Gavin Jacob Riggs

December 10th was marked on the calendar as the estimated due date for our little guy. As the date got closer and closer not only were Randy & I getting anxious to meet our little boy but Mona (our 1st born) was asking, just about daily, “baby brother stuck in your belly Mommy”? At 2 and a half the phrase, “baby brother will be here soon” just wasn’t cutting it. With Mona being an early arrival I couldn’t help but feel that our second would be early as well. Not only because that had been our experience with Mona but because I had been experiencing contractions much earlier with this one. However, for the last month, appointment after appointment the Doctor would look at me and say, “Well, nothing has changed. We’ll see you back next week”.

So needless to say, December 10th came and went with little excitement. Trust me, I tried it all… dancing around the house, eating spicy food, walking up and down stairs, running around the house with Mona, walking around grocery stores much past the time of needing to check out. Still, no baby brother! Monday, December 12th we had a scheduled Doctors appointment. This was an appointment planned just in case I hadn’t delivered our little man yet. Well, we went and as I didn’t have high expectations for the appointment I was excited when she told me we were finally seeing progress!!! After my appointment Randy, Mona & I drove home and I had finally started having contractions consistently, 8-10 minutes apart! We went in to the hospital that night after Randy’s parents arrived to stay with Mona.

We tucked Mona into bed that night and said that we were going to the hospital to have baby brother and that when she woke up Mamaw & Pop Pop would be here. She responded with, “Dr. Mason gonna get baby brother unstuck?!?!?” Yes, is how we responded.  So we went to the hospital and with a little pitocin we were ready to deliver baby boy Riggs by 8:15am the next morning. The labor itself only lasted 30 minutes and before we knew it we were greeting our son, Gavin Jacob Riggs at 8:42am. He measured at 21″ long and weighed 7lbs. 10oz. We were blessed with not one complication and Mona, Mamaw & Pop Pop came in later that day to meet him. We were blessed with family and friends who came to visit at both the hospital and the house. We praise the Lord for the blessing of both our children and the honor it is that God is allowing us the gift to raise them in this world.

Here are just a few special photos we treasure from this time.

Gavin Jacob Riggs

Daddy holding his son

Mommy holding Gavin

Our new family

Mommy with her two babies

Daddy with his two little ones

big sister holding her little brother

2 weeks old

TUMI

Four weeks ago, I (Hannah) started attending a TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) class. It is one of our introductory courses in New Testament Survey. As missionaries with World Impact, we are encouraged to constantly deepen our understanding of the Word by attending TUMI classes when possible. Having graduated from Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis, I was required to take Bible class as part of my high-school curriculum. However, I am ten years removed from this type of classroom study of the Word and am thankful that life has slowed enough that I am able to be a part of this class.

 

Part of what I am enjoying is that I get to be in class with people from our community. I get to participate with them in class and watch their knowledge and understanding of the Word come alive. It has been great to hear their questions, to observe them connecting the dots, and to see the excitement in their eyes when they not only understand the Word in a new way but can also share it with confidence. It has also been great to see classmates become a family. Although they have a history of being in opposing gangs, now not only are they willingly sitting in the same classroom but they are also praying for and supporting one another through the class.

 

I have been reminded over and over again through the New Testament that God does not always call those who are seen as the most “qualified” to do His work. Let us remember that Jesus’ disciples were rejected by other rabbis. They were not seen as good enough to study under the rabbis so they were sent to work their fathers’ trades. Then we come across Paul who previously was known as Saul, a persecutor of Christ followers. God chose to speak to Saul, and He poured His Holy Spirit into Paul, who was used to form the early Church. I want to draw our attention to this because all too often the misfits, the down and out, and even the urban poor are seen as trouble–the group society would rather ignore than “deal with.” If we view the poor this way, we are clearly not seeing the world through the eyes of Christ. I must admit that I have at times felt this way in the past but am thankful that God has changed my heart to see the potential in the lives of our neighbors in North Saint Louis.

 

We truly count ourselves so very blessed to be a part of this work that God is doing. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Pray for leaders to be raised up among the urban poor and specifically for those students currently taking classes at The Urban Ministry Institute. Thank you for your continued prayers and support which allow us to continue in the work to which God has called us.

New Testament Survey Class

 

15 potential leaders

Several months ago our missionaries identified a list of 15 individuals that we believe are potential church leaders for our community. Their stories vary. Some are Christians; others are not. Some are drug addicts; others are free of addictions. Some are young; others are middle aged. The differences between these 15 individuals seem to go on forever, but they all share a few things in common as well. They are responsive to our missionaries, they are influential to the people around them, and they are in desperate need of the gospel. We believe that each one of them, because of God’s grace in their lives, can be used to effectively build His Kingdom.

Brandon is one of the 15. In his mid-thirties, Brandon has lived his entire life in our neighborhood. Often he and his family have found themselves without a permanent place to stay–leaving him, the mother of his children, and their two young boys wandering the block during the day and looking for a place to sleep each evening. Last fall the boys’ mother was incarcerated on drug charges, sentenced to a year in prison leaving Brandon to care for his two sons.

 

Although Brandon has always been friendly and open to us, most of our time with him has been brief conversation as he drops his children off for Bible Club. Two weeks ago, something different happened. Instead of dropping his boys off at Bible Club, he brought them and stayed with them the entire time. He volunteered to help lead songs, listened as we shared the Gospel lesson, and participated with his boys in games and activities. It almost seems as if a barrier came down that day. Rather than only speaking when spoken to, he now initiates conversation, often yelling his greetings from down the block when he sees us outside.

Brandon doing crafts with his boys & niece

 

God is working in Brandon’s life and in the lives of countless others in our community. I believe that God has a specific plan for each of the 15 individuals on our prayer list and for many of our other neighbors as well. Thank you for joining with us in prayer. Pray for Brandon that he will continue to be open to us and that he will accept the gospel message that we share with him. Pray for our missionaries to have wisdom and courage in sharing with all of our neighbors. Pray for individuals to accept Christ, to grow in their Christian walk, and to become church leaders that are so desperately needed.

 

Thank you for your continued support of our family as we minister in North St. Louis. Please continue to pray for Hannah during her pregnancy and the birth of our new child in December. Also, pray for us as we continue to raise financial support. Your prayers and support are a blessing to us, and we thank God for your faithfulness!

 

Ephisians 3:20-21

Shortly after moving into the neighborhood two years ago, I met Terrie, a mid-30s white woman living in an area that is over 99% African-American. She and her “husband,” at the time, stayed in a house just a block away while raising their three boys together. It was not but a few months later that they were kicked out of their home after finding out that it was owned by the city and that the supposed landlord was receiving rent from several tenants under false ownership.

After the city boarded up the home, Terrie and her family stayed at family and friends’ homes in trade for doing house work. Many of the homes were drug homes catering to the addictions of the couple. They were given a place to sleep at night; but often they would find their family locked out during the day, left to roam the streets in search of the next night’s lodging.

Last June, Terrie and her boys joined several other neighbors at our home for Mona’s first birthday party. Following the party, she was gracious to help clean up, and it seemed that the Lord was opening a way for a relationship between two young mothers. Several weeks went by without much contact, then one afternoon I noticed Terrie sitting on the steps of an abandoned house across the street with two friends that were not familiar to me. In speaking to them, it was obvious that they were all heavily under the influence of drugs. Just a week later, I received word that Terrie had been incarcerated, sent to prison for at least a year, leaving her young boys behind. I found myself discouraged, seeing the opportunity to minister to her slipping away.

Over those next few days I began to feel the Lord speaking to me about taking advantage of this time that Terrie would be away from her usual surroundings. Now, after nearly six months, some frustration, and a few returned letters, I received a letter in the mail from Terrie. She was writing to let me know I was officially approved to visit her. She caught Randy and me up on all she has been experiencing in prison. She desires to enroll in CNA classes to prepare herself for a job after prison. She finally got a pair of glasses and is waiting to receive dentures for her mostly rotted teeth that have been pulled.

