Pouring down "reign" in Norfolk, VA - Judy Yatarola's testimony

Tonight was my first “hands-on experience” with “A Church Without Walls.”  My son, Jimmy invited me to go with him and Aaron and be a part of the ministry that God has asked them to do each week as they minister to the homeless in Norfolk.

It was pouring down rain when we headed out, and Jimmy commented about the weather, but Noah, my 6 year old grandson was quick to remind us that it was not going to be raining at 19^th Street.   That must be some of that “childlike faith” we adults are supposed to have. The closer we got to our destination, the fewer the raindrops. When we pulled in to the parking lot, the rain had basically stopped, at least long enough to get things set up.  

Immediately, the homeless people began to approach our van.  I could tell that most of them had built a bond with Jimmy and his friend Aaron.  They were smiling, some even laughing.  It was not at all what I had envisioned.  

Jimmy began to serve food, but once my husband and I got the routine down, we fixed plates for several men and one woman.  Again, this week, Noah was faithfully reaching into the cooler handing out drinks. Wow, even this 6 year old knew what to do, without prompting.

Jimmy and Aaron shared the gospel with many, and prayed with those who wanted prayer. I listened to some of them tell about the week they had.  One man was excited that he recently got a job. He was thanking God for providing the job for him.  

From around the corner, I saw a young man who had been drinking a lot. He was shouting, saying things that we could barely decipher.  Jimmy read Isaiah 53 to him, but I’m not sure how much the man actually heard, but this I know, God’s word does not return void!  

Suddenly, a small bird swooped down near that back of the van, looking for even a small crumb from one of the rolls we were serving.  I was reminded at that moment of the scripture, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”  I immediately thought about how God was using us to provide food for them.  It was like the Israelites who had to trust God daily for their food – manna from heaven.

When we were getting ready to leave, I noticed that there was a man who was passing out cardboard, for the men and women to sleep on for the night.  I was reminded at that moment, how just the week before we had lost power for 24 hours and how frustrated I was that our ice cream was melting.  It’s so easy to take things for granted, so easy to “build fine houses and settle down.”  Deuteronomy 8:12-14 

I’m grateful that I had the experience to minister to these folks.  It was refreshing to be a part of this ministry.  I hope to go again, soon. 

God Bless,

Judy Yatarola