Hey Diakonos,
Wanted to share some ways I have been blessed and have experienced more of God recently through Diakonos and family group:

• Alvin: Alvin is the "picture guy" who has taken pictures for many couples / families / everybody in front of the Love sign. Recently, he's gotten into trucking school and is almost licensed to drive a truck for work. God has seen him and taken care of him through many trying times. I see God's constant strength and joy in Alvin.
  
• Ed: Ed is a mural painter. He's been in Philly for four months after being in DC for a while. God has gifted him w/ an ability to paint, which is his way of spreading the Gospel; his murals have images of Jesus, images of the cross, and themes like encouragement and hope. Part of him wants to just leave to another place when things get tough, but he wants to be faithful here. Please pray for him that he remains faithful and opportunities open up for him to paint. It's encouraging for me to keep going on what we know about God, expecting to see more clearly what He has for us. I see faith in Ed's life.
  
• Jimmy: This past Monday, Jimmy was sitting upstairs by the escalator. He said he was an Army Ranger once. He said he believes in God and was raised going to church but he isn't sure about Jesus now. I'm praying for him to come to the truth and live in the truth now. God loves him so much and will accept him back if only he lets God in. I see God's grace in Jimmy's situation, that God loves him so much.
  
• Family group: Yesterday, my family group read the passage of the circumstances of Jesus' birth. It really struck me how crazy that just as intentional as all parts of Jesus' life on earth where He fulfilled all the prophecies, God's will was for Jesus to be born to an ordinary person in Mary and to be placed in a manger. God chose that to show Jesus came to serve in humility. He's all our hope =)