I met this man called John. He was just sat in the high street, a can of beer in his hand and as I smiled at him and asked him how he was going, a flicker of something crossed his eyes and the reply was 'life's pretty rough at the moment.' I sat crouched down beside him and heard his story of how he became an alcoholic, his mum passing away and how his family was dealing with it. And in that moment a huge feeling of humility, reality and overwhelming need sunk into me. This man was allowing me to hear the pains of his heart and his struggles, to hear his story. So humbling and such a privilege. I sat with him, assured him I would pray and as he asked what brought me to Gillingham and about why I love Jesus, I was filled with a sense of the hugeness, yet simplicity of this situation. Jesus works through anything.
The other morning I sat with two girls at the back of a greasy spoon cafe in the centre of Gillingham and, over their plates of bacon, beans and eggs, listened to them tell me what's been going on with them over the last two years, their matter of fact accounts of their run-ins with the police and being kicked out of college. So much need. And so much opportunity to provide practically for them and show the reality of Jesus just by being there. So overwhelming.
There was this lady that I got to know while I was here last. She wears a head scarf and stands outside a bakery selling a 'big issue' magazine for £2 to make a small living and provide for her 5 children. There would be some days that I would walk past and just smile, some I would buy her lunch and on some not so great days I would ashamedly just walk past and look the other direction. Yesterday I walked past that same bakery, 2 years later and saw her. She looked at me and a flicker of recognition crossed her face. I said hi and then she held out her arms for a hug. This was the highlight of my day and such a hope that small things do count. I'm going to keep smiling and chatting to her. God is so good.
I realised that this is why I'm here to learn from people, to walk with people, share in their lives with them, love them and hopefully show them a little of who Jesus is to me.
In the drop in centres, we have been having so many new kids in, who would have been just hanging out on the streets and it is so exciting. So much opportunity. People have been being brought to Gillingham from all parts with the same heart, community focus and passion for their lives to amount for something in the kingdom scheme of things. There is a family from my church, who have moved to Gillingham with their two little girls, with the heart and intention of living missionally. They have bought a house with more rooms than they need, with the intention of housing like-minded people. They have offered to have me there in January for the rest of my stay in Gillingham. SO GOOD. A passion has been put in them for this town. Something truly exciting is happening in Gillingham.
And I'm excited to be a teeny part of it.
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