Message from Dick Taylor:

Third day in Uganda today.  Great church service this morning as many agreed to a life of compassion and  evangelism efforts. Then an incredible visit to a “Blind Village’. The  community has brought the blind together so they can better care for them.

I had a humbling God experience this morning in the Lord’s Pantry during their week of prayer and consecration. As I sat quietly listening  to the worship music and in prayer, along with 6 other men from the Lord’s Gym and Pantry, a woman from the streets, Sonya, came into the Pantry. At the first chair she saw, she knelt at the chair managing to fold her small frame of a body between and underneath the plastic lawn chair. She laced her arms on the seat and bowed her head into her folded hands and silently prayed. Honestly, I began to peek and watch her as she occasionally lifted her arms and hands into the air while she prayed. Her eyes were closed, her lips spoke softly, and she appeared to be engaging God with all humility. It’s not that she was distracting or showed fanfare as to say to everyone –“hey, look at me.” In retrospect, I was impressed with her mility before God.

As the song finished and the Lord’s Pantry air was filled with silence, she spoke up and asked Bob Clarke, (Director of Men’s Ministry for FOCAS), if she could pray for us, which she did in a very fractured style of thoughts and phrases. However, it was her simple message that she  transitioned to that hung in the air like a thick fog. (I thought, did God send you in here to share a word? Maybe!) She simply reminded us of the story of the prodigal son and how God loves the prodigals of the world. After reminding us that it’s the prodigals whom God is seeking out, she reminded us that the streets of Over-the-Rhine are full of them. She concluded by praying that God would watch out after them and protect them as He protected her!

As I got up to leave, I thanked her for her prayers and she grabbed onto my hand with both hands. I couldn’t help but notice how tightly  she gripped my hand and drew it to her face. Pastor Rob turned in his Bible and began to read the story of the prodigal son and then prayed as he felt led by God. I stood there, holding Sonya’s hands in mine, and praying in agreement with Pastor Rob. I can’t even recall now what he prayed, but now it was our turn to minister to Sonya – a self-proclaimed former prodigal. Now, I was the one who was humbled.

I think the spirit of God used a person from the streets of Over-the-Rhine to remind us of His love and mission to save the lost.

Thank you for your support that allows The Lord’s Pantry and
Lord’s Gym to remain open and reach out to all who will grace our doors.

In Jesus,

Scott Bowers

Director of Development – FOCAS

This morning, around 10:30 am, I walked into the Lord’s Pantry and Lord’s Gym. The Gym’s lights were out and the curtains to the Pantry were drawn closed. This is perfect I thought. It’s going to be great; and, I was not disappointed.

Walking into the Pantry, worship music was playing, words were being projected on to a screen, prayer cards were available, people could meet with a chaplain, or you could just sit silently in prayer in meditation. While I chose to sit in worship and prayer, my brothers from the neighborhood raised their hands and voice in shouts of praise. Bob Clarke and his staff were fully vested in day 2
of their week of consecration, which he did last year as well.

This first day of summer invites everyone to a week of consecration and continual prayer meeting at the Lord’s Gym and Lord’s Pantry, 12th and Race Street, from 9am until 5pm. There is designated scripture reading, intercession, meditation and worship times. All styles of worship are respected, so feel free to join us. Also, we offer one-on-one prayer and counseling for those who desire it in the room next door.

You are invited to come and participate. I plan to attend again.

Blessings,

Scott Bowers

FOCAS

I would like to personally invite you to a very unique event to bring awareness to Haiti and help us raise money to rebuild the clinic in Calebasse.  My friend, Pedro Palacios, owner of The Rowing Place, is again hosting HEART activities for Haiti. In 2010 he organized four teams of 3 persons where each team rowed for 90 minutes to raise money. Pedro is doing this event again. This is a very healthy & unique way to bring love of Christ’s people to Haiti. Please check out his website www.nolimitsrowing.com and join him on Saturday March 10th at 8 am. We will row 1 hour in teams to raise money to build a new clinic in Haiti. The goal is $5000.

