Brockton - August 11, 2024

Here is an update from the LYNN Ministries team that served 112 people on the streets of Brockton on Sunday.

The skies were blue, the sun was shining. It was warm but not oppressively hot. The LYNN team was excited to be there and a long line quickly formed in the parking lot behind Pastor Roberto's church. Our guests were friendly and appreciative, as is usually the case, but there was a somberness to many of our conversations.

While living on the street is always dangerous and we often hear stories about people getting their stuff stolen in the shelter or on the street, today, we heard a lot of comments about how "Brockton is getting worse." The recent death of Bobby, who was well known in the community, and the loss of others on the street weighs heavily on the minds of many. I heard many people say they did not feel safe.

And yet, they come out to be with us and with each other and receive prayer and a meal. While we try to offer conversation and prayer to as many people as possible every week, this week we witnessed a very long time guest request prayer for the first time. And, as is often the case, there were those who seemed more interested in praying than the food we had to offer. There was a certain hunger for prayer that seemed heightened today.

Every week more Haitian migrants find their way to us, several seem to be living (or at least spending the day) in the parking lot behind the church. They are often unfamiliar with the food we offer but are usually appreciative. They often seek prayer even though they do not know what we are saying but they do know we are asking God to help them in their time of need. They often come to us with faces tight in fear and walk away after we pray with them with a greater air of peace and a grateful smile. There is amazing power in prayer!

Here are some of the prayer requests we received this week:

- Azure was upset about recent violence asks for faith and that justice would prevail

- Edwina is recovering from a bad fall. We ask for healing.

- Chris was feeling hot and tired. He asked for prayers for his wife.

- Daniella asked for good health and the opportunity to work.

- Kevin is hoping that certain bureaucratic processes might move along quickly so he can access benefits he needs.

- Sean and Kerri pray for housing.

- Joseph was deeply sad at the very recent passing of his mother with whom he was very close. He asked for strength and for housing.

- Carlos prayed for a good work situation.

- Robert just returned home to Brockton having spent some time in Arizona. He was looking for "the guy who always prays with him." (I assume this is Jeep.) He looked happy. He did not ask for any specific prayer. I think he was feeling grateful to have made it home safely so we thanked God for that.

- Desiree asked for prayers for her son Elliot who will be starting preschool soon. She hopes for a smooth transition into school life and a good community for her son.

- Fred was very happy to receive a bag of special request items. He asked for prayers for everyone on the street and for the volunteers serving today.

- Will asked for prayers that Deb will recover quickly.

- Freddie's sister Rosie just died and he is very sad. He asked us to pray for him for the first time. Please pray for comfort and peace and for the tangible presence of God during this tough time.

- Delson asks God for open doors and job opportunities.

- Patrick is struggling with pain in his back and hips. We pray for relief and comfort. He is also struggling with many losses recently so please pray for God's love and presence.

- Eugene requested a general prayer for blessing and comfort. Please pray for God's love manifested in a tangible way so he has something to hold onto.

- Noton offered praise that God spared his life so many times. He asks for God's continued protection.

- We bumped into Robert at the library. He shared with us his story and his desire to live clean and work with others also seeking sobriety. We ask for comfort in the recent death of his father and the ability to accept God's forgiveness for any regrets he may have.

Many of our guests signed a "get well card" for Deb who just has surgery on her hand and elbow. We all pray that her healing will be complete, that her pain be minimal and that she can be patient during this time of limitations and recovery.

As always, it was a privilege to serve our friends on the streets of Brockton. There are amazing people out there. We are often blown away by their strength and resiliency but also deeply saddened by the burdens and heartaches they bear. We could not do this work on our own, but together, trusting God with all things, we are honored to be given this opportunity to serve.