We’re all…?

"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Acts 9:6

So here’s the rundown on today’s activities. First of all, Papio Creek Church came and did all the cooking. Brought a horde of people. It was a great Sunday. The weather was a little nicer today, a little cool with a slight threat of rain, but none to be had during our time on 14th and Douglas. It was a great Sunday!! Lots of people showed up today. The day temporary day facility will be closing this week, so I’d expect even more growth in the next few weeks. And with the expected break in the weather coming, that would seem to be a natural transition for us. At least we have a little experience now. We’ve been through 2 winters so we kind of know what to expect coming into the spring. The need for boots and coats will be replaced with various other needs. Today was a day of blessings for sure though. Papio Creek had a Service Sunday today. I believe the idea is to replace their normal Sunday service, once a quarter, with an outing into the community where various opportunities are available to the church members. I think they heard of our activities through a recent news story and we hooked up for a great time today. Their motto? Church has left the building. Together, we were able to bring Church to our corner once again today and it was indeed good.

Lots of difficulties this past week. A couple of the fellows we know from our corner didn’t make it through the week. 2 fellows passed within 12 hours of each other at the Sienna Francis House shelter. Mark and Dan. Mark? 46. Dan? 39. Robin got an email a couple of days ago telling us of these 2 tragedies. I looked through my little notepad I take with me every week to see if I knew the names for sure. It’s hard to keep track of all the guys we meet because there are so many of them and also because of the transient nature of their lifestyles. I might see a guy one week and not see him for weeks or even months. And then they show up again. And we may see them every week for months or maybe not. And then you start to wonder. Whatever happened to…? I noticed that Mark was in my notebook. Sometime late last year he needed a pair of boots. Size 11. And Mark was a fellow who I wrote about once in a blog. He had some sort of medical problem on our corner a few months back and we had to call an emergency crew in to have him examined. He always had a smile on his face when I saw him. Always very grateful and appreciative of our efforts on that corner. And I believe he was pretty sick on Easter Sunday. His son asked for a to-go plate for his dad. So Robin put one together for him. That’s the last we heard of home until the email came telling us of his passing. Heartbreaking. And Dan passed this week also. 39 years young. I just saw him last Sunday. Seemed fine. It can happen that quickly. In the blink of any eye…

Got an email from a great friend of mine this week. He was disappointed in some events that had taken place last week. Disappointed in himself I suppose. In his email lots of things stood out, but one thing in particular stood out to me. He mentioned that in his troubles, a moment of clarity had come to him. In spite of all his efforts? He was still a drunk. I thought about that and it dawned on me. We’re all drunks. In some way, shape or form. All drunks with different addictions or afflictions. I could fill a book about all the things I struggle with. But for some of our friends, it just manifests itself a little more outwardly. If we are completely honest with ourselves, our own temptations are pretty crazy at times. I know mine are. I had the opportunity to listen to a podcast on Saturday about temptation. It was the first in a 4 part series from the church we attended in Charlotte. I’d recommend it to anyone who struggles with whatever temptations. I guess that would be 99% of us. So when I got the email, it was my own moment of clarity that we are all pretty messed up. I mean I knew this. It wasn’t a lightening bolt or anything. I see lots of “messed up” in a very loud manner each Sunday. But I see lots more in a not so loud manner every day in my office. People struggling with whatever situations life is dealing out. So we’re not much different than a drunken, homeless fellow in that sense. It’s just how it manifests itself. I’m probably able to hide mine a little more so than my friends downtown. Theirs is just a little more obvious. So when my friend said that “" I am what I am". A drunk. Period.”, I had to agree that most of us are.

