Once again, there was no rain Saturday morning, despite predictions to the contrary. We set out, Sheri and I, to join the brothers and sisters on State Street with the only downpour in our consideration the downpouring of grace from Heaven.
Our six year old granddaughter Aubrey was with us. She had seen some homeless people on the street before and asked her parents, “who takes care of them?” God takes care of them, Aubrey!
Children are always welcome Saturday, learning to serve alongside their parents, their grandparents. Tom is usually there with his girls, Rachel and Ruth.
I know the hearts of the men and women we meet are gladdened by the presence of children. I have heard them say, “I have a grandson…I have a granddaughter.” The children remind them of their own loved ones, who they have perhaps not been with in some time, but how precious they remain!
Jamie and I have been praying for friends of Jamie, a couple who have recently lost their only son. I cannot imagine their pain, their suffering! How do we even know what to pray for them?
A song by Stuart Townsend came to mind, as I pondered this:
How deep the Father’s love for us.
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give his only son
To make a wretch his treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away…
Our prayer to our Heavenly Father, who watched his only son die on Calvary’s cross, is that He might reach out especially to these poor, grieving parents who have lost their only child, that God would bring them the infinite sympathy, the infinite comfort, of His presence.
There were more people who came this week than last. There were so few at the beginning of the month, Kim told me, because government checks go out then, but the support received like water into their cupped hands soon trickles away between their fingers. Then they start drifting back to the street. Wayne has said it is our responsibility, not the government’s, to provide for the poor. I think many people would prefer another agency. “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” Mr. Scrooge replied when asked to make a donation in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Jamie had 10-12 Bibles from Mike Bongo donated to the ministry. Almost all were full size, not small pocketsize Bibles, and Jamie hoped she could persuade a few people to take one to read or share with a friend. A large book can become heavy when walking all day on the streets. She was so happy when 9-10 Bibles were taken this morning! Jamie is praying the Bibles are opened this week, enjoyed and changing lives as much as the Word transformed her own life.
Marcos received the 10.5W blue sneakers he asked for. He was very happy to receive them! They fit perfectly! He wondered what he would tell people who asked where they came from. I suggested he might tell them the shoes fell from heaven in answer to prayer, to start a conversation.
We also took a fold-up table for him to the local YMCA, where Marcos has a room. He asked for a fold-up table because he told us he had no place to put his plate except on his lap. Sheri unearthed a fold-up table in our basement. She cleaned it up and we brought it to the YMCA, where it now serves a better purpose. Pray for Marcos!
Mr. Ford is Fred Sanford to Wayne, who Mr. Ford calls Lamont, Sanford’s son, and I apologize to anyone who is not old enough to get the reference!
Jamie and Ken joined with Mr. Ford in a prayer circle on the street where they prayed for his protection and that his needs would be met. He sleeps on City Island and said he was nearly stampeded by a crowd when firecrackers on the 4th startled people with the thought of gunshots! We pray for Mr. Ford’s protection, the meeting of all his needs, and God’s hedge of protection around us all. May the circle of prayer widen!
George and “Cinderella” live together in George’s car. We heard that Cinderella was getting an apartment with a girlfriend, but that hasn’t happened yet. They told us that on June 23rd, George, who has had a heart attack, had his heart shocked back to life at the Harrisburg hospital. Praise God! I spoke with George about how everyone passes one day, but what really matters is where they are passing. Please pray for George, both for his health and his salvation. And for Cinderella, that she might persevere, come what may.
When we were done by 8 am. Sheri, Aubrey and I went to an IHOP for breakfast. Our waitress was Dorita. There was something different about her. She was being “slammed” as the saying goes, but she remained cheerful and patient despite the impatience of her customers.
I asked her, “Dorita, are you familiar with Hebrews 13:2?”
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares
Dorita said, “I believe all of that.”
I said, “We’re not angels, sister. But I could see you were different.”
Please pray for our sister, Dorita, that God would lighten her load, that she would be blessed and that angels would really sit at her table, drinking coffee. Perhaps some of the strangers who have received hospitality from us on State Street might also be angels in disguise!
And that is the Word on the Street!
~Jeff Mason
For more information, or to learn how to join us in reaching people for Jesus, please email Living Water’s Director of Outreach, Mike Bongo, at mikeb@livingwatercc.com and he will get you plugged in! You will be blessed as you become a blessing to others!