Healing and Hope
Buffalo Mennonite Church - Pastor's Blog
A New Banner on Main Street
September 08, 2006, 05:29 PM | Permalink
I've been noticing this banner duct-taped to the front of a house along main street in my home town. If you look closely in the far-right of the close-up photo you'll see a big wooden heart plant hanger suspended from the front porch roof. Sadly ironic.
divorce_house finally_divorced_banner


What's your response to this banner? If you had a chance to share a conversation with them, what would you say?
Note: marriage rates in Pennsylvania are 5.7 per thousand people, significantly lower than the national average of 7.5 marriages per 1,000 people. Pennsylvania's divorce rate is significantly higher than the national average (5.5/1000 for PA; 3.6/1000 for USA). Date from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Hope for the Valley
May 06, 2006, 12:13 AM | Permalink
svhoh
One of the families in our church used to own a house and hardware store in the Danville area. For over five years they were trying to sell their property in order move to Union County. Their place in Danville was beautiful, but for some reason, it just would not sell - they went through several real estate agents and even sold the hardware store through a public sale. Despite a lot of hard effort, each offer would only go so far and then fall through. Needless to say, they grew frustrated and discouraged. No one could seem to figure out why on earth their property wouldn't sell..

In the midst of their hardship, this couple begin to thing that perhaps God had a purpose behind it all, and so the church began to pray that His will be done. The family seemed to let go of everything - as difficult as that really is - and surrender their home to God.

Now that we look back it is amazing .. within a year of the church's prayer, a Christian-based drug-rehab and homeless shelter called House of Hope bought it. All kinds of terrific, dedicated people came together and helped get the zoning approved and paperwork taken care. The property seemed perfect for their ministry. Now, a year later, Pastor John Mumper is directing the house and brings to the table years of ministry and counseling experience. We're hoping believers in this region connect with SVHOH and help them reach out to the region. To me, this is the gospel.

Check out the Susquehanna Valley House of Hope and support them in prayer.
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