The verse at the top was in one of my devotionals this week. One of the key words in that is “now”. Not “soon’, or when you feel up to it, or tomorrow or the next day or next week or whenever. Now. NOW. Get up and go to the city. Get up and go. Don’t’ sit back and wait for direction. Get up and go. NOW. And you will be told what you must do. You see for us, and this becomes so much more apparent with each passing week, we didn’t have to over analyze this thing. We simply had to go. God would and has taken care of the rest. But waiting wasn’t an option. I have met some of the most amazing people on that corner. We may know them for a few months. We may know them for a few weeks. Or a few days. But we get to know them. And if we never see them again? Well, we are able to offer a little slice of Christ’s love wrapped up in a cup of soup or whatever. But it’s there. Because that’s simply the only direction we need. I met a young lady today whose name was Laura. Met her in the office, that place in the middle of the park where some of our homeless friends do various types of “business”. She thanked me for the pre-meal prayer. I thanked her for listening. And taking part. And we have so many people thanking us for coming all the time. I simply thank them for having us. All we had to do was go. Now. And keep going. We took several neighbor kids with us today. And they all seem to love going. It’s just the oddest mix of people every week, but in the end? We’re all pretty much the same. A bunch of drunks hanging out on a street corner in downtown Omaha looking for the answers to unknown questions.

A big thanks goes out to our friends at Papio Creek Church for hanging out with us today. We’d love to do it again. It was a blessed day and spirits were high. That happens in the Lord’s presence. :)

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

..."it matters to that one"... :)

So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (GNT)

Don’t you never forget to tell them...

Where to start today? It’s Monday. I used to put this blog together on Monday morning, after I had a chance to digest the things that happened on Sunday. Yesterday was just a day that didn’t allow me the opportunity to put anything to paper, so to speak. There are so many things that happen on an average Sunday that I couldn’t possible remember all of them. So I started to put my thoughts down on Sundays, while things were fresh. And the fact that my memory is becoming more and more forgettable is a contributing factor also. I really only try to capture a small portion of what happens because I obviously only see it from my perspective. I usually find out through the week that other very cool things have happened that I was totally unaware of. That’s certainly one of the cool things that happens on that crazy corner. So many people and so little time. Yesterday was obviously Easter Sunday. It was our second Easter Sunday with our friends in the park. Last year, we really didn’t know what to expect. We found out after the fact that the Old Chicago restaurant in the Old Market served an annual Easter dinner. So we were better prepared for that this year. And what we found last year, much like some family gatherings, people tended to show up at varying times. But they all seemed to show up. With their Old Chicago take out bags. We had lots of people and God provided just enough for everyone. He always does. And when they left our corner, some had extra to-go plates. Packaged up and ready to eat. What an awesome day. The weather was a bit cold. Overcast and windy. Not exactly what you’d expect for Easter Sunday, but an awesome day nonetheless because we were in the Lord’s presence.

One thing that I was able to do yesterday was be a little more intentional and share a little bit of His Good News. I was able to share, for a few minutes before we prayed and ate, the Good News that there is Hope. Hope for us all. Totally out of my comfort zone. And totally out of my normal safe way of doing things. One of the things that has happened for me over the course of the past year and a half or so is my desire to tell people about the Greatest News of all has grown to a point that I’m not nearly as guarded as I used to be. My faith used to be a very private thing for me. Don’t know why. I just wasn’t a person to go around thumping, so to speak. In fact, guys that talked about Jesus and Bible studies and such used to make me very uncomfortable. Guess who I’ve become? To a point anyway. It becomes easier and easier for me to be outward in my faith and I love telling our friends downtown about what God has done for me and my family. Even in the difficult times. Lately, I feel as though I’ve been in some valleys, but the mountaintop is in view. Just have to get there. Sometimes the only way to the light is through the dark places. Apparently, anyway. But I know that He is there. Waiting. Watching. Always faithful. And what an opportunity we have every week to share that with folks who may see things so differently. What an awesome opportunity.

