Well, folks, if you look down a little lower than this mess of pics, you'll see some of our good news and Bible Study stuff. But this is a six-pic series on a breakin at Chris Challis' new place.
His place is on Chase and Williamson. you may remember, beloved reader, that we met Chris last summer. He has no legs, and had been homeless for the last 2 and a half years. He is a Christian brother, and we had him live with us for two months at the beginning of the winter.
We have secured partial funding from Chris' church, Crossroads Christian Church in Oakley, for his rent. They agreed to help him with a 2/3rds rent stipend for four months. (they don't want him to become dependent)
Last friday, the guys on the street corner cut away his screen and threw a brick through his window. Then, they climbed in and took a bunch of his stuff: his cell phone, his food from the fridge. When he cam e home they ran out. The TV was on the couch. They were getting ready to take it out, too.
Well that's the "Bad News".
There are gonna be folks out there who think it's terrible...who'll be scared about it. And there'll be those of you who feel that we're really brave to get involved in a violent neighborhood. To all of you, I'd like to say, "thank you for support and encouragement and prayer".
Some of you beloved readers might think we're crazy, irresponsible, or something. Please don't comment. We don't need to hear it. We still love you all, but fear is unbecoming saints. I speak in reference to our fear. If you feel like that, imagine our internal monologues! We're the ones in the middle of it!
and some of you might feel that destabilizing inspiriation... hey, come live here. come live in this dark place. come bring your life. move here. move in near Chris. Get to know kids and men and grammas and people. live here. you, christian ones, live here. come on!
this is a good place, a place where light is light and love shows up. this is a place where people are seeing jesus clearly. come live here, saints. you whose hearts are lonely for a change... come live in a dark place and let your light shine before men...
Chase House,
ReplyDeleteso first know of my prayers for Chris and the rest of your community. In the midst of this struggle I say, "keep on keepin' on."
Also, I want you guys to know how much I was blessed by being with you for the short time that I was. In all seriousness, my spirit was refreshed - it was great to be in the midst of the Body of Christ in such a tangable way.
So warning, although I have committed the next couple years of my life to a community in New Jersey, when I'm ready to move a little closer to home I might just be knocking on the Chase House door.
peace be with all of you