Jesus on the Streets (3rd Saturday) - December 16, 2023

Saturday was a beautiful, crazy day of service in Brockton. This was our Christmas serve day so we had a nice meal of pork loin as well as lots of clothes, toiletries, and Christmas gift bags (including Dunkin gift cards). We fed 119 and distributed 133 gift bags. All told we figure we saw 150 people. Some people we served were new to us and seemed to be most interested in the gift bag, which makes us sad but hopeful that it will be the start of a recurring relationship. (You never know.) Sadly some people (mostly newcomers to us) were fairly demanding in their desire for a warm coat, even when they were already wearing a warm coat. It’s frustrating because the need is there but our supplies are limited and winter is still coming.

We were busy enough that I only had a couple pages of prayer requests:

- Rash is praying for a job (he’s an interesting guy and this was the first time I’d met him)

- Jay is worried another an upcoming appointment with a neurologist about his hand (he can’t move his fingers) and asks for prayers

- Raymond still hasn’t heard from his daughter Najah

- Diana is worried about back surgery (3 locations need surgery)

- Angela is missing her 2 boys in Michigan

- A group of Haitian immigrants were asking for legal documents so they could find jobs (most of them want to work but aren’t allowed), housing (they’re all living in the homeless shelter), and one couple is praying to get married

- Marie and I shared Communion

- Robert continues to pray that he can be more useful to those around him

- Jeannette is thankful to have received an Empowerment Plan coat

- Barbara (in a motorized wheelchair) is prating to stay in good health

- Mayo told us that our friend Tank is in a halfway house in Boston and doing well. (Please bee praying for Tank)

- Dalina is praying for internal strength

- Russell (a long time friend) broke his neck in multiple places when he fell out of a dumpster and is now in a wheelchair

- One of our friends was caught lying to us, and ended up feeling ashamed because we have trusted her. (It’s all part of the process.)

The day was truly overwhelming in the scope and intensity and numbers of people that we saw and served. It was indeed a day of celebrating the true meaning of Christmas with all our friends on the street. One of Jesus’ primary messages was to care for the poor. Caring is more than delivering provisions it’s building relationships and sharing the hope we have in Christ. Thank you for helping LYNN Ministries do that.