I was talking to a great lady named Sharon yesterday. Very briefly. She is from Trinity Lutheran Church in Papillion. She has been so great to us in helping out in so many ways. Yesterday, however, was her first visit to our downtown corner. At one point, we were talking and she introduced me to the kids she brought down from their youth group. There werer a handful of kids and the youth director from Trinity helping out. Harry, a younger fellow was sitting on the wall chatting with a homeless fellow. The others were helping serve coffee and hot chocolate to folks waiting in the back of the line. And I thanked Sharon for all she does to help and for coming down on Easter Sunday. And for bringing her Mother, who celebrated her 73rd birthday yesterday. And she thanked me for the opportunity to come down. And it seems that people say that often. Thanks for the opportunity. And it gets me thinking. Thanks for what opportunity? The chance to hang out with a bunch of folks, some in varying forms of intoxication, some in varying degrees of poverty, all with needs that I cannot begin to get my head around. What opportunity? One that allows me to stand on a corner and pray with these great people and offer them a glimmer of Hope through the love of Christ? One that allows Robin and I the chance to show our kids our faith in action? Because I have to turn around and thank God for the opportunity to do any of it. If it weren’t clearly blessed by Him, none of it would happen. Period. After seeing this thing in action for all the months and weeks that we’ve been there, there is no doubt in my mind that He is the Director of all of it. And it’s all for His people. All for those that might be marginalized to a large degree. I was talking to an Hispanic fellow yesterday, Jorge, a fellow I just love talking to. His words to me always are this - "Don’t you never forget to tell them about Jesus". That’s our customary greeting now. Because I’ll never forget. Never. And as we chatted yesterday, he takes out the most tattered Bible I’ve probably ever seen. Called it his wallet. And he asked me if I had anything like that for him. And we have Bibles, just not like his. But I’m going to try and get him one just like his for next week. Because I can never forget. Jorge is the reason we do this crazy thing. Guys like him are there. And guys on the other end of the spectrum are there also. Guys that just want to eat. And get a new shirt or new boots or new whatever. But if we keep "never forgetting" to tell them about Jesus", maybe one day the seed will take root. One thing that Jorge said that stuck with me and will remain with me was of our faithfulness to them. While it really is our faithfulness to Him, Jorge viewed it as our faithfulness them. They really go hand in hand. He mentioned the bitter cold days and the fact that we always showed up. And in his eyes, that was important. That alone was all I needed to hear. Because that is success in His name. Because Jorge knows Jesus, deeply no doubt. And Steve knows Him also. And Steve was sharing a verse from Revelations with me yesterday. And was so excited to get a Spanish Bible for his friend at the shelter. We have, among our friends, guys that get it. And if we can keep our faith actions in tact, keep them on track and stay out of God’s way long enough for Him to work, some of the most amazing things happen. Simply because there is an opportunity for people to help others.

So yesterday was Easter. We attended a very un-traditional service in the park. We had an opportunity to share a little about the Hope that exists for anyone who so desires. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all so desired? But the journey continues. It’ll no doubt be a long and arduous journey. That’s OK. I hope. Because there is Hope. In Jesus. And I’ll never forget to tell them about Him. And his amazing sacrifice that we might have eternal life. Because in the end, only one thing really matters. The Hope of welcoming Arms. Those Arms that wrap around us and say those words...Welcome Home! You did good. That’s all I want to hear. Welcome Home.

Dear God...thank You for the awesome opportunity You’ve placed before us. Thank You for the Cross. As Christian said a couple of nights ago, thank You for sending Your Son to die on a cross for us. How powerful are those words. And how awesome for me that they would come from my son. Thank You God for the opportunity to serve. I will never forget to tell them about Jesus.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

..."it matters to that one"... :)

Run to the Chariot?

Felt great to be in the presence of God today. Don’t know exactly why it was different today, but it was just a great feeling. Been an interesting week for me. I was reading an email devotional a few days ago and it just happened to be a verse from Acts. Acts 8:30. "Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet..." I thought about this verse several times during the week and then this morning, I read it again from the NIV. As I read, it became a little clearer to me. Go to the chariot. Don’t stop and ask questions. Don’t weigh the pros and cons. Just go. Do it. And when he got there, he found the fellow at the chariot reading from Isaiah. Reading things maybe he didn’t necessarily understand. Philip was led to a guy who needed a little discernment. Apparently. At least that’s how it comes across to me. And I get that. I need that often. So he goes to a chariot, sees an opportunity to share the Good News and jumps at it. What an awesome opportunity. What’s the chariot?

