That was the moment for me when my faith that God would actually do what I asked Him to do outweighed my doubt that He wouldn't". --Darren Wilson describing the circumstances surrounding the decision to film inside the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem as the ending to his "Father of Lights" movie in 2011.
I'm learning that major breakthroughs happen after lengthy periods of nothing happening and/or big obstacles being overcome. I have been praying and investing time in two seemingly impossible situations. One is the burned-out church at 27th and Paloma and the other is bringing the Kingdom to a group of people living in an alley near 25th and San Pedro. As with many things in this life, lengthy periods of time go by before a discernible change is observed. And....I really don't have a problem with that. Somehow, I feel these two situations are related, though I'm not sure how.
Sunday on my drive into downtown I was praying about this group of people living in the alley. By now you've read about the many trips lately I've made to see them. Their numbers are growing. Last Sunday night there were probably fifteen people actually living there. There are a couple of people living there that are confined to wheelchairs. One person, in particular, it seems that no matter what I do for this person, it's always met with a "What else you got?" kind of mentality. Not exactly the type of response one expects from a homeless person. Never a thank you or even a smile. More an attitude of expectation and entitlement than anything. I specifically prayed for this person on my way down there Sunday. Well this last Sunday I bought some burgers for them along with bottled water. It was the first time I brought food in a couple of months. I didn't have a lot of food, basically just one burger for everyone, but it was received well. Wouldn't you know, I got a "Thank-you John" from the one in the wheelchair and even a smile. One of the other guys there asked me to pray for everyone. Now at this point I was at one end of this alley community and we all gathered around to pray, about 10 of us at that point. So here we are arms around each others shoulders others holding hands and I prayed for peace and safety to come down here. Pretty much a typical prayer I would pray for these folks. Everything was fine, people were smiling and happy. The guy that had told everyone to gather around, he and I went back to talking to each other. Then about five minutes later, the person in the wheelchair that had been so uncharacteristically pleasant to me, started getting into it with a few of the others to the point where blows were exchanged! This initial fight was broken up, but a few minutes later another person got into it with the wheel chair person. I kept praying for peace during this time and momentarily things would quiet down and then flair up again. Carmen told me it happens every night. I'm not sure what to make of it. I know if the Kingdom is making en roads into a community, the Enemy will come to fight over the territory. Perhaps, that is an acknowledgement that something there is worth fighting for (spiritually speaking ). I walked away during one of the lulls in the fighting and walked back towards my car. Becky had come back and she and I talked for a while before I left. It was a strange and yet troubling trip. I had experienced quite a high when the person in the wheelchair was so thankful towards me and when we had all gathered around to pray together. Remember I didn't even ask them to gather for prayer, they asked me! But then the reality of too many people living so close to one another and the difficulties of living in so much need sparked anger and bitterness flared up. Side by side, the tares and the wheat grow up together. I'll keep praying and fighting (spiritually) for their souls. I'm committed to interceding for them.
When I left them, it was well into the night. The burned-out church had not changed any since the last week. I prayer-walked the neighborhood before leaving. I am reminded of Paul's admonition to the Ephesian church where in Chapter 6:12 he writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." There are several descriptions in the New Testament of Paul entering a city and initially everything was going well and then all of the sudden it was as if a switch was turned and people became hostile to his message. I didn't experience hostility towards me, but hostilities definitely broke out. It was disturbing, but I recognize it for what it is and will keep working the area. I will not be deterred. --Until next time. John
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Sunday night-9/27/15
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." --Ephesians 3:20
and that's Becky on the right
The next two photos, first one taken looking towards San Pedro St and the one below it looking back down the alley the other way.
When I first got there and got out I sat down on some mattresses next to a guy named Peter. I asked him how he was doing (I've know Peter for a couple of years now). He said he was depressed, but didn't say exactly why. I was called away right after that and didn't get to talk further with him about what was bothering him. He asked if I had a couple of dollars to get some food, but I didn't have any cash left on me. There was a large crowd gathered around the back of the car and on the other side of the car where the water was. One of the guys from last week wanted me to pray for them right then, but I thought it best to wait until the crowd around the car had died down. The regulars to that alley were all there, and Hiram who lives in an SRO a short distance away was there too. I had been there about forty minutes when some tempers flared in one of the 'apartments'. I was, at the time, standing and talking with Hiram. I immediately started praying for peace to overcome the place. As it turned out the woman who was upset, was Judy (Nicky's friend). She was upset, oddly enough, over the guy who got the Pine Sol and had started using it around his place. Apparently, she is allergic to the stuff. Well, she just moved away from that area and all was well. I told everyone about the lunar eclipse (Blood Moon) that was to occur shortly, but it was kind of doubtful they would see it given the limited view of the sky they had in that alley.