I am looking forward to visiting her in the very near future, and I ask that you pray for my boldness in sharing Christ with her. Pray that the Lord will direct me in finding her the resources she needs to make a better future for herself. Also pray that, following incarceration, she would be able to return locally and that contact will not be lost. Pray for her family, especially her children, and pray that Randy would have opportunity to minister to her husband.

We pray, as the apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

 

 

 

 

a bypasser

One morning while driving home from the store with Mona, I (Hannah) was turning the corner onto our street when I saw a younger man and woman interacting in a way that caused suspicion. He was right up in her face as she flailed her arms around in the air. As I made the turn and was within sight of our house, I had many thoughts circling in my head. A few thoughts were “Were they just playing around? Does this girl really need help? Did I misunderstand what I saw? Would anyone else check on them?”

I had just a moment to decide if I should bypass my house and circle around the block to check on the situation again. In contemplating what to do, I had a whole other circle of thoughts going through my mind. A few of them were “Of course, you should check on them! What would I be able to do if this girl was being hurt? I have Mona in the car with me; what would I do with her if I needed to help?” Yet, I quickly realized that all I needed to know is do what I knew the Lord wanted me to do.

So I bypassed our house and circled around the block again. When I came up on the couple, there were now a few people who were gathering to check on the situation. When offered help, the young woman cursed at those who were offering and seemed to be the aggressor in the situation. I left feeling poorly, knowing that there was nothing more we could do to help.

I share this to encourage you as I was encouraged. That day I could have passed by and had a list of excuses as to why it was okay for me not to help. However, the truth we are called to live by is found in 2 Timothy 1:6-7: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

I am called to live not by fear but through the power of the Holy Spirit. This passage does not say anything about always having perfect circumstances. It challenges us to live in the power of the Holy Spirit at all times, even in those times that push us out of our comfort zone and make us uneasy or nervous. When I practice this truth, my boasting can only be in Him who gives me strength.

Thank you for your continued partnership in prayers and support. We think of you often and thank God for you!

In Him,

Randy, Hannah and Mona

“Put all of your eggs in God’s basket”

Dear Friends and Family,

“Put all of your eggs in God’s basket.” These words seemed simple, almost childish, as I first heard them spoken. Yet, as they came from the mouth of a more experienced and wiser ministry leader, offering his advice on the challenges of ministry, they were profound in their simplicity.

Those eight words have found a place in the back of my mind over the last few weeks since I first heard them spoken. I have pondered them many times. Several times since that day I have been reminded of those words as I read scripture. When I read verses such as Ephesians 3:20 which tells me that the God I serve “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we can ask or think,” I can imagine and think about the inner city of North Saint Louis being transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I can imagine lives devastated by sin and brokenness being changed by the love of Jesus and becoming leaders of churches in the inner city. I can even ask God for these things to happen. Since this scripture tells me that God can do “far more abundantly” than what I can imagine or ask for, why would I not want to “put all of my eggs in God’s basket”? Likewise, Psalm 121 reminds me that the God who created heaven and earth is my helper and will keep me from all evil. These verses help me to have a proper perspective of the God that we serve, and when I have a proper perspective of God all challenges seem pretty small.

There is no doubt that the challenges of the inner city are many. Oftentimes we find ourselves facing situations in ministry to which we do not have the answers. Pray that in these times we will continue to place our trust in Christ.

 Thank you for your continued prayer and support. Please pray for the additional raising of financial support for Hannah and myself. Pray for our neighbors, that they will be open and responsive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We thank God for your partnership in this ministry!

In Christ’s Love,

Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

Realist or Pessimist?

 

I would normally consider myself an optimistic person, at worst a realist, but never a pessimist. So last October when we decided to start a Bible study for the men in Basketball Outreach, I did not feel bad at all about my gut-feeling that it would not last.

Looking back now, I am ashamed of those feelings. Although I wanted badly for so

 

me of these young men to “get into the Word,” I honestly did not see it happening. Yes, they were used to sitting through a short devotional during basketball and usually did so without reluctance. But getting them to attend a voluntary Bible study that would last an hour, well, that was something altogether different– so I thought.

 

Fortunately, we did not use my feelings as the final say in the matter of starting the study. Beginning with the first week we have had a consistent group of young men and women in attendance. We have been stunned as some have arrived early to make sure they do not miss anything. Others call their friends each week to see if they are going to attend. A couple of weeks ago we opened up our time by asking them if they had any questions and ended up talking the entire hour withou

 

t ever getting to the week’s lesson.

 

Later that same evening one of the regular participants, Raheem, began asking questions about how he would know when he was ready to become a Christian. These were questions that we were all too happy to answer,

 

and that evening Raheem accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

It is comforting to know that back in October, when my faith was weak, God knew ahead of time that Raheem would accept Christ months later through that Bible study. We rejoice in this new life and pray for Raheem a

 

s God continues to transform his life.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Please join us in praying for Rahe

 

em and others whose lives are being transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ!

In Christ’s love,     Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

Recent Family Picture

Support – Raising Update

Thank you for your prayers and financial gifts. We thank God for your partnership in this ministry!

Over the last year we have been blessed by many one-time gifts that have allowed us to maintain support levels. However, we currently need to increase our monthly gifts by $1,573 per month to be 100-percent supported. We ask you to prayerfully consider if God is asking you to make giving to His work in the city a priority.

 If you would like to make a donation, you may do so online through our national website, www.worldimpact.org. You will have the option to sign up for automatic giving. You can also send a check payable to World Impact. Include account #2306 in the memo line, and mail checks to World Impact, Inc., 2001 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007.

Called to the City

Since the time of our engagement 2 and a half years ago we felt the Lord calling us to Urban Ministry. We found ourselves viewing the urban community as Christ did. A hurting people who needed to know of the Lord’s love, hope and grace. The Lord has taken us on a detour since then to Mooseheart Child City & School Inc. We see many reasons why the Lord brought us here, however He has now opened the door for us to finally serve Him in Urban St. Louis, MO. Randy and I will be spending this next year raising support to be full time missionaries with World Impact. We will be serving in the St. Louis mission field; striving to meet the needs of the people in that community so that they may come to know of the hope in our Lord, Christ Jesus as Savior. This first year Randy will be serving as World Impact/St. Louis’ Children’s Ministry Coordinator while I tend to our little one and volunteer at the center. The Lord has impressed upon our hearts individually and as a couple to spend our time here in this life to love on His people that they may know of His hope in a hopeless world. Would you join us in building the Kingdom through supported prayer. Pray not only for the relationships that await us in St. Louis but for the ones with our girls here at Mooseheart. Pray that these girls will see the Lord through our lives and that we may deepen our relationships with them.

What’s in a Name?

As most all of you know, neither Hannah nor I grew up in the inner city.  In fact, we both grew up in quite different environments.  Me in a small farming community and Hannah in the quiet suburbs.  When we began to feel directed to urban ministry there were a lot of questions in our minds; a lot to think about.  We spent months praying and struggling with this calling.  During this time my relationship with God grew stronger.  I spent more time praying and reading the Word than I ever had before.  One day while having my scheduled devotional time I ran across a poem that stood out to me enough that I wrote it down.  Several months later after the decision had been made for us to move to St. Louis we were looking for a name for our new blog, something that would be relevant to the city.  I was looking through my journal for ideas and found the poem, What Christ Said.  It reads as follows:

What Christ Said

I said, “Let me walk in the fields.”

He said, “No, walk in the town.”

I said, “There are no flowers there.”

He said, “No flowers, but a crown.”

I said, “But the skies are black,

there is nothing but noise and din.”

And he wept as he sent me back,

“There is more,” he said, “there is sin.”

I said, “But the air is thick,

And fogs are veiling the sun.”

He answered, “Yet souls are sick,

And souls in the dark undone.”

I said, “I shall miss the light,

And friends will miss me, they say.”

He answered, “Choose tonight,

If I am to miss you, or they.”

I pleaded for time to be given.

He said, “Is it hard to decide?

It will not seem hard in Heaven

To have followed the steps of your Guide.”

