What Do You Want to Know?

I've spent a lot of time writing about our experiences so far at OKC Compassion. Hopefully you've enjoyed some of that experience. I got to thinking tonight that you might have some questions about what we're doing that I haven't answered yet. We would LOVE to know your questions, and we'll do our best to answer them. Thanks!

Crack House!

Wow. Just had an interesting night! Had a chance to take a mattress and little space heater to a family I met a couple of weeks ago when they came to have lunch at the church. I found out earlier this morning they were without heat and were sleeping on the floor of their apartment. My parents and my uncle Bob came over tonight for dinner and we had a blast together. So, I thought it might be a smart idea to ask my dad and my uncle to go with me since it was night. I am learning more and more that crazy things happen with our people at night. I guess that's a universal thing. We hopped in the truck and headed to an apartment complex about 3 blocks away from the church. When we pulled up to the front I saw several men standing outside just kind of "hanging out." I had heard rumors about this kind of thing but had never really experienced it first hand. One rather large individual was standing in front of the main entrance like he was guarding it from something or someone! I got out of the truck, told my dad and uncle to stay put and made my way up to the door. The guy asked me, "What are you looking for?" I quickly realized he was trying to see if I wanted to buy some drugs. That was quite an experience. I told him I was looking for my friend and he said, "Are you sure?" I told him I was sure and he directed me to the back. Scary place, scary situation. But, people live in it everyday. I can't imagine what that must be like on a daily basis.

Disfigured Face and a Good Lunch!

Sounds kind of strange for a title, but it kind of highlights our day together at Penn Ave. Amy was at home with Sam this morning and I went in to try and take care of a few things and walked through the fellowship hall where several of our community folks had already begun to gather for lunch. Then a woman named Lily came up to me and said that her husband had been beaten up and was in the ER in south OKC. She hadn't seen him in a few days as he was out drinking. She asked if I would take her to see him. I couldn't say no as she was terrified. So, we made our way to Integris Hospital. On the way I found out that she and her husband had been homeless for over a year and both had struggled with several addictions, the main two being huffing paint and alcohol. This last addiction appeared to play a part in Tony's altercation. When we got to the hospital we made our way to the ER and walked into the room. It's hard to describe what I saw. He didn't look like the same person I knew. Apparently he was drunk and walking late last night and was ganged up on by two guys and they robbed him for six dollars. Six dollars. For a few minutes they weren't sure if they would be able to save his left eye. His orbital bone was shattered and both of his eyes were swollen shut. Remarkably, he was in really good spirits. It's hard to know how to help in that kind of situation. "Stop drinking, Tony." That's too obvious. Tony already knows that. He just has to choose to do it. So, I just decided to be a non-anxious presence. My friend Ed Robinson talked a lot about that in seminary. He's really good at that and I'm trying to get better at. Just to be present. I prayed with Tony and Lily and made my way to a lunch appointment with the senior pastor of Bethany First Church. He and his wife met me and Amy for lunch. I'm not sure I've ever been around a couple with so much Godly wisdom. They helped us tremendously and gave us great insight into how we might be able to help bring about some new hope and movement at Penn Avenue and OKC Compassion. It was good to be with them again. They are special people. We head to Waco, TX tomorrow to visit our family. Birthday parties are fun. Be back soon!

Hi Jan

Hi Jan. Hope you like the book...it's good stuff!

Great Book

Wow, my friend Joe Hoffman turned me onto a great book this weekend. Once I got it home from Barnes and Noble I couldn't put it down. Read the thing from cover to cover. If you are wondering where Amy and I are at with regard to our dreams, the kinds of people we work with and some of the issues involved, read this book. Written by Ron Hall and its called "Same Kind of Different Than Me." It's about a wealthy couple that begins to serve down at the City Union Mission in Fort Worth, Texas and their interaction with a homeless man named Denver. They both change each others' lives and it's quite possibly the best book I've ever read to help explain to people "why" we are doing what we are doing. I highly recommend it. Be back soon!

People and Issues

Well, it's been a few days since I posted. Things are really beginning to come together. A group of guys has been working on a new office for the two of us. It is huge! We're excited about that as it is so incredibly important to have a place where we can provide some counseling in a private atmosphere. Closed doors are important at times.
Tried to help a guy yesterday whose house burned down. Actually, his girlfriend of 30 years decided it would be a good idea. She has her share of problems and unfortunately locked away for quite awhile with a first-degree arson charge. Her boyfriend and I went down to the red cross to try and get a voucher for his living expenses for this month. It always takes a long time, longer than it should. However, I have been impressed with the Red Cross and their work with us on this.
I was able to get individual letters typed out to each guy living in our Recovery House. 12 of them, to be exact. It felt good to at least get somewhat of a handle on communication and setting up consistent meetings times with these guys. I think several of them are well on their way to getting out of the cycle they have lived in for so long. That's exciting.
I met with Carl Zoch from OKC First this morning and discussed the upcoming Senior High mission trip to Penn Ave. in March. He is a great guy and I can tell he shares the same vision for the Kingdom of God that Jon does there. That's an exciting thing and I look forward to watching how it all works out. Ministry has been fun so far this week!

Still Learning

Had an interesting day today. Had a chance to listen to a philosophy of helping people that is so rare and so hard to understand. Yet, part of me really likes it and believes it to be what Jesus would hold if he were here (is he still here through us?) and it is something that in my heart I really want to embrace. BUT, in my head it is much different. It all boils down to a philosophy of finances. What does it mean to be fiscally responsible? I have experienced both "philosophies" in my short ministry experience thus far. At my last church I saw a philosophy that embraced helping people but only to a certain extent, at least that was the case until about the last six months I was there and some new leadership was brought in that said, "If we have the money we need to help." So, there wasn't a $2000.00 cushion like there was in the past. The logic went this way: "We can't save this for a rainy day because it is someone's rainy day today." I wholeheartedly believe in that. It's funny that at our new place of ministry that same prevailing thought exists. "If we have the money, we need to help those in need." I have so much to learn and am still so uncomfortable with some of the ways that things are done around the ministry. Yet, there is this part of me that says "Shut up Joe. You are an arrogant jerk and you don't have it all figured out." I hate being patient.

First Haircut for Sam

My son is no longer a little baby. He had his first haircut today and treated it like he does most things. He was extremely laid back and just kind of checked things out. Sherry did a great job cutting his hair as his mom and dad and both sets of grandparents (and everyone else in the salon) gawked like we had never seen someone get a haircut! It was a good day, but in some ways it was a sad day. I keep reminding myself to enjoy every moment but I keep wishing that I could have my tiny little boy back! I know that is useless though, as he grows more and more every day. I'll try and put some video of the big day up tomorrow or the next day.