One of my routines each Saturday morning is to go by the youth warehouse and get ice for our visits. As I drive into the parking lot, I can tell if Mr Scott is driving that Saturday by the van being gone by 8:30 or so. He gets up early, having just gone to bed the evening before because of his job, to drive 3o minutes or so to pick up Catfish. Catfish has moved to a little town south of Shreveport. He calls Mr Scott and say are you coming my way? I want to come with you guys. So Mr Scott drives all that way, picks him up and then after we finish our visits, he drives Catfish back home. Amazing heart.
This Saturday, we not only had Catfish join us, but Junior, his 3 legged dog joined us. At all our stops, the guys love to pet Junior. Something about a dog, the outdoors and friendship? Catfish has folks who continue to offer things to him and this week Catfish loaded up the van with MREs for us to give away. Someone who has been homeless, giving to others! Amazing heart.
The other special event we had at each stop, was the serving of elements in the celebration of communion. Momma T brought the grape juice and bread, and we participated in remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Ellen and Matt found us at some point and Ellen helped serve at one of our stops. Momma T explained what she was offering. Some you could tell had never experienced this before, but they lined up to receive their blessings. Amazing hearts.
Not to talk too much on Mr Scott, but he took his daughter on vacation out to Los Angeles. They did tourist stuff, but also, first on their list was to make their way to the Dream Center. The Dream Center has always been an inspiration to me, as this young preacher moves into a depressed part of downtown, revitalizes an old church and serves the community. Dr Phil many years ago, taught a Sunday school class on the book, A Church That Never Sleeps. Mr Scott shared his thoughts and enthusiasm of what he saw and experienced on his tour of the Dream Center. It is amazing to me, he would take time on his vacation to experience what is going on at the Dream Center. Amazing heart.
Tuesday morning, we had one of our Lake Charles family members join us for the week. Ben Parker, was leading a group up here this week, but unfortunately the others who were coming had to back off. I told Ben, that's ok, just try again in the fall. Ben said, I already have a group coming, but that is too long for me not to be with you all, so I am coming by myself! So he came and he hasn't stop working since he has gotten here. I had a long list prepared for the group and I told Ben, not to worry about the list you just do what you can. Well he has just about completed the list all by himself!
As I was going over the list with Ben Tuesday afternoon, I said to Ben, what do you think? He said, mr brian, do you mind if I go stay with Gus under the bridge? He said the list will be here tomorrow, but Gus won't and I want to begin to build relationships with the guys under the bridge! Hello God, one of your disciples is wanting to lvoe others and not work on mr brian's list, wow! So Ben fixed the best testing jambalaya I have ever eaten and we went to visit Gus, Dale and the others under the bridge Tuesday evening. Amazing heart.
We found our Gus, sitting on the couch under the bridge as we arrived Tuesday evening. Gus was being Gus and having a good time with the guys. He did not look too bad for having spent, 6 days under the bridge. Gus has a blog going: http://betterthanachurchbell.blogspot.com/ from some of his journal writings for the week. Check it out, some great stories. What an amazing heart this young man has, becoming friends with guys who for the most part have never had a friend. Someone who actually cares for them. One, now who has been in their shoes, walked their streets, learned their ways of trying to survive. Gus survived one of the hottest weeks of the year, maybe of the century to share with us, what it is like to be homeless. Amazing heart.
On Wednesday, there was a meeting of the United Way of Northwest La, ladies leadership council. Ms Lisa has been asked before to speak to the ladies about what our community does. Ms Lisa, who never gets enough recognition for all she does for our community, shared one of stories about two of our young ladies who are trying to make a different life for themselves. Lisa told them about Michelle and Jalissia graduating from high school and trying to get into college, something most young girls in our community never do. Ms Lisa brought Michelle and Jalissia to the women's meeting Wednesday and the girls were the featured speakers. They shared what our community has done for them, what their hopes and dreams are the future and how they want to be example for their younger siblings. Both girls are now registered at BPCC for fall classes. Amazing heart.
Wednesday at our meal, I looked up and one of our guys who was living under the bridge, came for supper. It was Jimbo's first visit. Lomax had brought him by. Later on in the evening I get a phone call from Lomax. Jimbo was asked to leave from the bridge, which is nothing unusual, so he had no where to go. Jimbo told us Tuesday evening, he was trying to save up his money so he could get a bus ticket to go live with his daughter in Arkansas. Lomax tells me he called Jimbo's daughter and asked if he could bring her dad to her. The daughter became overwhelmed with emotion and said please, please bring him if you can. So Ben and Lomax, left at 6am Thursday morning and drove 6 hours to take Jimbo home. They turned around and drove all the way back and were back in time for our Bible study! Not sure I can explain what amazing hearts these two young men have.
We had our Bible study Thursday evening and it was good, but I was thinking about the week and what amazing hearts our community is blessed to have. There are more examples of what amazing hearts we have but the stories are being formed at the moment and I will have the opportunity to share those stories with you all at another time.
Another important part of our community is the willingness to share your hearts in prayer for others. Some of our prayer concerns from last night were, Gus and his mom. Gus asked for prayers for her last week because she was having problems with her breathing, well she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Please keep her and Gus in your thoughts as he visits with them this weekend and as he starts a new career. Prayers, for Lomax as he continues to lvoe on his grandmother as the two of them continue to deal with the lost of his grandfather. Grant Rose as he heads back to Oklahoma. Prayers for mr brian's father-in-law Mr Joyner. He fell and severally sprained his wrist. Tommy Rainbolt after surgery on his shoulder. Ben leaving us Saturday. Allison leaving us next Friday. Justin leaving us and moving to Arkansas and getting married. Prayers for Kairos.
Amazing hearts, such compassion for others, lvoing spirits. We talked about Moses at Bible study. How God asked him to lead his people and Moses saying to God, not me, I can't speak well, I'm no leader. God said, I want you and lead he did. But it was not Moses who did the leading it was Moses allowing God to work miracles through him. It is not us who do these amazing things, it is all of you allowing God to work through you. The more and more we take ourselves out of the equation and put God first, God's Kingdom will shine. Thank you all so much for being who you are and being bold enough to say it is not me but God who lives within me.
Have a great weekend and blessed week ahead. Amen and Amen.
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