ARK - Act of Random Kindness

Ronn Patterson
Date: September 7, 2016 at 5:53:22 PM CDT

I have been praying about how to use the Acts of Random Kindness dollars Scatter Christ gave the BOD. I had a couple of situations come up and the Lord just did not give me the freedom/opportunity to do something. I had an appointment in one case and later went to try to find the guy. He wanted $ for his daughter - could hardly understand him. He was carrying two stuffed animals with him. I thought that was probably his normal story to try and get money. I could not find him. I wondered what the Lord was teaching me. 

Today I learned of a single mom in my community. She has 4 girls by 3 different men. Her name is April. She had a wreck and hurt her back and is out of work. The girls had so many needs with the start of school. I gave the whole $100 to her. I have found out that her girls are coming to some special events at my church but I am pretty certain her greatest need is Jesus. I'm praying that this ministry and other things the Lord will do will open up opportunities to share Christ with her.

Access Denied

The meeting at Lloyd's was around the end of April 2006 and the Sudanese tour was scheduled to end sometime mid-end of May 2006. Our four new friends, Jeffreys, Stephen, Bullen and Andrew, would be returning home within a couple of weeks. Our family conversations were constantly about our new friends.

Left to Right: Bullen, unknown, Andrew
Standing: Jeffreys

SEM and I decided that we wanted to see Bullen Timo one more time before he returned to South Sudan.  I called the sponsoring ministry to inquire about the location of the last few speaking engagements for the Sudansese.  SEM and I were going to travel to that location and just speak to, see and hug Bullen one more time!  I continued to leave message after message at their office with no response (of course, they were on the road).  Every afternoon SEM would come home from school and ask if I had gotten any information of BUllen's location.  Days later, the director's assistant returned my call and I didn't hear the words that I wanted to hear.  The Sudanese's schedule was too busy and they were moving in many different directions, therefore the ministry would not allow us a time to visit.  A little sadness, but not heartbroken, we understood that God was in control and this wasn't about us.

I encouraged SEM to send an email to his new friend and maybe just maybe he would respond before departing.  Bullen did respond to the email with kind words of encouragement but no place to see him again. 

Bullen and Andrew in New Orleans

Seeing God's Creation of the Ocean

Their time in the USA gave them the opportunity to speak at 35+ churches as well as other events. They met so many people throughout the States (Bullen can remember all of them and every single place he visited in detail). Have I told you that he has an unbelievable memory and his sense of direction is amazing?

God placed this young man in our hearts and minds and unbeknownst to us, our family.

The Talk

On Sunday morning, David Platt introduced the four internationals to the congregation and each one shared their story.  The stories were a little unbelievable, a little sad, and very heart grabbing.  I just loved their British English accent and the way they presented their faith in Jesus.

For those of us who wanted to hear more, there would be one more event at Lloyds Restaurant on Highway 280 during the evening.  These men traveled more than 6000 miles in hopes of helping people in their homeland with food and shelter.  During this evening, we learned even more about the starvation and war torn villages of South Sudan.

A friend of mine, Lori, and I had made handkerchiefs for these men with their initials on them.  Don't ask me where that came from because I have no idea.  Each one accepted their gift with graciousness and were so humble in spirit.  Our youngest son, SEM, and I made an instant connection with the youngest young man, whose name was Bullen Timo. We spoke to him after the meeting and then got in line to talk with him again and again.  We stayed way past our welcome, as the missionaries from TN who were traveling with them were ready for everyone to be gone.  Our church raised 10's of thousands of dollars for these families across the globe.  We said our goodbyes with hugs and comments of "see you in heaven one day".

Wow - our paths had crossed for such a short period of time (about 6 hours: 3 hours for dinner at Dreamland; 1 hour in church service; 2 hours at dinner and visit at Lloyds), 360 Minutes.  This will be very significant as this story unfolds..........

SIDENOTE:  A couple of things about this time that I now know 10 yrs later.  Bullen, in the process of traveling, carrying luggage, sleeping on a mattress, etc, had pulled his back out.  He was in extensive pain every time he moved.  He hurt when he stood, moved or lay down, but he was required by the director to get up and get sharing.

A new time A new place

Today.......A new month -- a new week -- a new normal -- a new time -- a new place -- an empty nest.

The feelings,  the empty chair at dinner,  the happiness,  the thankfulness,  the empty bedroom,  the unknown,  the letting go,  the goodbyes,  the love we shared,  the time together, and I could go on and on and on.

