Soul Cafe

By Aaron
Living near us in the Ft. Worth area there’s this group of 20-something’s. Nice clothes, good jobs, and a few conservative Christian tattoos and piercings frame the group’s personality. They constitute a Christian Community, Organic Church, or whatever you want to call it.

Their pattern of meeting, going on for months now, is fascinating! They migrate through the area near downtown where the homeless hang out and minister to them; socks, gloves, belts, propane, hamburgers, and God’s Word are shared freely. They don’t just hand out stuff, they make friends. Then they all drive back up to Starbucks in the suburbs, de-brief, make more acquaintances, and then go to someone’s apartment nearby to pray. (This all take many hours!)

Aaron and his gang call these meetings “Intentional Gatherings.” As a group, they are regulars at our gathering, which is made of mostly older folks with children. This, they say, is because our “church” makes them feel that we really appreciate their work among the homeless. And we are proud to help them from time to time.

Their stories highlight a growing sentiment in the Christian world that says, “We are not content to only meet together, but we must be ‘doing’ our faith.” Below are excerpts from e-mails to and from the group’s members and guests. You have to fill in the stories with your imagination. Please read and enjoy!

From Aaron:
If you have read the previous blogs then you know about Robert and Laura. To refresh your memory: Robert, Laura, and Billy were the trio we ran into one night on a bike trail in the woods next to the Trinity River. They had their sleeping bags out on the ground and one on the picnic table. It was about 30 degrees that night. We shared a lovely meal of IHOP with them in the woods. It was amazing. Of course, our concern lately has been the next step … we are constantly asking ourselves, “What’s next?” Chances were that we would never see them again. We usually give our phone number out to the homeless people we come in contact with. We gave our number to Robert, Laura, and Billy that night. We never thought in a million years they’d use it?

We think of 50 cents as no big deal. I pay that times 40 on my monthly phone bills! Fifty cents might be more money than Robert and his wife Laura see in a week. Robert didn’t use his 50 cents Wednesday night (Valentine’s Day) to get something for his wife, Laura. Instead, he took us up on our offer from three weeks ago. We had told him to call us ANYTIME he needed anything or wanted to hang out. Wednesday at about 3 o’clock I got a call from an unrecognized number. I’m weird, and always answer my phone if I hear it ring. It was Robert. I couldn’t believe it. I almost cussed I was so excited and shocked by this random, unexpected phone call. Well – maybe a cuss word did accidentally slip out. Robert, with a very shy and hesitant tone asked if we wanted to hang out that night. I told him not to move and that I’d call some others, see if they could, and call him right back at the payphone. I couldn’t reach anyone, but knew I could make it out that night. So, I called right back and told him we’d be there. He named the time and place, which was the Denny’s on University at 9:45. (I had work until nine, and knew that some of the others would be busy until then) I was so pumped that he had called. I finally got a hold of some other people who were equally as excited when I told them who had called.

It’s a long story, but 13 of us joined Robert and Laura for a Valentine’s dinner. On the way out there Morgan said, “Guys, THIS is what Valentine’s Day is all about, dangit!”

We stopped and bought a card and some chocolates for them. Keri had grabbed two nice coats from the donations and some toothbrushes and toothpaste as well.

Robert and Laura met us in the parking lot, and we made our way in. I asked Robert how they had managed to get to Texas from Utah. For the next two hours we listened to Robert tell us exciting stories that he and Laura had experienced. It was beautiful. Robert was quite the storyteller – he’s good at it – he does not usually have an audience. Wednesday night we were his audience. He was so tickled that he had a group of people listening to his stories that he didn’t even eat his food! We boxed it up so they could take it with them. Robert rolled two cigarettes, one for him and one for Laura. They enjoyed the warmth of shelter and the tightly rolled cigarettes before we left.

The check was paid and we all headed back out into the cold parking lot. It was freezing. Robert, in a very bashful way, mentioned that they were running low on propane for the small heater they had. We told them to call us the next Monday and we’d bring them propane. I gave him 50 cents for the payphone. I told Robert that next time we hung out we were going to take them to a movie. I then asked if we could pray for them? (The first time we met them and asked to pray Robert walked away while we prayed for Laura and Billy) this time they both said, “Sure!” A few of us circled around them, laid our hands on them and prayed. The love shown through our actions had opened up Robert and Laura to the saving grace of Christ. It was beautiful.

