blaster

We are kicking off a new fund raising event and could use your help!

Please click on the donate button to the right and donate $10 to partner with ReMerge and help feed homeless people in South Florida.

Also, please share this event with all your friends.

If you are on facebook, click here to invite all your facebook friends to help out!

If you don't want to use the paypal donate option, you can mail a check to:

Remerge, Inc.
31 SW 7th Street
Hallandale, FL 33009

knock out

If you have been following ReMerge regularly, you already know that due to an auto accident and subsequent neck surgery, I've been out of work since mid-February. This has put a great strain on ReMerge's operations, however, God has so far provided miraculously! We are at a point where we need him to provide miraculously again. With my no-working restriction extended for an additional 6 weeks, a whole new cycle of bills have come in and we need to raise $600 immediately and $4000 within the next couple weeks.

To help, you can partner with ReMerge to keep us operating during this time of great need by clicking on the donate button on the right. If you prefer a different means of giving, please email me for other options. Your help today will mean that homeless people get to eat tomorrow!

big chicken

I've been reading through the book of Joshua in the old testament of the bible. Joshua was the second leader of the Israelites after being the spokesman for Moses for over 40 years. Joshua was the mouthpiece when Moses confronted Pharo about letting the Israelites go. He was there during the plagues, he was there when they crossed over dry ground in the midst of the Red Sea. He was there to witness God leading them as a pillar of fire at night and a cloud of smoke during the day. He was there as God miraculously provided food and water every day for a multitude of people decade after decade. The jaw dropping amazing things Joshua saw while wondering the wilderness with Moses for all those years would have been enough to make the staunchest of atheists believe.

So why is it that when Joshua took the helm as leader of the Israelites God had to tell him "be strong and courageous"? Do you think it might just have been some sort of ceremonial pep talk God gave him as part of receiving the mantle? After all, they had just spent 40 years wondering back and forth through the desert living on the promise of entering the promised land. It would seem to me that actually surviving that long in an uninhabitable place would have molded and shaped them into super warriors. I'm sure their very souls ached to leave the desert and enter a land flowing with abundant natural resources. I would think the last thing they needed was encouragement to leave the wilderness behind.

Apparently, Joshua had grown accustomed to desert life and was afraid of the change that was about to take place. He lived comfortably in the groove that had been etched and the new challenge was more than he really wanted to deal with, which is probably why God told him not once, not twice but three times to be strong and courageous. God definitely wanted him to move out of the status quo and advance into new territory. God also knew Joshua was afraid because there were going to be many battles against great armies.

It's easy to sit in my living room  drinking coffee and reading about the adventures of Joshua, wondering how in the world he could ever doubt God. But, the truth is, I'm no different, I doubt God all the time. Even though I can tell you story after story of the amazing victories and provisions that God has given us, I still manage to allow fear to creep into my mind and my heart and doubt that God will help me get through the battles of today. Despite my fears and doubts, God always shows up, he is always faithful, he always provides. Sometimes he gives me an indication of how he is going to take care of us, sometimes it's a total surprise. Never the less, he always shows up.

What about you? What is God encouraging you to trust him with? Well, all I can say is, be strong and courageous!

almost

They say "almost" doesn't count for anything but horseshoes and hand grenades.

 I think "almost" can be pretty amazing, like when Ryan Lochte won the 400 meter individual medley in the 2012 Olympics last summer. He won the event and "almost" beat Michael Phelps world record set in 2008. To me, that's pretty amazing!

Or that time when the chocolate guy and the peanut butter guy "almost" didn't collide, Recess peanut butter cups "almost" never got invented! To me, that's pretty amazing!

Before I had neck surgery, on February 19th, we figured out how much it was going to take to keep ReMerge going and pay all our bills while I was healing and unable to work. The amount seemed staggering, especially since we didn't have any money. I "almost" didn't go through with the surgery. Miraculously, people from all over the country started sending us money. We "almost" have enough now and to me, that's pretty amazing!

