Street Church

On Saturday evening Amy and I went with Naomi (she’s one of the Allan’s children and is 28 years old) to what they call their street church. First we went to an apartment that Isaac (he’s Naomi’s older brother) has for guys to stay at when they are recovering from addictions. It was just one room with a few thin mattresses, a tiny little kitchen and a bathroom. There was no one staying there at the time and we meet there with about 20 young people to sing praise songs. They passed around lots of coffee and some cheese on rolls and we sang a few songs, then after a while we went down the stairs to the alley and back to the street. Then we rode in the back of a pickup truck to the town park where we sang some more. In between the songs at the apartment and in the park some of the young people would have a word of encouragement for the others. They also formed what they called a "ring of fire" and prayed for each other and the people of the city. It was really powerful. Even though I couldn’t understand everything I could feel God’s presence and it was great to see so many young people, some from very rough pasts, singing to God and walking throughout the park to find people with whom to share Jesus.