Hard to describe our visits on Saturday. We were at our low points and then we get to the mountaintop, what a ride! Turner is doing fine. There is a new person close to his camp, we did not wake him, but will check on him this week. We asked Turner to watch over him and he said he would, isn't that cool! We get to our next camp and the beer has been flowing steady already, 10am in the morning! Hard to see. We then get to our third camp, and more of the same. So sad to see men waste their lives away on alcohol, when God has so much for them to do. Matt and Tim had just left after wishing Travis a happy birthday. Robert was able to stand for a moment, saying our circling prayer, asking for deliverance from our faults. I was thinking, looking at a huge church on the hill, how many folks sitting in the pews, would listen a man who was stumbling with his words trying to talk to God! I guess, no better time to do so?!
I will admit, it was hard to see the guys that morning. Wondering if we are doing any good by coming by? Wondering if we are disappointing God by seeing these addictions continue? When does it end?
Then we arrive at Smokey's apartment. Smokey opens the door with a big smile and tells us to sit down. We notice a table in the middle of the room, he opens his stove and pulls a plate of warm fried chicken and sets it on the table. He opens the refrigerator and brings out potato salad, cokes and cookies. In the freezer he has ice cream! What a celebration! Remember Smokey has no car, rides the bus when he can, but mostly walks. I asked Smokey how did you get all of this food here. He said, he walked and then stopped along the way under the shade to rest for a few minutes. The grocery store is a good mile or so from his apartment. Isn't that awesome!
Smokey begins to talk, with a look I have not seen in him before. One of joy, peace, compassion. Smokey talks about his life, his struggles and then a renewed joy in his relationship with God. How everything in his life, now is focused on God and what God wants him to do. Smokey's struggles with the establishments seems to have come a close. His disability, his apartment, his social security problems have all been resolved and he was thanking God for it all.
Then Smokey says, he has been praying, asking God how can he give back. Smokey tells us, last year at our Christmas dinner, with Santa Claus greeting the children, Matt and Ms Vickie sitting on Santa's lap, the dinner, the gifts, it all made a huge impression on him. Smokey says I have been praying for a year, asking God what can I do. Smokey goes on to say, how much he appreciates all of us, who week after week checked on him at his camp. How we continue to come by and visit with him, take him to Bible study and Thursday meals. Then Smokey opens up his wallet and give us a several hundred dollar donation! He said, he wants the children to have a special Christmas this year! His way of saying thank you to all of us.
Folks, I can tell you I was speechless. From seeing the depths of despair earlier in the morning, to seeing a man so full of life and God, it was breath taking! Dr Phil, Mr Scott and I talked about, you never know how your actions or words affect people. So we need to be all mindful, the Spirit needs to be flowing in and through us all the time. A true blessing to be a part of.
Our tutoring afternoons are going great. Monday and Wednesdays you can walk into the center and not hear a sound other than spelling, math or reading going on. Ms Lauren and all the college students are doing a great job. Ms Lisa is there to watch over everything but she has been doing more helping with homework than policing, it is great!
Tuesday night was another huge gathering of men for Bible fellowship. The circle is almost full, so the rows of chairs are being used. Men - young and old, neighborhood and homeless, gather to talk about God. As the reading was talking about the Body of Christ, you could sense a family of men beginning to develop. White, black, rich, poor, young, old, something special is happening and God is at work in His Body.
Wednesday evening, the guys from the Bright House hosted our family gathering. Good food, good conversations and good times! We talked about relationships. How some are hard between boss and employee, between husband and wife and friend to friend. One underlying theme seem to be if we take the approach Jesus takes with us, His loving nature then things can work out.
Thursday was again full of activities. Ms Abbie led our community choir in song, Pastor Eddie shared the Word. Ms Abbey and Ms Ardis getting the meal ready, Ms Lisa preparing the grocery lists, Momma T leading the young girls Bible study, Tim, Matt, Ms Vickie visiting with everybody, St Luke's Medical van full of folks getting tested, amazing night, with over 150 folks being served. What a blessing to seeing it all happen.
Prayers for William. He continues to try and continues to stumble. Smokey waiting for his eye surgery. Sonatra. Sonatra is out and beginning a new life. Joey is working out a schedule of activities for Sonatra. After talking with Sonatra to see if he is willing to move forward in his recovery, then Joey will send out a schedule for us to plug into to help Sonatra along the way. Cari and Pete Bollinger. Cari is taking another stronger round of chemo therapy. Ms Dorothy is going through radiation treatments to see if the doctors can reduce the size of a tumor. Henry as he celebrates a month in his new school in MInden. Dr Phil as he travels to Oklahoma today for a week of wilderness living. Dr Phil is joining his daughter as her Jewish community will be living out in the wilderness, celebrating the journey their ancestors took many, many years ago. Prayers for my sister as she struggles with loosing her husband Wednesday morning. We will be traveling Saturday to Lake Charles for the funeral. Prayers for families struggling with health issues and the aging of our parents. For many years our parents take care of us, now as they grow older we are called upon to take care of them.
Don't forget, this Saturday breakfast will be served, cooked by Tim. Momma T and mr brian will be gone, so Tim will be working his magic alone. If you would like to help him, the cooking will be starting at 7:30, with breakfast being served at 8:30. Tim has surprises to go along with our biscuits and eggs. Come and enjoy the good food and conversations.
Tuesday evening, September 24 at Barnes and Noble, our friend Judy Christie will be holding a book signing. Common Ground will be the recepient of books bought for us at that time. For those of you out of town and would like to help out, Ms Lisa will send a reminder and coupon number to use on line.
Then the following Tuesday, October 1, we will host a block party on National Night Out. It will be a good way for us to meet our neighbors. More information will be coming next week, but put it on your calendars to come and hang out with our community.
Lots of exciting things going on in and around the center and neighborhood. Due to all of you allowing God to work through you . As we talked about Tuesday evening, we all need to come and be a part of God's work, because God gave us all different gifts and talents. If you don't come, we will not be blessed. Everybody is important from the head to the toe! Amen
Have a wet, cool weekend! Have a great week with all the blessings God will provide!
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