I've said many times in these blogs that I try and bring the Kingdom of God down to earth for these folks. Earlier today I was watching a short video about an after school activity center that some Christians are running in Jackson, Mississippi. They explained it as a place where the kids in the neighborhood can come and feel safe and be loved just for who they are. They are told who Jesus is and that He loves them and wants the best for their lives. One woman summed it up best at the end with the statement,"It's a place where God can do miraculous things in their hearts." It is the same idea and place I try to provide for these folks each time I see them. It's not an overnight fix, and certainly takes time to develop a trusting relationship between them and me. They need to see me acting consistently on their behalf and as an ambassador for Christ. I have to faithfully and gently portray Christ, in perhaps, a way they have never seen before, but still represents Him not only faithfully, but as someone they want to get to know.
After leaving the alley, I drove over to the burned out church. It was now completely dark and I prayed in front of the church for quite a while. No one came by and there appeared to be no changes in the general appearance to the church. I have learned through experience that things may not appear to be changing on the outside, but God works in different ways and I'm willing to trust His timetable. Unfortunately, I won't be able to go downtown next Sunday, so --Until next time. John
Sunday night was more or less a repeat of the last few trips downtown except I reversed the order and went to the alley on 25th and San Pedro first. I got there before the sun went down so the folks there could go through the clothes I brought while there was still light left. Someone at work had given me two large trash bags filled with women's clothes and they went pretty fast. There were a lot of people there since it was close to night time. I haven't brought any food with me the last month or so due to lack of resources, but I did bring a lot of bottled water. No one's complained about the lack of food, but the water sure is a hit. I brought 35 bottles and 20 lbs of ice. In fact, I had more ice than the chest could hold with all the water bottles, so some of the ice was still in a bag sitting on top. Someone took the bag too (for later no doubt). I had even bought a bottle of Pine Sol (unopened) and had it on the floor by the back seat and someone asked me if they could have it to clean around their living quarters. I long ago made the commitment that if I brought it in the car, it was up for grabs. This alley, as I said, is really home to a lot of people and other homeless folks come by to hang-out. During my time there, Nicky, her friend Judy and Carmen came by. Nicky was the one who helped me serve all the people when I had the dinner on the street corner last November. Here's some photos of my stop Sunday:
That's Hiram in the back of the car....He's a big guy!
When I first got there and got out I sat down on some mattresses next to a guy named Peter. I asked him how he was doing (I've know Peter for a couple of years now). He said he was depressed, but didn't say exactly why. I was called away right after that and didn't get to talk further with him about what was bothering him. He asked if I had a couple of dollars to get some food, but I didn't have any cash left on me. There was a large crowd gathered around the back of the car and on the other side of the car where the water was. One of the guys from last week wanted me to pray for them right then, but I thought it best to wait until the crowd around the car had died down. The regulars to that alley were all there, and Hiram who lives in an SRO a short distance away was there too. I had been there about forty minutes when some tempers flared in one of the 'apartments'. I was, at the time, standing and talking with Hiram. I immediately started praying for peace to overcome the place. As it turned out the woman who was upset, was Judy (Nicky's friend). She was upset, oddly enough, over the guy who got the Pine Sol and had started using it around his place. Apparently, she is allergic to the stuff. Well, she just moved away from that area and all was well. I told everyone about the lunar eclipse (Blood Moon) that was to occur shortly, but it was kind of doubtful they would see it given the limited view of the sky they had in that alley.
I've said many times in these blogs that I try and bring the Kingdom of God down to earth for these folks. Earlier today I was watching a short video about an after school activity center that some Christians are running in Jackson, Mississippi. They explained it as a place where the kids in the neighborhood can come and feel safe and be loved just for who they are. They are told who Jesus is and that He loves them and wants the best for their lives. One woman summed it up best at the end with the statement,"It's a place where God can do miraculous things in their hearts." It is the same idea and place I try to provide for these folks each time I see them. It's not an overnight fix, and certainly takes time to develop a trusting relationship between them and me. They need to see me acting consistently on their behalf and as an ambassador for Christ. I have to faithfully and gently portray Christ, in perhaps, a way they have never seen before, but still represents Him not only faithfully, but as someone they want to get to know.