We get to our corner this morning and I sense a good day ahead. Again, don’t really know why, but I just felt like it was going to be a great day. It was. Because we were in the presence of the Lord. It is so obvious. I had a lengthy conversation with an older fellow named John today. John is like a long lost grandpa. 60 years old. From Houston, Texas. Been in Omaha quite a while now. Alcoholic. By choice he says. I can’t say that I’ve ever really seen him in a bad way. Just a nice, very endearing fellow. And he’s one of the guys I always look for. Always smiling. And just a genuine person. So, we’re talking at the back of the van and I’m trying to understand how a fellow like John is in the position he’s in. How? Addictions. Never been married. Never had any children that he knows of. How does that happen? John is just a really nice guy. I absolutely love talking to him. And he’s homeless and probably not going to change that anytime soon. He tells me he loves me. And he means it. I can tell. And the feeling is mutual. I have to be honest here. As in any situation, be it your average social gathering, the workplace, a church, whatever, there are simply people we either have difficulty relating to or people we simply don’t like to have relationships with. It’s no different here. There are homeless guys that I have a hard time with. It’s usually a personality issue. Sometimes we just run into people we clash with. Happens. And it happens in our Sunday activities. Some people I’m naturally drawn to. Others are just more difficult to relate to. Not John. I could talk with John for hours. He’s just that kind of guy. His afternoon plans? Heading to a bar to have a beer. That’s what it comes down to. I asked if he ever tired of that lifestyle? Nope. It’s what he wants to do. But he’s a definite believer. Got tears in his eyes several times during our conversation. Genuine tears. Told me how thankful he was for what we did. That he thinks of us almost daily. I told him not to think of us. Think of Him. There has to be more in there. Has to be. I’ll keep searching. Probing. Has to be more. Is he the guy at the chariot?

The funniest thing happened this week. Robin gets a call from someone at the Sienna Francis House. They had a hygiene collection or drive or something like that. They were looking for the small bars of soap and larger bottles of shampoo. Not sure why they needed those specific sizes. Surely they have their reasons. So as I was loading out our stuff last week, I noticed that we were almost out of our supplies. We take several bins of various hygiene items with us every week. And the lines that form at the back of our van for these items says it all. So how are we going to replenish our dwindling supplies? Well that call from the Francis House took care of that for us. Seems that they got their sizes reversed and we were going to be the recipients of about 12 crates of travel sized shampoo, large bars of soap, conditioner, lotion and toothpaste. Enough to last us quite a while. The nice thing here for me is that we don’t have to spend our time and resources looking (begging) for this stuff. We can focus on the more important stuff. The chariot stuff. See for me, it’s like this. I don’t have to do the paralysis by analysis thing. I don’t have to continually spend time wondering what the Lord’s will for my life is. I don’t have to worry about all the details of stuff and things. They just keep showing up. I don’t have to overcomplicate things. I can simply “run to the chariot” and let the Lord lead. That’s what it’s been about for me from the start. Getting out of the way and letting Him run the show. It is, after all, His show. And what a great show He put on today. Got to our “chariot” today and got to tell guys about His love. For them. Got to talk to Steve about his prayer time in the park this week and his need for a Spanish Bible so he can study at the shelter with one of his buddies. Got to talk with Terrance about his crack addiction and his need for a King James Version of the Bible, which we will pick up this week. Got to talk to John about his addictions and his love for the Lord. I got to watch my kids jump rope with other kids and some homeless guys, using an old string of Christmas lights. I get to do this stuff every week. Me. Why? I guess it’s my chariot.

One last thing that happened today. A guy shows up late. Native American. First he tells me his name is Jay. I get him a cup of soup. He’s been drinking, so the conversation is a little difficult. Shortly after that, as we are getting ready to leave, he approaches me again. This time his name is Joe. So JayJoe takes some money out of his pocket. Three dollars. Says this is difficult. I’m thinking this is going to be a cool moment. Is he going to make a donation? It’s happened a few times before where one of the guys has made a small, but significant, donation to us. I’m thinking this might happen here. He tells me he’s a man. I’m a man. I agree. We’re both men. Says it again…this is difficult for him. So here we go. He starts to hand me the money. He pauses…looks around and he says…”I need to make this $3 turn into $5”. I just laugh. Do I look like a magician? Don’t we all need to turn a little bit of money into a little more money? No dice JayJoe. That…is not a chariot. :)