I had my 6 week post operation checkup last week, I went fully expecting to be healed and released by the doctor to go back to work. He said, "almost".......unfortunately, I was disappointed and have an additional 6 week extended sentence to wear the neck brace with a 5 pound lifting restriction. I have to say, I got depressed, I am very ready to get back to normal life.

However, when I look back and see the fires God has taken us through and how many times we "almost" gave up, I can rest assured knowing we are "almost" through this and in John 14:18 Jesus says "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you..." and I think that's pretty amazing!

Every time he has come to us, every time God is faithful. Please keep praying for us and for  ReMerge, that when we "almost" quit, something else pretty amazing happens.

Vicious Cycle

Blog Post by Wendy Kauffman

These last few weeks have been very difficult for me. Not a day has gone by where I wish I could just leave this place. I don't know if my doubts are normal, o.k., or just part of what we are doing. I doubt everyday that I can do this. That I can get through all of this mentally. There have been many days where I just wanted to stay in bed. Hidden from all the ugliness that exists outside my door.  I confessed to my husband on Saturday that I am finding myself not liking people very much at all right now. That this whole process of loving those cast out by society has made me not like most other people I come in contact with. I know it is not right, but that is where I am many days.

Tonight on my way to work I pulled up to one of the intersections close to the park where we serve breakfast every Saturday morning. One of our regulars was walking up the street, panhandling, as many of them do. As he got closer, I rolled down my window to say hi, as we always do. I tried to hand him a dollar, he turned me down as they normally do if they know us. After we chatted a few minutes waiting for the light to turn green, A police officer walked up behind him, grabbed him by the back of the shirt and pulled him over to the side of the road. The officer continued to shove him up the road until they returned to the patrol car, where he pushed him up against the car and cuffed him. He never identified himself before grabbing my friend, and he was far more rough than what he needed to be with a homeless guy who barely has the strength to walk, let alone fight this officer.

I was very upset! I wanted to get out of my car and tell him what for. I mean all they are going to do is take this guy to jail, keep him for 3 days, take all the money he has to house him in the county jail until they release him back to the streets to start over. A vicious cycle!

What I really wanted to know was why his heart was so bitter towards this man that he needed to handle him that way. Why couldn't he show love and compassion. Then it hit me tonight.

Maybe he does not know what love and compassion is? Maybe no one has ever showed that to him.

I surely didn't in that moment. I wanted to jump out of my car and treat that police officer the same way he was treating my friend. I didn't because I have kids and don't really fancy spending any amount of time in the county jail, but that is what I felt in my heart.

The reality is that my resentment to that officer was no different than his resentment for the homeless man! So how do I change it? What can I do to make a difference? If the cycle is going to change, is it possible that it needs to start with me? I have been spending a lot of time talking to God about this and asking Him to give me his eyes for people. It is a lot harder than I thought it would be! God did that for me tonight and honestly it hurts. Now to go and turn the tide!

Please pray for us! Pray that we will see each person we meet with the Love God has for them and that we will not  become bitter and hurt by what we see but that God uses it for good!

spring break

The long dreadful winter is over and spring break has arrived! This is when the South Florida locals receed inland and willingly give the beach to the un-numerable hords of college students that decend upon us from the North. It is especially hard to get around town, as traffic to the beach is so backed up it affects the normal flow of traffic everywhere.

It is also the time when the homeless are "shewed away" from the beach so as not to bother the visiting tourists. This can end very badly for the homeless, since the police can sometimes be overzealous in their efforts to clean up the beach.

Please pray for the safety of the homeless for the next couple of weeks as the breakers show up in force. Pray that those who are displaced will find safe new places to sleep.

fishy business

We've all heard the old Chinese proverb ~

"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for life"

Well, one of the things we have been doing is teaching the homeless how to work. We did this first by offering gift cards to those who collect a bag of trash around the park where we serve breakfast. Those who have proven to be dependable workers soon get the opportunity to help me move someone or to make a delivery or go assemble furniture. They get paid $10 hour and gain valuable work experience.