After leaving the alley, I drove over to the burned out church. It was now completely dark and I prayed in front of the church for quite a while. No one came by and there appeared to be no changes in the general appearance to the church. I have learned through experience that things may not appear to be changing on the outside, but God works in different ways and I'm willing to trust His timetable. Unfortunately, I won't be able to go downtown next Sunday, so --Until next time. John
Monday, September 21, 2015
Sunday afternoon-9/20/15
"From my darkest to the very greatest of times, God has always been there." --Posting on facebook from GodFruits --Sept. 19, 2015
It was another hot September day downtown. I had brought some bottled water on ice and got down there at about 3:30 pm. I had two objectives, one was to prayer-walk around the neighborhood of the burned out church on 27th and Paloma and the other was to give out the bottled water to my friends living in the alley near 25th and San Pedro. Due to the heat, when I prayer-walked the neighborhood around the church hardly anyone was outside. Since I found out what happened to the church through the news report still posted on the internet, I knew more than most of the folks who lived around there. Remember, its been almost exactly three years since the fire. When I finished walking around the neighborhood I lingered for a while praying in front of the church. The flyers I had seen last week were still up, but were fading in the hot sun. I got in my car and decided to give the only phone number I had for the pastor another shot. I had called it a couple of times on Tuesday and Wednesday, but no one answered. I tried calling again. Would you believe it, Mary, the pastor's wife, answered the phone! I had to quickly give her some kind of an idea who I was and why I was calling before she thought I was some kind of a crack-pot and hung up. Anyway, the Lord gave me favor and she heard my story of how I started prayer-walking in this neighborhood and found their church. I mainly wanted to make sure she knew that the flyers they put up a week ago were such a blessing to me to see and I felt if Pastor Lawrence knew that God had raised up someone that he didn't know and wasn't even living in the neighborhood to pray for this church that it might be a blessing to him as well. I realized that these last three years have, no doubt, been a very difficult time for the both of them. I told her of the quote I read on facebook. I used it to start this blog. I hope that sometime soon I can meet with Pastor Lawrence at the church site and pray with him for his church.
I left there and went over to the alley by 25th and San Pedro. On the way over there I saw Becky pushing her shopping cart with one of her dogs walking along side her. I gave her some water and she encouraged me to stop by to see the others. When I got there, there were probably 10 people in the alley. I didn't have any food (well six cans of vegetables), the rest of the bottled water and some clothes in the back of the car. I got out and opened the back up. You may remember me telling you about Billy who I met for the first time there about two weeks ago. I prayed with him and Miguel the last time and noticed Billy had some rather obvious struggles in life. Sunday he told everyone I was his best buddy! That is a testimony to the power of prayer for people in these situations. There were others there that I've known for a long time now, Pete, Hiram and a couple of other guys who I can't think of there names right now. They asked me if I "had a Word for them". I said "Of course I do." and held out my arms and started praying for them right then. There was a passage in the New Testament that I read a couple of days ago, but can't seem to find now, about how God will change your desires and passions to conform to his image. Anyway, I used this verse loosely and intertwined it with how powerful the name of Jesus is in overcoming temptations and difficult situations in our lives if we will just speak His name. When I finished you would have thought Billy Graham had just spoken.....the prayer was anointed and touched their hearts. It was all God's doing, praise be to Him.
All in all, it was a short, but powerful trip. I promised to be back next Sunday. I'm looking forward to it that's for sure. Until next time. John
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Monday evening-9/14/2015
"Jesus told his disciples: 'Have faith in God! If you have faith in God and don't doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.'" --Mark 11:22-24
My last trip was two weeks ago Sunday. I had promised one of my homeless friends, Willie, that I would be back this Monday evening (I worked last weekend), and we'd meet in the alley we were standing in. I thought it was doubtful that he would be there, but I wanted to hold up my end of the agreement. I went down the alley a couple of times but no Willie. I did help another homeless man and decided I'd better try the other alley a little south of this one, but he wasn't there either. I did help a few other homeless folks in that alley too.
For those who have followed the last couple of these blogs, I have been prayer-walking in an area south of Washington Blvd between San Pedro Ave and Central Ave. Specifically, by a corner of Paloma and 27th. Three Sundays ago I found a church that had been burned up there. I have asked people around there, but no one really seems to know what happened. Even when it happened was some kind of a mystery. The first info I had was it happened 6 months to a year ago. Monday night when I parked in front of the church there was a woman getting in her car and leaving and I was able to ask her what she knew. She said she had been working there for three years and the church was like that when she first started coming there. She appeared to be a hospice nurse for someone living a few doors down the street. I walked back to the church and started praying. While praying I noticed some flyers taped to the iron fence around the building. I didn't pay any attention to them at first, but then happened to notice a banner across the top saying, "We're Still Here!!! We're Coming Back Soon" I looked again and sure enough it was a flyer from the pastor, a Lawrence Magee. No other details, just a couple of bible verses at the bottom. Here is what I saw:
You can understand how my prayers for this place received a jolt from the Kingdom of Heaven after seeing this. I had to remind myself that this flyer wasn't there the last two (only) times I've been here. I saw a couple of women talking across the street a ways and asked them if they knew what had happened to the church, but they hadn't been living there long enough to know. One of the ladies said the manager of the place where they were living had just left and she would probably know, So I left my phone number with her, but haven't heard back yet.
OK, so next up was to go visit Hiram who is now living in a SRO on 21st. When I found the place it wasn't at all what I expected. I expected to see an old run down converted hotel, but this was a two story duplex with an iron fence in the front and a freshly mowed yard. It appeared to be pretty well taken care of although it wasn't a 'new' place. This neighborhood is pretty old. There was a woman sitting on the porch steps smoking a cigarette. Her name was Sharon and there was a dog (pit bull I think) with diaper on named Harley laying down near her. I asked about Hiram and she confirmed that he lived there, but wasn't home at the time. We talked for probably 15-20 minutes and I told her how I knew Hiram. There were two places on the property, one was for women and one was for men. She said there were sixteen people living there. I also told her I had given a dinner about a year ago on the street corner where Hiram lived at the time. She said I could have a BBQ at this place anytime. I couldn't believe it, but said perhaps in November we could do something there. Between now and then I'll have to make a few visits to this place and get to know her and the others better. I only talked to her (nobody else came out) on Monday.