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience…Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”- Colossians 3:12, 23-24

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

…”it matters to that one”…

The Enablers…

Just got back from “the” Wal-Mart. Needed a pair of boots. Size 13. For our friend Tony. Tony is a guy who needs help. Not from us, obviously. From everyone. From all of us. Tony represents what I guess I’d call the lost, homeless guy. The guy with maybe a bit of a mentally challenged existence and one who maybe falls through the cracks. We met Tony our very first Sunday I believe. Or pretty close thereabouts. We helped him get a pair of boots pretty soon thereafter. We’ve been blessed to be able to help Tony several times since then. In fact, I don’t even have to ask a size anymore. Where was he getting them before? I mean, in the past 16 months, I think we’ve been able to get him about 4 or 5 pairs of boots. He walks all day, best I can tell. And he is the single, dirtiest human I’ve ever met. I’m pretty sure he sleeps outside wherever he can. But when God looks at Tony, what do you think He sees? I think He sees a reflection of Something. And should Tony fall through the cracks? Shouldn’t there be a way for him to be in a better situation? Lots of questions for me around the lost, homeless guys today. Not so many answers…

Friday we had a little get together at our house. We have been gathering here the first Friday each month with some of the folks that volunteer their time and efforts downtown. First Fridays we call ‘em. Pretty original. :) We had about 20 people here Friday and we had a great evening. It allows us a little time to let down and get to know each other a little better in a more relaxed environment. It gets a little crazy downtown on Sundays, so it’s difficult to get to know the people that give so freely of their time to come down each Sunday and help. We have been blessed with an incredible group of people that do this with us each week and this is a great opportunity to spend a little time in fellowship. So I was talking to someone Friday who was explaining an encounter she had recently. She came in contact with an individual who just does not believe what we are doing is right. Enabling is the word he used. We are enabling “them” to continue in a lifestyle that they may never get out of. Thinks we should let the professional agencies handle this stuff. Now I could be wrong, but I don’t think a hot meal, a clean pair of socks, a clean shirt or new coat and maybe a Bible is going to enable anyone to stay mired in a bad circumstance. But if we are able to help a person out in the name of Jesus, then I guess we are guilty of enabling. Guilty as charged. But here’s the deal as I see it. We are simply another point of contact. Another avenue for a person to travel for whatever a couple of hours on a Sunday in a downtown park has to offer. The interesting thing about this fellow’s observation? He’s a Christian. How then does one come to the conclusion that this is an enabling situation? Are we enabling a guy like Tony to keep from getting a nasty case of frostbite by helping him with a clean pair of socks and a pair of boots? Aren’t we supposed to take care of each other? Especially the least of ‘em? It’s all confusing to me to hear that kind of response. But not really. I mean, people are certainly entitled to their opinion. No matter how crazy I think it might be. Enablers? C’mon man!! :)

Had an interesting conversation today with a fellow named LC. A few minutes into the conversation, I found out he was from Mississippi, he lives at the Sienna Francis House, and I worked for his uncle about 15 years ago at the downtown Campbell Soup plant. Just about a block from where we meet on Sundays. The plant is long gone now. Replaced by a performing arts center. LC is an interesting fellow. 54 year old African American gentleman. Seems like I meet someone every single week that I’ve not previously met. I’ve never seen LC on our corner before. I really hope I never see him again. He’s trying to get permanent housing. I pray that he does. That they all do. The odds are probably against that. But it is my prayer. That God will someday just blow me away and we’ll show up on that corner some Sunday with food for 100 or 150 and no one will be there. That would be extremely cool. Maybe we can, with God’s blessings, enable them all into housing and jobs. Enablers…I have to chuckle at that one.

