A mosiac view of Christ!

It is Friday night on the streets of Spokane! The room fills with faces of over 100 men and women. Their faces are marked by addiction and hopelessness. It is easy to have this picture in one’s mind as one sees those who come to be fed, and to get a coat or a pair of socks, and yes, even a request for a roll of toilet paper. But if you look closer, if you really look, you begin to see a beautiful mosaic of the face of Christ made of precious stones. Yes, a picture made up of over 100 such stones, each etched with the face of a homeless person. The picture you begin to see is that of Christ sitting and overlooking the city of Spokane, saying, “For this reason I came to die.” If you look carefully, set aside your many prejudices, and look with a heart of compassion, your eyes begin to be opened to that beautiful mosaic.Those that come to serve each week have their own stories to tell as well, and form their own beautiful mosaic picture of Christ.
There is Dave who knows most of the people in line as just a short time ago he lived in their world. But today, after just 46 days of sobriety, he has come back to minister to the community he knows so well. He tells of being encouraged as he sees husbands and boyfriends that are sober tonight knowing that perhaps for this night, at least, their wife or girlfriends will not suffer from their hands of abuse. He offers a prayer of heartfelt thanksgiving for his life now being changed. There is James who comes not only with a heart for the homeless but also has a deep concern for a brother “in Christ” who has relapsed. He knows only too well his own continuing road to recovery and sobriety. There is Anna who comes regularly to serve. Her son lives at the mission and this is her way to give back. She shares her son’s struggles with a sense of real hope. In Proverbs it says “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”. Too often I feel, we as so called mature Christians, look to our own economic and social status peers to provide this sharpening when in reality Christ can sometimes more readily use those thatwe call ‘weak’ in the faith to make us into a part of a beautiful mosaic picture of Him. Yes, we can begin to see a mosaic picture of Christ made of valuable stones even in those who come asking for such basics as a “roll of toilet paper”.

What Difference Does it Make?

What difference does it make? This is the title of the book by Ron Hall, a wealthy art dealer, and Denver Moore, a former homeless person who lived in the alleys and behind dumpsters until they met at the mission in Fort Worth Texas where God radically changed both of their lives. Denver Moore says, “If folks like me had the ability to do what folks like you be tellin' us to do, we’d a’ already done it.” Does investing in the lives of the homeless people on Friday night outreach really ‘make a difference'? Don’t we see many of the same people each week? Aren’t we just enabling them to remain on the street? What difference do it make? It was cold and damp this Friday night. Many of the homeless were all ready waiting when we arrived. Because of unforeseen circumstances, we didn’t have the key to getinto the church to setup. I begin think about going and sitting in the UGM van where it was warm, wimpy I know, but the thought did cross my mind. As I begin to mingle among the homeless, one of our men came alongside me and said, “I’ll go with you fo ryour safety”. I hadn’t felt any fear until that point. The key arrived to unlock the church door arrives and we did our usual setup, the serving line was long for a Friday night this early in the month. We serve the usual soup, sandwiches, hot dogs, fresh fruit and hot drinks. Coats, blankets, socks, back packs and toiletries were in brisk demand. But still the question, What difference do it make? Then it struck home! That one big difference was occurring in my life! Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. I came to impact others lives, and suddenly realized it was my life that was being changed. I was beginning to see the homeless through eyes of compassion, and the men from UGM were helping me to focus on things ‘eternal’. It was my life that was being ‘sharpened." I was no longer just the one ‘giving’, but also the one ‘receiving’. Yes, I could still interact with many of the homeless and encourage them to get a pla nfor their lives which could start by coming to the Mission. I still had the opportunity to encourage them to make changes, to help fill an empty stomach and give out a warm coat. Yes, through God’s intervention and those who come to serve, lives are being impacted on Friday night.But at least on this Friday night the biggest difference was being made in me.

Invisible Refugees

Spokane has over 25,000 refugees within its borders. They come from Nepal, Myanmar,Bhutan, Iraq, Cuba, Congo, Eritrea, Somalia and more. 400-500 more are coming to Spokane each year. They are Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindus; they are a mission field right in our backyard. We spend countless dollars to send missionaries overseas to share the Gospel with these same people groups which may very well be fine. But, for the most part, the refugees in our midst remain “invisible’ to most Christians even when they venture into our churches. It is my observation that it is much easier to ‘give money then to be involved in the lives of those we profess we want to hear the Gospel message.Many of these refugees are open to hearing the Gospel if we first become their friends. If you are able, invest in their lives with your time and friendship.

