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Reconciliation Resource Ministries Spring 07 NewsletterScott Reese http://ChristCares.org223 W. Memorial Drive [email protected] Heights, IL. 60411 (708) 709-0469

A special Note From Lisa ~ WE NEED HELP! MISSION POSSIBLE ~ "HELP SCOTT & HIS

FAMILY"

Hello to our supporters! Please, take a few minutes to read this letter ~ it is of vital importance toScott, our family and our ministry. Thank you in advance!

As one of our ministries, we connect churches with ministries in need of volunteer work projects. Butright now, we ARE the Volunteer Work Project, and are listing some needs of our own. Additionally, Iwould like to explain what is currently going on in our lives ~ and why we would ask our brothers andsisters in Christ, to prayerfully consider coming alongside us to help in the following areas:

Basically, we are praying for revival for our family and ministry ~ that God will use us in all the waysHe has intended and planned for our family and for those that He wants our ministry to reach. Theseare our current challenges, and the initial leadings that we feel the Lord has laid on our hearts:

Scott has a health problem that has been tricky to diagnose. In fact, it has been misdiagnosed for thepast several years. You may have noticed that he hasn't looked that healthy, his eyes are red, etc. Hismost recent blood work has just come back, and we are meeting with a specialist Wednesday inSchaumburg. It appears that something has gone awry with his thyroid ~ his temperature has beenrunning between 93.3 - 96 degrees. We will update you when we know the details, but it has been avery slow, debilitating disorder/disease that has affected Scott's processing speed (in his brain,discovered by the neurologist who is working with him) to an alarming degree, as well as his overallhealth, memory, energy, speed in getting things accomplished, etc. It mimics ADD, and has been amystery and a strain on our entire family. Hypothyroidism has multiple symptoms, all of which seemto move in the same vein...sluggishness, loss of memory, ability to process information andcommunicate, confusion, slowness, an extreme lack of energy, and so on. The problem is that this

has been going on for quite a while, but had been misdiagnosed ~ so, Scott has been declining overthe past several years. The good news is that once confirmed, this can be a VERY treatable disorder!Let's pray that this will be the case for him.

As his wife and the mother of our kids, I wish I could say that I've handled the last several years in avery Godly and helpful manner, but that is not the truth. Not understanding what was going on, Ihave been less the patient with Scott, confused and finally close to despair as things have gone fromgood to bad to worse. Not knowing this was medically induced, I came to the conclusion that Scottwas addicted to his ministry and was willing to let our home and family go. The truth is that he hasbeen so stuck in his responsibilities from moving at a snail's pace, that he kept trying to push throughthe work. He kept striving to catch up and keep up ~ so what I took as 'workaholic' behavior, was infact his need to get his work done, but having it take ten times longer than normal. Now that I knowthat there is something medically wrong with him, and that he hasn't abandoned us for his ministry, I

have repented of this attitude, asked his forgiveness, and am staying very close to the Lord so He canhelp guard my heart, thoughts and mouth! After much prayer and Godly counsel, I truly believe thatthe Lord wants Scott restored, as well as our family ~ and that He has plans for Scott to minister thatare higher and wider than any of us can imagine! Nothing would make me happier than to see mywonderful husband healthy and functioning again ~ especially as our 10 year anniversary is comingup this May 10th ~ what a gift that would be!!

So now, we need help to get his health, and our lives turned around ~ so that he can do the work theLord has definitely called him to do; and so that we can provide a house for our own children (as wellas the kids that are always over), that is safe and in good repair, I am embarrassed to say, it is fallingapart. The repairs encompass every skill I can possibly think of (yes, it is THAT bad) as the repairs arefar-reaching and are throughout our entire house and property ~ both inside and out. We also require
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mechanical help as the ministry van we drive the kids in, and our one family car have bad brakes thatneed to be fixed ~ they're both making grinding noises (I don't think that's a good sign)!Additionally, since Scott has not taken a furlough for nine years, we believe it is best to squeeze amini-two month furlough in ~ and during this time, (April and May), it is the desire of our hearts toget his health back in order, and to get caught up on the affect of his not being able to operate well inour family life, by getting help to repair our home and cars. If we can get our 'house' in order, soto speak, it will be that much easier for him to minister, and for me to be a true help-mate.

