I'm reeling today...with thankfulness. Yesterday was filled with events that allowed me to see again the hand of God working through people, touching lives in some special ways.
The first event took place (actually, it culminated) during the afternoon. The local 7-11 down the street from the church had been conducting a canned food drive for our Pantry ministry the last couple of weeks. It was one of those "Bring a can, get a free hot dog" kind of thing. And they got rid of a lot of dogs! The owner, a gracious man named Ranji (on left, wearing turban), asked if I could come to receive the cans and join in the festivities. Ranji is generous and wanted to give back to the community. He decided to hook up with us because he knew that we provide food regularly to people in need.
When I got to the 7-11 parking lot, people were everywhere, and plastic tubs of food were piled high. A DJ spun music at an extremely high decibel level, a jumper consumed small children, and free food and soft drinks were being devoured everywhere. Ranji hugged me as he excitedly showed me the food that had been collected. Kids kept arriving with more cans, and the inside of the store was as full of people as the outside.
Ranji told me that his dream was to see the community helping its own, and that he wanted to develop an ongoing partnership with us. As I mingled with people, I was reminded that there really is only one race on earth, the human race. That we have the ability to lift each other, strengthen each other and make a difference in each other's lives. And I saw again the great value of a church that is connected with those around it. Our involvement with people at basic life levels helps them understand God's concern for them, and gives us a platform to continue sharing life with them.
A short while later we gathered at the church for our monthly Community Supper. November's Supper is special, as we serve a full Thanksgiving dinner, thanks to the generous donations of our congregation. The evening was outstanding as more than 200 from the community arrived to a special set-up in the main auditorium. Scrumptious dinners were served by almost 100 volunteers from the church. Lots of sharing, lots of interaction, lots of connection. And everyone was thankful. Very thankful. One woman told me upon her arrival that she was so lonely. At the end of the evening she assured me that loneliness was no longer an immediate concern.
My heart's full. People giving their possessions for strangers. People giving their time in service. People giving their lives for others. And I'm thankful as I see so many blessings around me. It's easy to become cynical in my world, and much of what I see and experience has the capability to color it with some pretty ugly hues. But Friday reminded me that good blossoms in even the grayest of situations, and that people have the ability to do good when need presents itself. And why not? It goes back to image in which we were made, doesn't it? That image is a good one, always initiating, always giving, always blessing, always connecting. And that gives me hope.
As Mike and I sat crying over the loss of his daughter, I turned to him and said, "You know, someday you'll have to forgive the man who killed your daughter. Because you're a Christian now, you'll need to ask God for that kind of forgiveness. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but someday..." Mike nodded in silence as we continued to sit, talk and pray together that early morning.
The next day Mike was sitting there again. Crying again, though not like the day before. As I sat with him, he told me that he'd called his wife and told her to sell his guns. He didn't need to come home because he'd forgiven the drunk driver that had hit and killed his little girl. In that moment, I knew that Mike followed Jesus. I told him that he might be more of a Christian than I, since I'm not sure I could have offered that kind of forgiveness that quickly. Mike's face reflected a peace he had only recently come to know. he was a new man, and it showed.
I think it was near the end of that week that our Community Assistance team decided that Mike needed to go home. He wasn't completely free of alcohol yet, but they felt he should be with his family. He nervously (and probably a bit reluctantly) agreed, so they purchased a ticket and placed him on a 29-hour bus ride to Green Bay. Those 29 hours became five days as Mike had to get off in Chicago and go to the hospital. But he did make it back to Green Bay, where he has called me periodically since. Here's a compilation of some things that have taken place in the years since he left (kinda chronologically, as I remember them):
- Mike was reconciled with his daughters, and they and his ex-wife forgave him; - he turned himself in for some old outstanding warrants and did his jail time, so that he'd have no more trouble from his past; - he found a roommate, a job and a church; - he had people repeatedly ask him if he was high because they saw something so different in his eyes, and he would use the question as a chance to tell them how Jesus had changed him; - he had someone help him get new front teeth (his were missing from too many fights!); - he called to tell me that he and ex-wife had become good friends again, even though she didn't want to remarry him; - severalmonths later he called to let me know that he and his ex actually did get remarried! - he got a great job managing a tire store, and they were sending throughout the region for training opportunities; - he and his "new" wife were getting ready to buy a house!
Not every story turns out like Mike's, I know that. But I also know that if God can change a man like this, he can change anyone who's willing to come to him. And with that example emblazoned in my heart, I remain encouraged as we spend time with those around us, telling them about the hope to be found in Christ. The hope that Mike found. The same hope that's available to them. And we'll keep sharing. Because we never know just when or how God's gonna show up.
And when the next Mike will be sitting across from us.
I want you to watch this video. It speaks volumes about the need of our time and those who are willing to do something about it. And it was done by my assistant (and great friend), Robert Crews, and his daughter, Kathryn. I think you'll be moved.
The first event took place (actually, it culminated) during the afternoon. The local 7-11 down the street from the church had been conducting a canned food drive for our Pantry ministry the last couple of weeks. It was one of those "Bring a can, get a free hot dog" kind of thing. And they got rid of a lot of dogs! The owner, a gracious man named Ranji (on left, wearing turban), asked if I could come to receive the cans and join in the festivities. Ranji is generous and wanted to give back to the community. He decided to hook up with us because he knew that we provide food regularly to people in need.
When I got to the 7-11 parking lot, people were everywhere, and plastic tubs of food were piled high. A DJ spun music at an extremely high decibel level, a jumper consumed small children, and free food and soft drinks were being devoured everywhere. Ranji hugged me as he excitedly showed me the food that had been collected. Kids kept arriving with more cans, and the inside of the store was as full of people as the outside.
Ranji told me that his dream was to see the community helping its own, and that he wanted to develop an ongoing partnership with us. As I mingled with people, I was reminded that there really is only one race on earth, the human race. That we have the ability to lift each other, strengthen each other and make a difference in each other's lives. And I saw again the great value of a church that is connected with those around it. Our involvement with people at basic life levels helps them understand God's concern for them, and gives us a platform to continue sharing life with them.
A short while later we gathered at the church for our monthly Community Supper. November's Supper is special, as we serve a full Thanksgiving dinner, thanks to the generous donations of our congregation. The evening was outstanding as more than 200 from the community arrived to a special set-up in the main auditorium. Scrumptious dinners were served by almost 100 volunteers from the church. Lots of sharing, lots of interaction, lots of connection. And everyone was thankful. Very thankful. One woman told me upon her arrival that she was so lonely. At the end of the evening she assured me that loneliness was no longer an immediate concern.
