Out of Options... But not really...

        Our goal as a missions organization is to bring help and healing to everyone that comes to the bus.  Although we work very hard at this, unfortunately sometimes we can only do so much.  When I come across these times of running out of options the only thing I can do is give it to God in prayer.  And He never seems to fail...
        I had one such encounter this past Saturday in the Bronx.  There is a woman named Karen that I've been working with for about a month now.  A Bronx resident, Karen is in the city shelter system desperately looking for an SRO (single room occupancy).  For about a month now I've been working with her to make this a reality.  Unfortunately we've been running into a few dead ends.  She came to the bus this past Saturday for lunch and to say hello.  Despite the fact there were no new developments this week, she greeted me with a smile and a big hug.  As we were talking I felt an anger come over my spirit.  I was angry at myself for not being able to provide the right resource.  As we continued talking one of our regular guests , Connie, butted into the conversation.  She informed both of us of different resources and organizations in the south Bronx.  Everything from attorneys to co-ops, Connie seemed to know exactly where to send Karen to get her a permanent place to live.  Furthermore Connie gave Karen (a complete stranger) her cell phone number just in case she had any questions this week.
        As I saw this unfold right in front of me I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.  As I alluded to in my last blog, our job is not to bring healing, but to facilitate what the Master is already preparing.  He never seems to stop reminding me of this... Grace & peace...

                                             Myself with Connie and Karen

facilitating a kingdom of love...

"Your kingdom come.  Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" ~Matthew 6:10

        What does this verse mean?  Often times when we go out on the street there is a subtle expectation within our souls to see men and women saved.  That somehow this is the ultimate sign of God's kingdom shining through here on earth.  Although I don't argue with this, we shouldn't limit how the Master works.  I've come to the conclusion that our job is not to save, but to facilitate what Jesus is already doing in the lives of others.
        I started thinking about this the other day when a friend of mine dropped off his chain and box cutter for me to hold for him.  My friend is an older gentleman from Elizabeth.  By most standards this man has nothing to offer society.  He drinks, is unemployed, eats at soup kitchens, is in and out of hotels and city shelters, and is always asking for money.  To the outside eye there is not much God is doing in this man's life.  He has no apparent interest in sustainable change.  I was struck however when he dropped of his "weapons of choice" the other day.  He knew he was about to do something stupid and felt safe enough with me to help him resist a violent answer.  Although this may seem like a very small and unnoticeable step, this act of resistance and accountability is a snippet (however small it may be) of God's kingdom of love shining through.  It is these small steps towards the heart of God that we work diligently towards everyday.  Its not always scoring a perfect ten, but walking with others as they make their way from a negative eighteen to a negative seventeen.

Here are a few other examples of God's flicker shining through the darkness...

    Anthony from Newark missed his intake interview for a rehab then disappeared about a month ago.  Just last week he reappeared, profusely apologized, and asked for another chance.

    

 

This is Nelson and Kimberly from the South Bronx.  Despite Nelson just getting out of jail and the couple being on the brink oh homelessness they still maintain hope.  I was able to refer them to free legal services to help with their housing issues.

This is Greg from the north side of the Bronx.  He has been clean and sober since January and is now enrolled in a technical school. 

A retired FDNY firefighter and formerly homeless, this gentleman felt lead to give us a check in appreciation foe the hope we bring to his neighborhood.

Our team of dedicated volunteers who give up their Friday nights every week to serve the lost and the lonely in Newark's South Ward.

Please continue praying for our mission as we facilitate the Kingdom of Love.  Grace & Peace...

planting seeds...

One of the sites that I regularly lead is in the South Bronx on 148th & Brook Ave.  Although I've become somewhat established, my first day at the site was anything but a cake walk.  That was the day I met Emma and Samaya.  For lack of a better word these two women initially gave me hell.  They were screaming, cursing, and making our other guests feel very uncomfortable.  After "politely" asking them to stop and it not working I decided to use a firmer tactic.  I put my hands on Emma's shoulders, looked her in the eye, and told her that her behavior was completely unacceptable and she was making my job very difficult.  That was around three months ago and since then these two women have become my biggest fans.  Every Saturday we joke around, I encourage them to give up their drugs and methadone program (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methadone), and minister to them whatever way I can.

     This past Saturday I saw my two friends in rare form.  Samaya was already high and could barely stand.  Emma had just taken her prescribed dosage of methadone (mixed with other things not prescribed).  In the midst of asking Emma about her week, she turned to me and I saw tears in her eyes.  I asked her why she was crying and she responded by telling me I was making her sad.  She continued to tell me that every week she comes I tell her what she's doing is wrong and she's starting to realize her actions are killing her.  A few minutes after this I saw the drugs starting to take over Emma's nerves.  Around this time another outreach team leader, Yaz, came to help me with Emma.  I left for a few minutes to check on our volunteers and when I came back I saw Emma on the ground weeping before the Master praying for healing and deliverance.

     Coming home that day I was reminded of something one of my professors told us, "not all paths lead to God, but Christ will meet you on whatever path you walk."  For the past three months I have done my best to be Jesus to these women and love them for who they are, not who they could be.  It broke my heart to see Emma on the ground weeping, but I believe that this will be the first on many steps towards healing.  Please pray for Samaya and Emma.  And as always please continue praying for our mission as we continue to bring hope, healing, light, and love to New York City.  Grace & Peace...

                                     Samaya on the left and Emma on the right

                                              Emma weeping before Master