August 21, 2010: The Heart of North Fort Worth Baptist Church

A month earlier Joey, a landscaping guru at Southwestern cancelled on the homeless outreach. I was hoping they come, but due to unforeseen circumstances I understood the trial it took to get here. A week before we left, Joey called and said they were going. I was amazed at God's handiwork in preparing leaders ready to do His calling. With Joey, Nathan, and their band of helpers (Kathryn, Melissa, McCalah, my family, Donna, and Dennis) we took off with many sandwiches, fruits, and hot dogs. We entered into Texas Car Wash and help feed four people there. Joey, the prison mate plus a few other guys that were there last time got fed. Martin was hanging with a lady who had just gotten out of prison that I hardly recognized. Lo and behold, it was Suzanne! I haven't seen her for 6 months. She got out, and looked very different. rather than her usual dark self, her complexion came back and she seems renewed in her spirit to stay out of jail and to remain with families. We were able to feed about 8 people here in the end. We then took off to the Shamrock station and hit about 15 people at the day labor area. There we meet a few homeless guys parched beneath some trees looking for shade. The August summers here average in the 100+. It was a hot day and food was a necessity to keep on living. After that we decided to head on to Terry's Supermarket. We were there in the initial stages when we did our drive by homeless ministry, but it's been over 6 months since I stopped by Terrys. When we parked there were three guys. One who seemed overly drunk and two others who had been married for 20 years.

Shannon Ely gave a great report the day after at her job; Catholic Charities: "First thing this morning Paula and her husband (the couple we met at Terry's on Saturday) were up here at Catholic Charities working with one of our case managers! I got to talk to them for a while and they said our smiling faces made their day on Saturday. They are looking for employment, so pray that God opens doors! "

I'm glad that God has given us a heart for the homeless people on Hemphill. May we continue being faithful no matter what the cost.

July 3, 2010: Asian Invasion!

Dennis loaded up about 10 of his kids (New Life Gospel Church) along with my family. We went ahead with tons of hot dogs and water to our destination. Our first stop near Texas Car Wash was pretty good. The only problem was that there were very few people there. We dropped off some food and met the guys who were living there. We developed relationships with the guys there and had to head on to the Shamrock gas station to reach another group. When we got there at approximately 11:45 we started to see a huge crew of day laborers. There was at least 30 people there for us to feed. The numbers multiplied rapidly, while our resources dropped drastically. The kids got to meet the group and ministered to them as they walked on by. They did a good job at interacting with the group of day laborers. Once that was finished I had the feeling we should head back to the Texas Car Wash and drop off whatever we had left. There we met Joey and another guy there we could help. We gave them food. Then a car pulled in looking for JOey's friend. It was there, where we all laid hands and prayed for that one gentleman. My heart broke for him as he left. He felt as if, everything that happened was real. Indeed he was drunk, but even while being drunk he experienced a little taste of heaven.