Yes – I am going to row as well to show my support and encouragement to Pedro and Haiti. Perhaps you would sponsor me or another member? All the money will go toward the clinic. People can sponsor me for one cent per meter rowed, become a matching sponsor, or just a flat amount for the time rowed. I will be rowing on a concept 2 rowing machine.

You can join us at the Rowing Place 673 Wilmer Ave Suite D and help row for Haiti. Also, see us on FOX 19 Friday March 9th at 8 am. Pedro and I will be interviewed by Sheila Gray promoting this event. FOCAS asks everyone to pitch in and support our medical, restorative, and evangelic
efforts to the Haiti people, and consider a fund raiser as a unique and loving way to show love to God’s people. Please pray for innovative ideas and contact FOCAS if you want to lead such an effort.

Scott Bowers

Written by Evelyn Perkins Community Press columnist Nov 9 2011 Tri-County Press

This year marked 25 years of humanitarian effort that began with FOCAS (Foundation of Compassionate American Samaritans) helping Haitian children attend school, receive food and obtain medical care. Founded by Dick Taylor in 1986, FOCAS later began serving the needs of Cincinnati. Taylor and his late wife, Anne, shared a vision that resulted in Lord’s Gym, a Bible study and weightlifting program to help men in Over-the-Rhine.

FOCAS still works in Haiti and, with Lord’s Gym developed many programs to serve youth, and young adults here. Anne started Lord’s Pantry to feed the poor and homeless. FOCAS created FOODShare in cooperation with local churches and business, and began a moving business to help people gain employment. They also opened the Nicholas Hoyer Sportsclub (named in honor of their late grandson) for youth and children that involves Bible study. A child survival program helped reduce child mortality and HIV rates. Jerry’s House is a live-in discipleship program for men.

Springdale’s Noreen Mocsny and husband, Dave, have supported Lord’s Gym for many years. She invited me to attend the Oct. 5 celebration at Sharonville Convention Center, where success stories and words of encouragement made you realize that none is lost who truly wants to be found.

Jack Atherton of Channel 5 News said that man’s extravagance is God’s opportunity, and this was our opportunity to do God’s work in the organization’s programs. The chair of FOCAS, Courtnell Francois, offered a prayer of thanks for the opportunity to stir the gift of giving.

“There are souls to be delivered. Burn in our hearts the desire to reach out to others.”  Dick Taylor spoke of how God moved him and Anne to open Lord’s Gym to feed the poor and homeless.

“We couldn’t envision in 1986 what 25 years would bring.” Their mission statement vows, “To see transformed lives reproducing changed lives,” and that they have done many times over through prayer, feeding and support.

Haiti – Wrapping it up and some perspective

Posted November 17, 2011 by Scott Bowers

You cannot go to Haiti without having your senses ignited by the sights, sounds, smells, and overall brokenness of the country. However, on this trip I was encouraged by what I saw, beginning with the leader of our team who turned 80 years old on the trip. (He had been to Haiti countless times.) The next youngest was 77 and 71! I saw the body of Christ reaching out with the hands, feet and compassion of Christ across many different denominations: Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Catholic, and others. I am not just referring to our group from FOCAS, although, we were doing our part. The 14-year-old boy and his three siblings started school Monday, Nov 14^th, due to the generosity of one of our team members. After meeting the kids face to face and seeing where and how they lived, he decided to sponsor them through FOCAS at $25 per month for each child. The two nine year olds were placed into the first grade and the 11 and 14 year olds were placed into the third grade. (You get to go to school if and when you can afford it.) If you would like to sponsor a child through FOCAS for $25 please contact me. While staying at the Methodist Guest House all week, I met dozens of people and work teams helping Habitat for Humanity build 500 homes in Leogonge, near the earthquake’s epicenter. They came from Colorado, Michigan, Montana, and other states. There is a group of nuns from the order of Mother Teresa who take in abandoned babies from City of Solei in the hopes of saving them. (Three babies died last week from malnutrition related illnesses.) Pastors came to receive training and encouragement from a team of three pastors we brought from Cincinnati. It’s the body of Christ who is going to Haiti and investing their blood, sweat, tears, vacation time, and money with the desire to show compassion, mercy, grace, through practical expressions of God’s love. Hopefully, God is glorified collectively by many small acts of kindness while a country struggles to find itself. Criticize the body of Christ if you will, but it is reaching out and trying to do something to make a difference in Haiti. If you would like to go on a short-term mission trip to Haiti with FOCAS ministries please contact me. Our next one is in June 2012 and will cost about $1,600 to $1,700.

