Hey Everyone!

This weekend has been a real blessing hanging out with brothers & sisters of Christ and just seeing what God is doing in this world. As some of you know, last Friday, I went up to San Francisco for the iHeart ministry with the goals of going forth to meet some homeless folks and fellow shipping with fellow brother & sister in Christ. I honestly had no idea of what to expect since this is my first time doing outreach to the homeless or any similar outreach due to the fact that I haven't done any missions in the past, however, going into this by preparing our hearts with prayers and totally just letting God do his work in us to ask us for protection, compassion, mercy, and just a heart of patience, we left good ol' Santa Clara and embarked to SOMA SF.

As we headed up to San Francisco, I felt a sense of joy and excitement, which surprised me since prior to the prayer, I felt a bit anxious. They prayer prior to us journeying up to SF really quieted my soul. It also helped that I knew I had Andrew and Tiffany to watch my back. Andrew, who is battle tested in these type of things and Tiffany, who I can see as a person who has a heart and wisdom of the Word that made me feel that good things will happen. As we made it up to SF and parked on 6th/Mission, we made our way around the streets and just immersed within the neighborhood. To get a feel of what it was like hanging out in places slightly dilapidated and not what I'm used it. It actually reminded me a bit like some parts of Berkeley where it had it's own culture. In total we met Judy, Jim, Deon, and Deena (sp?), however I'm going to cut it a bit short and just talk about Judy who was the first homeless lady we met. It was totally God's blessing that we met her first in our encounters and that she had such a gentle heart that moved me in ways I never thought I would be moved.

Going into a donuts & coffee shop to get change / break our $20, we met a elderly lady who was ordering a cup of noodles. She was paying for dinner as Andrew approached her to inquire about her favorite donut and what is good around here. We found out that she liked danishes and offered her with coffee. Accepting, we ended up sitting down together and sharing stories. I heard about a tale about the Vietnam War and a lost love. Having to raise a daughter all on your own because the husband ended up with amnesia and later one where she eventually lost her memory. A tale of broken relationships but hope for the future husband and wife who met-up years later out of coincidence and which leads to a chance of rekindled love. I thought these things were only saved for Korean dramas.

However, what Judy taught me the most is that although we live in two different worlds, we are alike in so many ways. I can honestly say she was one of the most gentle and humble person I've met. Yet she lives with hope that I don't see with many homeless. She was actually very educated and I learned a lot about the Bahai faith. But more than anything else, she taught me the power of prayer and meaning of relationships. She asked questions such as what 'brought us together'. What brings us together? Friendship? God? Church? A common burden in our hearts? It was actually the first time I was ever asked such a question vs the usual - what is our jobs. After our mutual sharing of faith and praying for one another, I saw tears run down her checks. It reminded me of the first time I prayed for my mom for her cancer which also brought her to tears. Honest prayers have power. The Lord's name has power. And our faith/growth works out in his timing and out of service. As I end, I ask myself, what is our burden/aches in our hearts? If we don't have one why not? As I end this, I just want to say that I'll remember this and use this whenever I feel a complacency in my heart. Thanks again the two of you for an awesome time.

For some reason this verse popped in my head today that I felt relevant.
"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Luke 3:16)

Take care all you EV'ers!

- Gary