I cast one look at the fields,

Then set my face to the town;

He said, “My child, do you yield?

Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”

Then into his hand went mine;

And into my heart came he;

And I walk in a light divine,

The path I had feared to see.

By: George MacDonald

 

Mona Evelyn Riggs

Well, it’s been a while since we have posted anything on here.  I feel somewhat bad that it has been over a month and this is the first birth announcement for Mona.  As you can imagine we have had a little bit of adjusting to do with the new arrival and we seem to finally be getting adjusted to the new “normal”.  The past month has been great!  Mona just had a doctor’s appointment today and weighed in at 9 lb. 7 oz., almost 3 lbs. over her birthweight!  We will be adding more pictures later but to catch everyone up the following is a journal of events from Hannah leading up to Mona’s birth.

Sunday, June 28th

This morning I woke up to contractions starting 10 minutes apart and they were rather strong. The night prior I had experienced these same kind of contractions for a good 3 hours and then they subsided, so this morning we weren’t going to stop our normal routine over them. We decided to spend our morning in worship with Pastor Jimi’s congregation at Hope of Glory. After Church Randy & I thought we should take advantage of this time and enjoy a lunch out, as it may be our last meal out alone, just the two of us.

After enjoying lunch at O’Charlies we thought we would take a look at video cameras. We both felt like we would  regret not having one to video tape our daughters birth when it happens.  While at Best Buy my contractions continued, some contractions were even 8 minutes apart at this time.  We found a video camera and headed home to let Winston out.

That night we went over to our friends, Andrew & Adria’s for dinner. At this point the contractions were a solid 8 minutes apart so we brought our hospital bag, just in case. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner with our friends, some dessert and a game of Wits and Wagers (good game). We decided around 10:30 or so that we should head home. The contractions were getting more difficult for me to breath through as they were moving to my back.

Randy & I got home and after about an hour and a half of contracting at 5 minutes apart Randy & I headed to the hospital at 1/1:30am. When we arrived to the hosptial we were the only ones admitted into Labor & Delivery so we had primo treatement. When the doctor saw me he said I was at 3 cm. dilated, 92% effaced and the epidural was on it’s way – Hooray! By 3:30am I had recieved the epidural; Randy & I were finally able to catch a little sleep.

Monday, June 29th

Our Doctor, Dr. Nelson-Mason, arrived to our room around 6:00am and said I had progressed to 5cm. She then decided to break my water to see what kind of progression my contractions would make. Randy & I again tried to catch a little sleep. Around 9:00 or 10:00am (I was starting to lose track of time) the Doctor ordered to put me on pitosin. Shortly after that they took me off of it as my contractions were continuing strong and closer together by themselves and by 12:00/noon I was ready to push.

Mona Evelyn Riggs

1:07pm, Mona Evelyn Riggs was born. Weighing in at 6lbs. 10oz. and measuring at 19 1/2 inches long. Mona had a little oxygen level problem as the umbilical cord was around her neck when delivered. After 30 minutes or so she was doing just fine and we were able to hold her for the first time. She was amazing, we couldn’t take our eyes off of her. We were blessed to have the following family and friends visit us tonight; Uncle Dave & Aunt Joy, Andrew & Adria, Katherine, Levi & Sean.

 

 

Uncle Dave & Aunt Joy

World Impact Family

Tuesday, June 30th

 

Today Pop-pop & Mamaw Riggs as well as Grandpa & Mimi Nevins, Jason & Nancy Phelps and Linda Carlson came to see Mona at the hospital! There wasn’t too much holding time as Mona’s bilirubin levels tested too high. So she had to spend nearly the next 24 hours, possibly more, under a Bili Light. Mona did not like this, she was too exposed for comfort. This was hard for Mommy as I felt very helpless. We couldn’t craddle her or offer any comfort. This gave me a new appreciation for parents who suffer worse circumstances where they can’t hold and comfort their new borns.

Billi Light

Much to our surprise the blood work the next morning read at a lower level!This allowed Mona to be taken out from under the Bili Lights and we were able to go home that Wednesday with Mona as planned. We had grandparents waiting for us at home and offered all kinds of help and company that rest of the week. We have been so blessed with people surrounding us with love and celebrating in our new journey into parenthood, thank you!

First Family Photo

Tony

Randy & Tony playing Chess

“Are you just getting home from church?”  We had just pulled up in front of our house and before we could even get the doors open Tony was there to greet us with his question.  When we confirmed that we had been at church his face fell as he told us how he had knocked on our door the evening before, to ask if he could go with us.  I (Randy) felt badly that we hadn’t been there to answer the door, but I also felt encouraged.  It’s not everyday that a fourteen year old boy from our community is excited about going to church.

Tony stays just down the block from us with his mother, five siblings, a niece and other family members who stay with them from time to time.  He has been involved with World Impact summer programs for the last couple of years, but this summer he was different.  It was evident that God was working in his life.  When we would discuss stories from the Bible he listened intently and would ask thoughtful questions.  Shortly after Hannah and I moved into our home, Tony started hanging around anytime he would see me outside.  He helped me spray weeds, trim fence lines and sometimes would just sit on the porch and talk.

This years’ summer program theme was “Don’t Waste Your Life”.  Each week we focused on a different man or woman from the Bible and talked with the kids about how that person either did or didn’t waste their life.  On one of the last days of the program we talked with them about the story of Jesus and how His life affects everything else, including their own lives.  When we were given time to split into smaller groups I had the chance to speak with Tony alone.  During that time he shared with me how he had confessed and asked for forgiveness of his sin and had given his life to Christ.

I can’t explain how I felt when he told me that.  You see, too often in our neighborhood fourteen year old boys are already actively involved in the drug trade.  Too often they are already entrenched in the gang culture.  Too often they are expected to be the “man” of the home, as Tony is.  But not nearly often enough do we see fourteen year old boys who will make a bold decision to serve Jesus Christ and to allow Him to control their lives.

Later in that same conversation Tony told me how he had started reading his Bible on his own.  No one had told him too, he just decided he wanted to know more.  We talked about meeting together on a weekly basis in a mentoring relationship.  He agreed to meet regularly and seemed excited to get started.

As we sat on our front porch steps chatting that Sunday morning after church, Tony stopped, looked at me and asked, “Are we still going to do that role model thing?”  I assured him that we were.  As the last few weeks have passed I have continued to be encouraged by his eagerness to learn.  It is clear evidence that GOD IS AT WORK IN THE CITY!!

Serving in the City,

Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

 

A New Normal

We first want to thank you for your prayers and support.  You are a great encouragement to us and are a vital part of our ministry to North St. Louis.  We thank God for you and keep you and your families in our prayers.

Over the last few months we have been on a learning curve.  There are so many things about the inner city that we don’t know.  One of the things that we have learned quickly is that “normal” for us is not “normal” for our community.  We are learning a new normal.

During the long drive home from a week of camp in Kansas we took a break and stopped at McDonald’s to buy the kids something to eat.  We noticed 10 year old Davion having problems figuring out the hand dryer in the bathroom and later having the same sort of problems with the drink machine.  None of us gave it much thought until through a mouthful of burger and fries Davion said, “Man, McDonalds has really good food!”  It was then that one of our leaders asked, “Davion, have you ever been to McDonalds before?”  “No, I ain’t never been to McDonalds” he said, as if it were perfectly normal.  We just looked at each other in disbelief.  Serving among the urban poor had just exposed a new normal.

I waited in the car as Hannah ran into Schnucks grocery to grab a couple of things.  When she came out just a couple minutes later she was in tears.  While she was in the store she had witnessed a grandmother with a fussy young granddaughter.  The lady, overwhelmed with trying to shop and care for the unhappy little girl, stopped everything and started beating the child mercilessly in the middle of the aisle.  But, what overwhelmed Hannah more than anything was that no one said or did anything.  They just went about their shopping.  It was normal.