So my original intent was to get into this neighborhood and bring the Kingdom to the people. The only way I knew how was to start prayer-walking and let God take care of the rest. So after three trips this is what's happened. Remember, my conversations with the neighbors is another aspect of this work that should not be discounted. I actually told the two women across the street from the church that I was led to pray in front of the church just three weeks (and two visits) prior. They saw these flyers up for the first time too. I even told Sharon at the SRO house! Testimonies are a valid and vital part in advancing the Kingdom. Testimonies are written and repeated all through the bible. Current and personal testimonies speak volumes to people in our culture today.
So when I got home I googled the pastor's name and found a news clip from NBC local news from about 3 years ago about this church and the fire. Here is what happened:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Crouch-Memorial-Church-Pentecostal-Fire-LAFD-Los-Angeles-226957031.html
So I will continue pray and to try and contact Pastor Magee. I'm hoping that when he hears that someone whom he doesn't know and who has no connection with his church is praying for him and his church that it will serve as a great encouragement just as me seeing the flyers taped to the fence in front of the church did for me. I'll keep prayer-walking. Until next time. --John
My last trip was two weeks ago Sunday. I had promised one of my homeless friends, Willie, that I would be back this Monday evening (I worked last weekend), and we'd meet in the alley we were standing in. I thought it was doubtful that he would be there, but I wanted to hold up my end of the agreement. I went down the alley a couple of times but no Willie. I did help another homeless man and decided I'd better try the other alley a little south of this one, but he wasn't there either. I did help a few other homeless folks in that alley too.
For those who have followed the last couple of these blogs, I have been prayer-walking in an area south of Washington Blvd between San Pedro Ave and Central Ave. Specifically, by a corner of Paloma and 27th. Three Sundays ago I found a church that had been burned up there. I have asked people around there, but no one really seems to know what happened. Even when it happened was some kind of a mystery. The first info I had was it happened 6 months to a year ago. Monday night when I parked in front of the church there was a woman getting in her car and leaving and I was able to ask her what she knew. She said she had been working there for three years and the church was like that when she first started coming there. She appeared to be a hospice nurse for someone living a few doors down the street. I walked back to the church and started praying. While praying I noticed some flyers taped to the iron fence around the building. I didn't pay any attention to them at first, but then happened to notice a banner across the top saying, "We're Still Here!!! We're Coming Back Soon" I looked again and sure enough it was a flyer from the pastor, a Lawrence Magee. No other details, just a couple of bible verses at the bottom. Here is what I saw:
You can understand how my prayers for this place received a jolt from the Kingdom of Heaven after seeing this. I had to remind myself that this flyer wasn't there the last two (only) times I've been here. I saw a couple of women talking across the street a ways and asked them if they knew what had happened to the church, but they hadn't been living there long enough to know. One of the ladies said the manager of the place where they were living had just left and she would probably know, So I left my phone number with her, but haven't heard back yet.
OK, so next up was to go visit Hiram who is now living in a SRO on 21st. When I found the place it wasn't at all what I expected. I expected to see an old run down converted hotel, but this was a two story duplex with an iron fence in the front and a freshly mowed yard. It appeared to be pretty well taken care of although it wasn't a 'new' place. This neighborhood is pretty old. There was a woman sitting on the porch steps smoking a cigarette. Her name was Sharon and there was a dog (pit bull I think) with diaper on named Harley laying down near her. I asked about Hiram and she confirmed that he lived there, but wasn't home at the time. We talked for probably 15-20 minutes and I told her how I knew Hiram. There were two places on the property, one was for women and one was for men. She said there were sixteen people living there. I also told her I had given a dinner about a year ago on the street corner where Hiram lived at the time. She said I could have a BBQ at this place anytime. I couldn't believe it, but said perhaps in November we could do something there. Between now and then I'll have to make a few visits to this place and get to know her and the others better. I only talked to her (nobody else came out) on Monday.
So my original intent was to get into this neighborhood and bring the Kingdom to the people. The only way I knew how was to start prayer-walking and let God take care of the rest. So after three trips this is what's happened. Remember, my conversations with the neighbors is another aspect of this work that should not be discounted. I actually told the two women across the street from the church that I was led to pray in front of the church just three weeks (and two visits) prior. They saw these flyers up for the first time too. I even told Sharon at the SRO house! Testimonies are a valid and vital part in advancing the Kingdom. Testimonies are written and repeated all through the bible. Current and personal testimonies speak volumes to people in our culture today.