Invisible Neighbors

Some of the most ‘invisible’ people for Christians are frequently their neighbors. Yes, we occasionally say hello, with the pre-functionary “how are you”? But rarely do we seek to form relationships which might lead us to sharing the Gospel with them. Not too long ago I was talking to a local leader in his church and he mentioned they had a new neighbor who he wasn’t a believer. So, I asked him about his plan to get to know this neighbor, so he might be able to share the Gospel with him. His response caught me off guard, when he curtly said, “I don’t have a plan”. I have often wondered that if we saw our neighbor’s house on fire wouldn’t we rush over, pound on their door, warning them of their pending doom. Yet, when it comes to sharing the gospel with them and telling them of coming judgment we see no such urgency. For all practical purposes our neighbors are all too frequently “invisible”. Invisible Refugees in our Community Spokane has over 25,000 refugees within its borders. They come from Nepal, Myanmar,Bhutan, Iraq, Cuba, Congo, Eritrea, Somalia and more. 400-500 more are coming to Spokane each year. They are Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Hindus; they are a mission field right in our backyard. We spend countless dollars to send missionaries overseas to share the Gospel with these same people groups which may very well be fine. But, for the most part, the refugees in our midst remain “invisible’ to most Christians even when they venture into our churches. It is my observation that it is much easier to ‘give money then to be involved in the lives of those we profess we want to hear the Gospel message.Many of these refugees are open to hearing the Gospel if we first become their friends. If you are able, invest in their lives with your time and friendship.

Invisible People part 1

Invisible Homeless

Spokane and most likely your city, have hundreds of homeless people, men andwomen of all ages, they live on the edge of main stream society and for the most part occasional ‘panhandler’ on the corner holding a sign asking for ‘money’ or ‘will work’.We try not to make eye contact or worse we mutter something about them getting a job.We lock our car doors before passing by them. I know I’ve done it and if you are honest, so have you. But I have yet to hear of them attempting a car invasion. But for every one you see panhandling there are probably another one hundred who live in the shadowsof ‘invisibility’. They are from almost every ethnic background and age; some addicted to drugs, some to alcohol, some just fleeing an abusive situation or having lost their job.They live under the Freeway, in the alleys, behind a dumpster; but they are visible if we open our eyes. We all have one thing in common; God loves them as much as you andme. He came to die for them too! Who will share the “Good News” of salvation, healing and redemption with them? Or will they remain ‘invisible’ because we choose to look away?

From Every Nation

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have
commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20

Over the past 6 years Loretta and I have been involved with the resettlement of refugees
here in Spokane, focusing on the Chin Burmese community. Five years ago, we were
privileged to host the first Chin Burmese couple and their 6 month old son in our
home when they arrived in Spokane. It was through them that we became aware of the
persecution of believers in Myanmar, but also for the tremendous opportunity to support
indigenous Pastor/Evangelists, who share the gospel in this primarily Buddhist country.

We are now providing monthly support for indigenous Pastor/Evangelists. Additionally
our focus is on supplying the printing costs of the Gospel tract, Quest for Joy, which
has been translated into Burmese and seven (7) dialects. Also the discipleship materials
In our Joy and For your Joy, which have been translated into Burmese and Tedim
Chin to indigenous Pastor/Evangelists. We obtained these materials from Desiring God
International and they have helped financially in the printing costs.

We rejoice in having heard of more than 400 people coming to know Christ and who are
now being discipled in their local churches.

One such testimony among many:

I am Kaih Mang Lian, although I grew up in a Christian family, I did not follow Jesus.
My father told me about Jesus, but I did not listen to his words. One day, when I had
left school, I ran away from home to a big city. I went to the railway station and sat on
a seat, feeling very sad and lonely. A man came to me and asked, “Where do you want
to go?” I did not reply, Instead, I cried. After I spent sometime in the railway station,
I was given a paper called Quest for Joy in Burmese. I read it carefully. The message
was the same message what my dad told me every day! But on that day, really the Holy
works in me and I accepted the Lord Jesus as My Lord and Savior. I ran away back to
my home and my parent welcome me with tears and said, “My son you are alive today,
thank God”.

Recently a donor supplied the funding of over 450 Bibles in Burmese and the Tedim
Chin dialect for distribution to new believers.

Some testimonies:

My name is Zam Suan Niang and I did not have a Bible, but was given one freely and I
am very grateful.

My name is Naing Naign and I was without a Bible for several years, thank you so much
for giving me a Bible at free cost. God bless you.

My name is Thang Za Mang. I thank you so much I have received a Bible at free cost,
many others are thanking you for free Bibles.

God has orchestrated and directed this ministry throughout and to Him goes all the
praise!

Christmas Under the Overpass

Yes, Christmas came even to the homeless who live in large part under the freeway. For many Christmas is a time of loneliness, with bitter sweet memories. But tonight was different for the 185 guests who were served a meal prepared by a professional chef and donated by a UGM family. The menu of pork loin roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and various kinds of pie, were just the beginning of the evening.Thanks to a Union Gospel family’s generosity and a group of about 40 people, mostly teenagers and men from the UGM to serve them, tonight was special. Not only did thehomeless have a warm place to eat, be served a truly great meal, but there were bingo games with practical prizes like all-day bus passes and warm coats. Each one who came was given a gift bag of new socks, toiletries and candy. As one who was able just to observe, my heart was touched to see how much the homeless got into playing bingo and just spending time in warm place and enjoy beingwaited on by the young people.. During the clean up time at the conclusion of theevening, the young people were laughing, playing a little bit of basketball and just havingfun. One of the men from the mission, caused tears to well up in my eyes, when he said: “I wish I hadn’t missed the innocence of youth, as I was abused in those years.”As we left a haunting picture remains in my eyes that of a woman sitting alone on thecold dark steps of the church. Where was the innocence of her youth? Where would she be on Christmas day? Who would be there to wish her a Merry Christmas?