At a neighborhood cookout hosted at one of our missionary’s homes I was happy to see a young boy from our summer program show up with his dad and older sister.  As I introduced myself to his family however, it was obvious that they were both under the influence of drugs or alcohol, maybe both.  It bothered me.  Not only was he seeing them like this, but his father had driven him to the cookout.  As I shared my frustration with one of our staff members who is from the city, he said, “Yeah, that’s normal.”  But this was a new normal for me, one that I wasn’t comfortable with.

I ask you to join us as we pray for a different “normal” to prevail in the inner city.  We pray that it will be normal for kids to know and live with both parents, that it will be normal for all kids to graduate from high school – not just the 30-some % that currently graduate, that it will be normal to see blocks void of drug dealers, gangs, and prostitutes, and that “pockets” of heaven will appear on earth as the Gospel spreads in North St. Louis!  We thank you for your prayers and are continuously grateful that GOD IS AT WORK IN THE CITY!!

Serving in the City,

Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

Ram’s Sponsor Christian Family Day

Outside Edward Jones Dome

Sunday, November 22nd

World Impact was given tickets to take kids from our community to the Rams vs. Cardinals game. The Ram’s were sponsoring Christian Family Day which is why we were given tickets. We took 8 children from our community and boy did they have a BLAST! One of the girls even won a football autographed by the Rams football team and Pujols from the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

just havin' fun

Just chillin' watching the Rams

hangin' with the girls from my block

Rams football player, Jason Brown giving his testimony after the game

Christian Rap artists, Json & Future performing after the game

Faithful to our Calling

Basketball Night

Last night I stood and watched as over 40 men and a couple of young ladies from our neighborhood sat and listened to a 30 minute Bible study.  For the most part they listened closely and even asked and answered questions.  This was a group with a lot of stories, many of which I may never know.  It was a group that might cause you to lock your car doors, clutch your purse a little tighter, or maybe even cross to the other side of the street, if you were to meet them in public.  It certainly was not a group that you would imagine participating in a Bible study.  So how did it happen?  Well, they were part of our Thursday night basketball program.

Every Thursday evening around 6:30 a crowd starts to gather at the front entrance of World Impact – St. Louis.  At 6:45 the doors are opened and for the next three and a half hours the gym is a flurry of activity, with exception to a 30 to 45 minute break a little after 8:00 when everyone gathers to hear the Gospel.  They are confronted with their sin and the choices that they are making in their lives, and they are told of a better life – life in Jesus Christ.

Thursday evening basketball is just one of the programs used to share the Gospel.  We have several programs which are just getting underway including a separate basketball program for high school aged students, a reading / literacy program at a local elementary school, Monday Night Football events, a chess program that meets twice a week, and a fitness room.  In the near future we also plan to open a studio where young people can learn to write, perform, and produce music.  These programs allow us to build relationships with those in our community and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  From these initial relationships we then form mentoring / discipleship relationships and encourage those involved to participate in a Bible study that we have on Sunday evenings.

We believe that if we are faithful to our calling that the Holy Spirit will work to transform lives and only then will we see real change in the community in which we serve.  We thank you for your friendship, your prayers, and your support.  You are a major part of our ministry to North St. Louis and we thank God for you.  Please continue to keep us in your prayers.  Pray that God will be able to use us to fulfill his mission in the city!

Serving in the City,

Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

Riggs Photo Shoot

We had the privilege of getting pictures taken by our dear friends and professional photographers, Wade & Stephanie Carignan. It had been too long since my Nevins family had taken family pictures and so the Carignan’s were gracious enough to take them for us. Here are some of  Randy, Mona & I as well as one of my whole family. Thank you Wade & Stephanie, these pictures turned out great as all your work does.  www.carignangallery.com

I Corinthians 12

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. I Corinthians 12: 12, 15, 21, 25&27

There are many things that drew us to want to serve with World Impact, including that World Impact’s focus is to “raise up leaders among the indigenous people of our community”: This is the source of our Church plants and church leadership.  Secondly, World Impact sees this happening by having missionary staff committed to building relationships with local people, which creates a need to find people willing and desiring to live in our immediate community.

The third reason is that World Impact practices the passage above, I Corinthians 12. Randy & I have been passionate about this passage for some time now.  Our desire is to see separation among believers demolished.  When we can lay differences aside we can then focus on the basics – that we are all saved by Gods grace through Jesus’ death & resurrection and that we should desire to share the gospel to all with whom we come in contact.

We have seen God bring wonderful staff together from different backgrounds and we are honored to serve together to build God’s Kingdom.  God has gifted each of us uniquely.  We have enjoyed seeing God mold us—and the gifts He has given us—together in unity and refine us in areas of weakness.  You too are a part of our team.  You have a very important part to play and without you we could not serve in completion.

We pray that you will continue to serve with us.  Will you do so now by praying with us and for us as we do for you? Pray specifically that God would continue to provide World Impact STL with the staff for specific positions needed at this time, whether through Internships or Missionary staff.  Also, pray that God would continue to refine our staff and bring us in stronger unity that we may serve him with excellence.

We again thank each of you for the part you play in the body of Christ.  Thank you for your partnership in prayers, financial support and in a sense being “missionaries” to Saint Louis and to your own communities.

Blessings from Saint Louis,

Randy, Hannah & Mona Riggs

Mona’s Dedication

January 16th, 2010

This day will be marked as a very special day for our family. On this day, Saturday January 16th, we came together in community with our family and Church family vowing to rase Mona up in the Lord. That by example of our own relationship to the Lord, Mona may someday know what it means to chose Jesus as her own personal Lord and Savior. On this day we also surrendered Mona’s life to the Lord.

Here are a few pictures from this special day.

Mommy, Daddy & Mona at Mona's baby dedication

Gil Carlson, one of our missionary staff leading us in Mona's dedication

Gil leading us in a prayer of dedication

Mona fast asleep after a fun day with friends & family

Wisdom and Humility.

It seems that  with each day that goes by Mona gets a little heavier to pick up, looks a little longer laying in her crib, and outgrows another outfit.  She’s growing.  But her growth isn’t the only thing that we notice, with her growth has been a change in appetite.  First it was more milk that she needed.  Before long milk wasn’t enough and she began to eat baby cereal.  The more she eats, the more she grows.  The more she grows, the more she eats.  It’s a never ending cycle.  Watching her grow is exciting for us as parents and we celebrate each new sign of growth.

In the same way, it is exciting to see growth in the lives we are able to come in contact with each day.  It is encouraging when new relationships are developed with our neighbors here in North St. Louis.  But if those relationships never lead to lives being transformed by a relationship with Jesus Christ then they might as well not ever exist.  It is in the moments of growth that we are able to see the transforming power of Jesus Christ working in lives.  The moment that a 15 year old boy reminds us of the story of the Apostle Paul that he heard during our summer program.  The moment a young dad asks his first question during the bible study at mens basketball.  The moment that a 73 year old man sits down on our front steps, shares his troubles, and allows us to pray with him.  These moments are encouraging and we pray for them to become more frequent.

We ask you to pray with us for these moments of growth.  We pray that with growth will come hunger for more growth.  When Mona first began to eat from a spoon we found out that if we didn’t get the food to her fast enough she would start chasing the spoon with her mouth.  That is the desire for the things of God that we long to see in our community.  Pray for our neighbors.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will draw them into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Pray that they will be hungry to know more about His saving grace.  Pray that we will be able to lead our neighbors with wisdom and humility.

Spring Break 2010

This past month we had the honor of hosting our nieghborhood youth at the Ministry Center for Spring Break. The Bible lessons focussed on Peter and how he gave his life to serving the Lord. They kids played all kinds of games, enjoyed cooking class, drama class, magic tricks and much more. We were also blessed to have over 20 volunteers from Denton, Texas help us out that week. Here are a few pictures from the week.

If you think about it join us in prayer that of the 40+ kids who showed up that they would return back to us this summer for our summer youth programs. – thanks!

The kids enjoying life size foosball game.

Allison enjoying a little music break with the kids.

Friends.Kevin enjoying lunch with his Spring Break buddy.

Ready to eat lunch!

Group picture from Spring Break week.

May

May was  full of special occasions for the Riggs family.