So when I got home I googled the pastor's name and found a news clip from NBC local news from about 3 years ago about this church and the fire. Here is what happened:
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Crouch-Memorial-Church-Pentecostal-Fire-LAFD-Los-Angeles-226957031.html
So I will continue pray and to try and contact Pastor Magee. I'm hoping that when he hears that someone whom he doesn't know and who has no connection with his church is praying for him and his church that it will serve as a great encouragement just as me seeing the flyers taped to the fence in front of the church did for me. I'll keep prayer-walking. Until next time. --John
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Sunday downtown-8/30/15
"I've heard You call my name
I've heard the song of love that You sing
So I will let you draw me out beyond the shore
Into your grace
Cause you make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
Cause you make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the Love that made a way.."
---Amanda Cook & Bethel Music "You Make Me Brave"
You can see the all the lyrics to this song when watching the video, just click on 'show more".
Yeah, I really like this song, especially the words about being called 'out beyond the shore into the waves". Sunday was week two on the Emmaus Road. I decided to start by going to the burned out church in the photo from last week and start praying there. I drove around and around and around the area, but couldn't find it. I finally gave up and parked and started prayer walking where I was. I said, "Lord, I know you can redeem this time, so help me out here, please." I walked a couple of blocks and some people were going out to their cars so I decided to just ask them if they knew where the church was. I showed them the picture on my phone. Well, they knew exactly where it was and it was exactly where I thought it was. Only problem was, I WASN'T WHERE I THOUGHT I WAS! I thanked them and then drove about two or so blocks west (on the west side of Central) and there it was. I parked and got out and started praying there in front of this church reclaiming the area for His glory. There is a wrought iron fence around most of the building and a chain link fence in the back. As I walked around it I saw in the back the area were the little kids would have their meeting rooms. I was heartbroken for these kids as the church was no doubt a center of life for a lot of families. There is no sign in front saying what kind of denomination this church was so I have no way of knowing how to contact the pastor. I found out the church burned about 6 months to a year ago. I had walked across the street (the church is on the corner of 27th and Paloma) to ask a man washing his car in front of his house (behind another wrought iron fence) what he knew about the church, but he didn't really know anything or at least wasn't saying anything. He said he was at work when it burned. I noticed when I was driving around that there are a lot of small neighborhood churches in the area (and I mean a lot). I'll start asking the ones closest if they know anything about what happened to the pastor and the congregation.
When I left the church, I drove by 25th and San Pedro, but once again the people I used to know who lived there aren't there anymore. I slowly drove passed the next alley north and saw Becky and others in that alley, so I stopped and backed into the alley. While I talked to Becky I heard some tapping on my car window. It turned out to be Hiram who used to be one of the folks who lived on 25th! He has since gotten an SRO (single room occupancy) place on Hooper and 21st. I was so happy to see him. I noticed immediately (and asked him) "Have you lost weight?" Hiram's a couple inches taller than me and was probably over 300-lbs for a while. He looks a lot better, I just need to find him some clothes and pair of size 15 shoes! He said where he stays they feed you 3 meals a day, but the quantity and quality isn't the best, hence the weight loss. Becky told me that a year or so ago she was walking by that church when it was burning! She didn't know anything about what happened either other than it was an African American church. It's mostly, but not exclusively, a Latino area, so I don't know if that figured into anything or not. Hiram said that a lot of the churches in the area are very old and probably of historical importance to the area. So while I was there in the alley I let the folks go through the clothes in the back of the car and I handed out cold bottled water. I hadn't brought any food, but it was another really hot day and the cold water was a big hit. One of the highlights of the trip was meeting a new guy in that alley by the name of Billy. Billy is about my age with long gray shoulder length hair. I had given him and another man named Miguel some bottled water. After I introduced myself to Billy I held out my hand to him and Miguel and offered to pray for them. So Miguel got up and came over and the three of us held hands and I prayed for them. I noticed later, after walking back to the folks by my car, that Billy kept turning away and lighting up something in a corner. I asked Hiram about it and he confirmed my suspicions about what Billy was doing. All I can say is I hope I see Billy again soon. I hope to pray with him again and develop a relationship with him. I don't like to describe and identify anyone by one thing that they do. We are all a lot more complex than that, but Billy does seem to a have a substance abuse problem. I hope I can offer him hope and a way out of it. It begins by loving him the way he is, but helping him realize and become what he can be. Hiram gave me the address of where he lives now at the SRO. I hope to visit him there. He said there are about 25 other men living there. Perhaps that is where the Emmaus Road will lead. I don't know.
