.  Amy and Sage rolled in then, too.  Always nice to have people join, last year we had many more for campfire time than paddling, too. 

 - Campfire time was complete with some truly awesome venison steaks (thanks, John Sundberg) cooked over a wood fire.  Chili Dogs (thanks, Fichters, for going and rescuing my forgotten food from John’s vehicle), pork and beans, chips, and other camp-tastic foods.  We learned the true way to do S’mores in little tin foil packets (thanks, Longs!), and had some good time visiting and sharing and staring into a fire.

 - We wound up with four tents pitched in our little campground at Botna Bend park.  We had a perfect riverside site, a nice mix of trees and thick mowed grass, and we had the whole area to ourselves - it was pretty great.  We had two dogs around, both well behaved, and had an awesome camp breakfast that included kielbasa and hash browns, bacon, and eggs, Columbian coffee, and other odds and ends.

All in all, another awesome Floatilla with Father.  Special thanks to the Fichters for providing their 7 boats, driving two vehicles, and all the help with planning and coordination.  To Sam Penhale too, who shouldered quite a bit of the camping/cooking/coordination stuff, and to everybody who came, who prayed for us, who pitched in.

Don’t wait for the next one to get outside and worship in nature!  It’s good for the body, good for the soul, good for the spirit.  All of creation points to its Creator.  Go outside, have great adventures.

Love and blessings,

Teeg Stouffer, Executive Director, Recycled Fish  www.recycledfish.org