MAY – May 18th;  three years ago Randy & I were getting ready to commit our lives to each other “til death do us part”.  We have recently been asked, ” How did you know one another was ‘the one’ “? I answer that question with, “when I met Randy he wasn’t only all the things I had been looking for in a spouse but he possessed qualities I didn’t even know I needed but God did. ” Randy answers this question with, ” I realized that not only could I live with Hannah for the rest of my life, but also realized I couldn’t live without her”.  Three years later, two out of state moves, a giving away of Winston and getting him back and a beautiful baby girl later we both stand by those answers. We are so blessed not only to have each other but to be able to minister together to bring glory to our Lord and Savior. 

A Day I'll Remember Always!

www.cgindy.com

It was in May, two years ago that we moved to Mooseheart and lived with 10 high school girls. Each girl was special and unique and had a story all their own. The girls allowed us into their lives and hearts and we will be eternally grateful for those 12 months spent with each of them. We were blessed with a wonderful single female family teacher who showed us the ropes and encouraged us in moments of difficulty. On May 22, 2010 we had the honor of going back to Mooseheart to see two of our girls  graduated High School! Kristen & Robin, we are so excited to see what God has in store for your future! We know you will do great things.  

Me, Kristen, Randy & Mona

  

Me, Mona, Robin & Randy

  

JUNE - June 1st 2009; 38 weeks pregnant Randy & I followed the Lords calling on our lives and we moved to St. Louis, MO to work with World Impact. We have been blessed to be welcomed into the lives of those around us. The families and children on our block have not only allowed us into the community but they have welcomed us to be a part of their community. We have enjoyed visiting community churches in the area where we have been welcomed into their time of fellowship with one another. We have enjoyed the amenities of  St. Louis such as the Zoo, Arch, Science Museum and more. We have had the opportunity to welcome our friends and family into our place of ministry which has been a joy. 

Here are a few pictures of this past year in ministry and hometown visitors. Thank you everyone for your support!  

Mona's first Cardinals game with the Asma's!

Summer Cook Out @ St. Louis Ave.

Rams football game with World Impact youth

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Mona’s One!

Sunday - May 28th, 2009

I woke up this morning with contractions which was normal for me at this point in my pregnancy. I was only 5 days away from my due date and contractions came and went often at this point. Well, Randy & I got ready and attended our local community church that morning. Contractions continued this morning all through service. After Church Randy & I decided that maybe we should go out for lunch, who knows today may be the last day we eat alone.  Contractions continued. After lunch Randy & I decided maybe we should go to Best Buy and consider buying a video camera. Maybe today is THE DAY?!?! contractions continued. After Best Buy we went to have dinner with our friends, Andrew & Adria. After a couple of hours at their house I couldn’t disguise my discomfort very well so we headed home. Randy timed my contractions and around 12/midnight we headed to the hospital.

Sure enough I was in active labor and this was it. Monday – June 29th, 2009 @ 1:07pm we welcomed little miss Mona Evelyn Riggs into our family. She had a little bit of a breathing problem at the beginning but pushed through and here we are a year later celebrating Mona’s 1st Birthday. Today we celebrate God’s goodness to our family and health upon our daughter. 

Here are a few pictures of Mona from the past year.

www.cgindy.com

Our First Family Photo

Mona at 4 Weeks Old

Mona Sleeping

Mona at the Pool for the First Time

Happy 1st Birthday Mona!

Summer 2010

This was about half of the kids we saw all summer

This summer we have been blessed with 5 young adults who felt called to serve with World Impact STL for over 2 months as Summer Staff. Because of them we were able to continue another summer of Children’s Programs for the youth in our community. This year’s theme was “Trading Places”. The youth got to learn about other countries, missionaries in those countries, cook food that would be eaten in the countries studied and so on. As usual the summer flew by and now the youth are on their way to our World Impact camp in Florence Kansas, Morning Star Ranch.

We thank you for the part you played in this summer. Without your support to our city ministry both financially and prayerfully we couldn’t have gotten through it all. All kids were kept safe, all our needs for craft supplies, food, games, Bible’s and camp supplies were met. Thank you for pouring into the lives of the youth around us in this way. Here are a few pictures from this summer. Enjoy!

Backyar (Frontyard) Bible Club

What a Message.Little Miss Mona

SmIlE!

Singing Songs

It was a VERY hot day, Miss A wasn't so happy.Chesterfield PoolLet's Go!Summer 2010

Prayer Request

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”

-1 Thessalonians 5:16-18-

 

We are closing in on a very busy season in St. Louis. As mentioned in a previous blog posting, we have been blessed this summer with 5 Summer Staff. They have not only served the Lord with their very best in Christ but they’ve gotten a taste for what it looks like to be an inner-city missionary. They have connected deeply with children in our community, they have lent a listening ear to neighbors on their block and shed tears over the things that break God’s heart here in the city. Please pray for each of them as they seek God’s will for their future and seek postive closure to this time. Also be in prayer as some are feeling called back to serve in St. Louis with World Impact. Pray that the Lord makes that Calling very clear and that the staff would be tender to seek God’s timing in it all.

Summer Staff 2010

This next month is going to consist of planning for the next calander year. I ask that as we are looking forward to this next year with a staff of  no more then 5 that the Lord would speak clearily on what programs we need to conintue and what needs to be put on hold till a later time with more staff. In the same breath I ask that  you would join us in praying for more staff. Pray that the Lord would be burdening more people with a heart to serve in the city and that God would orchestrate the right people to World Impact  STL to serve.

World Impact STL

“Empty Me”

I (Hannah) understand this is going to appear super cheesy being that I’m posting a video of an American Idol musician. However, I can’t deny how my heart cries out, “Lord empty me of myself” when I hear this song. Enjoy and sing with me, “Empty Me” by Chris Sligh.

March 2010 Prayer Letter

 

I have watched, along with the rest of the world, the continual news coverage and updates of the recent earthquakes in Haiti. I have tried to wrap my mind around the enormity of the devastation, but I cannot. One clip of news coverage I saw hit me particularly hard. The reporter was standing in a field outside the city. Behind him could be seen a row of large holes that had been dug in the ground–mass graves. As he spoke, a continuous line of dump trucks was making its way through the field, backing up to the holes one at a time, and dumping load after load of human bodies. After each truck was dumped, a backhoe would push some dirt into the hole, and then the next truck would deliver its cargo. It was reported that each grave contained approximately 7,000 bodies, and there were too many graves to count.

These human bodies that had a few days before been someone’s mother, father, son, or daughter now carried no identity. Each one was just a part of the clean-up, and the significance of individual life had been lost.

During this same time I have been involved in a study where the Imago Dei has been discussed. The Imago Dei is the truth that every human being, despite their social status or condition, is created in the image of God. It is this understanding that grounds our commitment to love, cherish, and protect human beings no matter their nationality, skin color, beliefs, or social status. I pray that this knowledge will be evident in the way I live my life. I pray that I will not be a respecter of persons but will treat every individual I come into contact with as the person that God created them to be, a person who was created in the image of God.

My elderly neighbor, Marvin, has been calling me quite often recently to ask for rides to the grocery store. I enjoy his company and hearing his stories from the decades he has lived in our neighborhood. To show his appreciation for the rides, he made us a pot of chili and some peach cobbler. Marvin was created in the image of God.

The day after Christmas our neighbor, Shari, was walking past as we pulled up to the house. She came over to the car to see Mona and ask how she was doing. She then sheepishly asked, “Would you happen to have a couple of diapers I could have?” She continued to tell us that she was out of diapers for her son and could not find his father to get money to buy more. She had been walking up and down the block in snow and below-freezing temperatures trying to figure out what to do. That evening we drove Shari to Crisis Nursery so she could get diapers for her son. Shari was created in the image of God.

Each day we come in contact with many different people. Their stories are different, but their Creator is the same. And each one of them is created in His image. Please, continue to pray for us, that we will live our lives in light of this truth.

