Since January, some friends and I have been serving supper to homeless people downtown on Sunday nights. It started with two friends and I carrying around a pot of chili looking for folks to eat, and has turned into something really cool. We meet in an old gas station parking lot and there are usually around 50 or so folks that come by to eat and hang out.
We've gotten to know a lot of the guys that come each week. It's been really cool to meet a tiny portion of their overall physical needs, make friendships, pray over people, and hear their stories.
Back in March, I flew in from Nicaragua at midnight on my birthday. After some time out with friends, a bit of sleep, and church, I cooked supper and feared I'd be the only one serving that Sunday night. Completely out of the blue, this guy pulled up and dropped off a bunch of food. He'd seen us and wanted to help out. He said he couldn't stay to help serve because it was his birthday and he had plans. We were birthday twins!
Turns out, he's a chef. Since March, he's cooked a few meals for us and has always been willing to help. I've been busier than normal lately and have missed the past few Sunday's downtown. Last Thursday, I sat in my office thinking about who would cook this Sunday? I could do it, but knew I'd be exhausted and it would stress me out more than make me glad to serve. (Does that ever happen to you?) (As I've been learning more and more about being in the presence of the Lord, a by-product has been learning about rest and more freedom to know my boundaries.) Anywho, Thursday I was thinking about it and getting a bit stressed out. Later in the day, I took it to the Lord. Casually, almost. And you know what?
"Email Heath" was the Lord's response. Hmmm...I hadn't seen him in months and it was really last minute to ask. But, I emailed him anyway and his response blew me away. Not only was he willing to cook food for Sunday, but he and his friends had a fundraiser planned for that Saturday. Wow. He and his friends asked their friends to bring clothes, dry food goods, and cash to help people downtown.
He brought his rugby team buddies downtown last night and they had TONS of dry food and clothes for people to take. Heath cooked a great meal. They were all really cool and will hopefully be back.
I was really blown away by the provision of the Lord last night. It was a beautiful picture of entrusting something to God and watching Him go above and beyond anything I was planning to ask for.
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