Well our main source of work has died. The old work van blew its engine and has driven its last mile. We are in dire need of a delivery truck, but, lack the necessary funds to get into one. We need approximately $2000 to get a truck, get it licensed and insured and continue teaching the homeless how to work.

If you've been wanting to help out, but have been waiting for the right opportunity, here it is! Just click on the "donate" button to the right to give today!

wall flower

I love how God makes himself available to everyone. He is not an exclusive God, available only to "his elect" but casts his love wide, calling out to everyone, as evidenced so much in the Bible and in every day life.

About 10 or 15 years ago we went to visit a church in Columbia, Missouri. It was a charismatic church and during the service at one point it was time for prayer. So, we all stood up and the lady that was talking started praying, then she started talking in a different language then her demeanor changed and she shouted out some sort of prophesy. Then she squinted her eyes and squatted down a little while holding her hand out, waving it around like she was Spider-Man and in true Benny Hinn style, the WHOLE audience fell over like a wave had pushed them down, EVERYONE! 

Everyone, except me. I looked around at all these people lying down "slain in the spirit" and then looked back at her. Then she double whammied me, but, I still stood. She reached way back to Texas and triple whammied me, but, I still stood.

I don't know what the purpose of everyone falling over was, but, it made me feel like I was not part of the club and that I was not qualified to hear or even pray to God. It took a little while but God showed me how that simply was not true.

Have you ever felt like you were on the outside and God wasn't anywhere to be found? This might be hard to believe, but, it's simply not true. God not only hears you, he wants to hear from you. I'd like to suggest you take the epic challenge, see for your self how much God loves you just as you are.

Obama phones

The other morning I sent out a few text messages to some of the homeless guys, letting them know breakfast would be ready for them at 9am at the park. It might surprise you that almost every homeless person on the streets has a government cell phone. It makes it easy to catch up with them, if they are not out of minutes. They only get 250 minutes a month.

After a while I got a text back from Dwayne that said "got to work, but, thanks anyway". I was glad he was working, but, sad I wouldn't be seeing him.

At about 9:30 a guy I had never met before walked right up and grabbed a place to sit like he had known me for years. We talked about everything and I could see that God had given him a gift. He has the ability to make friends where ever he goes and there isn't an ounce of judgmentalism in him.

Come to find out Dwayne sent him over. I can see that God has big plans for this guy and would love it if you would pray for him, his name is Brian.

Also. please pray for ponytail Jerry, old man Jerry and Minah-bird, who are all locked up in county for soliciting donations (panhandling) without a permit.

broken neck

It's been 3 weeks since I had neck surgery and I am getting better. I still have to wear a rigid neck brace that is mostly uncomfortable, I am getting used to it though. If all goes well I get to take it off in 4 more weeks.

I am still not allowed to work, we still don't have a family vehicle and we still don't have a delivery truck. We have raised about half of our living expenses, but, still lack the other half necessary to take care of rent and utilities.

Somehow we were able to make it to the park on Saturday morning to feed the hungry homeless. We've made some new friends and it appears a core group is starting to form. We will continue to nurture these relationships and reach out how ever we can. We are planning on a large Easter dinner and inviting them all over to our house to eat and hang out.

Please pray that God will continue to use us in the lives of the homeless and that he will provide for all of our needs.

If you have not taken the opportunity to partner with us already, you can do so by clicking on the "donate" button to the right.

gun shots

The other night, as we were preparing for bed, I was sitting in the kitchen and a couple blocks away seven gun shots rang out. I looked at Wendy and said, "oh, that's not good". A few minutes later we were lying in bed and we heard shouting outside and all the neighborhood dogs, including ours, started going crazy. We got up and looked out the window to find 7 police cars in tactical positions with all the officers pointing their weapons at a small Honda Accord in the middle of the street in front of our house.

They had the driver toss his gun out and then had him get out of the car with his hands in full view above his head. They then had him walk backwards to the nearest police car where they cuffed him and put him inside. Then they had a second guy get out of the car and it looked as though they were going to shoot him right on the spot, but, it ended peacefully. Within 15 minutes the car was towed, the suspects were taken to jail and the police were all gone.

