I was in a fierce wrestling match last week with that great masked avenger: The Common Cold. He is a worthy adversary, but eventually I won. I pinned him to the mat, and I'm feeling better today. Although, I had some help. There were no metal chairs, ladders, or 2x4's at the side of the wrestling ring so I grabbed orange juice from the fridge, water from the faucet, a sturdy cardboard box of Kleenex, and two of my closest friends.
Rich and Lyle answered the call and joined me at the cafe Thursday afternoon providing support, encouragement, and strength to serve and minister to cafe guests. We had a great discussion going about God's sovereignty and evangelism when one of our "regulars" dropped in.
We welcomed him. The guest asked for a glass of water. Rich filled up a cup for him, and the three of us continued our conversation.
He overheard us and joined in saying, "I wish God would save me, but I just don't think he hears me. I do all these bad things and ask God to forgive me but keep doing dumb things that I don't want to do. I'm also afraid of what my friends will say if my life changes, like...a lot. But isn't it also true that, like...um, if someone asks him to come into their heart but that person just keeps doing stuff, eventually God won't forgive that person?"
Immediately, the direction of our conversation deviated. Three men slurping coffee and talking about God became four men. It was a wonderful conversation. It was a confluence of people and their stories of how God has changed, and is changing, their lives. After nearly an hour of sharing the scriptures and our lives with this young 19 year old, Lyle stood and hugged him.
I share this moment at the cafe to encourage you that your prayers are being answered and your financial support is not futile. God is giving the cafe volunteers opportunities to feed the hungry and talk with guests about Him. Your support makes this possible. Thank you!
Please continue sharing the cafe ministry with your friends and family. And remember the cafe in your prayers. Ask God to provide new financial supporters, more volunteers, and more people to pray for a greater confluence of the staff, the volunteers, and those guests walking in for a glass of cold water.
Jesus said,
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward" (NIV, Matthew 10:42).
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink" (NIV, John 7:37).