The Columbus Dream Center (CDC). This place warms my heart. It fills my soul. The CDC brings me comfort, but also pushes me out of my comfort zone. It is a source of my joy, but many who walk through its doors are going through the darkest times of their lives. I am a volunteer and others are guests, but either way, this place is a blessing to all of us.
On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the CDC provides services to the impoverished Columbus community, ranging from showers and laundry to medical care and meal nights. All at no cost to its guests. But what makes the CDC different from other homeless shelters and soup kitchens around the city is that here, we are family. It doesn’t matter if you drive a Lamborghini or a shopping cart, if you wear a blue “volunteer” shirt or dirty clothes, you are welcome here. We build relationships. We laugh together and share life with each other. Most importantly, we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this place.
Over the past couple months, I have gotten to know a guy I’ll call Joe. The first time I met him, he had a black eye. This bruise is what drew me to him. As a soon-to-be nurse, I was concerned and I wanted to know more about it. Joe proceeded to tell me that his “friend” who he lives with on the streets started to beat him one night with his cane while he was sleeping.
Guys. If you would’ve seen this sweet old man, your heart would have shattered into as many pieces as mine did when he told me this story. This innocent, vulnerable man was taken advantage of consistently and my heart couldn’t take it. What could I do to help him? Pray, yes, but I wanted to do more.
Weeks passed by, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Joe. Every time I saw him, I was drawn to him. We had many sweet conversations and I got to know him really well.
However, this past week, after talking to Joe for awhile, I got pulled away to clean up the dining area. As I went to leave our conversation I said, “Alright Joe, I’ll see you next Tuesday!”, and this time instead of saying, “See you then!”, he said, “I’m not sure I’ll be here”. Slightly taken aback, I asked him why. He proceeded to say that although he was he was embarrassed to tell me, he was planning on going to rehab for alcohol addiction.
I knew this wouldn’t be a short process (6-7 months usually), but I told him I was proud of him for taking this brave step in recovery. I knew he had been struggling for awhile, and I believe that the CDC had a big part to play in this decision. He wanted to better himself to grow into who God intended him to become. Although I was happy for him, I was slightly selfish in thinking I didn’t want him to go. This feeling intensified when he said he wouldn’t be returning after rehab either. He admitted that the people he currently hangs out with are bad influences, and if he wants to heal from his past, he needs a new beginning. That would involve moving someplace else
I completely understood Joe’s reasoning. But I also understood that this was the last time I would probably ever see him. Ugh.
The rest of the night I was upset. Honestly, I was angry at God. Out of all of the people I saw week in and week out at the CDC, why would He have a relationship grow between me and Joe if he was about to up and leave? The minute I started to feel comfortable in conversation, shared my testimony, and became vulnerable with him, he was pulled out of my life. It was upsetting.
The next morning, however, when I felt His new mercies wash over me, I realized that THIS. ISN’T. ABOUT. ME. I have no right to be upset over the fact that this man has gained great things from the CDC and is now using them to heal and grow into the person he was created to be. This is an AMAZING step and he is going to use his story to bring more to Christ. I just know it. And I am so proud of him.
At this realization, I let go of my bitterness. I prayed that God would use Joe to advance His kingdom and bring lost people out of the darkness and into His light. He will be a blessing to many!
I also realized that this is what my life will look like on the World Race. I’m sure that throughout each month I will build relationships with many locals. I will share life with them. We will laugh, cry, pray, and celebrate together. I can only imagine how incredible it will feel to gain new friends in 11 different countries around the world. I can also only imagine how difficult it will be to leave these people and cut most ties at the end of each month. Humans are relational and emotional beings. We have this desire deep within us to connect with others. Personally, I feel I have that desire magnified times 10. I want to know everyone. Not just know, but know know. When I meet a stranger, I immediately want to cut to the chase. Skip the small talk. I want to know what they struggle with so I can relate to them. I want to know what they feel called to. I want to know about their families and their interests, and what gets them out of bed in the morning (even if it’s coffee). I want to become emotionally intimate with people.
So, it is good practice to understand that I am furthering the Kingdom by loving on people and helping them identify and become the person God designed them to be. God will have His hand on them when I leave. My only job is to love those that I meet and show them the goodness of the God I know. He will do the rest.
I am your God and I will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made you and will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you. Isaiah 46:4
I know I won’t have to worry about the people we’ll be ministering to around the world, so I surely don’t have to worry about Joe. Just as I trust God to take care of me daily, I can trust Him the same way for those around me.
We serve a great God. I can’t wait to see the ways He’s going to use me on the Race.
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On this note, I am currently looking for MONTHLY partners. I greatly appreciate all of the one-time donations I have received thus far, and I am overwhelmingly blessed by the generosity of so many! However, I have a big goal to reach, and I am needing consistency. If you would like to help me in this way (first off, thank you!), here is what I need:
3 people to donate $100/month for 11 months or until I reach my fundraising goal
20 people to donate $50/month
25 people to donate $25/month
100 people to donate $10/month
Please please please share my blog with your family & friends, and click the orange subscribe button at the top of my page under my name to follow my journey! Thank you all.
With love,
Allison
