Where to begin?
It's a question I have asked myself over and over during the course of my life. For those of you who do not know THE CORNERSTONE, let me give you a brief history:
The CORNERSTONE is a coffee shop in the middle of the desert in West Texas. It is located 120 miles east of El Paso. As I give directions to travelers… "It the 3rd Cactus out in the middle of nowhere… if you see the dead armadillo, back up -- you just passed it!"
The town is Van Horn: population of 2200 people right off of I-10. I moved my family to this quaint lil' town when I worked forPilot Travel Centers, LLC as a General Manager. Since I grew up in Largo, Florida, I had always dreamed that I would own a small business on the beach. All I can say is: be careful what you pray for. I have the business. I have the beach. I forgot to be specific and pray for the water!!
This all started January 2010. I had left Pilot the year before due to stress and high blood pressure and a desire to do "what God wanted" instead of chasing the dollar. I worked for Hobby Lobby in El Paso for an 8 month stint; but our family was separated by 120 miles.... not exactly the best way to raise a family as the leader. So here I am, sitting in my home during the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas -- jobless. For the New Year, I decided with a friend to pray: "Lord, please give me direction. Please make the sign a billboard ‘cause I, being a man, need a big sign. Please close all doors that are not YOUR will; and open the ones you want me to serve you in." Pretty simple really -- that is, until HE moves!
The first "Sign" of God's direction was: during our prayer I felt that I should do a community service or center of some sort. Then God blessed me with 4 large coffee makers that were used in truck stops -- for free! I took them home and looked at them sitting on my floor and wondered, "God is this a sign?" Anyone who knows me knows I have a stubborn streak, or more precisely -- I need a billboard to recognize a sign! So, God knowing that this is how I think, continued the blessing. Not just one day -- but every day for over a year now! It continues daily!
I soon received the following:
1. two complete couch sets (from the local bank that was rebuilding)
2. tables of all sorts (from those who wondered where to take them)
3. a large bar to do business on (it's the length of the building)
4. 5 ceiling fans
5. paint for the building
6. kitchenware of all kinds
7. books by the hundreds (donated by the generous locals)
8. stove
9. double oven.(Not yet installed)
10. Computers for students (no hard drives or memory -- but everything else!)
11. power supplies
12. electrical outlets and wire
13. an air hockey table (thank you, Vista Hills Church!)
14. ping pong table (thanks, mom!)
15. benches
16. chairs
17. Shelves
And the list goes on…
The list is actually enormous and continues daily. Someone will call or come in and say. "Hey can you use this?"
I actually received 15 twin mattresses. I couldn't figure out what God had in mind on that one. I soon realized that HE wanted me to use my coffee shop to fill others needs. Within a week, they were gone! All to needy households. I couldn't believe it. Since then, I have had refrigerators, washers, dryers, and lawnmowers all come in and leave just as quickly.
We’ve had our trials. During the winter, our pipes froze and we had to trust God to provide the supplies and the funds to fix them. He was faithful! He provided not only the parts – miraculously – but also supplied the funds we needed to keep going. God is so good!!
I am beginning to start on the kitchen area, which is in need of a serious overhaul. I am also working on the Game Room where the floor is uneven and needs some work to be usable -- walls need filling and insulation. The building needs secure walls and electricity for game machines and lights. There is plenty to be done and yet God knows all my needs and provides them just when I need them.
My goal is not to just provide a coffee house but a sanctuary for travelers and locals alike -- a place where a Bible study can be held in public; where anyone can say "GOD BLESS YOU TODAY" and not be ashamed; where the local teens have a place to go, play a game, or watch their favorite team on cable and not have to worry about being in a bar.
We are exploring the possibility of providing a GED program for those that have had trouble finishing school. We are trying to provide resources for tutoring in math and reading for those having trouble passing their high school exams. Above all, we are asking God what He wants us to do in order to reach a community for Christ. Just last week, two young people received Christ as their Savior in the Shop after I answered their questions about God and His will for our lives. Praise God!!
We opened March 15th, 2010 with just a little more than 2 Mister Coffee espresso machines and 3 coffee pots and a smile! Today our shop is covered in books and features works of local artists. God has been my decorator, business manager and project developer.
God has shown me in the last 2 years that, although I am in the desert, where it can get up to 100 degrees in the summer and grass is an illegal substance not in your lawn; He loves ME so much and wants to lead me, guide me and teach me that I will be "soaking wet" with His blessings daily.
Thank you for reading this. I will be posting updates about our kitchen and Ice cream and Game Room as news develops. For now -- Pray. Pray for me to step aside and let HIM lead. Pray for me to follow and never get ahead of Him in my impatience. Pray that all I do and say will Honor the Father and bring others into a relationship with HIM.
Yours in Christ
Ralph Gilmore
THE CORNERSTONE
Van Horn, Texas
Walkin’ Thru the Desert Soakin’ Wet
I’m dry, Lord,
Walkin’ ‘cross this desert land.
My feet are weary,
My heart is parched
And I’m reachin’ out my hand.
I’m broke, Lord,
Wanderin’ thru this tougher time.
My bank is empty,
I’m all poured out
And I can’t make another dime.
Then my eyes are drawn
Toward the sky above…
As the rain pours down.
I’m drenched in the desert
As He pours out His love.
I’m soaked in His blessings
And I’ll never get enough.
He lifts me,
Fills me,
Moves me,
And I’m all set!
Now, I’m walkin’ thru this desert soakin’ wet!
I’m lost, Lord,
And I can’t do it anymore.
My eyes are tired
My arms are weak
I wanna lay out on the floor!
Then my eyes are drawn
Toward the stars above…
As the rain pours down.
I’m drenched in the desert
As love pours from on high.
I’m soaked in His blessings
That’ll never run dry.
He lifts me,
Fills me,
Moves me,
And I’m all set!
Now, I’m walkin’ thru this desert soakin’ wet!
By Sheila Gilmore
