Ministry at The Garden

I would have to say that flying above the clouds stirs my affection for God. There’s something about the airplane taking off, a period of no visibility and then emerging atop the clouds that cover the ground below. I don’t think I will ever get tired of a window seat, looking out and being amazed at the glory and splendor that is God’s creation. Sometimes I find it difficult to focus on the Lord or to express his goodness because I don’t want to sound religious or “christianese,” but the truth is, I love the Lord and I stand in awe and with humility because He chose to save me.

I had a layover in Atlanta last week as I was heading to visit my friend in Puerto Rico. It was a long enough layover to visit Melissa and the ministry she is involved with. I was able to serve alongside a great friend that was also a coleader with me in Swaziland. We spent some of the day laughing and praising God for all he did through our team despite our depravity and many shortcomings as leaders. Many from our team has gone on to ministry locally and globally. Since being back in the States, we’ve had to rely on the Lord, his provisions and faith that he will provide. Our lives have been and hopefully will remain radical, outrageous, crazy and misunderstood.

Melissa came and rescued me from the Atlanta airport. I was blessed just to visit her and found myself even more excited when she took me to her place of ministry. Every time I talk to Melissa she has an awesome, yet crazy story about her experiences and opportunities of ministering to the homeless in Atlanta. Not only do they offer a place to live, but they also spend much time going out to the homeless under the bridges. Seven, the facilitator of this ministry, disciples young men that serve and end up being completely wrecked by God. Their hearts shine with Jesus!

I was able to sit and talk with the house mother who is full of joy and proclaims how the Lord has saved and restored her. It is only through our pain and allowing Jesus to heal us that we can be a witness to others that are going through the same thing. I was reminded that the Lord’s hand is definitely protecting me. I have friends and family that love and encourage me, a house to live in and food to eat. (I know this seems a little dramatic, but I often forget to praise God for the small things we all take for granted). He has rescued me from a life of heartache, pain and destruction even though I know that I will face more trials in my life. As I sat and listened to the house mother share some of her testimony of God’s healing and protection in her life, she could not help but smile because of all the Lord had done for her.

I am blessed to have met the women of The Garden as well as some of the men that God is violently pursuing. I came in as a stranger but was literally welcomed in with open arms and many hugs and kisses! It was truly a blessing to serve alongside Melissa again and to see how much her family loves her! The Lord is alive and continues to heal his people through serving others. The lost, forgotten and broken families seem to have an understanding and grasp something from the Lord that the rest of us are missing out on living in our suburban homes.

I was reminded that the Lord has called me to a life of ministry globally, but he has definitely placed me in Dallas for this time. Location isn’t a deciding factor to loving people and Melissa, the ministry she is involved with and the men and women there reminded me of the love the Lord has given me. I was also convicted for my growing complacency.
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