We are also seriously behind in support, from a lack of fund-raising on our part, and we cannot afford

outside help to fix and repair our home or vehicles as we are struggling to pay just our necessarybills. The additional medical bills incurred for Scott's health are not covered by our independent'disaster' health insurance, and have put quite a strain on our budget. Fundraising had to take a backseat to the work of the ministry, and since Scott has been only able to move at a snail's pace, wedropped the fundraising all together. This has to change in order for us to continue in the uniqueministry that God has called Scott, and our family, to. I, and many people I've talked to, believe thatScott has a true calling on his life, that encompasses gifts and talents given to him by God, that aresomewhat unique and unusual ~ and we all want to see him operating in his giftedness! After muchprayer, this is the way we believe God is leading:1. Furlough: Late April - May 20072. Deputation: June 20073. Back into Full Time Ministry: July 2007

While there are some aspects of our ministry that will have to continue during the furlough, we aretruly hoping to use this time of furlough to get Scott on the road to health, (if it turns out to be thecondition we believe it is, it is CURABLE ~ we just don't know yet), get our home and cars fixed ~ notonly for ourselves, but for all those who come over here and have to ride in our vehicles to get tovarious events on a weekly basis.

Because we have tons of kids over for our ministry, you can only imagine what our house looks like(trashed!), especially coupled with the fact that Scott's been trying to stay caught up on work, andhas not kept up with the repairs that unfortunately I cannot afford to hire to get done, (these are 'guy'repairs, or I'd do them myself!!). We need to change Scott's diet, get him exercising, and assist inwhatever ways the doctors recommend ~ we are hoping that a natural thyroid supplement will beprescribed, rather than surgery. We will let you know when we know!

I am also burdened by the Lord to pull out of this sense of despair, regain my own energy and get our

lives running in a healthy, organized manner ~ and I would like to ask our supporters to pray anddetermine if they feel led to come on over and help us, with whatever skills you may have (or not), and to please continue to support Scott in his two month furlough financially. Additionally, ifany of you feel led to help us with Deputation efforts in June, we would be incredibly grateful. Weneed to get our funding in place, and to have a somewhat stable income in order to continue thisministry ~ and we do believe it is God's intention that we do just that!

We both sense God's hand leading us through healing and revival. As Scott's health is addressed, Iam seeking the Lord to help me get the victory over the despair I've allowed myself to fall into. This isvery humbling to have to admit, not to mention embarrassing ~ but, I would ask for your prayers -that God would fill me with His thoughts and not my own, and that HOPE would resurface!

Because of the extremeness of the situation, I have been 'frozen' ~ I do not operate well in a chaotic,

confused and falling-apart home...I freeze up! My senses get overwhelmed, and I am not effective.Give me an orderly, neat house and existence ~ and I thrive! I need help to pull out of this messhere, so I can get back to doing the things God's called me to do - help Scott with his ministry, spendtime with my children, offer hospitality, minister to teens, etc. Instead, I've let the house go and havebeen concentrating on supplementing our income ~ which, unless my other responsibilities are donefirst, I believe is NOT God's will. Sometimes I just get desperate as bills are not getting paid ~ and Igo running off in the flesh with my own plans on how to earn money to pay our bills ~ forgetting topray about it!! May God's Spirit remind me to be still, and know that He is God ~ and to learn to trustin His provision and not my own plans!

Thank you for reading my part of this letter ~ Scott and I appreciate all of our supporters, and praythe Lord's best for your lives. You have blessed us many times over, and we are humbled and


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profoundly grateful. You also, of course, make this ministry possible with your time, donations ofitems, prayer and financial support...we do not report all the ways in which we minister ~ but thereare many ministry opportunities going on, people being witnessed to and blessed. Scott will be

sharing more about the ministry at our June 8 Fundraising Dinner. Blessings! ~ Lisa~

And Now to Scott~I deeply appreciate how you have stood by us and have blessed us, and empowered us todemonstrate and proclaim God's love. It would have been impossible to do this without your support.We are deeply grateful and pray that we will continue to team up together for the glory of God.

For decades, I've been running out to help families in crisis. Now it's kind of strange being on theother side but I know God is teaching me something. I thank God for the Body of Christ, and praiseHim for those of you who are stepping in to help us.

