Homeless Ministry

  

This past Friday night was the second time I have been able to go downtown and minister to the homeless. It definitely will not be the last. Meeting people and hearing their stories, hearing their struggles and their obstacles, it is hard to take all of it in. You want so badly to reach out and help every single person on the streets. But only God can change a heart. Only God can help them conquer these addictions. Only God can piece back together a broken life. These people on the streets need Jesus just as much as the rest of the world does. Least of These Ministry goes downtown every Friday night with sandwiches and water to minister to the homeless. They take time to talk to every homeless person that reaches out for food. We were able to talk to them, hear their stories and tell them about Jesus. Many would ask, "Why are you out here?" or "Don't you know this is dangerous?" And the response would always be the same. Christ. We're out here because God Loves you. We are not scared because God is our protection. We trust Him to keep us safe. This ministry is so amazing. God is going to use it in so many ways to reach out to the homeless community in downtown Memphis. I am so excited to see what God will do with this ministry. I can't wait to go back next Friday and see familiar faces and talk to new people. God is truly working in downtown Memphis.

Faithful

This week at kid's camp we went through Job. We talked about all the illness and sufferings that he had to endure. We saw that he lost everything, yet was still faithful and dependent on God.
Last Friday night we went downtown and served the homeless from 9-3a.m. We passed out water, bug spray, and sandwiches and talked to those who were willing to talk with us. We asked them about life. What were they going through, where had they been, and how could we pray for them. Our team split into three groups. I was with Sam and the director of the homeless ministry, Chris. On our walk through the streets, we ran into a homeless man who stopped us. He asked us what we were doing. Wondering why we were out at night in the city of Memphis. Told us how dangerous it was. We explained to him what we were doing and told him about Jesus. As we spoke to him, he stopped us and told us that he is a follower of Christ. He began to share his story with us. Told us how he is trying to get the money to move back to Chicago to be with his family. He told us about his struggles, addictions and the destructive path he took that put him on the streets. He called us his angels. He told us that if we had not talked to him that night, he would have done something bad and dangerous to get the money he needed to see his family. But not only did we get to impact his life, he also impacted ours. There is one thing that he said that I will never forget. "I am alone 90% of the time, (points to the sky) but I am with my Best Friend 100% of the time." This man has lost everything, yet he still is joyful and hopeful because he still has his Best Friend. He gets it. His joy comes from the Lord and it is contagious. As we left, none of us could stop smiling. This man may sleep on the streets, but he has Jesus in his heart. He has lost everything but yet he has all that he need. He knew God would provide. He reminds me of Job.  Loving God not just when things seem to be good, but also when everything seems to be falling apart. Depending on God and knowing that He will provide in all situations. I want to be like Job and my homeless friend. Always depending and relying on God in the good times and bad. I pray that if I lose everything I remember that I have all I need in Christ. In my Best Friend.

fearless

                                                           
I feel like I learn something new every day working in the inner city. I am trying to learn to be fearless. Fearless is my favorite word in the Bible. Ephesians 6:19-20 says "Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will FEARLESSLY make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it FEARLESSLY, as I should."

A few weeks ago I began to see the dangers of being in the inner city. Our team of five went downtown to the apartments. We talked to people outside of their rooms and handed out tracks and promoted the Bible study that would be held in these apartment complexes on Wednesday nights. Our team got the chance to meet a lot of new people. We talked to a group of people outside of their rooms when all of the sudden one of the women had a panicked expression. She pointed behind us and yelled "That man has a gun!!!"and ran behind the door of her apartment. My heart seemed to stop instantly but I remained calm. I was not panicked, I didn't even feel scared. I looked at my friends expressions and they were all calm and acted as if nothing had happened. When the armed man drove away, we simply walked around to talk to others for a bit longer and left the apartments.

A few days after this incident happened, I talked to Shannon (girl who works with me) about it. I told her that our reaction was shocking. Thinking about it, I feel like my first instinct would be to run or to duck down or at least cover my head. But instead, I remained calm. She agreed and told me that she had been thinking about the way we reacted and knew it was because of God. Instead of panicking, we were all filled with peace and comfort. We became Fearless. And that fearlessness was only because of God. I got so excited talking to Shannon about it. In times of trouble, He is there. He is always there and He always will be there. I know God gave us the courage to trust Him that day. He took care of us.  He will continue to take care of us.

I want to be like Paul. An ambassador in chains for Christ. A servant. Fearlessly preaching the gospel. Fearlessly stepping out and proclaiming what He believes. Telling others even when it means he will be severely persecuted. I want to have that kind of faith. Live that kind of life. Not caring if others will judge me or think i'm crazy for following Christ. Living by example not just preaching the gospel. I have so much more to learn, but this is a great start. My new job is teaching me to be fearless. It is teaching me to trust God and know He will provide.