April 2010 Prayer Letter

Last month I (Hannah) was driving with Mona to the store. We had a couple of inches of snow on the ground, and the wind was blowing strong. I came to a stop light, which was red, so I stopped. Through the frost-covered side window I saw a young woman with a stroller waiting for the bus. She had her back turned to the wind, and a heavy blanket lay across the top of her baby’s stroller.Now, this was not something new. I mean, I had come across this scene in our neighborhood many times before; but for some reason, in that moment as I looked at Mona’s covered car seat in our warm-heated car I realized, “We are not only blessed. We are rich.” Statistics that Rob Bell presents in a DVD entitled, RICH, state that in 2006 only 8 percent of people in the world owned cars. That means 92 percent of the world would look upon my family in our car and consider us rich. Around a billion people in the world do not have the luxury of clean drinking water. Approximately 800 million people in the world will go this day without eating a meal, and about a billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day. When put into this perspective my family is indeed rich.

I ask you to take a look at 1 Timothy 6:17-18 with me: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” So what does this look like? This could look like offering to carpool with a co-worker to save on expenses; being a listening ear to an elderly neighbor who does not receive many visitors; offering your time to work on other church members’ vehicles; or if the Lord has given you financial gifts, possibly you offer to help a friend with overwhelming medical bills. In one way or another, the Lord has bestowed upon us gifts, and we are responsible to use them to His glory.

 

So we are taking a look around our community here in North St. Louis and asking ourselves, what gifts has God given us that we can offer to others? For Randy and me this looks like driving an elderly neighbor to the grocery store every week, helping our neighbor children with homework, mowing a single mother’s front yard in the summer, shoveling snow from her sidewalk in the winter, or offering to give another neighbor a ride to get diapers for her son. We look forward to how God is going to continue to reveal gifts He has given us so that we may extend those to others. This is our way of joining in God’s plan to bring heaven to earth.

We continue to say “Thank You!” to those of you who have extended your gift of prayer and financial support to us. We have been blessed and strengthened to do the Lord’s work here in St. Louis because of your generosity, and we pray for His continued blessings.

In Him,

Randy, Hannah and Mona

 

 

May 2010 Prayer Letter

 As the winter cold and dreariness give way to spring showers and flowers, our neighborhood is becoming more and more active each day. Even before any flowers began popping up from the ground, we heard the familiar sound of ice-cream truck music several times a day. Each day the rise in temperature seems to bring another sign of life, from streets full of children to the great smell of Saint Louis barbecue.  

During our recent spring-break week children’s program we were blessed to see the number of children double from last year’s program, as nearly 50 children participated. Not only were we encouraged by the high numbers but also by the relationships that continue to develop with entire families in our neighborhood. Two families in particular, with whom we have had long-standing relationships, brought their children to participate in our programs for the first time. We rejoice to see these walls coming down and thank God that He continues to work in our community even at times it may be hard for us to see.

As we move into the summer months, we ask for your continued prayer for our programs at World Impact and also for our family. Pray for our five new summer staff who will be joining us in June and who will help us run our summer children’s program. Pray for our other programs as well and the adults and children whom we work with, that their hearts will be prepared to receive the gospel that is presented to them. Pray for our staff, that we will be good neighbors and live in a way that exemplifies the love of Jesus Christ.

In June Hannah and I will be taking part in the Candidate Assessment Program for World Impact missionary staff. This process will prepare us for the possibility of joining the Religious Missionary Order and will solidify our long-term commitment to serving in the area to which God has called us. Please pray for us during this time, that we will be open and responsive to God’s leading and direction. We also ask that you continue to pray for us in the area of financial support as we need to be at 100 percent of our monthly support by June. We thank God for the progress that has been made and know that these needs will be met as we continue to follow His direction.

Mona turned nine months old last week and is working on her crawling skills. We expect her to take off any day now. At her nine-month doctor’s appointment this morning she weighed in at 20 pounds, 9 ounces and is 27 inches long. She has turned our world upside down, and we love it! We thank God for her and the joy she has brought to our lives. On May 18 Hannah and I will celebrate our three-year wedding anniversary. It has been an amazing three years, and God continues to bless us and teach us to trust in Him more and more each day.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are humbled and blessed by your support and are thankful that you are partners with us in this ministry.

Serving in the City,

Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

June 2010 Prayer Letter

We want to thank each of you for taking part in our journey in St. Louis this past year. We have grown so much spiritually–independently and as a family. We ask that you would continue to follow us on our journey and take an active part by joining us in the following prayer requests and praises.

1) These past few months World Impact-St. Louis (STL) has allowed a local church, Resurrection Temple, to hold their services at our center. They were not able to come up with the funds to keep their heat running this winter so World Impact-STL offered their assistance to them. Randy and I have been honored to share in worship with them and have made some wonderful new friends. It has been a joy to fellowship with those in our community and see how the Lord’s love runs so deep. We ask that you continue to pray for this church as they venture out to a new location and try to sell their old church building. Please join us in praying blessings over their pastor and congregation.

2) Randy and Tony continue to meet, whether it is to play basketball or work in the yard. Tony faces the typical teen challenges as well as the natural challenges our community brings. Please join us in praying that he will hold strong to what he knows the Lord would want from him. Pray specifically that he stays out of fights, keeps a good attitude, and stays focused on his studies. Pray for Tony to continue to desire to know the Lord’s Word and seek discipleship from Randy.

3) We praise the Lord as I will start mentoring Tony’s sister, Jasmine. Jasmine has a tender heart, has a desire to do the right thing, and is great with Mona. She desires a lot of attention, so what better way to meet that need than to spend time together talking about the Lord and what it means to make a difference in her school as a young Christian woman. I ask that you would join me in praise over this new development and pray that the Lord will guide and direct our times together. I pray that I would know when to listen, when to be silly, and when to speak truth to her.

4) We are looking forward to several new summer staff joining us here this summer. We potentially have three female interns and two male interns joining us. Please pray for safe travels of our interns, the Lord’s direction for their future, and for a united staff. We are excited to see our new team in action with our summer programs starting up soon.

5) We also praise the Lord for the hospitality of our friends, family, and support groups back in Indianapolis. This past spring we had the pleasure of returning to the area and speaking to various groups of people about our ministry. We are grateful for every opportunity to share with others what the Lord has called our family to do in St. Louis through World Impact-STL. We praise the Lord for those who were willing to host us and those who heard the message of God’s work in the city!

In His name,

Randy, Hannah & Mona

July 2010 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends and Family,  

He was not one of the more noticeable guys at basketball. He was not very flashy on or off of the court and sometimes became lost in the shuffle of faces. Although I had seen his face many times and given the obligatory “Hey, what’s up?” when he walked through the doors, I did not even know his name. One Thursday night he mentioned to one of our staff that he had tried to come to our Bible study but had the address wrong and showed up at the wrong house. I have heard many excuses from the men who show up weekly for basketball as to why they do not become more involved, so I filed this one away with the others.

However, a few weeks later, following our devotional break at our basketball program, he did not return to the court with the other guys but stayed near the front desk asking questions about the devotional and listening intently to the answers. During that conversation he made the comment, “Man, sometimes I just find myself wishing someone would invite me to go to church with them.” That was all I needed to hear.

Over the past several weeks Rob and I have been meeting weekly at our house to have Bible study together. Not only have I learned his name, but I have learned his story. This is a story that is all too common here. This is a story of a young boy growing up without his parents and being raised by other family members. At a young age Rob became involved in street life where he later joined a gang and began dealing drugs. He bears the scars of two bullet wounds as reminders of his former lifestyle. Thankfully, unlike many, he was able to withdraw from the street life as God drew Rob to Himself. Having been to church as a child, he knew a little about who Jesus is and knew that he needed to give his life to Him.

Over the past couple of years Rob’s life has begun to reflect the changing power of Jesus Christ in his life. This past Sunday, he graduated with his Associate’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is a proud and responsible father of a two-year-old, little girl and is planning to go back to school this fall to obtain his Bachelor’s degree. Several times over the past few weeks I have heard him say, “My life is not my own.”

