Tuesday, August 24, 2010
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.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
May 22, 2010: Hot Diggity Dog!
We woke up early in the morning to make hot dogs with Isaac and Abigail. We used a special steak rub I got long ago but haven't been able to finish it. Once we made 80, I took off and went out to look for the homeless guys. The first stop near the Texas Car Wash was abandoned. I found Joey all drunk and awake but he didn't stay when we came back at 11:30am. The second station I found alot of migrant workers plus some homeless guys mingling. We decided to come here first. Shannon brought Julie and Ashley. They were great helpers. Julie offered to organize the station next time so we can effectively serve better. At the migrant worker station near Shamrock we met several people. I remember Devin the most. He was struggling with addiction and alcohol. He's improved alot and was leading worship at a small church this past sunday. I was very excited for him. We met others who were looking for work. Once we were done praying and reaching them we moved back to the Texas Car Wash where we served about 5 more people. Two grils came to speak to Shannon and the girls. My wife, kids, and I worked on three other homeless guys on the other side. Humberto, a good friend i've seen before helped me throw away some garbage. I was able to pray with him before we left. We praise God for being able to serve His people.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March 27, 2010: 30 Hour Famine to the Rescue!
I am so thankful for William Woo for this visit to the homeless. He brought 8 chinese youth kids from the Dallas metroplex to join us for our usual homeless visit. We bought 9 loaves of PBJ sandwhiches and 4 loaves of bologna sandwiches. We also had over 40 bananas and went out to reach the homeless.
Our first visit took us near the canal. At the canal we saw three people. Juan and his two friends were there. One person had crutches but they were sleeping there. William immediately knelt down and prayed for one of them, while the rest of us gave food, drink, and fruit to them. We prayed for them and did some small talk. It was difficult to see them going through so much, but one thing I noticed was that they were brothers and that they looked out for one another.
Second we moved further up the street to Shamrock. There we met up with maybe 5 other stragglers who needed food. We tried praying with a few of them but they didn't want it. They ended up taking some food which we gladly obliged. The chinese youth were holding up. They didn't find as much to do I'm sure, but that's the life of going rogue. It's harder to meet them at their territory that serving them at a homeless shelter. Usually that's the easy way, but I enjoy going rogue too much.
Third, we headed back down towards the Texas Car Wash. This time we wanted to give the rest of the sandwiches back to the first group we met. Instead we ended up running into Anthony, Jaime, Joey, and Torres. This group had 2 drunk guys and Joey was on the floor. Torres came late, but he was heavily liquored up. Anthony who was totally sober took his ring and started to show off. I was hoping and praying they wouldn't fight in front of the kids. Praise God, they didn't. Torres then wanted a hug, and I gave him one. He started to cry. So all the youth kids and myself prayed for this man. He definitely had some struggles in his life. Anthony kept telling us that he wouldn't cry or open up to them, but when we were there he started to well up in tears. He shared his sorrows and how he did not want the kids to have the same fate. He told them that he respected them. This was an amazing moment. A completely different experience than the other two groups.
God sent us three different groups of people. One group that was receptive of us, the second which was apprehensive, and the final group that was broken from us. It's amazing how God works. When we were about to leave, He gives us one last taste of His goodness. I'm glad we are able to remain faithful for so long. I will definitely keep going to this area to reach out to these fellows. I'm not sure if they'll ever change or if I'm enabling their sin, but one thing I'm sure is that I love each and every one of these homeless guys. I appreciate their willingness to love me in return.
Our first visit took us near the canal. At the canal we saw three people. Juan and his two friends were there. One person had crutches but they were sleeping there. William immediately knelt down and prayed for one of them, while the rest of us gave food, drink, and fruit to them. We prayed for them and did some small talk. It was difficult to see them going through so much, but one thing I noticed was that they were brothers and that they looked out for one another.
Second we moved further up the street to Shamrock. There we met up with maybe 5 other stragglers who needed food. We tried praying with a few of them but they didn't want it. They ended up taking some food which we gladly obliged. The chinese youth were holding up. They didn't find as much to do I'm sure, but that's the life of going rogue. It's harder to meet them at their territory that serving them at a homeless shelter. Usually that's the easy way, but I enjoy going rogue too much.
Third, we headed back down towards the Texas Car Wash. This time we wanted to give the rest of the sandwiches back to the first group we met. Instead we ended up running into Anthony, Jaime, Joey, and Torres. This group had 2 drunk guys and Joey was on the floor. Torres came late, but he was heavily liquored up. Anthony who was totally sober took his ring and started to show off. I was hoping and praying they wouldn't fight in front of the kids. Praise God, they didn't. Torres then wanted a hug, and I gave him one. He started to cry. So all the youth kids and myself prayed for this man. He definitely had some struggles in his life. Anthony kept telling us that he wouldn't cry or open up to them, but when we were there he started to well up in tears. He shared his sorrows and how he did not want the kids to have the same fate. He told them that he respected them. This was an amazing moment. A completely different experience than the other two groups.
God sent us three different groups of people. One group that was receptive of us, the second which was apprehensive, and the final group that was broken from us. It's amazing how God works. When we were about to leave, He gives us one last taste of His goodness. I'm glad we are able to remain faithful for so long. I will definitely keep going to this area to reach out to these fellows. I'm not sure if they'll ever change or if I'm enabling their sin, but one thing I'm sure is that I love each and every one of these homeless guys. I appreciate their willingness to love me in return.
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