Today we could see the importance of learning the names of those we serve and developing relationships with them. Also, God graciously reminded us that His Word must be the foundation of our ministry. One of our volunteers called a man by name as she served him his breakfast. He smiled and said, “I knew you would remember my name! It’s nice to be called by my name!” Knowing the names of these precious people matters! For some, Thursday mornings may be one of the few times they hear their names. Continue to pray that God will help us recall those we meet.

Another man came through the breakfast line asking to speak to the volunteer he had conversed with last week. In her absence, I spent some time with him. He was excited and overwhelmed about what God had revealed to him yesterday. This man had the opportunity to share his story with a group who was serving at The Church of the Reconciler. As a result of his story, that group has expressed interest in helping him get off the streets—the very thing he had asked us to pray for last week! Yes, the man is excited, but he is also struggling with feelings of unworthiness. In addition, he heard God tell him that he was to help others in similar situations—a task for which he feels ill-equipped. During our conversation, this man expressed a range of emotions. I was silently praying that God would give me a scripture to share with him, and He did. The man told with me that he couldn’t read the print in his Bible anymore, so I picked up a giant-print Bible from under the food table. As I walked back to where we were sitting, God gave me the perfect verse: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Praise God for His living and true Word! I shared with my friend what this verse means to me. This man was so encouraged to see in black-and-white print God’s promise that through our weaknesses He will display His might. Because of God’s perfect power, we can rest in His strength as we strive to live for Him; it’s not something we can do on our own. Pray that God will grant this man clarity as he moves forward.

During the 16 months we have served in the park, God has shown us that everyone has a story to tell, as long as someone is willing to listen. We are so thankful for the opportunities He gives us to make new friends. Join us as we continue to lift up those we serve in prayer! It is the most important thing we can do.