Exactly 10 years ago last week, our family met a young man from the other side of the world who would change our lives forever, but we had no idea.  We simply accepted an offer to host four international men for dinner.  On this night, we decided to take them to Dreamland BBQ and its was a hit.  After dinner it was back to our house for a little more fun and fellowship, which included many questions about their life and playing drums with our youngest son.

An early night was closed with hugs and hand-shakes and we knew we would hear them speak at our church on the coming Sunday

to be continued..........

VIEWS views!

Twenty Eight THOUSAND Four Hundred Eight!  

Is this number large or small?

That depends on what you are comparing.

This is the number of page views on Scatter Christ since 2008.  

Based on this information this number is very small in the world, 

but very large considering Scatter Christ has never advertised or officially published this blog. 

Because cluster maps has changed their format - the number is back to zero.

For information and stories on all of our scatterings:

Follow our blog:  www.scatterchrist@blogspot.com

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Blessing money can't buy!

DEllis

I met this homeless lady in the green jacket in 2005 during The Church at Brookhills Extreme Graceover. She had been sober and at a shelter 55 days.  During this weekend, she ate at Pizza Hut and Fish Market, got new PJs, received a new haircut and new clothes. She was very funny and quick witted.  I posted about DEllis (HERE). 

Tonight as I had dinner with another one of the homeless women almost 10 years later, we discussed DEllis and her whereabouts. WB asked me if I still had the necklace for her.  I DO, let's find her.   I pulled out my smart phone and googled for a phone number, knowing she left Birmingham for Pensacola, Florida to live with her father.  My heart sank when what appeared was her obituary!  She passed away several years ago.

The above picture also appeared in an advertisement for Help for the Homeless!  Christ, family, church and friends are such a blessing that so many of us take for granted each day!  

Scatter Christ, Inc.

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 22, 2014, 

SCATTER CHRIST IS AN OFFICIAL NON-PROFIT 501C3 

AND YOUR DONATIONS WILL BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

Many "Scattering Stories" have been shared on this blog since 2005.  Although, this blog has not been updated since we became a corporation and fell into the paperwork madness of becoming an official non-profit.  God has continued to work and place people in our paths to love, share and show the love of Christ.  Want you join us on His Journey?

If LOST

Christ mas

Christ is Christmas - Scatter Christ to the Nations!

12.12.12

Don't Veer off center

Kay Arthur's - Lord, I give you this day devotional.

Choice

Buzzard Bat Bumblebee

I got this email this week that just rang so true, so I thought I would share it.

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly,but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air,

cannot take off from a level place.

If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and,

no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air.

Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out.

It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out 

through the sides near the bottom.

It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up!

That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem...

just look up!

Sorrow looks back,

Worry looks around,

But faith looks up!

Live simply,

love generously,

care deeply,

speak kindly, and

trust in our Creator,

who loves us.

A Great BIG Problem!

Session Two of Rock the Block in Choctaw County concentrated on " A Great BIG PROBLEM" - S.I.N.

Every one of us has S.I.N.N.E.D and fallen short of the glory of God.  This problem began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were disobedient to the Lord our God.  They were told not to eat from the from "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but the Serpent convinced them otherwise. We now live in a fallen world and this is a great big Problem.

The children loved eating apples for snack and playing with plastic snakes.

Prepare your Hearts

To prepare to go on a Mission trip you must prepare your hearts for His Ministry and unexpected challenges.  You must be flexible, flexible, flexible.  If you have never been on a short-term mission trip, please consider going - It will CHANGE your life forever!

Jack Hempeling wrote the following in his book, Before You Go:

We must prepare our hearts.  Our long term impact depends more deeply on our heart preparation than our technical preparation. We must prepare to stay focused, to be unified, to be positive, pure, humble and submissive and full of faith and praise.  All of this combined with practical and technical preparation is what will allow us to make a greater impact and touch people's lives.

We are to throw out pride, rebellion against the team or leaders, division and strife among the members, complaining about circumstances, negative attitudes, course language, inappropriate relationships and impurity.  We must be vigilant to keep them away from our hearts.

Expect the unexpected.  God has set this trip in motion and He may choose to use you in many different ways.  Maybe witnessing to someone in a crowded airport or in the seat next to you.  He may intervene and create a greater plan for you in the field, one greater than you had planned.  Be open to His plan and be flexible.

We are to not allow anyone, even ourselves, to limit us from fulfilling God's call for us.  He has set us apart for His purposes and He creates a stir in our heart to respond to that calling.  He put in our hearts the desire to go to the mission field so we need to resist the temptation to focus on our personal limitations.

Potter's Hand

The last few weeks have been really tough for Rick and I.  Just to be honest we feel like the world is crashing down around us.