A New Journey

This is my second week back in Memphis! It seems like it has been longer because so much has happened in the past two weeks. I got the job I have been wanting at my church! I am an intern, along with three other amazing people, for Ryan who is head over the missions dept. at my church. My job is amazing. I get to go to the inner city of Memphis and serve the people. I have met so many amazing people this week. People that risk their lives daily to follow Christ and provide for their city. I have met guys that use to be in gangs but are now in programs to help them graduate and get a secure job. Guys that have thrown away addictions and their old lives to follow Christ. These men have changed and are now examples to everyone they see out on the streets. It represents God's love. How we are broken by our sins and addictions and He accepts us as we are. Broken. How He can restore a shattered life and make it whole again. All He asks is that we accept Him and follow Him. There is so much beauty in grace. It shows the love of our creator. It doesn't matter what color we are, where we live, where we have been, He accepts us and loves us all. I was reminded of that this week and I felt so much joy. I am so excited about what God is doing in Memphis.

The Beginning of a New Chapter

 

I have learned so much this year. It would take days for me to go through all the life lessons I could now apply to my life. I am not the same person I was coming into this program. God led me here to grow. To learn about myself. To learn about Him. This is the last week I will be here at Trek-X and realizing that is almost overwhelming. I am going to miss Nashville, the morning Bible studies, the people. Some of the people here have made a huge impact in my life and it is sad to leave them. I will definitely stay in touch with all of them because I know they are going to do amazing things with their lives. I am really excited to see how God is going to use each of them. Although it is sad to leave, I know it is the right decision. So many opportunities have opened up for me in Memphis. It's scary and exciting to see each step I take leading me closer to my goal. In the next few years I could be living in Guatemala. I could be working in an orphanage. I just have to finish school. Yes, I have a long way to go but I will have many opportunities to make a difference right where I live. Working downtown, working soup kitchens, starting Bible studies...there is so much that I could do just in my hometown. Yes, I can't wait for the future but I will not be stagnant. I am closing one chapter of my life but opening a new one.

Problem? or blessing?

  

I think my problem is I care too much. But honestly, when I think about it, is that really a problem? Some might say it is but we are called to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31) and we are called to imitate Christ, (Ephesians 5:1) who loved those who most people thought were unloveable. So maybe caring too much is not a problem as much as it is a blessing. A blessing that comes with a burden for others. I would rather care too much than not care at all. There are days where I feel burdened for the people in my life. Friends and family members that I know do not have a relationship with Christ. People I could witness to all day and they would still act as if I hadn't said a word. Sometimes our words and not needed. God's word is enough. His Spirit is enough. I could rant for days about my relationship with Christ and it have no affect. Then God could show Himself through nature and their eyes could instantly be opened and they become a believer. I AM NOT NEEDED. He chooses to use me. Just because I cant "save" all my friends and family members doesn't mean God can't. I can't give up. No matter how many times I am turned down. No matter how many doors are slammed in my face. As a follower of Christ, I am committed to telling others about Him. And maybe that is just by living my life. Being the example. I have messed up so much in the past but I am forgiven. I can't dwell on my past mistakes. The only thing I can do is learn from it and continue to pursue Him in all that I do. Maybe others will see that change in my life and they will see Christ through it. There is no limit to what God can do. And that, in itself, is so encouraging.

Change of Plans

           

I constantly have to remind myself to let go and give everything to Christ. I hold on so tightly to worldly things, to people and unorganized plans I can't imagine getting rid of. In my eyes my plan works, so why would I want anything else? I'm in control, why would I want to change that? But when it fails, I am back to square one. I think God sometimes lets my plans fail just to remind me that I need Him. And it works. I can't see the big picture, but He can. My heart breaks when I long for something that is unreachable. But maybe that is God's way of telling me no, or at least not now. Maybe that's His way of saying wait, I have something better in store for you. In the process of waiting for what is to come, He is teaching me Patience; something I most definitely lack. Realizing this gives me a reason to rely on Him even more. In the areas that I fall short, He is sufficient. I love Jeremiah 29:11- "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" I have heard this verse many times, but lately it stands out. God has a plan for my life. Even when I find myself distressed over a changed schedule, I have to realize God sees the bigger picture, even when I cannot. But it does not stop at Jeremiah 29:11. Verses 12-13 say, "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart." Not only does He have a plan for my life, He listens to me when I cry out to Him. He hears His children who seek Him and I find that so encouraging. I don't serve a silent God. I just have to be patient and serve Him and watch what He does with my life. That excites me to no end. I have no idea where I will be in the next five years. But what I do know is that I am willing to go anywhere God leads me.