Funny thing, that term is.... One because it's a term used for a 'safe haven' or 'non-hostile area'. It can also be used to describe a specific spot or geographical location, which either way could be used for this evenings event.
Tonight was the launch of our Ministry in a new part of town. In preparation we passed out several flyers and met with numerous neighbors in need, giving them well advanced notification of our whereabouts. Including this afternoon, I spent a good portion of the day driving around Clairemont, Kearny Mesa, and Pacific Beach. I got positive responses from everyone I encountered...
Amanda took advantage of the change of pace that's set before us and switched the menu now that we have that opportunity, which was hard to do with such a costly volume of people in PB. Tonight we had Chili, Cornbread, Fresh salad, Fruit Platters, and other goodies.
We didn't know what to expect for the evening, although God knew, we didn't know... and to be quite honest, I was a bit worried earlier this morning. Our team arrived on schedule, meeting at the park or our place beforehand to help with last minute things.
Once we arrived at the park, we set our tables on the big grassy area that faces the nearby bus stop. Hence, the 'green zone'. Our positioning was strategic for those traveling from afar by public bus to see us with no confusion.
Completely breaking the mentality of attendance numbers that we're so used to in PB... We were blessed to serve a total of 5 hungry neighbors, of which not all were "homeless"... Again breaking free from that perception of defining how to love our neighbors. A neighbor is anyone, homeless or not. Our first patron was a young child walking with her father. She enjoyed a giant cookie, while i played with their cute French Bulldog. The rest of the evening was well spent of sweet fellowship amongst one another, catching up an gathering ideas, and simply praying for each others needs.
None of the food went to waste either. All that was made was wisely divided up in preparation for next week as well. Collectively our team enjoyed the heat from such a hearty chili.
Of course we invited all who passed through the park. Many looked puzzled at our presence, just like before, but we are very excited to see what God has in store for us.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Sadness in Reality
As promised to the people of Pacific Beach, it's my duty to keep that group informed of our new location starting this week. In doing so, I went to the boardwalk last night with a stack of flyers to pass out. Boy was it cold down there!
To my surprise, the scene has changed since our departure. I expected to see the same group of neighbors congregating at the usual spots, but there was nobody to be found anywhere. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed because I'd hoped to see some familiar faces and do some catching up.
I did run into one guy who attended our meals. I spent about an hour with him and God gave me a wonderful opportunity to share about His truth with this guy. Before we parted ways, he informed me that one of our old attendees had recently passed away. It saddened me to learn this news.
Tonight, I learned of yet another person (who I shall remain nameless but one our entire team cared deeply about) passed away tonight. I know nothing of the details other than his death is confirmed. This news is a blow to my heart and I do not know how to put it into words.
Tragic as death is, it something that awaits us all. It is final and there is no returning from it. At the moment, all I can think about is how pressed my heart is to share the Gospel of Truth with as many people as I can before it's too late.
The latter of the two guys claimed to know The Lord, and there is slim evidence to prove such, based on his lifestyle. God knows the struggles we all face and it is He who knows if they had a real relationship together. I really hope so!
The Ministry launches the new site in a few days and we don't really know what to expect. I am asking for prayer from those who read this blog. My prayer is that God would bring comfort to our grieving hearts for the loss of a friend, guide and direct us, bring a tight unity to the team, that His Spirit would already be at work on the hearts of those who received the flyers, and that His love would be the shining light that will draw neighbors to Him through our labor of love.
To my surprise, the scene has changed since our departure. I expected to see the same group of neighbors congregating at the usual spots, but there was nobody to be found anywhere. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed because I'd hoped to see some familiar faces and do some catching up.
I did run into one guy who attended our meals. I spent about an hour with him and God gave me a wonderful opportunity to share about His truth with this guy. Before we parted ways, he informed me that one of our old attendees had recently passed away. It saddened me to learn this news.
Tonight, I learned of yet another person (who I shall remain nameless but one our entire team cared deeply about) passed away tonight. I know nothing of the details other than his death is confirmed. This news is a blow to my heart and I do not know how to put it into words.
Tragic as death is, it something that awaits us all. It is final and there is no returning from it. At the moment, all I can think about is how pressed my heart is to share the Gospel of Truth with as many people as I can before it's too late.
The latter of the two guys claimed to know The Lord, and there is slim evidence to prove such, based on his lifestyle. God knows the struggles we all face and it is He who knows if they had a real relationship together. I really hope so!
The Ministry launches the new site in a few days and we don't really know what to expect. I am asking for prayer from those who read this blog. My prayer is that God would bring comfort to our grieving hearts for the loss of a friend, guide and direct us, bring a tight unity to the team, that His Spirit would already be at work on the hearts of those who received the flyers, and that His love would be the shining light that will draw neighbors to Him through our labor of love.
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