There was never a mention of any of it in the news. In fact 6 hours later I was getting up to cook breakfast to take to the homeless and we didn't even talk about it!

This is not the first time we've witnessed something like this since arriving to South Florida and though it seems a little unnerving, we don't seem to be to concerned about it. I guess it's just that "peace that passes all understanding" talked about in the Bible.

It's been proven time and time again that even in the most dire of situations, God is there to comfort us.

Be a Renegade

One of my favorite pastor's has a new book out. You have to got to get it! If you have not read anything that Vince Antonucci has written,well then you need to and you might as well start with this book!

Description:

How do you live for God? Really live for God, in a way that provides intimacy with God and leads to influence for him in the world? And what impact could a life, truly lived for God, have on this world?

In, Renegade: Your Faith Isn’t Meant To Be Safe, Vince Antonucci challenges readers to live radically, to live the life of a renegade. A renegade is a person who rejects conventional behavior, who... refuses to do what others are doing, and who realizes there’s a different beat they can dance to—and it’s better. Renegades realize “normal” isn’t working for anyone else, nor is it working for them. So they abandon normal to find right. It may not be easy, but it’s the only way to truly live for God and have maximum impact with your life.

In Renegade, Vince teaches readers how to cultivate a real relationship with God, and then equips them to discover and live out their unique calling. Antonucci provides encouragement and inspiration for readers to overcome their fear so they can take the risks faith requires.

Warning: If you read this book you may just stop playing it safe, and start playing it dangerous. Your life will never be the same.

I am serious, get this book! You can order it on Amazon.com. Get it Today!

the old ox died

ReMerge, is at a real critical point right now. We have lost our work van that not only delivers food to the homeless, but helps employ some of them. TODAY we need to buy a delivery truck to replace it, but, don't have the funds due to our shoe string budget.

"Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests." ~ Proverbs 14:4

Now that our Ox (work van) has died, please help us buy a new one so we can continue bringing new life to the hopeless.

To help either click on the convienent paypal "donate" button to the right or email us at remerge@hotmail.com to find the very best option for you (Please pass this need on to your friends and neigbors).

Freedom of Who!

Blog Post by Wendy Kauffman

As a mother I have voices all day long asking me questions. Mommy, can I have a piece of candy, can I watch t.v., can I play video games, do I have to do ALL of this English today, When is dad coming home? There are many times all I can do is sigh. I was wondering today if that is how God feels when I come firing at him with all my questions. 

Two weeks ago yesterday our minivan's transmission went out. That was a huge blow! Yesterday I was driving our youngest daughter, Ruth, to swim and I broke down in one of the busiest intersections of North Miami in our big blue van. Our only working vehicle at the moment. I waited for a tow truck for an hour and then had to walk the mile back to where Ruth was swimming. I am not gonna lie, I had a lot of questions for God in that mile's walk. I wanted to know why he couldn't cause that to happen when I was at the pool? Why he left me in that intersection for an hour? Why did it have to be now, to our only working vehicle? Why now, in what is probably the busiest week with all that has to be done with Hannah and Rachael's spring performance this weekend? Why now when Ruth has to be at Sectionals for swim and the last one that I threw at him, You know we can't get to the park for the Saturday morning meeting with the homeless if we don't have a car. Isn't that why you sent us here God? Why NOW and What are You trying to tell me? I was coming at Him with my questions for sure.

So, for the last few weeks I have been doing the epic challenge that Jeff threw out to all of you yesterday. I had made a comment to a mentor that I was doing this challenge and he encouraged me to read a book while I was doing the challenge. The book is called,"Glorious Ruin." Honestly, I had not really started reading it til day before yesterday, the premise of the book, "How suffering set you free." Really?!? The authors, Tullian Tchividjian, goal of the book is to help us avoid the typical mistakes we make when we try to deal with the pain in our lives. He shows that we don't need answers and explanations as much as we need God's presence in and through our suffering.  

