Jesus on the Streets - October 9, 2022

Part 1 - It. Was. A. Day.

One of the most difficult days of street ministry that I can recall. Over 9 hours for Deb and I (including prep and cleanup) and we are beat. We’re truly thankful for the opportunity to serve but please read to the end to understand.

It was a beautiful Fall day in Brockton, with temperatures around 60 deg, where we served 76 meals of breakfast casserole, baked goods, fresh fruit, snacks, coffee, and hot chocolate.

With cold weather coming on, people’s attitudes are getting more desperate. The calls for tents, blankets, coats, and boots is growing. We also heard of 3 deaths in Brockton this week (2 of which were overdoses) which has everyone on edge.

- Mike is worried about his mom Sue who is in the hospital.

- Raymond is worried about his daughter Najah who is “lost” somewhere.

- Cherish is praying for an apartment and a job at Walmart or in food service somewhere.

- Raoul and Maggie are praying that they can get clean so Maggie can see her 2 daughters again. (We had especially poignant prayer time.)

- There was an especially desperate woman at the end who is in serious need.

…And then we went to the Library where things got really interesting. Our friends Bobby and Andrea were very emotional about Titus dying, and one was drunk while the other was tripping. I love Bobby dearly but he started to go into his usual routine of “o woe is me” and wanting everyone to focus all attention to him. I’d had enough of it and we had some stern words. He got mad when I wouldn’t hug him because he was drunk and being disrespectful. We moved to the side of the truck and I gave him a heavy dose of tough love about how he’s so much better than what he keeps showing us, and how he should take care of his girlfriend and stop living under a bridge. About how God has a much bigger plan for him than what he is currently doing. And how if he really wants to show us respect he’ll be sober next week. It was a lot. It got heated. And it ended with hugs.

Meanwhile Deb was dealing with Andrea who was tripping and has been trying to see her kids (and she’s not allowed). Deb had her hands full as Andrea is truly distraught with her current life but refuses to seek care.

Then Sammy returned (after being served earlier) and was very emotional, distraught about his chronic back pain, living outdoors, being bullied, having things stolen, and most of all wanting to get sober or he was going to die. That launched the team into overdrive trying to find a detox program for him, which is nearly impossible on a Sunday of a long holiday weekend. After 30 min of calling “emergency” numbers that no one would answer we decided to take him to the ER. We waited at the ER with Sammy and prayed with him until he was admitted. His bed is in a hallway, because there are no rooms available, and he may be in that hallway for 72 hours. And there aren’t enough doctors and nurses for all these additional “beds.” Deb described the depressing and hopeless conditions in that hallway, even as the staff were trying to be compassionate. (One nurse could speak Swahili with Sammy. Score!) After 2.5 hours we left Sammy in that hallway and pray he won’t leave. Tomorrow is a holiday so we’re headed back to visit him and bring him some of the books he likes, and hopefully call his family in Kenya. Please pray he gets into a room.

It. Was. A. Day. God was with us. There was no real danger but emotions on the street are raw. And we are exhausted. Our team today was a bunch of rock stars, thank you! Your grace on this day was exemplary. Prayers are effective, so please keep them coming! We are so very thankful for all your support!