Lamentations 3:51, “Mine eye affecteth mine heart…”
Last
week I took ten of our 8th graders to New Orleans (NOLA) for a
service project. Little did I know the impact it would have on them! We wanted
to do an 8th grade trip that would be fun, memorable and have a
ministry aspect to it. Well, this trip was all that and more. I am going to
share some of the stories about the people we ran into. I must admit that when
you hear the word “homeless,” your mind goes to different places. Why can’t they get a job, they are just
running from responsibility, they must be on drugs, or my personal favorite,
they must just like living this way.
What I
discovered is that all this is true and so much more. These people we call homeless/outcast
are still people with stories. They were children with dreams and aspirations,
and life has somehow brought them to this place NOLA; a place where they walk
until they cannot walk anymore. A place where, when they fall asleep, it is in
the daylight (with their eyes open) because it is not safe to sleep at night. A
place where they have no comforts of home only the rugged feel of a park bench
or the wooden steps of a dock. Where dinner may be served from a garbage can
while patrons in the expensive restaurant 20 feet away eat like Kings and
Queens! The kids learned to look at them through different eyes. No longer eyes
of fear and judgment, but eyes of compassion! The following are some of their
stories. I hope it challenges and touches your heart like they touched mine!
Torch-
His real name is Robert. He stood about six feet tall with dirty blonde hair.
His eyes had dark circles around them and his teeth were decayed from years of
drug use. He smelled and he looked mean and scary. He also walked up to us
after we prayed with a man and said, “I need prayer! Will you pray for me?”
Even as I write this, tears swell in my eyes; to hear the desperation in his
voice and the look of pure exhaustion on his face. Pray? Of course we will
pray! I asked him to tell me a little about himself. He is twenty-eight and has
been on the streets of NOLA for 11 years. He has been in and out of jail,
married and divorced, feeling hopeless! We talked to him and prayed for him and
with him. I wish I could say we led him to Christ but I cannot, however I can
say we impacted his life for the kingdom and I trust that God’s word will not
go unheard!
Mr. Wendell
- Mr. Wendell is a “lifer” on the streets. He has no desire to get out! He
makes his living playing the guitar and panhandling. When I asked him about his
story he evaded the question. He seemed very content sitting on the dock of the
bay wasting time and playing his guitar. He hid his beer can behind his legs so
the kids would not see. I appreciated that! He played Christian music and
professed his love for God. Yet, I wonder about his soul! I wonder!
Roland
– Roland was well spoken and kind. His eyes were filled with hurt and his
posture told me his walls were up to protect himself. My friend Scott (he is
our history teacher) began a conversation with Roland about how he ended up on
the streets. Roland told of how his daughter had died two years ago and he ran
away from life because he could not cope with the loss. He left his wife to
heal alone; he left his family! Two years later he is still dealing with the
same feelings and issues. He told us his wife has moved on with her life and
his parents still search for him. He hides from them when he sees them. His
shame is hard to bear. He has put walls up to keep the people who love him and
those he loves at bay. Why? Because if you do not let people get close to you,
then you can never get hurt like that again! He is a runner. I asked him to run
to Jesus! Scott and I told him to go to his parents. His comment was, “If I go
to them I am going to fall apart.” I told him the story of the prodigal son,
how the father was watching for his wandering child. He said he would think
about it. We prayed with him and went on our way. I cannot get him out of my
mind!
Lastly,
I want to share Donna’s story. Donna’s face held years of drinking and drug
use. Her wrinkled skin and smoker’s breath were overshadowed only by her
unkempt grey hair and a deep sadness in her eyes. We gave Donna a “Blessing Bag,”
and spent some time in prayer with her. In return she played us her rendition
of John 3:16 on guitar.
One
student asked me why so many people say they are Christians, but really don’t
look like they know Him. My answer was, “You can know of God without having a
relationship with Him.” “This makes them think they are right before Him, but
if they have never surrendered their lives and sought forgiveness for their
sins, they can have no relationship!” This breaks my heart! I wish I could have
done more, prayed more said more to convince them to come to Christ. All I can
do is trust that what we did in the name of Christ would make an impression on
that city!
Later
that day, Donna ran into Anne and Noelle, the other chaperones in our group,
and she told them how a preacher and some kids gave her some food and prayed
with her! I guess we were not the only ones affected by our trip!
