“Then He said to His disciples, the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matt. 9:37,38).

July 2004

Dear Friend,

Trusting that all is well with you and your loved ones. We are all fine, and enjoying the fruit of summer evangelism. It is such a pleasure to be able to walk outdoors and enjoy the soft sweet fragrance of flowers and grass, while listening to the wonderful laughter of children playing nearby. Take a minute to look up at the sky, and just gaze at those  fluffy white clouds slowly passing by with the sun peeking through with brilliant golden sunbeams. Don’t you just love to lift your face to the sun and feel the warmth penetrating through your winter weary body? Winter is past, spring has arrived with life and beauty and now we can enjoy the warmth and peace of long summer days. Go ahead, take that deep breath, take your shoes off, and let us relax and visit for a while.

In today’s society most of us lead such busy lives! We work, we volunteer, we raise our children, or we are caregivers for a parent, or spouse. Days go by so quickly that before we know it, it is another year. Summertime, with its long daylight hours is a great time to slow down, take that walk after dinner and say “hi” to neighbors we haven’t seen all winter. This is such a great time to talk, and find out how we can be a blessing to others. As Jesus said, “the harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few.” How can we witness for Him unless we go out into the field? Taking that walk down our block can be the most relaxing and rewarding time of our life if we allow God to work in and through us. It is so simple! We walk slowly while enjoying the moment. As we see our neighbor, we stop to talk, catch up on things, and then find out what their needs are. Perhaps your neighbor has a loved one in the hospital, or has been ill himself, and you are just finding out about it. You wonder what you can do to help. There are many ways of helping, such as cooking a meal and bringing it nice and hot, ready to eat. You can sit with a person’s loved one for an hour while he or she goes shopping. You can tell him  that you will pray and that will definitely bring a smile to his face. I have never had anyone tell me that they did not want prayer. Even an unbeliever will consider that perhaps there is hope through a God. This opens the door to talk about Jesus, because everyone needs hope. After the prayer is answered, there is no turning back, it is time to praise God! When this happens, see how you feel! It is energizing to hear what God has done, and amazing how hearts are softened and made ripe for the gospel! No matter how tired you may be, or what you are going through, when you open up to talk about your faith, you will find energy and joy rise up within you, and you will see the glory of the Lord! There is nothing more invigorating in life than becoming a witness for Jesus. There is a reason for this; it is because you were born for a purpose. You were born as part of God’s awesome plan for mankind, to fulfill a destiny here and now, and in eternity, which actually began for you the day you accepted Him as Lord and Savior.

Each day is a new day. Each day brings promise! Each day you are given choices to make. God can take our past mistakes and turn them around for the good if we allow Him to! “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28). You are the called!  Every day that we walk in His purpose is a day fulfilled in our destiny. Everyone has a different talent; everyone has a different walk. Try something new this month. If you have never read through the Bible in a year, begin today to do it. It is not necessary to begin on January 1^st. Write today’s date next to where you begin, and plan your time for each day, guarding it jealously so that you can read it to completion. You may be called to  take that step to further your education, or improve your marriage. It may be going back to work, or changing careers. Whatever it is, if it is from God, go for it!

The highest calling of all is the calling to intercession. God is looking for intercessors, for those who are willing to go the distance in prayer. If you are alone, or homebound, what is stopping you from opening your Bible and praying for your loved ones, including the people on your block? Just think! Your prayers can make the difference in where someone spends eternity! Pray them through to salvation! If you are on our mailing list, and you do not receive a list of people to pray for each month, call me today! 1-718-745-1003. Tell me that you want to become an intercessor, and I will send you prayer requests. Let me hear from you!

Our primary goal in life is to love God and serve Him with all of our heart, soul, and strength. Each day is a new opportunity to do just that, and when we follow through, we are blessed. Look around you, and you will see that the harvest is ripe. There are many ways to serve God. He has planted you where you are to be a blessing. This is where it starts.... Enjoy your summer!

God bless you.

Rev. Barbara Anne Yovino, Ph.D.

P.S. Visit our new updated web site at www.chn.cc If you are a caregiver, sign up for our monthly online support group, and write your thoughts on our caregivers bulletin board!