Roots.

As I mentioned in the previous blog, we have established a house church that meets together once a week to bear each others’ burdens, minister to one another, and seek the face of our Father.  As we met for the first time, we each felt the sense and longing to reach out to the Hispanic community of Gainesville.  So last Wednesday, we did just that.  We partnered with another outreach ministry called Torch Ministries that visits apartment and low-income housing projects to play with the kids, feed, and share the gospel.  As we rolled up to the apartments, I was so thrilled at the opportunity to do some kind of “ministry” here in the states.  It has been so long and even though I realize the impact that my responsibilities have in mobilizing others, it is nice to plug in and engage myself from time to time.  As I was driving around the corner of the parking lot, some children were running up to our car and waving their arms.  Naturally I waved back and smiled until all of the sudden I heard something catch on my tire.  Crap.  Sure enough a ball had gotten caught under my front tire and POP, that was all she wrote.  I of course felt like an idiot and had already started rethinking “are they really gonna want to hang out with the jerk that popped their ball?”  Not the best of starts I’d say, but I apologized and we got out to meet the kids.

Less than a minute out of my car and a 15-year-old kid approached me right away.  His name was Michael.  Michael honestly could have been my kid brother.  He was short and very similarly built to me.  We talked and talked….well he talked and talked but it was so amazing to actually connect with someone and hear his story.  He had given his life to the Lord just a year ago when his coach invested into him.  I loved it.  As we were there, I “happened” to meet the head wrestling coach at Gainesville High School.  Coincidence?  Sure, I’ll let you believe that.  As we started talking, I knew that it was another opportunity that God was bringing my way.  He knows how much I love coaching and being around those high school guys, it brings so much life to me.  So after speaking with Coach Ski, it looks like I will come on board as a community coach this year.  So amazing! 

Through these two avenues, coaching and the Latino community, I feel like the Lord has definitely given me the opportunity to plant, to grow roots, and to enrich the soil.  It has been a long time since I’ve stayed put, but I am so eager to build into these relationships and to see hearts activated.