One other encounter of note. When I first arrived downtown I bought some ice at a Smart and Final on Hooper St. As I drove south, I came to an alley where I have had BBQ's before. I looked down that alley and it appeared to have been cleared out by city maintenance workers. I decided to drive down it anyway even though I didn't see anyone. Well, right where I had the BBQ's I saw one of my oldest friends from the street. His name is Willie and this is right where I first met him too. In fact, that first encounter was memorable because as I drove up and saw him standing there that day six years ago I asked him if he was OK. I'll never forget his response. In a barely audible whisper he said, "I'm hungry and thirsty." I was able Sunday to give Willie a pair of pants, socks and some cold water. Unfortunately, I didn't have any food with me, but we were sure happy to see each other. It had been about 16-18 months since I saw him last. Here's a picture I took of him Sunday:
I'll be working all next weekend so I won't be able to see my friends for a couple of weeks. Please pray for them while I'm unable to visit them. Until next time. --John
Monday, August 24, 2015
Downtown 8/23/2015
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power." 1 Corinthians 2:4
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power." --1 Corinthians 4:20
Well, for a while now, I seem to be sensing the need to take these trips downtown in a different direction. It started about a year ago when I began serving the folks living on the street corner at 25th and San Pedro St. On one trip last year, a recently widowed woman and her grandchildren walked by. I was introduced to her and prayed for her and her grand kids. A couple of weeks later I found out where she lived down the block on 25th street and visited her for an hour or so. Eventually, with her husband gone, she couldn't afford to stay there and she had to move out of the house. In the process I was somewhat captivated by the idea of reaching the neighborhood for Christ. I have since learned that the neighborhood is filled with gang activity and drugs. During the day it appears pretty normal, but at night it transforms into something completely different. Oddly enough, the corner where I had the 'dinner on a street corner' back in November of last year is completely empty now. There are several folks living in the next alley up San Pedro and I've driven down that alley a couple of times now and served them. However, I've come to a couple of conclusions about reaching the area. First and foremost it requires a lot of prayer. I ran across a quote from a man named Arthur Tappan Pierson (1837-1911). He was well known in his day for evangelism and missions. He was also passionate in caring for the poor. He is quoted as saying, "Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer." I have noticed that two of the highlights of my six years of going downtown began with prayer walking. The first was prayer walking down Cloud Nine Alley five years ago. Six weeks later I was standing and speaking to the congregation of a new church started a couple of weeks after I started prayer walking. Then a couple of years ago, after witnessing a gang fight on 7th and Alvarado, and being quite troubled by it, I was lead by the Spirit to start prayer walking in MacArthur Park. Three months later I was actually preaching with some others with a microphone on the the very corner where the fight occurred. So...... Yesterday I started prayer walking around the streets of 25th and San Pedro. It's just simple obedience to my calling. What will happen? I don't have a clue. How long will it take for something to happen? I don't know. If nothing discernible happens that I can see, then the streets that I offer prayer on will be plowed up for the next person who is called to serve this area. I will have done my part. It will not be easy. Days are getting shorter and my ability to walk very far is getting harder. But there are always going to be obstacles. I used to think my inability to speak Spanish would be a problem, but the Lord seems to be able to overcome my deficiencies. That way, He gets all the glory!
Yesterday was the first trip. So what happened? Well not much. The first block I walked around there were a couple of families out on their porch/front yard area. It was evening time, around 5 pm. There were two churches on the block on the west side of San Pedro. One was having a service and the other had maybe a hundred people in the front courtyard having a summer sports camp. I had just passed by this second church when a small African-American woman came walking down the sidewalk towards me. She started talking to me and I immediately started thinking, "Oh, here we go, someone trying to hit me up for money." Eventually, that is what she wanted...bus fare to a cancer clinic in Glendale. I have no way of knowing if what she was telling me was true or not. She was trying to produce papers proving that she was to be admitted there, but hey...whatever right? Well, all I had was two bucks on me so I gave them to her. Two dollars was all I had to give, but as I started to walk away from her I thought....."Wait just a minute John. You can pray for this woman!" So I turned back and said to her, "Hey, let me pray for you before you go." So I put my arm around her shoulders and prayed for her. She put her arm around my waist. Sometimes our opportunities are right there before us and we are too lame to recognize them. Remember how we wonder that the two disciples on the Emmaus Road didn't recognize Jesus? We are just like them!!!
So eventually I drove across San Pedro St and found a place to park a block east of there. I walked around that block, but didn't encounter anyone. I did see a burned out church on a corner and took some pictures. Here they are:
I don't know the story of what happened here, but I'm going to try and find out. You know, there are a surprising number of churches in these neighborhoods. I want to find the most 'burned out' and troubled neighborhoods and prayer walk. Where hope is most needed, Christ will shine most brightly. I want to test the strength of the gospel in the most desperate neighborhoods. Here we go. The adventure begins.
I didn't buy any food yesterday, but I did buy some water and ice. It was another really hot day. I drove down into 7th and 9th streets and gave out ice water to the homeless folks. They were really thankful for it.
One other thing worth mentioning. I had heard on the news that some mentally and physically handicapped people colored 3,000 balls and released them in the lake at MacArthur Park. I drove by there yesterday to check it out. Here's the photos below. They said they would be there for a month.