This morning, this is what I was reading, "Our hope is not Jesus plus an explanation of why suffering happens, or Jesus plus an explanation about why you have this, that spouse, those circumstances, or this pain. Our hope is that God is especially present in our suffering." Really? Right now, all I want is an explanation! He then goes on to say,"The gospel is not ultimately a defense from pain and suffering; rather, it is the message of God's rescue through our pain. It allows us to drop our defenses, to escape not from the pain, but from the prison of how and why to the freedom of Who."

So it really is not answers I need, It's just God's presence! When all of this is flying around me, it is really hard for me to rest in knowing that God is with me. That He can and will rescue me. So today, I am seeking freedom in Who, and not How and Why? Honestly it is not going to be easy! I hope today that no matter what pain and suffering you are going through that you can find peace in knowing that the how and why is not important, just the Who!

epic challenge

When it comes to coaching youth football, one phrase comes to mind when it's time for team instruction and direction. That time when the coach is talking and nobody else better be talking or it'll mean taking a tortuous lap or two around the field in fifteen pounds of protective gear. When coach says "take a knee" the whole team gathers around, drops to one knee and is quiet and attentive. This is when the team as a whole gets recentered on the way the coach wants the team to go. It's when they receive the directives that are implemented into the blood, sweat and tears. It's what helps make the team "the team".

One of the things we are doing at ReMerge is team building. And one of the teams we are working on right now is a result of what we have discovered since moving here. We have figured out that we are at ground zero, smack dab in the middle of a spiritual war. What does that mean? Well, it means we are building a team of people that pray. A team of people who are praying at least once everyday for ReMerge and the people in South Florida that we are reaching out to.

Now, you may not even believe in God or you personally may feel a little intimidated about praying or maybe you are afraid that you are not qualified. I'm here to tell you that "you can do it!" It does not take a specially qualified person to pray. God loves you and wants to hear from you. In fact, I believe that talking to God will change your life. If you don't think that's possible, then I want to throw down the gauntlet right here, right now and issue a challenge (if you can handle it).

I challenge EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU to the 60:60 experiment.

Here's how it works - starting at the time of day you determine, take 10 seconds to tell God how you feel at that moment AND ask him to help you feel the way he wants you to feel. Simple, right? Now, set your timer, clock, watch or whatever to go off every hour for 12 hours. When it goes off throughout your day, stop for 10 seconds and do it again. Now, here is the thing, try to do it for 60 days. If you do it for 60 days, I guarantee it will change your life!

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE??? Go ahead and prove me wrong, I dare you!

Don't have a watch or alarm? Well, there's an app for that. That's right, go to your smart phone app center and search for "60:60 Soul Revolution" and download the app.

If you want more information or have some questions OR if you would like to join the ReMerge prayer team, just shoot me an email to remerge@hotmail.com.

Injury report

As you may know, I had neck surgery last Tuesday the 19th. It was to fix a totally compressed disk in my neck which was a result of a car accident I was involved in back in August. The surgery was a success, as far as they can tell. I am feeling much better then I was pre-surgery and even the soreness of the operation is starting to subside. Thanks to God and thanks to your prayers I'll be back to normal in no time.

During the time of recovery, 6-12 weeks, I am not allowed to work at all. This is making me a little stir crazy. Of course, if I can't work, I can't support my family and this ministry. So, we've been asking for your support. So far we have reached 25% of what we need to cover our basic living expenses while I'm recovering from this surgery.

Things we still need help with-

Rent, utilities, food and two broken down vans. One van is fixed and ready to pick up, we just need the money to get it out of the shop. The other van (the work van) has been on it's last leg for a long time, running on 6 out of 8 cylinders and getting 6-8 mph, it is not safe to drive.

We are praying for a box truck for delivery and assembly jobs and even have a couple companies waiting for us to get one so they can contract our services. This will be good for us, the ministry and some of the homeless that work with me.

