Written About a Week Ago.
I didnt realize this week how much I
really missed the WR environment. Every day is a new adventure and
you never quite know what youre going to see or find in and
outside of ministry.
Ive had the chance to bounce back
and forth between two different ministries during my first week in
Ponce, Puerto Rico. The first being a soup kitchen, but one that
goes above and beyond providing a couple of meals. Theyve got
showers, they have an entire room upstairs stuffed to the brim with
clothing donations they hand out, plus they provide laundry services
for the homeless population they serve. Its an incredible set up.
Our first day involved cleaning tables, serving food, and building
relationships with anyone interested in talking to us.
On day one, I found myself chatting a
lot with one man in particular. Who he was. About cars. Or any
other topic which interested him. Really a vibrant and outgoing
person. Incredibly friendly. I eventually got pulled into some
other things for ministry and he remained at one of the table booths.
From there, he overdosed on some unknown drug and became completely
unresponsive. Even as the EMTs worked on him and eventually wheeled
him out, there werent many signs of life.
I dont know what was more
disturbing. The fact that it happened, or the fact that it wasnt
a big deal to anyone there. Its the norm. People OD all the time
and nobody bats an eye other than to call the paramedics to come take
care of him.
On day two I went with the other team
to their ministry site. A drug rehab center. A place for men to
relearn to take care of themselves, become independent, have some
spiritual guidance, and eventually get back on their feet. Some are
checked in voluntarily while others were ordered by the courts.
I was greeted immediately by a man in
his early 30s who was quite excited to see us. Later I had a chance
to sit down and speak with him a bit more over lunch. After some
chatter, he stops and gets really serious with the three of us
sitting there with him. He turns to Matt on the squad and says, I
was leaving today. I was packed up and ready to go because I
couldnt do it anymore. Then I looked out my window and saw you
here getting out of the van. You dont have to be here with us,
but you are anyways. Because of that I decided I am going to stay.
Heres the thing, if you leave this
rehab facility. You can come back, but you start over from the
beginning. Starting over could mean a couple extra years.
God doesnt always need us to do
something. He doesnt need us to always say something.
Sometimes you just need to show up and let Him do the rest.
That first day at the soup kitchen was
hard, because what I saw there was people who were defeated. Most of
society gave up on them. They gave up on their selves. But I dont
think they are condemned to it.
And my second day? Some of the men
there spent time eating at that same exact soup kitchen. Previously
stuck in the same place. Now they were men choosing to better
themselves. Better their lifestyle. Change their situation. The
reality is that not all of them will. 3 have left in the past few
days. But things are not as dead end as they appear, and for quite a
few, the future is going to be a brighter one.
Two days. Two vastly different places
and situations. And I see God all over both.
From Puerto Rico with love!!!!
