Good Friday

Yesterday was Friday, March 21st to some it was good Friday, to many it was March 22, 2008. For me, it was a day of firsts. My friend Chris Treece and I went down to the stock yards in downtown Fort Worth. The roads are paved with bricks and the streets are lines with stores and restaurants, (they even have bars too) The big thing down there is that everyday they run the cattle through main street, like the old days. We unfortunately missed that part of it. Another main attraction is the train that will carry you for a journey. The train and its horn was no big thing for Chris and I, taking one drives past our dorm every 30-45 minutes. When my family comes to visit, it will be one of the many stops for sure. I must admit, if I were to of grown up in Texas, I may even of worn my cowboy hat, wrangler jeans, buckle and even boots with spurs. Yes, there are many cowboys here ( I didn't see many cowgirls) Chris and I's next trip was to Beautiful Feet. Beautiful Feet is a inner city ministry that a friend of ours is apart of in down town Ft. Worth. It reminded me of my trip to Chicago last year where I was able to visit Jeff Garrett's former church. The church is doing what a lot of churches lack, street ministry. Their doors are open, they serve food and they target God's children. When I was in high school we would go to the streets of downtown Atlanta, and set up a table a serve hot breakfast, coffee, and clothes. We were doing it as a service project, not a witnessing opportunity. Once in college at Catawba we had to volunteer one night a year at the homeless shelter, also service project. Last night it was work for the kingdom of heaven, it being good Friday made it even more special. After a short worship service, we piled up in cars, vans, trucks and headed to the Presbyterian (Something) Homeless Shelter. Their was a group of high school kids from Louisiana in town and they held a worship service for the people. We had teams on the streets, as well as inside the shelter. We took along with us bibles, tracks, hot dogs, but most importantly we took the love of Christ with us. Immediately once we got there, people were everywhere outside, some walking, some talking, some laying, and some drinking. As I gazed upon God's children, my heart was heavy for their many burdens. What got me the most was when we went inside to see some 600 people laying a inch apart from one another on mattresses. We shared the gospel, laughed, joked, but most importantly we offered the greatest gift anyone can receive. I personal did not lead anyone to Christ, I talked to a lot of guys who claimed to follow Christ, and I honestly believe they do. Most of them, were almost say trained to the attempts of talking about them about Christ. I meet a gentleman by the name of Orlando. Orlando was sitting down from me while I was talking to some guys. Once I finished talking with them, Orlando grabbed me with is rough, big hands. He was wearing a flannel jacket, a ski cap, and with big, tired, eyes he said "Pray for me" I said absolutely. I asked his name, He said "Orlando" I said, great to meet you, I am Hefty. His first smile. I sat with him, for fifteen minutes or so and he asked me why I was here, I told him. He asked me where I lived, I told him GA, he said "me too." Orlando grew up in Macon Georgia. I told him that I grew up in Atlanta, and that I was going to bible school, his second smile. Orlando told me that he was wrapped up with the wrong woman, and that she and him had recently split, and he was forced to sleep in there. He works when he can he said, but mostly he hangs out. I grabbed his hands (thank you Africa, for breaking me of my fear of holding a man's hand) I said Orlando I just want to pray a prayer of blessing for you, his third smile. I sat there and I first asked him if he was sure about going to heaven, he said "Yes" I said how, he told me "because Jesus Christ is the son of God, born of a virgin, died on a cross" he even quoted John 3:16. I prayed for Orlando for ten minutes, he just would never let my hands go. I learned alot last night about God, first I learned that his people are living everywhere and in every condition. I learned that homeless people are God's children, they too need to feel love, and they also need encouraging like all Christians. I was humbled, that God would use me, to help deliver the message of salvation. My prayer is for the people that I spoke with, would truly stop and listen, because God is calling.