I came to this inner-city like I was going to a desert with few positive expectations and some thoughts of death.

As I now sit in my garden this morning I just can’t get over how thankful I am with this promise land I now live in. When I was starting to feel guilty for this abundant life, the Lord gave me this verse from the book of John.
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”  Jesus

As I prayed into this, so thankful to the Lord, I saw all of your gifts, money, and prayers going into this funnel. But it was an upside down funnel and the small end was up receiving and the large end was down pouring out the abundance. This is a great way to describe the past 16 years here as I feel like the ministry has been this upside down funnel with so much flowing out, so God gets the glory.

I could not have dreamed I would ever think of this place as home but not just any home but as Aaron my son once said. “The best home in Philly.”.

It is summer time and funds are tight as donations are down. So I was talking with the Lord about money and only having $5 in my wallet but not in a complaining way but in a I am good you are in control God kind of way. You know the next day 3 people came up to me and handed me cash and actually told me they felt like the Lord wanted me to have this.

I don’t share all the amazing stuff that happens here but thought you should know how thankful I feel today and how thankful I am for your support of this amazing life we have here in the inner-city of Philly.

THANK YOU!!!!!  Jim

I struggle with this monthly if not weekly. I have this accounting man in me that wants’ to keep money in the bank for the future bills and this Christ man that sees the need and desires to meets it.  Just last week a man came and wanted to go to a recovery program, that I have been suggesting he go to and although I am thrilled for his desire (Christ) I am concerned (accountant) for how I will get the $130 for the bus trip.

Thank you for your financial and prayer support for this ministry. We would not even be here without you let alone be able to minister to all the poor and hurting here in Philly. I am always blessed when the mail comes and it has the funds needed to match the monthly needs. I heard a verse this weekend on giving and the Lord said this about giving the tithe and the offering “Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” Malachi   I pray this over you and your finances so that you can not only continue to bless us here at Cast Your Cares but many other as well.

I am still going through the process to get the gentleman into the program and I am sure the funds will be there when needed.  The Lord continues to meet the needs in this ministry and your generosity truly amazes me!

Blessings

It has really been a great few months here in ministry.  I wish you could all come and experience the joy of ministry in the city of Philadelphia with us.  Someone gave me a newspaper article that stated that Philadelphia is the poorest big city in the U.S.  I thought what a great place to be helping the poor!

It should come as no surprise that the “feeding the hungry” ministries are a huge success.  We recently had a visit from Philabundance (Philly Food Bank) and they encouraged me to keep track of the food we give away.  I resisted because I said “We are not that big and it is not a big deal”. We did some rough calculations and we are one of their top food cupboards, as we are on track to give away over 65 thousand pounds of groceries, serve over 8,000 meals and hand out over 10,000 snacks this year!

Yes, those are the numbers but the real impact is the people we get to bless.  They are real people that are having a hard time with life in general. One lady told me it takes her an hour and a half to get here and she does not just come for the food but the fellowship and because of “how blessed” she feels after every visit.  This part of our ministry is the “foot in the door” of people’s lives, and from here we can go on to a deeper relationship with our neighbors.

It has been great to have Bob Marshal helping make bags and giving out the food.  He has been a champion for the hungry by raising over $5,000.00 for the food cupboard ministry.  We are very blessed to have Bob on board helping CYC.  If you are in the Yardley / Langhorne area and want to join Bob one day, give him a call (267-902-4760) and you can join him as he journeys down to Philly to minister. You can also contact him about his “Change for a Change” campaign. (a little spare change goes a long way)

You can tell ministry is growing and our need for a larger facility is upon us.  Right on time we have had a few people come together with a goal to finish construction on the ministry center.  It has been a busy and exciting past month as we now have a construction team with a goal (and plan) to have the first floor done by July 4, 2012.   The first floor ceiling beams are in and we have the approval from the city to drywall and fire seal the first floor ceiling. (That was a huge answer to prayer) We have also replaced the front wall and installed a new front door to code.

NOTE:    Pictures up on facebook at Cast Your Care Ministry also you can friend me friend me at www.facebook.com/jimishere

It is the time of year when everyone tells me I should send out a big “ASK” for year end contributions.  OK, can I have a big year end contribution from you?  Just kidding but in all seriousness those of you receiving this are “the team” and the ministry has grown because of you sharing CYC with your friends and family.  It is really cost prohibitive for us to do those bulk mailings but I know that we have you spreading the word about CYC and I thank you for your support.  We are currently putting together a construction fund raising plan, but if the $70,000 needed comes in before that, it would be an answer to my prayers. FYI, we already have over $11,500 given so know that prayer works.

Blessings to you for ministering here in Philly with us!

This picture was taken from our ministry center as a wall of water was being put on a fire that made the national news.  It was a five alarm fire (the biggest) and it burned for days. St Francis Inn across the street was without power for over a day and many in the neighborhood were evacuated for safety concerns.  All was fine here at CYC and we were even able to offer drinks and bathrooms to some of the fire fighters.

We have been meeting many needs this past month and I was getting concerned that we might be giving too much away. I was seeking the Lord about when to stop the out flow so the bills were sure to be paid.  I happen to be reading the story about blind Bartimaeus in Mark chapter 10. As you might recall he was shouting for Jesus and people were telling him to hush. Ah, but Jesus went to him, the dirty blind loud beggar and asked him what did he want. What did he want? Most would assume he would want to see but yet Jesus asked him what he could do for him.

If Jesus said to you what do you want, what would be your reply?

This caused me to praise the Lord for all He has provided and tell the Lord money is definitely not what I would ask for.   That week more than enough money came in to pay all the bills meet all the needs and more.  ABUNDANCE!!

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. NIV

Wondering what I would ask Jesus for?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. NIV

Thank for being a part of that immediate and long term blessings that keeps CYC here in the inner-city of Philadelphia all year long.

I pray blessing over you for investing in heavenly treasures!

Jim Snider