Day 4--March 13, 2007

Today was just four more hours of basketball plus a few hours of cleaning. I came into the Salvation Army for a cooler in the morning and while I was there I figured it’d be good to help out around the place. I knew I had a few hours before Mike would call me. Major told me it would be of great help if I could clean the stairwells. He explained that they had a janitor, but he is only part time and usually cannot get around to everything. He also told me that a Catholic school from a somewhat rich neighborhood was coming next week to help clean the corps (windows and new curtains). I hope that when they come they also spend some time in the streets in ministry, but I doubt that will happen due to “safety precautions”—one reason I did not do this through an organization. Screw safety—that hinders God’s ministry. But I understand when you take a group of kids/students or whatever you do have an obligation to keep them safe for their parents and all. But still, it stands in the way, in my opinion.
When I took a break from cleaning the stairwells, I again hear the phrase “Man, you are crazy.” This time it came from Luie Colon. Luie is a member of the SA and around my age. He grew up in Kensington, but as I soon found out, he got away from the place. When I talked to him about how my day went yesterday and how some people called me crazy, he said that’s exactly what he told Major after Major told him what I did. He then proceeded to tell me that he used to play ball at the same court until some shootings started going on there. Wow—and that’s where I was playing? Sweeeet. He seemed interested in what I was doing, but a little hesitant about going back to Kensington. He suggested that me and him go to this court off of Richmond Street tomorrow (he’s off work tomorrow). I was unsure of whether I should do that or not. It’s tough to get two courts in at once because they show up to play at the same time. Should I do this at more than one court and reach as many people as I can, or do I invest my time into one court and the people there? I think what I’ll do is either set Luie up on the same mission at that court and give him money for Gatorade, if he feels led to do so or encourage him to come back to the K and A court and get reconnected with his hood. He told me he knew Omar and Mike and when I asked them about Luie, they didn’t know who I was talking about at first. After thinking bout it, they finally knew who it was and said it had been that long since they seen Luie. If I could encourage Luie to just go there with me, I would feel more comfortable about these guys’ future after I left. Luie could serve as guidance for them and get them in a bible study.
After spending an hour or so on the stairwell, Mike called me up and told me to come play. So I dropped what I was doing, agreed to finish it tomorrow morning as well as mop the gym floor, got some ice for the Gatorade, and made my way to the courts. This time when I got there, a game was already going. Yesterday, Mike and I started playing at 1 and had to wait till 2:30 or 3 to play full court game. Mike had told all these guys to come play (at least at this time of day—it was 1 when I got there) cause I had sparked interest. This time all the Gatorade ran out and I got to use it as a ministry tool. Guys said no one had done something like this and some expressed true appreciation and asked if I would be back out tomorrow! Yesterday seemed like the topic was “I fear God, no man.” Today the topic was “Jesus came to serve, not to be served.” I was encouraging some guys to check out the SA or any church and explaining how much support they would get there. I explained that the cooler I got came from the SA because they supported me and them and wanted to help out. Well then one kid asked if I bought the Gatorade and when I responded “Yes” he asked how much it cost. And I told him—50 dollars a day for the Gatorade at least. I explained that I wasn’t rich, I just set aside a lot of the money I made over the summer for them. I told them, “This isn’t about me. This is for you all. I’ve spent one dollar on myself here (actually 60 cents) and the rest has been for you all. I’m resting on 76 dollars in my bank account at home, the other 600 came here. Jesus came to serve, not be served.” The expression on their face was rewarding, to know that dying to myself is what’s bringing God glory. I shared with a Muslim and I shared with a Christian. The Christian was a great witness. He said he works two jobs to keep him off the streets and out of trouble. But said he hadn’t been to church in 3 years, not since his pastor died. I was able to encourage him to go back to a church and he sounded interested in the SA. I reassured him of the hope he has and reaffirmed his faith. He got reasons to keep on truckin!
My talk with Dan tonight was very comforting as well. I explained to him the difficulties I was having. It revolved around this one question: “What’s gonna happen when I leave?” I felt bad knowing that I’m leaving Friday and when I leave, they’ll have heard the gospel, but will they have anywhere to turn for spiritual support and guidance? It’s hard for them to leave their territory/neighborhood so to get them to go to church is difficult. I’m hoping for the church to come to them with spiritual guidance and bible studies and what not—I pray that Luie can play a part in this. But Dan comforted me by reminding me not to put God in a box. God knows I was only called to go for a week and God will know what to do when I leave. I need to trust God with it all. He also gave me the idea to get some Bibles to bring out and encourage them to read them (how did I not think of that???) Hopefully the SA has some to give away, if not then guess I gotta find a store that sells them. Mary also comforted me by telling me what the prophet at her church said. The prophet there had a couple visions of me and claims he can feel this great anointment coming from me. This encourages me to continue in the Spirit.