But there was work to be done, so we loaded about 10 loaves of bread, a fried rice dish, hot dogs, water, and fruit (watermelons, oranges, and apples) into the car and headed out. We prayed that God would move us and challenge us today.
Our first stop was at the Texas Car Wash, but there was no one as we visited their homes. Then we marched into the gas station across the street. Right near the side we bumped into 15-20 homeless individuals who needed some food, and some love. Suzanne was there for the first time in a long while. I personally got some time to talk to her about her boyfriends, and her life. She wanted to get out of the streets like she usually does. Suzanne and I prayed before we left but she was thankful we were there. Ricky, Miguel and several others were there eating with us and sharing in the food. We heard many great stories, and Jonathan again was sharing about his testimony of Celebrate Recovery with all these guys. One guy pulled out his Bible and shared a word with him and Jeff. I'm so thankful for both of these guys because they love to share the word, they have an evangelistic approach, and they're so loving! I envy that.
Shannon quietly peeled away from the group and approached a group with Scarlet and her man. She was able to spend some time with that group on the side, and was very adventurous. Her daring faith reminds me of Daniel's story when he approached the wise men who accused him of praying even in the midst of a law condemning him. He did it anyway. There could be trouble lurking around every corner, but that's the awesome part. We are the light of the world, and salt of the earth! I'm so grateful to see others who are willing to have the strength to approach others to share their stories.
Taylor was a great listener. We knew him as a musician, but he moved around from person to person hearing their stories. He's truly an artistic person. I can see him using these stories to mold his music and his understanding of how truly God is.
After spending an hour in that area we headed off to the second area near the Shamrock station. Brittnay the amazing 'Hot Dog' maker definitely had a gift in packing these hot dogs as quickly as she could. We were out of the rice, and Brittnay was doing an amazing job meeting the needs of the people around them. She even walked across the street with Shannon in passing out the hot dogs to those who couldn't make it over to us, or were just too shy to ask us for them. Brittnay was definitely a go-getter.
I was able to sit down with a man, Delgado, who was from Guadalajara. He was a quiet old man who has been on the streets for more than 30 years. He was blessed to be eating, and was delighted to talk even though I couldn't only understand a few words.
Jonathan got to share his Celebrate recovery story with another man for about 30 minutes. I didn't know his name, but he was a rather large black man who wanted to know hope.
After we ran out of food and we were done, a police car approached us. Officer R. Castro told us that what we do is commendable, but we may be enabling these guys to do worst things. Most of the neighborhood we serve is called a 'day-labor' area. Which means alot of these guys receive money by working odd jobs, and by giving them food they used their money to buy hard liquor, heroin, or crack. I am stuck at odds here, thinking of what to do here. Officer Castro did ask us to call Sargeant Morris to see if he has other options for us. Sargeant Morris is also a minister who has done this, and knows how to approach this.
My prayer is this, as I spoke to my wife some more about this. In essence or to put it in a nutshell I have to see whether this is a smokescreen or do we continue bringing food and sharing the word. She reminded me that nothing returns void. The primary reasons why many homeless people at that area treat Christians like Officer Castro said is maybe because none of the groups are intentional. Although the officer can see patterns developing ultimately he can't judge the intentions nor the relationships built My wife adds, "If we leave aren't we like the other groups who hear the smokescreen and change directions?"
So I ask you to prayerfully seek Gods will in this. Fast and give up time to ask God to search deep within the resources of His soul and listen to what He tells you.
