Daytona

Hard to believe we have one more day at the beach...

Today was another VERY busy day with again over 300 burgers served and lot's of people touched. We've developed some great friendships with an odd assortment of characters. And it's amazing that once you get past the labels we put on people (homeless, addict, snowbird, spring breaker, etc) you find yourself talking with a real individual, with a real story...you find yourself seeing the person through the eyes of Christ. Each a unique, loved child of the King with a unique (sometimes tragic, sometimes uplifting but always interesting) story to share.

What's hard is that we are not always able to see the outcome....each conversation goes where God let's it go, but doesn't usually end up in a neatly wrapped story....good conversation...good insights..but then the person walks away, back to their "normal" life and we simply have to trust that God is in control...it is humbling to realize we can't "fix" everything...

It's an amazing sight to stand at the grill and watch Taylor students hugging homeless men and women, listening intently to the stories of residents from the home, caring for peers who seem genuinely interested in what this group of college students is doing. It's great to have retired couples seek you out, simply to thank you, not for the food, but for the opportunity they've had to talk with the students. If we have learned anything, we've learned that the world if full of needy people....and that you can't tell the need by looking at them. We've been amazed at the depth of spiritual maturity and insight in some of our homeless friends, and frustrated by the materialistic "passion" of some very nice "church going" people. But in all cases, we have seen God use the group to meet these individuals where they are...and work in our lives in the process.

Tomorrow we head out to the beach for one last day of grilling and talking. We are tired, but determined to finish

 

the week strong. Pray with us that we will be faithful during this final day and that we will reach those that are in most need. Continue to pray that the county will not step in and stop the work...but that even if they do, we will see God work in the midst of changed plans.