We drove home thinking about how cold Robert and Laura were going to be in their tent in the woods that night. We thanked our Father for answering our prayers. He had allowed us to develop a relationship with two beautiful people. He is allowing us to love them for the sole purpose of doing JUST THAT, and nothing else. After all, that is the message of Christ isn’t it? It’s hard for us sometimes to think about simply loving someone even if we don’t think they’ll ever come to know Christ. Sadly, we usually have a separate agenda. We’ll love, but with the purpose of converting. We aren’t heart changers. God calls us to love. He will change the hearts. We pray that Robert calls again, so we can continue to extend grace to them. We pray for their souls.

From Donnie:
Andrew Jones said something recently on his blog about learning to see the sacred in everyday encounters. I think I figured out just a little bit more of what he meant after Saturday morning. I missed most of the coffee hand out with the “rev” but made it in time to see a few people still left and to get the grand tour of the resource center. As we approached the second floor where the offices were located, we met a person named Jeff. Jeff was sitting all alone on a couch reading from a tattered and torn up bible. It was a beautiful scene to behold. The Rev asked Jeff what he was doing and Jeff gave some response about demons tapping on his shoulder downstairs. As we were walking on past Jeff I quickly asked him what he was reading. His response blew me away. “I am reading Psalms 25. I read it every day. Then, when I am done, I read a chapter of proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. Today is the 24th so I will read Proverbs 24.” I made some slight comment about how that was good, something inconsequential. He looked at me and I think Jeremiah had stuck around at this point and said, “If I didn’t read it every day… I would be dead.”

Later while eating breakfast at Denny’s I had another encounter that is still sticking with me and resonating with my spirit. The letters of Paul are clear on the mutual submission of husbands to wives and wives to husbands. How often these teachings are abused in our churches. I watched Robert for a few minutes Saturday morning and gained years of marriage counseling experience. I watched him pull out a bag of tobacco and two rolling papers. He took time, focused his attention, detached from the conversation, and rolled a cigarette. Then he took the second paper and with that certain nuanced skill rolled a second cigarette. Then, without hesitation, he placed them both in front of Laura on the table. He allowed her to choose which of the two she wanted. I know it seems small. But when the clothes on your back, a bicycle, and cigarettes are all you have in your possession, giving something like a cigarette grows in value. That which he has, he freely gives to her … selflessly.

From Angelia:
I was absolutely blown away Sunday night. I went home exhausted but my heart was absolutely full from being with you guys. Jeremiah, worship was awesome. You guys are doing the stuff–this is church. We are the church and we are to take it out to the people and that is exactly what you are doing. I heard it said once that His heart beats “peo-ple, peo-ple” so you are part of that heartbeat to bring others Thank you for your transparency in front of us even as newcomers. What it shows me is that the most important thing to you is a pure heart and whatever it takes to get there then so be it. God is purifying His bride and He is very pleased with the freedom that you guys are learning to walk in and your desperateness for Him. We look forward to joining you in being the church. Bless each of you this week. May you know His unfathomable love for you.

From Aaron:
We met up with our friend Michael this morning on the corner of E. Lancaster and Pine St. Every Saturday morning he sets up some lawn chairs, serves coffee to the homeless, and shares some scripture with them. It was beautiful. He calls it the “Soul Cafe” At around 7am the Night Shelter sends everyone out, and the streets become filled with those without a home. There was a deaf woman with a cane, an elderly alcoholic man with a limp who slurred and drooled on himself when he spoke, a middle aged man with Tourette’s Syndrome, and a wild-eyed guy who talked to himself the entire time we were there.

The alcoholic who drooled on himself was losing his pants because he didn’t have a belt. I asked him if he needed a belt, took mine off and handed it to him. He said, “Thanks,” and put it on.

Here’s what blows me away: Another homeless man walked up who had seen me give my belt away. He asked me if I needed a belt, and took one out of his pocket.

Can you believe that!? Here’s a homeless man with nothing, and he gave to ME. He gave me more than many people in the DFW area will give to a homeless person during their entire lifetime.

Afterwards, Michael took us around the area of the shelters and to the “Day Resource Center” where he showed us all of the things we could do to volunteer and help. There is so much need out there. There were homeless people everywhere. They all know Michael, and said, “Hey, Rev,” as he approached. He provides them with so much throughout the week. I.G.’s will continue to work with Michael in Ft. Worth, and some cool things are “in the works” for the next couple of months. I will keep you posted.