December 4, 2004 Are you handing out prayer? This is one question I will never forget. We had a fantastic time again on Saturday. We were able to witness to 13 people, give out 7 sleeping bags, a couple of winter hats, winter mitts, and 25 baked potatoes. We started the day by walking up the alley and talking to Brian and Bruce. We had been praying that Brian would find a warm place to stay. Once again the Lord exceeded my expectations by providing Brian a house to live in. As far as I can make out, a man on Social Security invited Brian to live at his house. Praise God – thank you Lord for answering our prays. Now that his body is warm please warm his soul toward you. It was really great to see Brian physically clean. As we were talking, Bruce shared his story. He use to successful until he went to jail for a time. While in jail he gave power of attorney to his brother. When he was released his brother had sold his house, spent all his money and he was left out on the street. He said, it is really strange to go to your house and not only is someone else living in it but they own it too. He is now doing his best to save the fees required to re-instate his tractor trailer drivers license, so that he can start a life again. However a good portion if not all of his money is being spent on alcohol, just to kill the painful memories and darkness of living under a bridge. Before heading back down the alley we handed each of them another Gospel, some potatoes and pair of mitts. The Lord then delivered us 2 new men; Raymond and Willie. These to were a real joy for me. They both knew the Lord but had drifted away. However they both wanted prayer. They asked to be able to once again walk in obedience to Jesus and to rebuild relationships with their families. Jodi spent most of her time speaking with Raymond and I spoke with Willie. Willie wanted answers to some bible questions. Did Barabbas go to Heaven or Hell? I told him I believed he went to Hell. I explained to him that the Bible teaches that the only way to the Father is through the Son and that the Bible does not say that he fell to Jesus’ feet and began worshiping him. So, I figured he was guilty of murder under Mosaic Law and thus went to Hell. As we were getting ready to pray Mike (new guy) came alone. I offered him some potatoes, a Gospel and asked if he wanted to pray with us. He said: sure I’ve never tried that before, why not. We prayed and we sent them on their way, each with a new sleeping bag, mitts, hats, potatoes and most importantly a Gospel of John. The next 2 new guys were Don & Bill. We greeted them offered them some potatoes and a Gospel. We asked them if they had a place to stay, they said they where homeless and staying in an abandoned building. I offered them sleeping bag. They were very excited an appreciative of the prospect of being warm – “this is a life saver you know, thank you”. We told them we were there because Jesus loves us and in turn we loved them. Next down the alley came Brian. He was new to us and was a friend of Don & Bill. He was very drunk. All we could do with him was give him a Gospel and leave him in the Lords hands. Then came our old friend George. George said “hello Scott and Jodi”. Yeah he remembered our names – this is a big step. We were able to pray with George about finding a job and a warm place to live. He is really beginning to open up to us. He shared how cold it was last night, but in the same breath thanked us again for the sleeping bag we had given him weeks ago. We gave him some potatoes and he pushed his cart over to the depot. While we were talking to George, four other guys got by us. So I walked over to introduce myself. They introduced themselves as Hollywood, Dog, Dumpster and LT. I gave them all a Gospel, potatoes, mitts and hats. I told them we were there because of Jesus’ love and asked if any of them needed prayer. They all said they were alright, and thanked us for the potatoes. Are you handing out prayer? Kimberly asked. Yes we sure are. Kimberly was new to us. She told us that she was new to “canning”, that she had enough money for rent this month but not enough to buy her 3 children anything for Christmas. She had decided to “can, instead of doing anything illegal, or doing something to disrespect my body”. Praise Jesus for that. We were able to pray for her. The prayer brought her to tears and I stepped back and Jodi did a wonderful job of ministering to her. While Jodi was ministering to Kimberly, George came out of the depot looking rather puzzled. While he was inside someone had stolen his potatoes. I said I’m sorry I don’t have anymore. Oh well he said and down the street he went looking very broken. We did see Shades walk by, however we did not get to talk with him. It was good to see that he was still alive though. As we packed up to leave George’s stolen potatoes burned in my spirit. I said to Jodi, we have to get him something to eat, can you imagine the thoughts in his mind? "I’m such a looser I can’t even keep a potato”. We drove up the street looking for him. After locating him we continues on looking for a Burger King or something. No luck, so we stopped at the gas station and got him a sub, cookies and milk. We headed back down the road and found him. I pulled over and walked toward him with a wave. He looked puzzled. Like how could you be in front of me? I put the bag in his cart and said “ I gave you those potatoes to eat, the last will be first and the first will be last and you get something better than the rest”. He thanked me and his eyes welled up with tears. He really opened up, asking what church we went to and told me about a church on the corner of 12th and Manitoba that gives them food and haircuts on Sunday. I asked him to pray for me this week and he said he would. Praise God! |