---Until next time. John
PS. When I heard the report on the news, I thought the balls were going to be tennis ball size, didn't know they were going to be this big. It is very colorful. --John
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power." --1 Corinthians 4:20
Well, for a while now, I seem to be sensing the need to take these trips downtown in a different direction. It started about a year ago when I began serving the folks living on the street corner at 25th and San Pedro St. On one trip last year, a recently widowed woman and her grandchildren walked by. I was introduced to her and prayed for her and her grand kids. A couple of weeks later I found out where she lived down the block on 25th street and visited her for an hour or so. Eventually, with her husband gone, she couldn't afford to stay there and she had to move out of the house. In the process I was somewhat captivated by the idea of reaching the neighborhood for Christ. I have since learned that the neighborhood is filled with gang activity and drugs. During the day it appears pretty normal, but at night it transforms into something completely different. Oddly enough, the corner where I had the 'dinner on a street corner' back in November of last year is completely empty now. There are several folks living in the next alley up San Pedro and I've driven down that alley a couple of times now and served them. However, I've come to a couple of conclusions about reaching the area. First and foremost it requires a lot of prayer. I ran across a quote from a man named Arthur Tappan Pierson (1837-1911). He was well known in his day for evangelism and missions. He was also passionate in caring for the poor. He is quoted as saying, "Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer." I have noticed that two of the highlights of my six years of going downtown began with prayer walking. The first was prayer walking down Cloud Nine Alley five years ago. Six weeks later I was standing and speaking to the congregation of a new church started a couple of weeks after I started prayer walking. Then a couple of years ago, after witnessing a gang fight on 7th and Alvarado, and being quite troubled by it, I was lead by the Spirit to start prayer walking in MacArthur Park. Three months later I was actually preaching with some others with a microphone on the the very corner where the fight occurred. So...... Yesterday I started prayer walking around the streets of 25th and San Pedro. It's just simple obedience to my calling. What will happen? I don't have a clue. How long will it take for something to happen? I don't know. If nothing discernible happens that I can see, then the streets that I offer prayer on will be plowed up for the next person who is called to serve this area. I will have done my part. It will not be easy. Days are getting shorter and my ability to walk very far is getting harder. But there are always going to be obstacles. I used to think my inability to speak Spanish would be a problem, but the Lord seems to be able to overcome my deficiencies. That way, He gets all the glory!
Yesterday was the first trip. So what happened? Well not much. The first block I walked around there were a couple of families out on their porch/front yard area. It was evening time, around 5 pm. There were two churches on the block on the west side of San Pedro. One was having a service and the other had maybe a hundred people in the front courtyard having a summer sports camp. I had just passed by this second church when a small African-American woman came walking down the sidewalk towards me. She started talking to me and I immediately started thinking, "Oh, here we go, someone trying to hit me up for money." Eventually, that is what she wanted...bus fare to a cancer clinic in Glendale. I have no way of knowing if what she was telling me was true or not. She was trying to produce papers proving that she was to be admitted there, but hey...whatever right? Well, all I had was two bucks on me so I gave them to her. Two dollars was all I had to give, but as I started to walk away from her I thought....."Wait just a minute John. You can pray for this woman!" So I turned back and said to her, "Hey, let me pray for you before you go." So I put my arm around her shoulders and prayed for her. She put her arm around my waist. Sometimes our opportunities are right there before us and we are too lame to recognize them. Remember how we wonder that the two disciples on the Emmaus Road didn't recognize Jesus? We are just like them!!!
So eventually I drove across San Pedro St and found a place to park a block east of there. I walked around that block, but didn't encounter anyone. I did see a burned out church on a corner and took some pictures. Here they are:
I don't know the story of what happened here, but I'm going to try and find out. You know, there are a surprising number of churches in these neighborhoods. I want to find the most 'burned out' and troubled neighborhoods and prayer walk. Where hope is most needed, Christ will shine most brightly. I want to test the strength of the gospel in the most desperate neighborhoods. Here we go. The adventure begins.
I didn't buy any food yesterday, but I did buy some water and ice. It was another really hot day. I drove down into 7th and 9th streets and gave out ice water to the homeless folks. They were really thankful for it.
One other thing worth mentioning. I had heard on the news that some mentally and physically handicapped people colored 3,000 balls and released them in the lake at MacArthur Park. I drove by there yesterday to check it out. Here's the photos below. They said they would be there for a month.
---Until next time. John
PS. When I heard the report on the news, I thought the balls were going to be tennis ball size, didn't know they were going to be this big. It is very colorful. --John
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Late Monday downtown-8/17/2015
"I'd hate for someone to suffer because I refused to answer God's calling." Richard Stearns, from his book "The Hole in the Gospel".
I have worked an extra day for the last 4 or 5 weeks and was looking forward to having these three days (nights actually) off from work. I ended up waiting until Monday night to go and didn't leave the house until about 8:15 pm. By the time I got down there and was ready to start looking for folks its was 9:00 pm! Sometimes going so late can be a problem because people on the street are already under blankets or whatever they have and are trying to sleep. But, I was undeterred. No matter how late it is, I'm bringing the Kingdom down to the streets of L.A.
