Something New...

Something new...
That would really describe the recent weeks. It seems everyday is something new. I Learn something new or meet someone new.

I've learned...
that addicts,by the Capitol Building, go 2 by 2 into the port-a-potties to smoke crack. I've learned that Mexicans who want to come to America are brought over by drug dealers and have to work off their travel expenses by selling pot. I've learned that homeless people sleep in the middle of the side walks, over the steam vents, when it's cold. I've learned that there are some street kids who love you for only what you can give them.

I've met...
Nic, Sam, Miguel, Pickey, Plague, Bruno, Desaree, Paddy O, Arkansas, Demon, Don, Shaw, Jordan, Charlie, Crystal, Tawnya, Pockets, Nautilus, Jenny, Ashley, David, and Moma, Scrappy, Kenny, Chris, Scrappy, Titties, Trent, New York, Undertaker, Ahme, Tammy, Ghost, Kool-aide, Carla, JT, and many others that I don't know there names. Each of these souls have stories. Stories that include pain, joy, frustratuon, betrayal, abuse, abandonment, fun, terror.

I was humbled...
Miguel is one of our friends and has just recently gotten off the streets and is a diagnosed schizophrenic. But he is a very genuine ands loving person. Miguel has been coming to our Wednesday Bible study and meal. I've had some great conversation with him and I feel like I'm in the beginning stages of a friendship. Last night he came to the pool hall with a gift for me. When he gave me the $40 gift he was so excited and you could tell that he really wanted to give me something from his heart. I almost started to tear up but I held it together because crying in a pool hall is not allowed. WOW! A gift from someone who has no job. I didn't receive this gift lightly.

A little investment...
2 weeks ago I spent 20 minutes sitting with Pickey and her crew at the pool hall. I didn't know her but I wanted to get to know her and her boyfriend they seemed really fun. She's never even said "hi" to me. Pickey is one of those girls you can't figure out why in the hell she's on the streets. She's got this spark of life. Hope is still in her...somewhere. The 3 of us didn't have any great deep conversation. We all just joked around. Last night at Shakespears' she saw me got a big smile on her face ran over and gave me a hug. It's amazing that showing a little attention to these kids creates such great feelings in them. All I can figure is some of my Jesus must have bubbled out and got on her and it changed her life. Even if it was just a little bit.

My encouragment to you...

1. Learn new stuph. It'll open your eyes to a new world.
2. Meet new people (not the kind you normally hang with). We were built for relatonship.
3. See every gift as a blessing.
4. Take the time to invest in someone's life. It will change yours and theirs.

-Blessings-