wake up.

Ciudad Refugio 

You have shown each member of our squad something different this last month, something unique, something constantly overlooked in the states. 

For myself; I have learned the value of running after the eye contact with those around me. Running to those that hurt, those that are high on drugs, those that call their home the streets, THOSE… just as lost as I once was. But also, those that Jesus is equally calling home. Ciudad Refugio, you set the table to remind me of this great call, FOR THE ONE, but ultimately the faces and the eyes of those amongst The Bronx did. 

The Bronx; ultimately a place that people would avoid. People come to these streets to openly sell and use drugs daily. Women are found walking up and down the road selling their bodies for money; with pimps keeping close eye on them. There are people rummaging through the garbage, and sleeping alongside the streets. Let your imagination run with what this could truly look like, because I can guarantee that the streets are worse than what you can imagine. 

I was not afraid, maybe because I was once so deep in my numbing with alcohol and sex so I see these people differently, or Refugio has put many years into this ministry. Either way, fear was not a characteristic associated with it. 

Every Wednesday night, a team goes to this street with bread and water and our team had the opportunity to join in. Some of our team remained at the truck to hand it out, and others (including myself) walked amongst the street. 

It was clear right away that there was an oppression, but also such an obvious opportunity for freedom. We in America can easily cover up our sin, cover up our brokenness with the next best things. We fill our days to the brim, so that we don’t have time to actually check the state of our soul. We physically wear certain clothes or filters to hide the insecurities that our bodies provide. We rush conversations that may not “gain” something to our life. We, I should change that into an I statement, because that is the center of our universe at times. I, I, I, rather than others. 

In the Bronx… these people aren’t hiding beneath anything. They are out in the open with the sin that they are living in, and in that there is a measurement of freedom. I didn’t have to dance around anything while walking these streets, and initially it seemed weird to be bold in asking people, “Why are you here?” However, the reality is when we are bold to just ask the hard question, or call people up to higher…. it provides them to actually think and consider where they are. Spiritually, and physically. It shows this level of care.

I chose to run after a young girl who I knew was about to sell herself for sex. 

I chose to step into a circle of men that were passing drugs around, and talk to them about the Homeless shelter at the foundation. 

I chose to hold hands with a man that was unable to stand from the street curb that he called his bed. 

I chose to look into the eyes of those that some people might consider a “lost cause”. 

Fun fact, I was a “lost cause” just as much as they might be considered. Can we WAKE UP for a second and consider that fact, and consider that they are people, daughters and sons, just as equally as much as you and I are. 

Consider it. Consider what you are doing for those that are lost. 

Are you running after THE ONE in your family? 

Are you running after THE ONE at your work? 

Are you running after THE ONE that you walk passed on the street?

Or are we walking past them, assuming someone else will talk to them. 

It’s you my friend, wake up, He has called you to this just as much as He has called me. 

xoxo 

d