Day 3--March 12, 2007

The K-Mart I went to today was quite a shock for me. As you exit the store, you first have to check out with a security guard who signs off your receipt. Then, you can’t even bring your cart to your car! Just 5-10 feet from the exit doors, there are bars/gates that carts can’t fit through. You have to place your cart in a “slot,” get your car, drive your car up to the “slot” and then finally load your car with what you got! That certainly says something about the trust and danger of the people in this neighborhood (which was not K&A). Before I left, I asked the security guard, who was around my age, if he knew if anybody would be out playing ball and where I could find a court. Now he knew I was from KY because when I was leaving I didn’t know I was supposed to check out with him and when he stopped me I told him I wasn’t familiar with the routine because I was from KY. He was shocked that I would be in this area, especially after revealing that I did not move here, I was just in for the week. He told me he didn’t think guys would be playing ball in that particular area because it was a neighborhood known for problems. There were a lot of blacks and foreign immigrants in the neighborhood and they didn’t like strangers very much. So he suggested not playing there, but instead directed me to a court where “nicer people” play. I thanked him for the directions and left disappointed that I would not find a court in that area. But, as I soon found out later, God had plans for me to be at a court in the K&A.
I searched out 3 or 4 courts with no success. No one playing and no one around to get to play. I was certain the main reason was that because school was in session, but at least now I knew where parks would be. All this time I was sort of avoiding the K&A, but more so because I was already on the other side of the area and had directions to these parks. I finally decided with no luck at these courts that God was telling me to just go to K&A. I drove around and found nothing. Then I drove back through because the first time through I noticed some guys on the streets. Something told me to go back and asked if they played ball. I went back through, saw some guys standing on the corner so I parked my car and walked up to them. “You looking for something?” Was the first thing that came out of Mike’s mouth (if you notice, I gave his name… so yes, I got to talk to him. That, and play basketball for 4 hours with him). I was just explaining that I was looking for somewhere to ball and if he wanted to play with me. He said he would, but the others backed down. He wanted to walk to the courts, so I got the ball and all the Gatorade I could carry out of my trunk. As we walked to the courts, he told me he was known around the area for his balling skills and said that he wasn’t sure if people would come out to play or not. Many may come and few may come, it all depends on how they feel. We got to the court at around 1:00. Mike said people come after school around 2:30 and then it gets real crowded around 4. We played some one on one, then two guys showed up and we played two on two. Then we played a game of h-o-r-s-e and a game of around the world. As we played, he got more curious about me. I didn’t tell him the real reason I was in Philly all alone for a week at first. I wanted to gain his trust and earn respect first. When it seemed that he was alright with me, I told him the real reason I was there. I told him how the guy in Lexington said no one would ever bring Gatorade to the courts in Philly. Mike said this was true. Then I shared my testimony and the love of Christ. But I don’t think it was my testimony that stood out the most. It was this statement: “I fear God, not people.” I had the honor of saying that several times today. The most common phrase I heard was, “Man, you crazy.” Mike told me that. Mike’s twin brother Omar told me that. Chris told me that. (Those are a couple of the guys who showed up later and we played 4 on 4 and then 5 on 5). They told me I was crazy because I just walked to the “corner.” They said that now-a-days people who look my type come that come to the streets are cops. As a matter of fact, that was the first thing Mike’s friend thought as I walked up to them. Mike had told me people will go around playing ball, doing ministry like me, but he said never alone. The fact that I would drive 11 hours to do this alone seemed to impress them. So when they tell me I’m crazy for just walking up to a corner like that, I tell them “I fear God, not people.” I began to say I would rather present the gospel and save a soul if it meant losing my own life. I quoted Mark 8:35. I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to hear the words “I can tell” after making it known you are a Christian. Before I ever witnessed or shared my story, Mike knew I was a Christian. Remember when I said I didn’t tell him the real reason I was there until after a while? Well, when I first told him why and how I was a Christian, before I could go any further he said, “I can tell.” I got to share with a few people today, and they all appreciated the Gatorade. Before I left, Mike got my number and I got his. He’s going to call me tomorrow when he gets out of school. I hope this connects me to more people. Praise Jesus.