During the furlough, some aspects of our ministry will continue. Please see our website (http://christcares.org) to keep up to date and view pictures from our recent ministry endeavors.Please reserve the evening ofAugust 5 for the Taste of Reconciliation. Also consult the website for

upcoming eventsAND HOW YOU CAN HELP WITH OUR EVANGELISTIC EASTER OUTREACHPROJECTS.

In conclusion, let me list 5 practical ways to help RRM

1. Pray: a) It is our desire to doGod's willand to bless as many people as possible. Please praythat God will grant wisdom, and direction as we endeavor to make our Ministry as effective aspossible.

b) Please pray for theLaird family. I have worked with this family for about 15 years.Last Thursday, I did the funeral for Courtney, age nineteen, who died of a rare disease. Alsoplease pray for our upcoming programs and events, that they will have an impact for thekingdom.

c) As you know, RRM, lost a wonderful secretary and treasurer when Sandy SchaapSullivan passed away.We are praying that the Lord will raise up an individual or two to take herplace. We have also identified several other volunteer opportunities that would increase our

ability to proclaim and demonstrate the love of God. We will share those at our June 1 banquet(info enclosed). We also have a desire to add two people to our Board of Directors.

d) Please pray for my three key assistants.

Jeff Bryson will be preaching his first Sunday morning service, along with myself on the first Sunday in April atthe New Hope Baptist Church of Knox, Indiana.Tommy Beasley has a desire to start his own ministry to thosewho have been released from prison. God has made such a radical change in his life that he now desires toshare that same good news with others. Jeannie Williams, has a desire to share the programs ofReconciliation Resource Ministriesto suburban and urban churches. She also has her hands full as a singlemother raising a six-year-old boy (Nathan), and is starting a new job as a police officer. Ha, we also hope as shevisits all these churches God will have her cross the path of a good Christian man as we are also praying for agood husband for her.

e) Of course we'd deeply appreciate your prayers for my health; and the spiritual,physical, and financial goals of our missionary furlough and deputation.

2. Get involved with our Work ProjectsWe've already mentioned the needs for our home and vehicles. I'd also like to mention :
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3 / 27 / 07OUR BASKETBALL HOOP: We try to provide a safe environment for neighborhood children. Ourbasketball hoop is quite popular.It is huge, heavy, and leaning quite a bit. I am a little nervous- if it were ever to fall it could bepotentially disastrous. Is there anyone out there with a little construction background that couldhelp me straighten it out and anchor it???Please give us a call at (708) 709-0469.

3. Please continue your financial support Its deeply

appreciated!

4. SPREAD THE WORD.I will be investing the month of June in missionary deputation. We will have new fund-raisingmaterials, and I will be able to speak at churches, small groups, or a gathering of your friends atyour home. We feel led to spend a block of time on deputation like other missionaries, so wecan better focus on our mission and ministry. ALSO ANY SPECIAL DONATIONS AT THIS TIMEWOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

5. ATTEND AND BRING SOME FRIENDS TO RRM'S SPECIAL BANQUET JUNE 8, 2007

I admit, I've had an unusual life. At age 13, I began sharing my faith in some of the most dangerousand poverty stricken areas of Chicago. At age 17, I started a High School Bible Club, that eventuallyturned into the New Life Baptist Church of Ford Heights and then Chicago Heights. I just turned 47,

and I'm still out here trying to do what I can to share God's love - so we are celebrating 30 years ofministry!!!

This banquet will celebrate Scott's 30 years of Urban Ministry. It will be held at 6 p.m. at CreteReformed Church - 24755 South Country Lane, Crete IL 60417; JUNE 8.

This will be of special significance and encouragement to our supporters to hear testimonies frommany individuals who have been touched through the years. It will also be an opportunity for RRM toshare its vision and mission with those who may be interested. Please call Crete Church (Marcia/ 708-672-5400) to make (free) reservations. Also please consider reserving an entire table for your friends.

A special thank you to Rich, Debbie, and Marcia for their help in organizing this. A flier will be sent

out with details, but please reserve the date NOW, and line up some friends to come along.Thanks for taking the time to read this, and thanks for all you do!In Christ,Scott


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