Jesus on the Streets - December 18, 2022
Here is Sunday’s update from our team from The Fellowship who served the second day of our double header weekend. They served 63 meals of chicken pot pie and managed a stressful situation with grace and humility. Thank you!
Unexpected illnesses impacted the team reducing our number from eight people to five, resulting in less interaction with our friends. But still we were able to minister to both their physical and spiritual needs.
At the first stop, our friend Patrick was hurting for several reasons. We asked if he had anyone to talk to and he said “no I’m trying to stay away from people” and then he opened up. We listened, gave him some cold weather gear and then prayed with him.
A LYNN Ministries team had been in the city the previous day so we had a list of special requests to deliver to people including coats, boots, warm hats, gloves and socks and a tent (for one of our friends whose tent had been set on fire).
It’s hard to leave our friends in these desperate situations, including Carlos, who was so happy to receive a warm coat as well as Ruth, Robert and so many others who always respond with a respectful and gracious thank you.
Our second stop was smaller than the first, and as we were setting up we were pleased and happy to see Kevin, Bobby, George and others. Then we noticed that a situation was developing across the street that required our attention.
A man was agitated and verbally assaulting another man, which then spilled across the street into our serve area. The angry man then approached our team and seemed to focus in on a team member that was out with us for the first time. The team rallied around our team member and then started speaking to the agitated man. He told us that someone had stolen the boots he received from LYNN Ministries the previous day. We calmly asked his name, and then looking into his eyes we told Manuel that the situation wasn’t fair but his behavior was inappropriate and we then asked his shoe size. One of our team members offered Manuel the boots they were currently wearing. Manuel became very quiet and then looking up and pointing toward the heavens he began talking about God, saying “I’m a good guy” and said he “wouldn’t take boots from our feet”. The situation calmed after that, but uncertainty was still in the air so we decided it was time to pack up and move on.
During our debrief time, the team shared that once again the day was incredible and thanks to our LYNN Ministries and Fellowship support we met the needs of people with very few resources, and we were never concerned for our safety. God had our back that day!
As you celebrate Christmas this year, we ask you to remember the homeless, the hopeless, the refugee, the widow, the orphan, the broken-hearted, and raise them up in prayer. Listen to the news and you will know the world is broken. We have so much opportunity to bring hope and healing. We thank God for you daily that you have chosen to be God's instruments of healing through LYNN Ministries. I encourage you, do not grow weary in doing good!