My sweet husband was fired from his job by his oldest son (hurt & dishonor is an understatement).  We have until August 31st and are praying for God's direction. Thankful that God is sovereign and sits on the Throne!

We received a water bill for several hundred dollars (surprise), we called the plumber - no leaks in the house, we called American Leak Detection (several hundred more dollars) and with nitrogen and a headset they searched for a leak. They listened for hours and reported the leak was under the rose bushes right outside the garage door. Next we called the plumber to come back and fix what nitrogen assured us.  Plumber dug up rose bush and tossed onto driveway - no leak - its under the driveway no less - We didn't have to dig up driveway Thank you Lord - copper pipe was rotted and we lost over 49,000 gallons of water - pipe replaced. Whew!, but Thankful for running water.

We receive word that our Sudanese children do not have enough money to continue their education and they are still in South Sudan visiting. Thankful for brown children that we have adopted into our family.

Several days later our toilet in guest bathroom ruined the hardwood floors - seal is broken - call plumber to fix (another hundred dollars).  Thankful for toilets and floors, our children in South Sudan have neither.

Our oldest son finds out they are expecting a precious new baby!  Praise the Lord, He is good and gives us new life.

We travel to Choctaw County Alabama to help a new church plant with Rock the Block. We return on Sunday night late and Monday morning I have ringworm!  You have got to be kidding me. Lotrimin and I are spending our nights together. Thankful for the opportunity to serve in this rural community.

Our youngest son's TB test for school shows up after 36 hours as a positive.  It was a False Positive.  Thankful and Praises to You our King!

We are packing to take our youngest back to college and find out that our storage room is full of water.  OK - at this point we might drown in this house.  We call the plumber - hot water heater regulator is broken (few more hundred dollars). Thankful for our home that the Lord has provided.

Our yorkie of 9.5 years decides that her hip doesn't work anymore, so she is limping around the house on 3 legs.  NO we are not having surgery and she will have to just limp, but we carry her when we can and baby her continuously. 

Our friends from Troy deliver a new baby - Henley Brooke Yarbrough - She is born with OI - brittle bone disease.  She lives one week - Thank you Jesus for this wonderful week and Your love for Henley.

Rick went to cut the grass on Friday - lawn mowers wheel came completely off and is beyond repair.  Rick tries to cut the grass with a three-wheeled mower by holding up the mower and cutting, impossible, Rick drives to borrow mower, returns and cuts grass, returns mower, gets weedeater out to finish the yard, gas line breaks into and is non repairable, goes to Lowe's to purchase new one and 6 hours later he has finished our small yard!  Thankful for resources and our abilities.

As I was working today, God provided this Hillsong song to give me comfort!

Beautiful Lord, Wonderful savior
I know for sure all of my days are held in your hands
Crafted into your perfect plans

You gently called me into your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life
Through your eyes

I'm captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you're drawing me to yourself
lead me, Lord. I pray

Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter's hand

Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter's hand

You gently call me into your presence 
Guiding me by your holy spirit 
Teach me dear lord to live all of my life through your eyes

I'm captured by your holy calling
Set me apart. I know you're drawing me to yourself
lead me, Lord. I pray

Oh Take me, mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the potter's hand

Oh Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the potter's hand

Pray with us........  The Mitchell's

Drury Swimming

Night swimming at the hotel in Meridian, MS.

JB and DP

 JB

JJ

RF

JR

Mama Mary!

This makes my heart sing!  I am filled with joy to see Bullen hugging his mama for the first time in 4 years.  I know that Mary's heart is full of joy too and that she is so proud of her son. What a feeling to have your son lay is head on your shoulder.  Thank you for sharing your son with me Mary!

Below - Bullen with his Sister on the left [orange] and Mama Mary is in the green.

A Great Big World!

This week has gotten away from me and I know you all want to see Rock the Block day 1.  It was so wonderful, our God is Big and Great!  Friday night we began the registration at 4:00pm for any walk-ins and we did have a few.  New Life Fellowship had everything ready upon our arrival - Registration Tent was set up, Water games, new gravel in the parking lot, arts and crafts room was ready,  worship room was decorated with lots of balloons and streamers, praise music with videos were prepared, snacks and mucho food had been made and many volunteers, young and old were waiting......  Now it was time to share Christ with these little children. I felt so blessed to be part of God's Plan. Our first session was:

A Great BIG World

A Storm is on its way

New Church Plant

Temporary Meeting place for Church

Decoration of a Great Big World

Ephesians 5:1 - Be Imitators of God

Learning about God's Creation

Games