A Few Hours on the North Side

On Friday morning we were doing some preparation work at the Dream Center for the Saturday outreach and we delivered another truckload of product to Desire Street Ministries. With almost 100 teenage boys, most of whom live on-site, there is always a need for more food. Thanks to our partnership with Operation Blessing and our friends in the NFL, we were able to provide groceries and athletic apparel for the students. As always, the staff at Desire Street was very grateful.

Most of the students that attend Desire Street are still unable to return home, as many of them are from the former 9th Ward of New Orleans. But regardless of their circumstances, each of the young men that I have met have been courteous and eager to help. The staff at Desire Street is an example of how the power of God’s love will change lives. I am confident that God has mighty plans for these boys and the entire ministry. It is a privilege to be able to partner with them and watch God move.

Saturday morning we did another give-away in North Baton Rouge, handing out groceries and hygiene products to people in the neighborhood. As is His custom, God showed up big. We sent three trucks out, loaded with everything from red beans to hand lotion. Our volunteers knocked on doors, prayed for people and shared the love of God and the hope of Jesus Christ.

One of the places we sometimes go is to an apartment complex on North Street. Most of the residents are elderly, disabled or Katrina evacuees. Every home has another version of tragedy; another tale of brokenness. Thank God that our church believes in being a healing place for a hurting world. The people pour out of their apartments, meeting us in the parking lot. The need is so great at this particular venue that we don’t even have time to go door-to-door. Their gratitude is evident in their smiles, and often in their tears. We hand out food, pray for needs, and believe with them that things will improve.

We also stopped by The Alamo, a by-the-hour motel on Florida Blvd. Again, surrounded by utter brokenness, I watched God move. Leaning against one of our now-empty trucks, I looked across the parking lot. I saw three of our volunteers kneeling in prayer, laying hands on a woman and her baby. I saw a young man talking to one of our pastors, nodding in agreement with something that was said. I saw another volunteer with a kitten tucked into her jacket, having been given to her by a family who couldn’t afford to feed it. I watched individuals and families receive food, prayer and hope.

From there we hit another couple of streets before returning to the Dream Center; more houses, more families, more lost and hurting people. Back at the building we unloaded boxes, straightened the warehouse and closed in prayer.

We didn’t get to feed everyone in Baton Rouge, but we made a difference to some. As I rode home I heard the voice of a woman from the apartment complex saying through her tears, “God is so good, He is just so, so good”. I couldn’t agree with her more. All glory to God!