Rob standing as a "Heart for the City"

Recently, as we were discussing his graduation and future plans, he mentioned that he would like to look into attending a Christian college because he felt like God was calling him into ministry. We rejoice over the saving power of Christ that is evident in Rob’s life. I ask you to praise God with us and also to pray for Rob as he continues to grow in his Christian walk. Pray for the decisions he makes for his future schooling and for direction for both him and me as we continue to meet regularly. Continue to pray for the other men and women whom we are in contact with regularly, that they would also be drawn to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

As always, we thank God for you and for your continued prayer and support of our ministry among the urban poor in North St. Louis.

Serving in the City,

Randy, Hannah, and Mona Riggs

August 2010 Prayer Letter

Dear Ministry Partner,

The sound was not a new one; in fact, it was quite familiar. It was much louder than I had ever heard before, but it was the same sound. As I sat at my desk on a fairly quiet Thursday afternoon, my concentration was shattered, along with the silence, by nine rounds of gunfire. I immediately ran from my basement office to our front entryway upstairs. Looking out the window I saw two teenage boys standing on the sidewalk across the street from our ministry center. One was doubled over – a victim of the shooting. I made my way across the street to see what I could do to help. The boy was eighteen and had taken two bullets to his leg and foot, a lucky survivor despite the fleeing gunman’s best efforts.

Exactly a week later, as we were arriving at the ministry center in the morning, the main street in front of our building was swarming with police cars from all directions, too many to count. We soon saw additional emergency vehicles and heard a helicopter beating the air overhead. Later we heard the news that a police officer, after pulling over a vehicle down the street, had been shot eight times by a passenger in the car. It seems each new day brings another report of violence in our community, many of the victims having not even reached adulthood.

We ask you to join us in prayer for our neighborhood. Gang-prevention programs, increased police presence, and tougher laws have their effect, but the only true way for lives to be changed is through the saving power of Jesus Christ. Pray for us, that we would be bold, obedient, and humble servants of Christ and that we would be empowered by the Holy Spirit to share His love with our neighbors.

We thank you for your prayers for Hannah and me. We completed the Candidate Assessment Program with World Impact in June. We are happy to report that we have been accepted as full-time missionary staff and are beginning our missionary-in-training year, after which we will become a part of World Impact’s religious missionary order. This serves as confirmation of God’s calling on our lives to serve among the urban poor. We are honored that you are partnering with us in this ministry through prayer and support.

Serving in the city,

Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

September 2010 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends and Family, 

We often send you updates with stories and/or prayer needs. However, we feel it is important that we let you know when prayers are being answered because God does hear our prayers. Psalm 55:17 says,“Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice.”  

World Impact St. Louis has an extensive summer children’s program that the staff puts together every year. This program consists of a six-week program, Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m., ending on Friday with field trips to the pool and backyard cookouts for our block. During the summer we enjoy providing food for the children, a safe place to have fun, and a place where we can present the gospel to them through various books and stories from the Bible. We were not sure this past January how we were going to facilitate such a program with a staff of five. Well, together we offered up our prayers to the Lord, and He was faithful to hear and provide.

By June 1 we had moved in five summer staff who had raised support to come and minister with us from June 1 through August 6. We have been blessed with these five summer staff! We have been blessed to see how God has brought together such a unique set of gifts and talents through these people, with giftings such as technological knowledge, teaching backgrounds, nutritional education, and cross-cultural education. It reminds us how God has created us with such a specific purpose in mind.

We were continually challenged and encouraged by this great group. We are excited to see what the Lord does with each of them as two specifically feel called to the city, St. Louis to be exact! Thank you for partnering with us in prayer for the staff we received this summer.

Summer Staff; Rob (left), Leah, Alison, Jessica & Ken

He is always faithful!

Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

Devastating Theft

“Two weeks ago World Impact was hit by three devastating thefts. Thieves have stolen parts from roof top air conditioning units on our Ministry Center in North St. Louis, ripping out copper pipes and wiring. The units to be replaced include seven 7.5 ton condensing units, one 6 ton unit and one 20 ton unit, all using 3 phase electrical power. The repair estimate for these large-capacity units is approaching $200,000. Damage includes cutting a power line to both the kitchen and dining area which, without immediate repair, will jeopardize our community Fall Festival for an estimated 250 community members on October 31st.

viewing the damages.

The loss of all air conditioning in the building will affect our ability to continue ministry in the spring and summer, including next summer’s classes for 60 children and, basketball programs for nearly 400 youth and adults and various other community events. ”
- blurb from www.worldimpactstl.org; you can view one of the many theft news coverages by clicking here.

Our annual Fall Fest was able to be held as scheduled! World Impact was able to get an electriction out to make emergancy repairs a few days prior to our big event. These repairs allowed us to serve over 200 community members. We have much more work to do but we are praising the Lord that the theft and damages didn’t force us to cancel our Fall Fest.

Our Little Mona Peacock!

This is just one of the many community faces we saw Oct. 31st

Pumpkin Painting.

yummm..... Chili Dogs!

We thank each of your for your supportive prayers and we ask that you don’t stop. We have a long road ahead of us to raise the funds needed to make these repairs. We trust the Lord to be our great provider as he always is! If you would like to see our ministry in action you can click here and view Channel 5′s news coverage of our Fall Fest Event.

In His Great Name,

The Riggs

Mona’s Latest Tricks

I remember when Mona was first; you couldn’t get me to stop watching her every move (or lack there of). My sister in-law, Joy was sharing with me a beautiful thought when Mona was a new born. She and Dave had been talking about how much joy it brought them just to watch their children when they were first born. There’s not much to see, they sleep, twitch, eat and every once and a while they’ll open an eye or two. They imagined that if we as parents get so much joy out of our children even when they aren’t doing something special or out of the ordinary; how much must God love us when we’re are just being us. Enjoying the simplest things He’s blessed us with. Whether it be a cup of coffee on a cold day, listening to a song that evokes a special emotion in our heart or simply just resting our bodies in our sleep.

simply joyful

Then I remember at around 6 months being so excited about all these new things Mona was doing. She was finally eating baby food, sitting up by herself, getting more expressive. I just couldn’t imagine how exciting it would be to see her continue to develop between 6 – 12 months. I knew it would be full of different challanges but to watch her little personality develop – that’s what I was excited about.

poor baby

 Then came the 9 – 14 month stages. I had imagined and heard how exhausting that would be but MAN I didn’t really have a clue. We adjusted to crawling, trying more table foods, cutting more teeth, colds that you can’t medicate, two naps now become one, crawling turns to walking and the list goes on. Now all these changes are a blast to see take place. To watch your little one learn and grow is an excitement undescribable. But boy oh boy; Mom & Dad were tiiiirrreed!!!

Mona becomes a pro at sitting up

Oh how she loves her raspberries

now she walks

Well,  Mona is now a big 16 months. I must say I’m LOVING this new stage. She is much more stable on her feet, she’s learning new words and songs all the time…. OH I CAN’T GET ENOUGH! I’m going to let these next few video’s do the rest of the talking for me.

October 2010 Prayer Letter

 Greetings,  

 

 

It was over a month ago that I, Hannah, heard news about a former classmate of mine from Heritage Christian. Graham, a 28-year-old man who loves the Lord and his family, was seriously injured by a horse while participating in a rodeo at a faith-based Ranch ministry in New York. Randy and I closely followed his progress through his wife’s Facebook page and prayed with our staff for the Lord’s healing hand upon his body. Having serious injuries and in a medically induced coma, it was not certain whether he would pull through. I found my heart aching for Graham’s wife, Randi, and their two boys knowing that Graham may be taken home to be with the Lord, leaving his wife and children behind. To be honest, I struggled to understand why the Lord would take a young man from his family whom he loved, his church where he was worship leader, and the Ranch ministry where he was serving.

This past week we experienced some challenging times of our own. Late in the afternoon we heard gunshots outside our home. They did not sound particularly close, and it is a common occurrence so we never thought twice about it. We later learned, however, that while we were on the second floor a stray bullet had entered a living-room window on the first floor of our house, which is a separate flat occupied by our neighbors. Fortunately, they were not home, and no one was injured.

