Prayer Request

Remember RUSTY in your prayers. He needs a new kidney AND pancreas; he's on a list. Pray for his health and his healing.

A Public Service Announcement for CharMin Ultra

Actually, the title is a lie - but it's the closest thing I could come up with to hint at one of the coolest things that have happened so far. But I'll get to that in a minute.

Week 10 saw a BUNCH of interesting things happen:

Archie, from a few weeks ago, was back at the station. No longer on crutches, and he HAS found a part-time job. Still doesn't really have a place to live, but is working on getting into the uptown men's shelter and hopefully will be able to grow from that base.

God's blessing Archie.

Niema, a woman with 4 kids is going to come to our corps on Sunday morning. We got to pray with her and she was real excited about getting to the corps. I'll keep you posted.

One of the CATS employees wanted our contact info. Apparently, his wife is REALLY interested in helping out this ministry. We know a number of people from our corps continue to support this ministry with prayer as well.

AND FINALLY . . . you'll remember reading about Officer Willis. If not, look back over a couple of posts. He's the bulldog security guard that never speaks and LOVES hot chocolate. There's a public address system at the station that we've rarely heard used. In fact, I've only ever heard it used if someone is doing something wrong and the guards need to call attention to it. Example: there are no cars allowed in the bus shelter - anytime there is a car in there, an announcement is made over the PA system. The problem is, it's a big boomy area with pretty poor acoustics - I can NEVER really understand what's being said.

So, this week, just as we were getting close to finishing, we hear this long announcement. As you would suspect, we couldn't make out what was being said, except that there was something about Hot Chocolate. The couple I was speaking with, Rachel and Colby, asked if they were telling us to stop. We didn't think that could be it, because they guards are SO supportive of us.

So we go in . . . and bring some HC with us, JUST in case. Turns out, Willis just wanted us to leave some for the third shift, because we would be gone by the time they got to work. It's incredible. We go into to the security office and they just buzz the door open for us when they see us coming. There are some incredibly interesting relationships being built.

Grace.

9 Weeks and Counting

The Salvation Army Delta Force has been active in Operation CharMinUltra for 9 weeks now. That's an incredible thought. It's a fairly simple mission. Talk to God's people (aka God's creation, not just the people that claim to love him). If they don't want to talk, give them some hot chocolate or lemonade and see if that loosens their tongue.

To answer your first question, I'm getting ready to release a little more information so you can gain a little insight on this Delta Force concept.

We hear a lot of the same thing. People need food, a place to stay, a blanket, some prayer, a ride. We're definitely learning a lot about our community and how we can best meet their needs.

I got to talk at length tonight with a homeless brother named Ken. He's sixty. He's a brick-layer, fallen on hard times. We talked a lot of how embarassing he feels his situation is, but also a lot about how he knows God is still looking out for him. That's amazing to me. I have a roof over my head. It's easy for me to know that God has got my back. Pray for him. Pray that God will continue to lead him and protect him.

If I were in God's position, I would really have a soft-spot for those people that have so little in the world and still worship so very obviously.

Tilden also engaged Isaiah and Robert in conversation: two young guys that were a RIOT to talk to, but really gave some insight into some of the racial difference and even tensions that still exist in this region. Pray for these guys too. We're hoping that they'll come back and see us next week - Tilden wants to bring some of their concerns to the city leadership on their behalf.

Another couple cambros of Hot Chocolate and Lemonade. Lots more prayer needed. God still moving.

'Til next time. Grace.

Bus Station Counseling

Sorry it's taken a couple of days to get this update posted. It's been a busy couple of days. But, Tilden, Stephanie, Kristy and I did get to share with our friends at the bus station again this week: now our 8th week of ministry at the CATS station.

It was our warmest night yet - luckily we brought both hot chocolate and lemonade. Both were hits, but I think the Hot Chocolate won, even with the temperature.

We spent a long time talking with Rodney and his daughter Banayah. He had taken her out for the day, bowling and having fun. Rodney works at the station doing some maintenance work. We talked for a long time about what he struggles with, his childhood, his love for his family, for his kids especially, amond many other things.

What was interesting was that just before he left he said, "Wow. I haven't talked to anyone like that in a LONG time."

It's pretty amazing what a cup of lemonade will do to loosen the tongue . . . . or maybe it was something else.

Grace.

We Straight

It only gets better. Last night at the bus station we had a phenomenal time. We got there a little earlier than usual and stayed a little later, so it was interesting to see the changes in the crowd as time when on. The 'movers' & 'shakers' got through their pretty quickly - only later could we really identify the people that really had no where to go.

Johnny Gainey (view his blog at http://peoplesheep.blogspot.com) went with us last night. It was great to have his deep theological knowledge. He shared literally for over an hour with one sheriff, answering many of his "life-long questions".

Daniel also had a good experience this week. I like that he wears his uniform to the bus station - it gives a very real sense of safety. He spoke with Kevin - a butcher at a grocery store and got to learn about who he was.

Some other interesting stories:

• Jeff - he's been sleeping in a parking garage for a couple days, so we got to give him a blanket and pray for him.
• Archie - He was a bigger guy that hobbled in on a single crutch. When we talked to him, we found out that he is a believer, but that he's currently homeless and trying to find some gainful employment. He agreed to talk to another man that we met, Eric, who felt lonely and had no where to go.
• One mother was concerned about the sexual activity of her young daughter. She wants prayer.
• Daniel - really wants to be able to see his kids, Christopher, Tiffany, and Jessica.

Keep praying for this ministry and the people on list on the right. God is moving.

Grace.