Mission Fields, Difficulty and Grace

We have decided that the only things different about the mission field at 10th and Penn from other places we have been to around the world is that we know the language (most of the time), the culture is fairly similar to ours and there is some familiarity with stores and the kinds of food we eat each day. (So far we have been to Mazzio's and the Hungry Frog Restaurant!) Other than that, this place is foreign. We don't always know how to relate to folks who can't imagine life without some sort of chemical in their bodies. Things are just difficult sometimes, too. It took an act of Congress yesterday to get something faxed. We went to get some keys made for various doors in and around the church and about half of them didn't work. Internet issues...that's a whole new post! All that to say, it feels very similar to some of the experiences we have had in places on the other side of the world.

Probably the best part of the day was getting to pray with "Tina." Tina is a lady that has been a fixture at Penn Ave. for many years. She has manipulated the leadership there for years and taken advantage of good and Godly hearts in order to continue her addiction to crack cocaine. Within the past six weeks, she has been "clean." She has been working at the church in a number of ways and you can truly see the transformation that is taking place. Jesus is alive in her life. One of the things I love about these folks is their brutal honesty. She entered the room today where we were meeting and asked for prayer. She told us of how she dreamed of crack the night before and woke up tasting it and wanting it so bad. In her earlier days she would prostitute herself just to make money for crack. To say she was addicted doesn't do her situation justice. We prayed for her and asked that God would give her strength to continue the battle another day. It was truly a holy moment and I'm better because of it.