From HELP Texas. Chris has been staying with us at the LIFEHOUSE Training Center since early September. This is his story in his own words...
It is so frustrating to me, to by organizing my thoughts into text, with the idea that someone would care to read them. After being on the streets and being through what it took to get there, it is still so very hard to imagine that I have anything of value to offer to the world.
This prevailing sense of hopelessness, worthlessness and apathy is a hard thing to shake.
So many in society would regard the street people as worthless-throw-aways...
I have however, through these adversities found people who carry with them the
most amazing thing; The love of Jesus. Among this category I found those in the Cream And Sugar trailer providing so much more than snacks and coffee. A sense that someone cared about me, was genuinely interested in my life. The more I came to know these people, the more I came to know Jesus as the architect of such loving kindness. It had become a highlight of my week when their trailer would pull up unto the drag.
So there I was, sitting in the
Cream And Sugar trailer once again enjoying the coffee, snacks and fellowship. Then Kurt, who is a staff member at Cream And Sugar, got a phone call and after an exciting conversation, he explained that they had gotten a good deal on some sheds. But they needed to move quickly and would be cutting their visit short. It was apparent that they faced a daunting task. This seemed to spark in me a spirit of adventure and I felt moved to offer my help.
What I originally thought would be a day of adventuresque opportunity to help my friends through hard work became so much more than anything I could understand.
Giving Up Smoking
After having worked for several hours I realized I had'nt had a cigarette. I looked into my pocket to find my cigarette pack wet with sweat - it tore as I opened it but it also revealing a few smokable pieces.
I lit a cigarette and started to think, as I often had, "this is poison". At that moment I caught Marcus' eyes and I could sense something powerful - Jesus' love - this is not worthy of one loved by Christ. I crushed the remaining pieces in the wet-torn pack and threw it away. Many days later I realized that had quit smoking.
Often in the days that followed accomplishing this task (with the sheds), I was amazed at the spirit with which we approached so many obstacles. I found myself inspired by the attitude of those at my side that though often we did'nt seem to understand how we were going to progress we went at it with faith and a sense of purpose. That purpose remained central and not the doubt or the obstical. Sure enough piece-by-piece we brought down 3 large sheds, packed-em up and dropped off all with a certain amount of grace.
I witnessed in the coming days the way they treated each other with respect and love and that there is a sense of community and purpose that prevails when they live together, pray together, worship together they are constantly representative of God's patience, grace and promise to those who put their life in His hands.
A Sense Of Purpose
I often find myself questioning the very nature of progress. It may be that I am used to witnessing the works of men in a way that for every problem they solve, it seems two more are being created. I was stubbornly ignorant to the ways of God for most part; all of my life pursuing wisdom for its own glory. I had found much in the ways of the world, but it never seemed complete.
As I witnessed more and more the nature of God in those who submit their will to him, I finally found the wisdom I have been searching for.
It has been 4 weeks now since I first came to stay here. In many ways it became more apparent that God has a purpose for my life. This is such a miracle that, through Jesus, I can share pupouse with God. And that the example of his perfect love is so well represented by those who follow him and fill their lives with the things of Christ.
It is with the many little things, the tender care with which these people approach their lives, that God will not forget.
Our purpose with God remains central and we push forward, keep working at it and at the end of each day, we have a most precious thing; shared success with God and his people through Jesus who brings us all closer together. I am honored to count myself among them.
- Chris
The following report is not edited and unabbreviated. It is from a young man who formerly lived on the streets and now takes part in the so called "Life Training" of HELP Texas. You will find more information through the links in the text. "I've spent the last seven months here at the "LIFEHOUSE" property. I arrived with a heavy burden of ashes, the fruit of a life squandered in darkness, broken and alone. My mind twisted against the future and reeling from the past, tormented by demons the likes of witch I care not to fathom.
There is also much practical work to be done here on the "LIFEHOUSE" property. Weather it's grounds keeping, cleaning, building or vehicle maintenance, there seems to always be something to do. Regardless of the current project the atmosphere is consistently inviting me to share the time with God. Some projects also provide a sense of accomplishment and wonder in God's presence (such as raising a thirty foot cross made of telephone poles).
