Day 1--March 10, 2007

As I pulled out of PLD’s baseball field parking lot I began bumping to Jeremy Camp’s Worship Album. It wasn’t until I got on I-64 that it hit me that I was actually doing this. I was actually going to Philadelphia by myself. Not only would I be going by myself to a major city, but I was going to be located at one of the most dangerous neighborhoods of America—the K&A, Kensington and Allegheny intersection. I had heard of Kensington before from a video I watched in class. Just weeks after seeing that video and hearing it talk about a poverty-stricken neighborhood, I discovered that the connection I had in Philly (Salvation Army) would be just a few blocks down. As I drove on I-64 I was screaming with excitement on the inside with this huge grin on my face. I got this feeling on the inside, sort of like when your heart flutters when you’re in love. I was excited yet I didn’t have one clue as to what to expect. I had never been in the city, I don’t know what the city or the people are like. I was oblivious to what could come my way. Any insecurities I felt was comforted by a depiction of cavalry’s hill somewhere along I-64 off to my left. The sun was just going down as I looked to my left and saw three crosses—they stood out as if I was in a 3D movie with those special glasses.

That night God gave me his first sign that he was looking after me. I had picked up two books of hotel coupons at a rest area somewhere in WV. Of all the pages of hotel coupons from both books, a total of 3 pages were dedicated to WV. I hadn’t planned on stopping at a hotel, but the Salvation Army officers weren’t going to be in until Sunday and I wanted to spend Sunday checking out the place. So with a 11 hour drive, I figured I should just leave after Matt’s ball game Saturday, stay the night, get up in the morning and drive the rest of the way and then have rest of Sunday afternoon to see the place. Because I celebrated my birthday with my family before I left, I got 100 dollars added to my stash. This allowed me to make my final decision to stay at a hotel because I had wanted to spend about 100 dollars a day in Philly (I had 500 dollars with me), so the extra 100 gave me some cushion to stay at a hotel without taking away from my “Philly money.” Yet still, I did not want to pay 60 dollars to stay one night. I would want all the money I could have to spend on the homeless, Gatorade, and whatever else may come up. Thus, the reasons for searching out coupons. I found one for Country Club Motor Lodge a few miles off the interstate in Fairmont, WV for 32.95. As I pulled off the exit, I looked at the coupon for directions. This time, I saw the expiration date: 2/28/07. All the coupons in both books expired on February 28, 2007. I was 10 days too late. Great, now I don’t know what it’s going to cost, I thought. I pulled into the lodge and stepped into the office. A middle-aged Indian woman came to the desk to assist. I plopped the coupon on the desk and jokingly complained that I had found this coupon and just realized it expired anyways! She took one look at the coupon and said, “that’s fine, 32.95 it is.” I choose to believe that God’s gracious hand was on me and the woman found favor with me.

Before I called it the night, I got on the internet to check in with friends and family because my phone had no service. I talked to a few friends on IM and they asked if I was still going alone. I explained that unfortunately, yes, I was—my partner had to back out because of a job he just started. I then asked her (Erica) how she felt about that. I knew Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs and that was always the thought that was holding me back. I value her maturity and discipline in Christ, so I wanted to know her thoughts. She understood what I meant, but also said that if I knew I was answering the call of God, then I’m doing the right thing. She then reassured me that there is still the possibility of finding a partner once I arrive in Philly. She was right. God called me to Philly and to second guess that would do me harm. I had been thinking of Philly for 6-7 months! I could easily have backed out, using the excuse that I had no one to go with. But I didn’t. I asked for danger, and God answered by giving me a call to Philly, to the K&A. I would not back down from the call.