Two nights later we again heard shots fired, and by the sound knew that they were very close. Randy went to our back porch to investigate. We soon found out that a 32-year-old man had been shot and killed in an empty lot behind our house. The next few hours were very tense as neighbors gathered to mourn and vent frustration and anger over this all too common occurrence. As Randy and I were later discussing these events, we were both surprised at how calm we felt, despite the circumstances. It became very clear to us that this was not a “common” peace of mind, but a “peace that passes all understanding.”

Graham is now in rehab and is making steady improvements each day, and we thank God for his healing. Our neighborhood is returning to normal with a makeshift memorial of flowers and teddy bears as the only reminder of the tragedy. In the sequence of all these events, I am reminded that God is the keeper of our lives and He is always faithful to give peace and strength in times of need.   

 

Graham & Randi Stump; a true miracle!

 We ask that you would continue to pray not only for our safety but for peace in our neighborhood and that our community will realize their need for Christ.

 Many Blessings,

Randy, Hannah & Mona

Blessings to you this Thanksgiving

 Dear Friends and Family,

Every once in a while I (Randy) witness something that causes me to stop and realize how blessed I am. Such was the case recently as I observed a mother and her small children.

Following a trip back to Indiana to visit family, as usual we did not leave to come back to St. Louis as early as we had expected. In fact, this time we ended up driving through the night and arriving back home around four in the morning. As we exited off of Interstate 70 and began to travel south on Grand Avenue, I had a sense of relief knowing that in a few minutes I would be able to crawl into my own bed and get a few hours of sleep. Then I saw them–a mother walking with an infant in her arms while a toddler, no more than two years old, followed a few steps behind. I do not know where they were headed, how long they had walked through the night, or where they had come from. But I knew immediately that any situation that would cause a mother and her children to be on the street at 4:00 a.m. could not be a good one. Times such as these cause me to realize how much I take things for granted and how blessed I am.

Hannah and I moved to St. Louis nearly a year and a half ago. It is amazing to look back on that time and think about all of the ways that God has worked in our individual lives, our family, our ministry, and our neighborhood. We continue to see lives being changed, some slowly and others more dramatically, by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for us and for the following needs:

- Pray for the young men who participate in our basketball ministry. Over the past few weeks several of them have voluntarily met with us on a one-on-one basis to discuss situations they are facing in their lives and to ask questions concerning their faith.

- Pray that others would come to serve with us as missionary staff in North St. Louis. The Bible instructs us to pray for “laborers for the harvest,” and we believe that these prayers will be answered.

- Pray that the financial needs of our family and our overall ministry will be met.

- Pray that Christians across the Greater St. Louis community will realize God’s heart for the city as we meet with local pastors to share the vision for the ministry of World Impact-St. Louis.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support and for doing your part to bring the gospel to the people of North St. Louis.

Serving in the city,

Randy, Hannah, and Mona Riggs

 

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Dear Friends and Family,   

“I’ll never forget it!” Todd said as he began to pack his suitcase. We had spent the past two-and-a-half days at World Impact’s Morning Star Ranch in Kansas for a men’s retreat. We joined other men from several different cities to get away from our normal surroundings and focus on God.

I have known Todd for nearly a year, but got to know him better in those three days than I had in the previous 12 months. Rather than the quiet and reserved Todd that willingly serves in the background at his church, I saw a fierce competitor who took every challenge seriously and was vocal about his victories. I watched as he woke up early to participate in a voluntary prayer time and courageously stood to offer his prayer. I stood by as he gazed in amazement into the Kansas sky and was in awe of the amount of stars he could see, something he had never witnessed in the city.

By all worldly standards, Todd does not have a whole lot going for him. He is without money, without work, and lives with numerous family members in a house far too small for its many occupants. He has children, but much of their time they spend with their mother. Each day he must face head-on the challenges of abuse and addiction that surround him in his neighborhood and even in his own home. Sometimes those battles are so strong that they seem impossible to overcome. I am reminded, however, of a passage in Isaiah that says, “He (God) gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.”

Our God, who chose to use a stuttering spokesman named Moses, an adulterous king named David, and a group of disciples who betrayed, doubted, and denied, continues to use the “unexpected” to build His Kingdom. Each day I see those who appear to have nothing to offer, yet God is choosing them to be leaders of the urban church. Continue to keep Todd, and many others who share his story, in your prayers. Pray that God will continue to raise and develop leaders to support existing churches and plant new churches in the city.

I would also ask you to pray for some specific needs of our ministry. Pray that new laborers will be called, and will respond to the call, to serve alongside us in St. Louis. Pray that specific volunteer needs of administration and maintenance will be met. Pray for Hannah and me as we continue to work to build our financial support to 100 percent as we are currently at 80 percent. Pray for us during a transition time at The Urban Ministry Institute; pray for new class leaders and new students.

As always, we thank you for your continued prayer and support for this ministry to which God has called us. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and pray that this upcoming year will be a time of growth and surrender in your walk with Christ!

Mona wishing you a "Merry Christmas"

 

Randy, Hannah, and Mona Riggs

Matthew 7:11

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him”    (Matthew 7:11).   

I recently shared this verse with a group of young men and women who meet weekly for Bible study at World Impact’s ministry center. It was a reminder to me of how much God has provided for us over the last few months.

Four months ago we were rocked by sudden and unexpected damages to our ministry center caused by theft of rooftop air-conditioning equipment. These damages caused us to be without heat, power, and air conditioning and left us feeling vulnerable to additional theft. As the initial estimates of the damages began to come in, we were overwhelmed, and, at times, wondered how we would be able to recover. We feared that continuation of summer programming would be jeopardized and began to consider what that meant for the many relationships that have been cultivated through those programs.

We began, along with many others across the country, to pray and ask God to meet our need. We believed this promise from Matthew that God will “give good things to those who ask Him.”

Over the last few months, we have seen this promise fulfilled. Supporters across the country have responded with financial gifts; repair expenses have come in under budget and programs have continued. Power and heat were restored before winter, access to the rooftop was blocked, security upgrades are underway, and air conditioning is expected to be restored before the heat of summer.

We ask you to join us in praising God for His provision during this time of need. We thank you for your continued prayer and support and thank God for your continued friendship!

In Christ’s love,

Randy, Hannah and Mona Riggs

Daddy and Mona

I adore watching Randy & Mona’s relationship grow. From the day she was born you could see a new light in Randy’s eyes as he gazed upon his new little baby girl. Now Randy get’s to play, teach, affirm and comfort Mona through this new stage of being a toddler. I appreciate Randy’s desire to the best father God calls him to be. I love how Mona strives to please her daddy and the special bond they share. It serves as a daily reminder of how great my heavenly Father’s love must be for me. These are just a very few of my favorite pictures of Mona & Daddy…

Love at First Sight

Proud Daddy

Dreaming about Mommy!

In the Comfort of her Daddy's Arms

Daddy & Mona Easther 2010love

Which Way Do I Go?

Psalm 25:4 ” Show me your ways, Oh Lord, teach me your paths”. This was our theme verse for our youth Spring Break program this week. As much work as it is to prepare a full week of activities for these kids I’m always so humbled by the end of the week. I love hearing the children’s laughter – knowing there isn’t much of that in their homes. I enjoy seeing their eyes light up during cooking elective but even more I love seeing them learn their memory verses. I’ll be the first to admit that memorizing scripture isn’t one of my strong suites. Once and a while I’ll come across a verse that speaks so directly to my heart that I can’t help but remember it. Other than those few moments, though, I have to work at it.

Now, I acknowledge that these children partially memorize their verses for candy but I’m always so impressed that by the end of the week they still remember Monday’s memory verse. I also love the pride in their eyes when they hear, “Great Job!” for getting the verse down. It reminds me how I desire to please my Lord and hear, “Great Job!” when I come to be in his presence. Bellow is just a few of the beautiful faces we got be with all week.

Group Picture