I didn't have a lot of resources this week, but knew that at least 3 or 4 people would be on Trinity St. I wasn't too far off (there were more). First there was Lee, a very diminutive older woman who lives on that street. She didn't recognize me at first, but when she did she asked for some extra food for another homeless man named Alfred who lives there with her. He came over to the car too and I was able to give out food and water to both of them. Just on down the street, where Leticia and Antonio live were two other homeless men, Victor and Cole. Now Cole I've helped a few times before. About six months ago I first met him panhandling on the corner of Washington and Grande Vista. He told me then that his roommate, at the time, had lost his job and they were about to lose their place to stay. Well, they did and now Cole has been homeless ever since. It's heartbreaking to see the actual physical changes that occur in people as they start having to live out on the street. Anyway, I gave both these men some food and water and pulled on down the street about 15 or 20 feet and stopped opposite where Leticia and Antonio were sleeping for the night. I called out to them and Antonio was the first to get up. They both came over to the car. Leticia told me that she had found a job. I really couldn't make out what it was she does, but she indicated that perhaps it will help them get a room! She asked me if I'd pray for them (she ALWAYS asks me to pray for them). I told her, "Of course I will!" and got out of the car to stand with them. I praised God and thanked Him for this opportunity she's been given to earn some money on a regular basis. While I was out of the car I walked over to the other two men, Victor and Cole, and prayed for them too. That was when Cole reminded me that we had met before. He probably didn't recognize me until I prayed with them. Victor, whom I hadn't met before asked me what my name is. Hopefully, I'll see them both again soon.
I only had a couple of burgers left and drove over to Olive St. By now it was 9:30 pm. I saw a man sleeping on a couple of mattresses right on the edge of the sidewalk. I didn't recognize him until I drove up, but his name is Carlos. He's usually had a couple of beers when I see him and tonight he woke up a little groggy. Anyway, he said he was hungry and I gave him the last of the food and some water. I prayed for him and he said, "Thank you Pappa" as I drove away.
In every encounter this night I prayed for everyone and in every case they all started eating the food given as soon as I gave it to them. I'll use trips like this as a reminder that no matter how tired I am, there are people in need, who are counting on me being obedient to my calling. Until next time. John
I have worked an extra day for the last 4 or 5 weeks and was looking forward to having these three days (nights actually) off from work. I ended up waiting until Monday night to go and didn't leave the house until about 8:15 pm. By the time I got down there and was ready to start looking for folks its was 9:00 pm! Sometimes going so late can be a problem because people on the street are already under blankets or whatever they have and are trying to sleep. But, I was undeterred. No matter how late it is, I'm bringing the Kingdom down to the streets of L.A.
I didn't have a lot of resources this week, but knew that at least 3 or 4 people would be on Trinity St. I wasn't too far off (there were more). First there was Lee, a very diminutive older woman who lives on that street. She didn't recognize me at first, but when she did she asked for some extra food for another homeless man named Alfred who lives there with her. He came over to the car too and I was able to give out food and water to both of them. Just on down the street, where Leticia and Antonio live were two other homeless men, Victor and Cole. Now Cole I've helped a few times before. About six months ago I first met him panhandling on the corner of Washington and Grande Vista. He told me then that his roommate, at the time, had lost his job and they were about to lose their place to stay. Well, they did and now Cole has been homeless ever since. It's heartbreaking to see the actual physical changes that occur in people as they start having to live out on the street. Anyway, I gave both these men some food and water and pulled on down the street about 15 or 20 feet and stopped opposite where Leticia and Antonio were sleeping for the night. I called out to them and Antonio was the first to get up. They both came over to the car. Leticia told me that she had found a job. I really couldn't make out what it was she does, but she indicated that perhaps it will help them get a room! She asked me if I'd pray for them (she ALWAYS asks me to pray for them). I told her, "Of course I will!" and got out of the car to stand with them. I praised God and thanked Him for this opportunity she's been given to earn some money on a regular basis. While I was out of the car I walked over to the other two men, Victor and Cole, and prayed for them too. That was when Cole reminded me that we had met before. He probably didn't recognize me until I prayed with them. Victor, whom I hadn't met before asked me what my name is. Hopefully, I'll see them both again soon.
I only had a couple of burgers left and drove over to Olive St. By now it was 9:30 pm. I saw a man sleeping on a couple of mattresses right on the edge of the sidewalk. I didn't recognize him until I drove up, but his name is Carlos. He's usually had a couple of beers when I see him and tonight he woke up a little groggy. Anyway, he said he was hungry and I gave him the last of the food and some water. I prayed for him and he said, "Thank you Pappa" as I drove away.
In every encounter this night I prayed for everyone and in every case they all started eating the food given as soon as I gave it to them. I'll use trips like this as a reminder that no matter how tired I am, there are people in need, who are counting on me being obedient to my calling. Until next time. John
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