I was talking to a fellow yesterday. Robin and I. along with Nick and Erin, had the opportunity to talk to a group of folks at Christ Community Church. A “how to bring your faith/Jesus into the workplace” conference. I only spoke for a couple of minutes. The context for me was pretty simple. How has this ministry impacted me, and how has it impacted those people I work with at Union Pacific? Or has it affected or impacted them at all? After I finished, we met a fellow we know who has been ministering to the poor and homeless for nine years. We’ve known him since at least last summer. He told us how angry he was with us when he first heard of what we were doing downtown on Sundays. Here he was trying to get these guys into the local churches and they were coming down to have lunch with us. Now I understand exactly where he was coming from . But I’m telling you right now, there are some of these guys that may never darken the door of a local church. So if that is the case, and I obviously don’t know that for sure, but if so, shouldn’t we take a little of it to them? The cool thing about our conversation yesterday? He’s now ok with our “enabling”. Maybe he sees that we are in for the duration? I’m not sure why the change of heart. I mean here’s the deal for me. We owe it to these ladies and gentlemen to bring the love of Christ to that corner each and every week. We have to. He tells us to. So now? This fellow is going to start going to the library across the street from where we meet and organize bible studies and such after we conclude our weekly activities. That I understand. What I don’t understand is fighting against the grain and forcing the square peg into a round hole. If these folks aren’t going to be in a church, shouldn’t we take it to ‘em, so to speak? Enable them to have a little of what we all want. A close, intimate relationship with our Savior. Enable them to have a chance for fellowship. Enable them to have a chance at a different community than maybe they are accustomed to. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll see that there is a way out. Because there really is only one Way out. And if I can be an enabler of that? Then I’m on board. This thing is not our doing. It’s His doing. Clearly.

Dear Lord….thank You for this day and thank You for this meal. And thank You for the opportunities You place in front of me each week. Those opportunities to be intentional about my love for You. Thank You with everything I have.

Signed...the enabler.

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

…”it matters to that one”…

…not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.
2 Timothy 1:9

Thank You for this day…and thank You for this meal.

At my house, most evenings, and for lots of years, that's been a mainstay prayer at our dinner table. Christian started it some time back, when he was entirely too small to be talking that much. Yet for anyone who knows Christian, you know that boy was born to talk. So now Nick and Erin always start out their prayers with that simple phrase. Dear Lord, thank You for this day and thank You for this meal. This past week, we had the blessing of having my Mom stay with us as she convalesced from back surgery. She went home yesterday. I was sad to see her go, but knew she'd be ok. She is an amazing woman and it appears that all the prayers for a successful surgery and a quick recovery have been answered. She has a bit of a road ahead of her, but it sure looks like she is going to do well. So this week as we gathered around our dinner table each night and I listened to each of my kids thank God for our day and our meal, and thank God for having Grandma here with us, I had to thank God myself for the wonderful blessings in my life. I am indeed a blessed individual.

And today was amazing in so many ways. The weather was really weird this weekend. We had an absolutely beautiful day on Saturday. Temps in the 60s and just a great day. Today, the forecast was for a drop in the temps in the afternoon and snow in the evening. Only in Nebraska. And it is snowing as I type. And cold. From the 60s to the 20s in a matter of 24 hours. But this morning as I began my morning activities it was in the high 50s. Going to be a great day I thought to myself. Well, myself was right on the money in some aspects, just not from a weather standpoint. As the morning wore on, the winds kicked up and the temps began a rapid descent. By the time we got downtown, we realized we were probably all underdressed. Oh well. But what a banner day for doing the Lord's work. Seemed like everything went off like clockwork, in spite of my screw-ups. Christian and I decided to whip up a cooler of lemonade instead of hot chocolate. It's this transitional time of year that is the most difficult for me. So by the time we arrived downtown, I realized that was a bad choice. And I took it on the chin from lots of folks for the lemonade choice. And I forgot to bring the coffee creamer. No Half 'n Half? So we send Christian and Jessica up to Starbucks a block away to beg for some. And they come back with it. Mission accomplished. A little marriage of Starbuck's Half 'n Half and Scooters coffee. If they only knew…

