The Lord knew where he'd be....

Greetings friends:

It seems like each week God continues to amaze me with His faithfulness.  Many of you will remember last week, that we took three of our homeless friends to the Richmond Outreach Center in Richmond,VA.  This church body has a vision to transform the inner city of Richmond with God's love and they are accomplishing this through the power of Jesus Christ. 

Many of you will remember my three friends accepting Christ and this week my brother-in-law - Harry - came to Norfolk to pick one of these men up, and enrolled him into a discipleship home.  Harry called me on Thursday very emotional amazed that God would use us to possibly change the destiny of this mans life. 

Here's what blew my mind.  The week before last, I was at a shippers conference for my job and when it was over, because I was so close to the inner city, I decided to go see my friends.  They didn't expect me, but were very happy to see me pull up.  As I was talking to two of the men, inviting them to the Richmond Outreach Center on Saturday, there was another man who overheard our conversation.  Well, when I pulled up Saturday to pick them up, this man was there and he asked if I had room for one more.  I said, "Absolutely," and he jumped in the car.

This man was affected greatly at the service and was saved that night!  Now, he's a new creation in Christ and the old has passed and all has become new!  Here's what blew my mind.  God prompted me to go to where he was after the conference.  He knew that Bryan would be there listening in on my conversation with the others.  He knew that Bryan would get saved and He knew how to get him off the street.  I wondered what the outcome would have been if I wouldn't have followed the voice of the Lord that day.  Would this man know God?  Would this man still be on the street?  As Jesus crossed the other side of the Jordan just to meet with the ONE demon possessed boy in Mark 5, so he went to W. 19th street to rescue Bryan.  Isn't He good?!

Aaron couldn't go this week, as his brother was graduating from VCU and he was in Richmond.  However, Noah (my 6 yr old) has been asking me to allow him to go with us for several months now, so I let him fill in for Aaron.  At first I was hesitant for many reasons, but this week, I felt like the Lord was saying to let him go.  Noah was eager to go and I felt like I should encourage him in doing the work of the Lord and this would be one small way to do just that.  I was scared that he might hear a cuss word or wonder what cigarettes were, etc, but this is the real world we live in and I was able to help him understand things better after our evening.  I am so glad I let him go, as he was a faithful worker and was a great example of the life of Jesus.  He served whole heartedly as he handed out cookies for us tonight.  He said, hello to everyone that approached the van for food and introduced himself.  He told us at the dinner table tonight that he really wanted a soda, but he drank water instead to make sure there was enough for the homeless people.  He served with a smile and several of my friends were drawn to him.  It was a great opportunity to serve the Lord for Noah.  Here is his testimony below:

By Noah Foster (6 yrs old)

"We loaded up the van with pizza and drinks to go preach the gospel to the homeless.  On the way there, I was thinking what it would be like in my head.  When we got to West 19th street, I met some new friends.  I met a lady named B-More.  She was very nice and friendly.  I enjoyed serving cookies and soda to the people.  We preached the gospel, shared the love of Jesus and talked with the homeless people.  We prayed for them too.  I hope I can go again, that's probably all I want to say.  That's all I can think of. :)"

Steve also went with us tonight.  Here's his testimony below:

A CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS – 5/12/12

In Church

Last night “A Church Without Walls” had it’s lights on at 19^th Street as we ministered to our friends who live on the streets. As usual every lick of food we brought was eaten. We were relieved to see our friend Allen there last night. He had been missing for a number of days. As it turns out he was in the hospital with a leg injury, but who knew? Apart from seeing him on the street we have no way of contacting him.

When the food was about half gone Jimmy sat down on a borrowed milk crate and preached a message amongst friends about the healing power of Jesus. He talked about how Jesus went to the streets, just like we were doing. He came to show His love and compassion for us all, and healed people as a way to show compassion and the truth of His message of life.

I was able to follow up encouraging people to seek the Lord. To read their Bibles which we handed out to everyone who didn’t already have one.

A couple of really cool things happened last night though. First, as Jimmy was preaching Joy’s  cell phone rang and when she answered she could be heard saying, “Let me call you back, I’m in church right now.” Glory to God.

Another blessing happened when Jimmy explained that the Bible tells us that we are to anoint those who are suffering with oil and pray for them. It used to be that some folks would get up and walk away when the message started. Last night, not only did everyone stay, but when it came time to be anointed with oil, all of the guys took their hats off and everyone was anointed with oil…. Including Jimmy and I. It was a glorious moment.

Opportunity Missed

A lot of “A Church Without Walls” is found in the ways God works in our own hearts. We see all types of people on the streets. People just down on their luck, people strung out on heroin, crack addicts, abused men and women – the gamut.  

Last night there was a man dressed in women’s clothing. I believe him to be transexual. He said his name was ‘X.’ It caught me off guard and we served him pizza and a soda. He went down to the end of the street and sat there isolated from the main group of people.

I thought I should go down to talk to him but I didn’t respond to the prompting in my heart. Later, when “X was leaving, one of the other homeless men made a joke about him. The young man sitting next to me asked if ‘we’ (Christians) can do that… laugh at people like him.

I shared the story of the adulterous woman who was brought before Jesus by a crowd all with stones in hand. This was the worst kind of sinner and they were ready for a righteous stoning. When Jesus said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her," they all left. "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" He asked.

"No one, sir," she said.

"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

“God loves him too,” I told the group of them, “and we should do the same.”

In talking later with Jimmy, we realized that Jesus has sent us to love all of these people in His name. He will take care of straightening their roads out. He will convict them where they need convicted. We are not to judge. We are to love, and love unconditionally.

Lesson learned, and an important one at that.

God help us to be gracious to all. To show the reality of Your love to everyone.

"A Church Without Walls"