It finally feels like San Diego is feeling the winter weather at night. The air is so sharp & cold coming off the ocean shore. I know it's not my fault, but I feel guilty every week as I have the luxury to choose which clean sweatshirt or jacket I should wear for the evening, knowing that our friends don't have that choose. I do my best to always be thankful for the things GOD has given us, but the truth is... I fall short most of the time. It's so easy to take the smaller things for granted, and I'm asking the Lord to work with me on that. "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21)
For those that may not be aware of this. Yes our primary night for this Ministry is Friday, but the ministering goes on throughout the week as well. Some of us return to PB to witness or just pour out some extra love when it's needed. My roommate, Spencer and I encountered alot of encouragement & complete sadness, as we went evangelizing this past Saturday. AS we walked up Garnet Ave with backpacks full of 'John gospels', I noticed a familiar face. It was Richard (with the injured leg)! We stopped to speak to him and the group he was hanging out with. Richard was the only guy I knew of the bunch. He welcomed us, but the others wanted nothing to do with us... unless we gave them money. It was a frustrating experience. The loud mouth of the group- Daniel, started threatening violence if we didn't walk away. Richard tried to explain that we were 'friends', which in turn got him into a heated match with Daniel. The gospel was not welcome there by the group. Richard stood his ground and made a bold stand for Jesus Christ. Almost immediately after that, a young couple came walking up with arms full of blankets for everyone. Richard got a blanket and together we walked down Garnet Ave talking about Jesus some more. He encouraged me alot, telling me that we are making a difference what we're doing and the word on the streets is that we help others "find hope" again. It was a sweet time spent.
Spencer and I then ran into Totally Todd (one of our regulars) & Dave. Spencer spent time explaining the difference of being a Believer and a Follower of Jesus Christ. Both men struggle with alcoholism. Spencer handed them both some John booklets and gave them passages to look up while they felt temptation to drink. We prayed with them, and they too shared encouraging words of the Ministry!
Shortly after that, we run into some more of our buds from the beach, Keith & Dave. Keith is no longer on the streets and has a full time job now. He gives credit to the inspiration & love that came from Loving Thy Neighbor. He started crying when he gave thanks. I gently urged him to give credit where it's properly due... and it's not to any of us. He quickly changed his praise and called us 'Godsends' then, which I'll accept that because if it weren't for Him sending us, we wouldn't be there anyways.
As Spencer and I were walking back to the car, we ran into William. He is a Believer and keeps to himself. He purposely stays away from the crowds of other homeless people and buries his head in his Bible. We spend a good amount of time with him this night talking about the sweetness & blessings of GOD. Spencer prayed for him and we closed the night off with big warm hugs. (It's been years since some of these people have felt a hug!) I asked him if he had any needs, which he shared, and the following day those needs were met as Amanda and I returned back to PB.
* I share these things, not to boast about us or what we're doing, rather to maybe help others realize that we are genuine and do care about the people of PB. It's nice to get positive feedback from others and to see fruit starting to show after 21 months of labor.
On to last night now.... (Friday)
The sun has already set by the time we got there. The city lights are so dim that they don't help us any. We are fighting against the time of light left during this season. It is a big help seeing willing hands standing at the curb to help unload the truck. Every minute really counts for us.
The message was from Exodus 22, explaining that GOD has compassion for the needy.
A newer friend from church returned to help give a hand. James surely appreciated the help on the hygiene table. The Ministry was blessed was pallets of hygiene supplies this week... and yes I literally mean 2 pallets. "Where GOD guides, GOD provides."
There were no outbreaks this evening, everybody was fed, respectful and seemed happy to enjoy a warm home-cooked meal with friends.
I do not consider LTN my Ministry at all. Everyone brings something special to the tables in their own special way, and together we make Loving Thy Neighbor what it is. We would not be what it is today, without the help and contribution from others. With that being said... two of my favorite ladies are a big part of that... Danna & Marci. They are the sweetest and most thoughtful women. I won't ruin the surprise coming but they are awesome and the crowd will definitely be blessed this month.
