When we are faced with situations like I wrote to you about in my last entry, we see only a few choices:
- We can cut and run.
- We can stay in the safe walls of our church or ministry center.
- We can go to the location where the heart of the problem is and confront it head-on.
We chose Option C.
The day after I wrote you last, we went into the Projects where the violence has centered. The people opened their hearts widely to us. Mom’s asked if they could start a petition to the management to have us there all the time. Young men came directly to me, thanking me for coming. “We need you here” was their response. We will go back and do the same tomorrow night, but I have been there every day.
We can’t sit still when this kind of craziness is going on. God has not given us an impotent faith. He has allowed me to see His powerful hand of protection and guidance many times in the Bronx, and I have seen His healing and transformation in many places around the world. God loves the people here as much as He loves anyone. There is still power in His blood to save.
In the past few days, another attack took place: a young man was cut from ear to ear. Also in the past two days, five people have committed their lives to Christ. Four were people we have known for years. Two of those were a former drug dealer “C” and his 16-year-old son. “C” sent me a text last night:
“Just made it back to the shelter. Thanks for the Bibles and the talk. I hope we can do it again soon. Good night and thanks Tom & Lidia. I love you.”
I have been invited to dinner with two other former “street vendors” this week. Another appears to be in control of “things” now. We chatted on the street today. He said he wants to have lunch with me this week.
John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.”
We depart for Detroit next week. There is much to be done here before we leave, and much when we return. But we are trusting God that tide is turning! We will continue working toward that here, and we will take the same spirit to Detroit.
Thank you for your continued prayers. God is faithful!