"Social Prison"

"Social prison" is the term that has been used in describing Aliquippa, by one of the board members of Aliquippa Impact. Here in the Quip it is almost as if the world is against individuals. In a community which has been overwhelmed by addiction, violence, homelessness, broken families, and poverty, I can see from an outsiders perspective how men, women, and children may lose hope in the future. As we prayer walk throughout the streets, make home visits, and interact with others, you can look into the eyes of people and see the hurt and pain that dwells deep within their soul.

Wherein lies the question; How do we help? How do we share the love of Christ to people who have lost complete hope, due to the environment in which they grew up in? How do we help someone understand that Jesus loves them so much incredibly more than the love they feel for the crack addiction they have? How do we get someone to grasp the fact that God, our Heavenly Father, will never leave them nor forsake them as their earthly father has done? How do we get someone to understand that the family atmosphere and the adrenaline high from joining and living a gang lifestyle is nothing compared to the high you will receive eternally when you come into a relationship with Christ?

Here's the answer. We can't, but God can. As I have stated before in my blog, ministry has taken on a whole new face here in the Quip. A minute by minute reliance on God is a must. Prayer is priority. It is fascinating to see what role we play in the advancement of the Kingdom by prayer alone. So we go forth, sitting at the foot of the cross, wiping Jesus' feet with our tears, praying for God to make Himself more and more attractive to the people of Aliquippa. We pray for miracles. We pray for transformations. We pray that God will do things that we could never in our right minds think that He can do . . . And then we TRUST.

Love deeply.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U79YOKje2zU -- This message will change your life and challenge you in your prayer life. I have watched it over and over again.

Community

God show me what community really is in your eyes? This has been my prayer for a long time now. I have always heard people's definition of what community is, but quite honestly I want to hear, see, and experience what real community is through the eyes of our Lord. As I look back on the last couple years of my life there are certain experiences which God revealed to me as true community. From having a Thanksgiving dinner with our homeless homies downtown, to taking care of each other as my family does, to our neighbors this past summer cooking meals for us, to people crying out for me in prayer, to meeting the needs of others as in a beautiful collision of friends and Gwinnett Estates back in the ATL; these are just a few to say the least.


I knew coming to the Quip I would be right in the middle of the vision God sees as community. I am reminded of this daily here in the Quip, but last night I couldn't help but thank God for the "community" He has surrounded me with. Every Sunday night our group has a prayer meeting for the city of Aliquippa. We eat together, we laugh together, we pray together, we cry together, we repent of our sins together; all without judgement. It is during these Sunday night prayer meetings where I see God's vision of community come to pass. I am learning more and more about the power behind this word, "community." I am thankful. I am very thankful for God to answering my prayers consistently. So with that being said, just wanted to give a shout out to my community here that has my back! Love you guys and am so thankful for you!

Love Deeply!

"You Laugh and Share Stories with the Thief and the Whore"

"I'm a crack addict and a whore, and I hate my life." These words came from my friend Angela's mouth today. Last night at our prayer meeting we cried out for Angela for a good bit of time. Identity, release of bondage, redemption, were a few of the words that continued to come up. I went to bed last night broken, for I spent time with the Lord throughout the day just crying; crying out for Angela and for others. And again, we interceded for her at the meeting as well.

This morning I woke up and went to my car. As I glanced to the left I saw Angela. I was headed to the post office, so I said a quick prayer; "God if you want me to speak to her, then keep her on that corner." As I drove back quite honestly I was a little hesitant to see what the Lord was going to do. Before I knew it Angela was crossing right in front of my car. I yelled out the window to her. She came right up to my window, extremely frustrated. "I'm hungry, I'm thirsty, and I have no money, please give me five dollars." I could tell the desperation in her voice. I tried to calm her down. "Please, she begged." In my experience with people off the street, I have never given money to an individual. I felt this situation called for a different action. "Just give me a ride to my "house." I finally got Angela to calm down while praying under my breath for her as we spoke. "Angela, Jesus loves you, I continued to say over and over again." Angela at this point really opened up to me. She spoke about different things. "Angela God has a plan for you." She said I was a "really nice person, because I always spoke to her."

Right before I dropped her off, I asked her, "Angela I saw you on the corner the last two nights, is everything ok?" As I said before, she went on to say, "no, I'm a crack addict and I'm a whore, and I hate my life." I told Angela I was praying for her, I told her she's more valuable than being a whore. She closed the door.

