I went back to visit Ronald (see "A Dead Turtle and Love").
Ronald owns a house in downtown Kalamazoo. He assured me that the turtle was a one time thing, but it isn't uncommon to see people hanging around his porch every evening. Ronald is the youngest of his siblings and was always known as "the screw up", but God has changed his life and he is now looking out for the rest of his family, or whomever happens to show up at his door. He has been "clean" for three years, but remembers what it was like to be at his very lowest and doesn't believe in just leaving people to figure it out on their own.
Of course, Ronald doesn't have it all figured out himself and I'm sure he doesn't always make the best decisions. He uses language that I'm not used to hearing in the same sentence as talking about the goodness of God, but I know without a doubt that he loves Jesus and he is being used to touch the lives of others. I have been amazed by the impact that Ronald has as a father figure in this neighborhood. Please join me in praying for him and all those that find their way to his door.
"I used to be a drug addict….No, that's not true. I am a drug addict, because the truth is that I am one joint away from being right back where I was. That is why I need Jesus." -Ronald
We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7