So after we pray and everyone gets a bite to eat, we start putting out the clothing bins, handing out coats, socks, whatever else a person in need might need on a day like this. There's our friend St. Phillip. Wearing a light jacket with no shirt on underneath. This guy is a character and I have stories about Phillip. I'll save those for another day. So as the clothing bins are leaving the back of the trailer, a lady shows up. We exchange pleasantries, and she asks if we are the 'ones' who do this every Sunday. She's driven by and seen us before and saw our story on the news last week. Well, His story. Anyway, she says she was driving by and decided to stop and make a donation. :) Thanks Michelle. She has no idea, but she just funded a bus trip home to New Orleans for a fellow named Donald. Came here after Hurricane Katrina looking for a fresh start. Heard there was work here. For a variety of reasons, it didn't pan out. Now? Living at the Sienna Francis House. Homeless shelter. So her gracious donation funded a trip home for Donald. He leaves Friday morning and said he'd call when he arrived. We'll be praying for Donald and praying that God will continue to bless us in ways that make it possible for guys like Donald to go home. Wherever home may be. So that a guy doesn't end up in a strange city…homeless. Ever thought about what that might feel like? Hope I never find out…

Doug is a fellow we've known for a while now. Lives in a tent down by the river. I've mentioned him before. For the life of me, I cannot imagine how he does it. He's a pretty frail fellow and seems to be cold all the time. I wonder why. It has to wear on a guy to have to deal with the elements every single night. Can't imagine. So today, a fellow named Jason shows up. Now hopefully this will turn out to be a really, really cool thing. You see, Jason has just returned from his 4th tour of duty in Iraq. We're introduced and we chat a bit. He asks me if there are any veterans here? Any homeless veterans? You betcha. I could point out a few dozen probably. So first thing, he wants to make a little donation to our ministry. Awesome. But the really cool part? He wants to hook up with a veteran and take him home for the night. Take him to the mall and get him a new change of clothes. Says his wife has a big meal cooking at home. Wants to take him home for a nice, hot shower and a warm place to sleep. Do I know of anyone? Are you kidding me? Do I know of anyone!!?? Yeah, I know a bunch of anyones. But I have someone in mind. Doug. Navy veteran. He's your man. So we head over to the library and look for Doug. We finally find him on the second floor, back in the corner looking a little dazed. They hook up. Last I see of them, they are walking down the sidewalk. Can't wait to hear how this one turns out. Goodness. God was at work today. We were just the simple tools of His trade. That of bringing a little of His love to a street corner in downtown Omaha. Michelle, the very generous lady I mentioned earlier, seemed to be pretty impressed as she looked around. She said we were doing good work. I said we were doing the Lord's work. She agreed.

So again, what a day and what a meal. Another fellow, Jim, who was there for the first time today saw the story on the news and came as a result also. He and his friend Cory came down to pitch in. They jumped right in were very helpful. Shortly before he left, Jim and I were talking about how this got started and what it's become. The funny thing? He spoke the exact words I spoke so many months ago. He looked around and said this is so simple. Anyone can do this. He said he loved reading the Word, but he liked getting out and living It also. I remember thinking after we started going down to our weekly spot, how simple this really is. A meal, some clothing, fellowship. It's so stinking simple. Yet His involvement and His direction and guidance are so very evident. And so unbelievably not simple. It never ceases to amaze me how He gives us everything we need just when we need it. We serve an amazing God. I love Him from the depths of my soul. I simply cannot get enough of Sunday. I am so in awe of the people He sends. On both sides of the equation. And today? Beautiful day. A little windy and cold. A bit raw. It is March and we are "still" in Nebraska. GodforsakenNebraska. :) But I can't think of another place I'd rather be, except maybe if we could move this park and these people to a little town North and West of Charlotte, North Carolina. Concord, North Carolina, home of University City Fellowship. Where we learned how to go there. Where we became a little more equipped to do His work. Where we spent a few years in one of the most important times of our lives. Robin, the kids, me…not realizing that He was setting us up to do this. His work. What an amazing and unbelievable ride.

Today when we prayed? I thanked God for this day and this meal. This day allows us to go there. This meal allows us to go there in His name. Dear Lord...thank You for this day and thank you for this meal! From the mouths of babes…to the least of these. It's so simple. So very simple. Yet so very cool.

Peace and have a great and blessed week.

…"it matters to this one"…