If you can help in any way, please do so today. You can click on the donate button to the right or email us at remerge@hotmail.com for other options.

out of food

We came close to running out of food again today. When all was said and done, we brought home two biscuits and about three cups of gravy. We went a little longer than normal, but, even that is becoming the new normal. It just seemed like nobody wanted to move on. They just kept hanging around. It's times like these that you hate to say goodbye. Knowing that at home I have a place to sit, stuff to eat and drink, a bathroom and even a real bed to take a nap in if I want to. The guys (and girls) we leave behind don't. Their minds are moving towards their next dollar, or, if it looks like rain, their next shelter.

One old guy in particular has me by the heart strings. Bernie. He has cancer and just knows he'll be checking out soon. He has a lot of regrets in life, but, don't we all. He has a good heart though and loves to talk about the Bible. He is a guy that I consider to be a monster when it comes to faith. He's got it, we don't. Oh we may think we've got it, but, Bernie has more faith than almost anyone I've ever seen.

Bernie has to have faith to survive. How many of us can say "if I'm dropped off in a strange place with no money, clothes or food, it'll be okay, because God will take care of me." Well, Bernie can say it, because he lives it every day and has for years.

Please pray for Bernie, that his last days (or years) will be comfortable, dry and have lots of food.Please pray that we can love him while we got him.

Agony of Defeat!

Have you ever watched The Olympics or other great sporting events where they will show athletes in the best and worst moments and declare, "The joy of victory and the agony of defeat." Well today those words ring in my ears.

As a family, we know we are right where we are supposed to be. We know God has sent us here. Since moving here a year and a half ago we have experienced both the joy of victory and the agony of defeat on so many different levels. There have been many times where we have been hours away from walking away and getting out of here. But we know that is not what God wants us to do. We know there is hope because if God is for us, then we have the power in Jesus name to fight whoever is against us.

So today we are asking for your help! First, will you pray for us and with us? Every day we send out an email with one small prayer request for the day. You can sign up by sending us an email at remerge@hotmail.com. It's easy, simple and can really help make a difference!

Second, we have some immediate needs that we are asking our supporters to pray about helping with.

1: Our minivan broke down last week, our transmission went out and the repair cost is $1,600. We do not have the money to pay for this at this time. This is our only working vehicle and our family needs this transportation.
2. Jeff goes in for surgery on his neck tomorrow, this is an injury sustained in his accident last August. We have put it off as long as physically possible. Please pray for the surgery, the doctor performing the procedure and a quick recovery.
3. Jeff has been self-employed since we moved to Miami. He has been doing furniture moving, delivery and assembly. We have had the opportunity to take this business to another level. Jeff has had 2 furniture stores in the area contact him about contracting with them to do their furniture assembly and delivery. The opportunity is there for sure, we have to purchase another moving van to do this, plus a few other necessary start up costs. We figure that we need $1,750 to get going. Under normal circumstances this would not be an issue but with the surgery, Jeff will be off of work for a Few weeks and being self employed, he does not have vacation time or short term disability to fall back in. The great thing about what Jeff is doing is it provides work for some of the homeless men that we meet. Many of these men want to work but because of their history with drugs, many cant get hired. We are building relationships with these guys and lives are being changed! Please pray that God will provide the money needed for us to get this to the next level.
4. Please pray for the companies that Wendy works for. Pray that business will increase and that they will be blessed by God. Wendy has only worked 4 events since the first of the year. This is about 1/3 of the work we were told to expect. Please pray that it increases.
5. Please pray for our families living expenses while Jeff is out with surgery. Pray that God will provide all that we need!
6. Pray for the school that Hannah and Rachael go to. Pray God uses them to show his love to kids who don't know him and are hurting. Their school is very small and I am amazed by all the pain I see.  So many kids who don't know how much God loves them. Please pray that God provides so that we can continue to send our girls with extra lunches so that those without have something and can experience Gods love for them in tangible ways!
7. Please pray that God provides us with a new desktop and laptop. We need both to be operational and both of ours have gone down in the last few weeks!

We can't tell you how much your prayers and support mean to us!