poverty

SO let me fill you in on my week....Logistically everything fell together just fine, but spiritually I think that people were very closed off. Yes they served this community and yes they probably fell in love with the Lord even more, but as far as sharing it, there weren’t any words that came out of their mouths, but you know what? I know that God is here and that it's not words that they have to say to show their growth it's their actions that speak volumes about their love for the Lord. This is just the beginning of their journey to serve their neighbors and love on their communities at home. So maybe I just caught a glimpse of their journey but I know they are in God's hands....My staff and I have been working really well together so that always a plus! Can I share a story with you? Well I hope you said yes because here it is...

I walk up to a house on 34th street, as I just got out of my brand new silver van after having taken a nice hot shower and eaten a very large breakfast, I sigh for I know this is going to be one more long hard day. I step onto the sidewalk which is now covered in glass and weeds. It looks as though there has been a riot on the street and not just a riot over night, but a riot all through the day. As I approach the house I notice that there are no windows, no door knobs, and no grass. I think to myself "is this a house or someone’s fort”. I believe at one time the house was blue maybe even grey, but now it's peeling so bad that there is no color. I feel afraid, not for my life but for what I am about to see. For I know that this is a house and not just anyone’s house, this is my new friend Roberts house, as my eyes fill up with tears I struggle to keep them in, I must be strong for I can not show a pity, or sadness. As I put my knuckles against the door to knock, the door begins to swing open. ...I am still, I am heart broken, I am silent. She says “give me a minuet” and I wait. As I step into this place, this house, I am overwhelmed with poverty. What I think to be a kitchen table is a cardboard box and a pillow as a seat. I see an empty old mattress in the middle of the living floor, and on it lays a baby who’s diaper is looks about a week old. She comes back with Robert, his little 4 year old legs covered in bruises and scratches, he tries to look me in the eyes, but he has lost his glasses, so he strains to keep his eyes open. As I look at his little face he sees me and grins from ear to ear from cheek to cheek. He asks if he is going to get to eat today and I nod with joy. His face lights up as though it’s Christmas morning and he has all the presents under the tree, I begin to cry inside. My tears now are not because I am sad but because I am moved. My heart is breaking for the things that break God’s heart. Robert is my friend, and I have many friends like Robert that are in my life that I haven’t seen, because I have been to busy in my mansion.

ya their were a lot of things God taught me this week but this is one of the biggest lessons I continuly get struck with....