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© Focus on Jesus. Focus on Souls. ©Beyond the Wall - Homeless Outreach
In Matthew 25, Father tells the parable of Him giving one, two and five talents to three servants separately, according to their ability. The two guys received two and five used the talents well and had good return. The one who got one talent buried it and did not put it to use. Through a prophecy, the Lord warned me personally not to make the same mistake. Many have been given Lots of talents. As for me, I have one talent (or just half of a talent) and must obey Father and use it. The talent He gave me is the spirit of love and giving. His calling for me is to intercede for others and serve the people on the street.
Homeless Outreach - A Nervous Beginning
In 1997, we started to host a cell group/Bible study in our home, twice a month, for about two years. Two years later, the Lord said, "Take the cell group beyond the wall." I was nervous and not sure how to do it. The pastors connected us with a Korean church’s outreach team. Through missionary evangelist Steve Hill, the Lord gave me encouragement. Since October 1999 we have been serving on the Santa Ana Street Outreach. The Korean team brings a short church service and lunch every Saturday afternoon. Once a month, they provide a haircut service. Another small church with primarily black congregation joins us two Saturdays a month. Yvonne, Edmond and Sonya, the YES team, went every 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month and changed to three Saturdays a month in 10/02. We pray for the drug and alcohol bound, homeless individuals and families. It is especially tough to see homeless parents with young children out on the street. I get acquainted with them first. Then, ask for permission to pray for them. If they are interested, I ask what they would like to be prayed for. Praise God. He does give me repeat customers. After coming home, their names go on the prayer list. We continue to pray for them.
Frontline Spiritual Battle
Street people we serve are extremely transient. Most of the folks we prayed for we never meet again. In the beginning, I always wondered how they were doing. Often I felt frustrated and fruitless. Once in a conference dinner, an old black gentleman told me, "I preach on the street. I just sow. Just sow..." The Lord was telling me to be of good courage, just sow, and not to worry about the result. (This was my boot camp training: walking by faith, not by sight. [2 Corinthians 5:7]) Trust the Holy Spirit to do all the rest as Father has made clear that good things happen "not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit." [Zechariah 4:6] In the past three years, we have seen Holy Spirit gently yet powerfully touched people’s hearts. Some were willing to give thanks to God. Some started to think about forgiveness. Some let Holy Spirit to touch their sore spot of bitterness. Some opened their hearts to Jesus and received Christ as Savior. We have also seen young men and husbands found jobs and families settled down in apartments. Although it is sad to see so many still bound, I have no doubt Father has His hand on all.
Through serving on the street, I learned at a deeper level that "we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere." [Ephesians 4:12 Amplified]
Grace, Mercy, Healing and Deliverance for Illnesses and Bondages
Many homeless people have multiple illnesses. Some have mental issue. Some were verbally, emotionally and physically abused in their past and became confused. Some lost hope. Some are from other countries and looking for work. Some don’t want the responsibility of paying for rent and utilities. A lot of them have life controlling and substance abuse issues. There are families with sweet and beautiful children because their dads lost work and could not afford an apartment. Some are broken-hearted single moms, and sometimes single dads, with young children staying in a shelter and need food and hope. They are of all different ethnic heritage, colors and ages. Their need is enormous. They need us pray and speak life caringly into them. They need faith, strength and encouragement. With the little we can offer God will multiply. Holy Spirit will change their lives in His due process and we may not even know it. Apply Your Gifts
Many Christians have several gifts (tools) of the Holy Spirit: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. [1 Corinthians 12:8-10] In my opinion, streets are the best venues for you to practice all of your gifts (especially the first eight) together at the same time. The needs are indescribably great. To serve, you need absolutely all the gifts and power you’ve got from the Creator. You will also feel the necessity and desire to ask the Holy Spirit to give you more, of the ones you’ve had and other ones you don’t have yet. My Cycle of Life
Streets are the one of the frontlines of spiritual battlefield. We don’t know much about those we prayed for. God does. We cannot do much for them. God can. We are weak. He is strong. Our love tank leaks. God is everlasting love. We burn out easily. He is the Creator and Source of life. Jesus says, "I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." [John 15:5] Jesus has used the street work to keep me in hunger for Him. He recharges my battery and reveals more of Himself each time. This is my cycle of giving and receiving, living and growing, and warring and resting. I am determined to live my life to the fullness He has for me.See You in Heaven!
God has built many powerful street ministries, like the worldwide Teen Challenge, the nationwide Dream Centers, the Outreach Ministries of Alabama and others, to reach the needy. What we do is like a tiny drop of water in the vast ocean. This tiny portion, however, is the talent my Master has given me. When we will be in heaven we will find out how the Holy Spirit has multiplied the little drop into rivers of living water. Yes, I look forward to seeing most, and pray for all, of the folks we’ve served on the streets living together eternally in heaven.
Before Jesus’ forthcoming return, there will be street revivals of repentance and deliverance because of God’s mercy and grace and righteousness will reign. As He tells us, the Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance. [2 Peter 3:9 Amplified]
Again, Lord, because you are forever faithful I dare to request to see all homeless people in heaven.
To God be the glory. Yvonne
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