Chance Meeting on a Bridge?

On Friday as I was driving across the bridge, I saw one of my guys.

I refer to some men as my guys because they went on a retreat with me this past February.

I was headed to Mt Moriah to visit "Richmond Friends of the Homeless" who we're serving lunch that day.

I did a u-turn as I hung up the phone on Charles.

There was John (not his real name).

I came along side him and asked if he wanted a ride to Mt Moriah for lunch.

He said OK and hopped in the car.

It was great to see him. 

He seemed pleasantly surprised as well.

John seems to have his own set of challenges, but has always been willing to talk with me.

He was grateful for the ride.

When we arrived John got out and took his place in line.

After lunch I went up to John and asked if he would be willing to meet with a friend of mine who works for Pathways to Life.

To my surprise he said he would and he gave me his phone number.

I'm praying that some help will come from that meeting and that I can learn some more about how to help the men and women on the streets.

I love how God brings about divine appointments because I don't believe they are just by chance.

The Homeless Guy: The Homeless Guy In San Diego - An Update

I have enjoyed following this man's journey. He speaks the truth.


The Homeless Guy: The Homeless Guy In San Diego - An Update

Learning The Wrong Way!

Sometimes learning what NOT to do, is just as important as learning what to do.

Project Prevention

We spent Friday afternoon visiting four different families.

These families were all on the verge of loosing their kids because of the living situation.

The Dream Center works with social services to solve what ever problem there might be.

In most cases it has to do with not having enough beds.

The families are referred to the DC based on low income only and there are no drugs or alcohol involved.

The DC then adopts the family and tries to provide basic needs like beds or maybe a refrigerator.

Everyone gets to know each other and while we were there we got to pray with them.

The Project Prevention has real potential to change families lives.

It was probably my favorite outreach we got to do.

You have the ability to build relationships with the family on a regular basis.

They come out once a week and stay in touch during the week by phone.

I can see this happen in Northside very easily.

Charles is already doing it there!

Project Prevention Richmond???

Skid Row

Yesterday we spent the morning walking down skid row.

It was everything I had imagined and more.

It was as if I was in a twisted world.

There was skid row but in the background were the tall buildings of downtown.

It was quite the contrast.

The buildings represented jobs, families, and a home.

Skid row was pain and suffering.

Skid row is a place on its own with little or no rules. Chaos.

Needles and pipes were a steady diet on the streets.

Hope was far removed from the faces of the people on these streets.

It was gut wrenching.

It would be easy to throw up your hands and be overwhelmed, but I know a God who loves to do the impossible.

I look forward to seeing what God is going to do in Richmond.

Day Three

Yesterday we started out doing landscape work. The Dream Center had just gotten permission to do landscape work at a public library.

The library had no funds for landscape upkeep.

We got a lot accomplished for the first day.

That afternoon we went out with one of the food trucks.

The Dream Center provides $2,000,000 of free food a month. It is the largest food bank in LA.

We went out to two poor neighborhoods to provide free food.

It was extremely organized.

The biggest challenge is the language barrier.

As the food was being handed out people at the end of the line were given a chance to be prayed for.

It was an awesome sight.

There was real community in these neighborhoods.

Lots of helping hands came from the neighborhood.

It was very encouraging.

Look forward to going to skid row today!

The Best Part of the Day Didn't' Happen in LA.

We started the day in the kitchen serving about 250 people.

Charles and I met Hannah from the "UK" as she put it.

She came all the way across the pond to serve.

After lunch we went to the projects and played with the kids.

We had a great day.

When I was getting ready to go to bed I checked my phone for messages.

I received a text from Sammy, the pastor at Northminster.

" More praying going on with you away! Northminster staff each took a day. Atlee staff came at lunch today. Trust your time at DC is rich. "

This blew me away!

I was so pumped and excited!

I had to reflect on the fact, that this journey started with prayer.

You want to see God move in big ways then pray!

To know that others are praying as well is to know that God is getting ready to do something really big.

I am so excited if you didn't know already.

The best part of yesterday was not in LA, but took place in the Northside of Richmond, VA with people praying!

