following your gut instinct

Even though the trip had some rocky patches it was overall a success for me. The church we stayed at acts as a refuge for recovering drug addicts who are homeless or in really bad situations and have found Christ. They get to live at the church as long as they help out. All of the people there seemed really sincere and all fired up about being new Christians. They all had so many questions about everything from how to pray to moral questions. The lady I stayed with told me she no longer cared to please any man except Jesus. For me, meeting the people in the church and talking with them felt like my mission. Really though, we were there to remodel the youth room. Thankfully, I took away a lot more from the trip than paint stained jeans and splinters from the wood. I got hurt while on the trip and ended up on crutches so I really couldn't help remodel the room anyways. I think it was God's way of bringing me closer to those people. They will all forever be an inspiration to me. No matter how tough it gets, Jesus is on our side. Always keep the faith!

 

I'm all better now. My foot has a funny purplish yellow look to it, but I can walk. I can't complain cause like I said before, I think it was God's way of leading me to talk to some of the people at the church.

 

I wanted to share this experience from my trip with you all. On Dec. 31st, I met a homeless man at the church's soup kitchen. He told me he had just gotten out of jail and may have to go back. He was trying to get his life straightened out though so that he wouldn't have to go back and so that he could see his children again. I kind of gathered from him that part of his homelessness might have to do with his children and child support issues. Well, the man, while nice was fairly crude and bitter. Regardless of his attitude I sat with him for over and hour and listened to him talk. Even if I really didn't want to listen to him cuss and complain, I had a feeling not to give up on this man. Towards the end of the conversation, I informed him that the church was holding a new year's eve ceremony and that I would love to see him there. He told me that he was Catholic and had no interest in coming. We said our goodbyes then I said a little silent prayer for him. That evening, I saw him walk in at the beginning of the service. I couldn't get to him to welcome him but I kept an eye on him just to see his reactions. I thanked God for bringing that man back and prayed that he would be touched by the service. During the service, he got up a few times and would leave but would be back a couple minutes later. He looked slightly uncomfortable but yet curious and intrigued. He stayed for almost the entire service but left during the invitation. I like to believe that I opened a door for him. I pray for him all the time to get his life straight and find Christ. Please pray for him too.