Life is hard in Haiti

Posted  November 16, 2011 by Scott Bowers

One of the most  significant things that happened on this trip occurred in Callebasse as the  construction team was working pulling wire, trimming the temporary clinic, and  clearing rock for the new clinic. It had nothing to do with the frustrations of  construction but with the everyday difficulty of life in Haiti. A  fourteen-year-old boy approached Glen, one of our leaders from the Lord’s Gym  who was part of the Haiti construction team. The boy was distressed and asked  for help and his three other siblings (11 and two 9 year olds). His mother had  just died four days ago and they were hungry. He said his dad had died too, but  later we learned that he had abandoned the family. Two of our FOCAS board  members (trustees) who were with the team – hauling rocks no less – stepped in  to help. Our interpreter, Serge, found out that the kids were living with their  grandmother with no food in the house. From my experience in Haiti, tragedy and  survival are all too common. While Haiti makes the news due to natural  disasters like the earthquake and previous hurricanes, life itself is a  challenge. A parent dies or leaves. Children are abandoned, find an orphanage,  or possibly sold as a restavek (child slavery) if they are not fortunate enough  to be taken in by a grandparent or friend. We visited one orphanage for girls  that provided a safe home for 17 girls. These girls will have a chance. To  learn more about them go to www.HaitiUnderGod.org and consider supporting the  orphanage. I know of the person who is behind it and he has a good reputation.  To learn more about the restavek problem go to www.restavekfreedom.org. The  people behind it are very reputable too. If you feel led to get involved I am  sure they would appreciate it. SB

 Haiti playground

     Scott Bowers November 9, 2011

Clearing the terrace – stone by stone!

Without vision the people perish. This statement sounds like some motivational talk, but it’s actually taken from the book of Proverbs. I had the opportunity to speak to about 180 children at the FOCAS school in DuPlan II. Through my interpreter I asked how many of them have dreams? I called on 3 children who responded: doctor, teacher, and engineer. The other kids laughed. I did my best to encourage them by explaining that achieving their vision or dream will take time and many, many years. Isn’t it that way with us? My words would become an object lesson to me upon our return trip to Calebasse where the permanent clinic is being built. There is a vision to see a new and robust facility, with  a clinic, built on a terrace, right next to the destroyed clinic. A U.S. architect and engineer have plans already drafted. A 135’ x 2’ x 16’ foot wall  was put in place earlier this year – stone by stone wrapped in wire mesh. (Simple but effective technology). Our construction team worked along side the Haitian team to clear the terrace. It’s a massive vision and project that will take many people and years to finish – just like those children wanting to accomplish their visions. One rock or step at a time, those three children can achieve their vision with the right people and enough time. Because many of them have sponsors in the US, they can go to school. In FOCAS’ 25 years, we have seen one student make it to become a doctor. I accompanied her on a medical trip on my last visit to Haiti. Visions are very powerful and provide the hope and determination to help us pick up one more stone. With enough persistence, we (with the help of others) find one day that all of the stones have been moved. Who knows, maybe one of these kids will be the next leader and we will have helped them with the heavy lifting to get there! One can hope can’t they? SB