A couple hours later, while walking down the street, I saw Angela get into a car with a guy by her corner.

Later in the evening I saw Angela again standing on the corner. I couldn't resist going and talking to her. My friend Joey and I walked over to talk to Angela. I said, "Angela do you want help with your crack addiction and your prostitution?" To make a long story short, she basically said "yes." She said "yes." I continued to reiterate to her that God is bigger than the addiction, He is bigger than the prostitution. I told her I pray that she finds her identity and hope in Christ; and that I would help her. "Angela, I'm not going to pressure you with this crack stuff." She said, "Yes, you need to, because I have a problem, and I like crack."

Six months ago I did not know Angela. It has been a tough pursuit in getting Angela to talk to me. I feel the trust has been built. Now, I find myself at the foot of the cross crying out for her. I am trusting for God to orchestrate a miracle; because that is what it is, a miracle. Our God has the power to do just that. So I come to you right now, asking that you join me in praying for Angela and her life.

. . . Trusting in our Lord to transform the life of a crack addict, whore; who will soon find her identity as a child of the Most High God.

Love Deeply.

"Give and Take"

So, this week I have learned about the phrase "give and take." First of all, I do want to warn you that this is one of those blogs that you just might not like; not like, in the sense that you may not agree with me, your convictions may be different from mine, or you just may be challenged. I came across two situations this week that really taught me a lot; one of which I will explain, one of which I will not. I bought my first pack of cigarettes this week; before you freak out on me, I did not buy them to smoke, I bought them to distribute . . . to distribute, WHEN ASKED, in order to advance the Kingdom that is. Give & Take, let me explain.

Those of you who kept up with my blog this past summer know about a woman named Angela. She was very hard toward me at the beginning of the summer, and softened up toward the end. I have prayed for her since the day I first came across her. My friend Steve and I were prayer walking on Tuesday. We prayed that God would cross our paths with Anglea again. Wednesday I saw her. We talked, I told her "Jesus loves you" as I always have, and that I was praying for her. She seemed humbled, but in a hurry to get away as she always has as well. Before she leaves me, it never fails that she asks me for either a quarter or a cigarette. I don't ever carry money on me here walking the streets and I don't have cigarettes; until now. A thought came to me, as it has before chilling with the homeless in downtown ATL . . . if I carried cigarettes around and someone asked me for one, it would give me a chance to talk to them. Give & Take. You want a cigarette, sure, but you have to sit and chill with me.

I found myself praying over the box of cigarettes this morning. I truly believe God will open up conversations with people on the streets that will eventually lead to Him. I am confident of this. What I am learning here in the Quip very quickly is that ministry takes on a whole different face, if you will. A face that whether you like it or not will lead to the advancement of the Kingdom in some way, shape, or form. Pray for Angela. Pray for the people I will get to talk to over a cigarette. Pray for transformation in the people of Aliquippa! Praise Him!

Love deeply.

Made It Safe and Sound

So picture this: I'm chillin in my kitchen typing this with my favorite baggy blue sweats that I cannot live without and everyone tries to steal, a long sleeve shirt, a hoodie, and a beanie . . . oh yea, and my space heater running up in my room getting it nice and toasty for me; ha, and it hasn't even gotten cold yet. But really though, atleast I can find humor in it right!?! So, as the title says, I obviously made it safe and sound with the parents. My Mom and I had fun nagging my Dad the whole way here. We got to the Quip Friday morningish and started moving in and hanging pics, and doing all the stuff you do when you move in somewhere. Well, 3 days later I'm all moved in and it looks like a house a must say. My parents were such a huuuge help with everything; I could not have done it without them. (Shout out). Thanks again Mom and Dad if you are reading this.

After 2 or 3 hours full of Frogger (yup, I said Frogger) with the crew last night I got to chill with my two little sisters Tanaya and Tiona (ok, they're not too little, they could maybe beat me up - pssyyyccchhh), along with crazy fool Joey this afternoon. Well. maybe Joey slept most of the time; but it was a blast. Then, went to prayer meeting tonight. All I can say is that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I know God is going to stretch me here as I have said before in ways in which I cannot imagine; many challenges, pain, and difficult times ahead, but more importantly much rejoicing over the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven than anything else. Basically, I'm confessing that I will take the hard times without a doubt to see individuals come face to face with our Lord and His beauty.

Love deeply.