Morning

It's 4am and I am wide awake!

Not sure if its my body's time clock, nerves, or excitement. 

My body says its 7am and that's late.

My nerves are from not knowing what's going to happen next.

This morning Charles and I have kitchen duty at 6am.

We get to work along side some of the guys that are in the discipleship program.

There are approximately 150 guys and another 75 or so women being discipled.

With families and others there are over 650 people who live on the grounds of the Dream Center.

I am excited to visualize what could be in Richmond.

Keep praying for clarity of vision.

It's time!

His first flight!

We are on an adventure. Dream Center here we come!

Dream Center - Richmond, Va?

What if? 

How about the church that never sleeps?

Open 24/7!

What would that look like in Richmond?

DreamCenter from Prolifik on Vimeo.

Please Pray!!!

Next week I will be in LA with Charles at The Dream Center.

I am hoping to be more inspired to bring back this vision of starting a Dream Center in Richmond.

This journey started with a prayer walk around Northminster Church in the Northside in January 2012.

I had no idea where it would take me.

It has been the best ride of my life.

When I am gone next week, I would ask that you might consider carrying on this prayer walk.

Please consider taking time out of your day to take a prayer walk around the church and see what God may lay on your heart.

For a year and a half I have taken this walk and every day I look forward to hearing from God what he wants to do in me and through me.

The Dream Center came out of this time with God.

Seek Him on your walk and you might be surprised as to what happens next.

Don't Assume Anything!

This will tug at your heart!

Danielle says it all!

This video is from http://invisiblepeople.tv/blog/ !

The Homeless Guy: Still Sick And Homeless

The Homeless Guy: Still Sick And Homeless: Having a cold is no fun, having a cold in the summer is less fun, having a cold in the summer while you're homeless is the third level ...


The point I take away from this is not only how much I take for granted, but how these situations exist every where.

I see the need in Richmond for a place for people to come when there is no other place to go.

How about a place where you can find a friend.

A friend who will reach out and help you.

The Dream Center in LA was built with the idea of helping the needs of others at ALL times of the day or night.

I am headed there next week and hope to bring back to Richmond the vision to make it so!

The Dream Center where "The Homeless Guy" can go and get well without being worried about getting kicked out for falling asleep.

Only A Half Block Away!

On Saturday I ran into Steven.

I haven't seen in in over a year.

I wrote about him the last time I saw him.

Steven is in his twenties. 

A year ago I helped him find a job at Rental Works.

He has since moved on and works at the The Hotel Jefferson.

I had a blast speaking to him and hearing all about what he was learning at his job.

I then asked him where he lived.

Guess what?

He lives a half block away from my house.

I absolutely love this journey God has me on!

Amazing!

Why is it that I am surprised when God does something amazing!

Shouldn't we come to expect it!

Aren't we called to live an amazing life with God?

Didn't he promise to blow us away with what He was going to do through us?

A life of obedience can be awesome.

I just need to keep in step with Him.

Love The Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.

Pray and watch God move in amazing ways!

Anticipate the surprises! Look for them.

He rocked my world yesterday!

More to come...

A Big Smile!

What a thrill it was to go into Rental Works yesterday and check up on Shelton.

Shelton had just started working there.

It's been a long time since he had a steady job.

When I saw him, he had a big ole smile on his face.

That smile was all I needed to see.

A job can go a long way to restoring dignity and self worth.

The Lord brought all the pieces together and put a smile on Shelton's face!

The best part is that Shelton knows its a gift from God!

Keep It Simple

Sometimes when written words are few then all that is needed, is to pray.

God is doing an amazing work.

Love is Contagious

This morning I ran into my friend Henry who I met a few weeks back.

I hadn't seen him in a while.

Henry had been gone for about a month.

I was wondering where he had been.

It turns out that he had to take care of some business in Mississippi.

We chatted a while in the front yard and talked about what God is up to.

Henry loves God and you can tell because that love will rub off on you when you spend time with him.

Henry said he should be around all month and wanted to make a point of hanging out together.

I look forward to hearing more about what God is doing in his life.

May God's love, rub off on everyone you meet!