For my Spring Break, I had the delight of traveling with a group of (6) other Union students and (1) leader, Mr. Lee Wilson, to the city of Providence, Rhode Island. Providence is located south of Boston and north of New York (just a few hours either way). This trip, through Union University, happened March 21,2009 through March 28,2009.
If there was one verse that reigned true for me, in hindsight, in regards to that week…
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
I’ve never felt the enormous welcoming, encouragement, and hospitality that I felt in Providence. God sovereignly provides all things.
We had the opportunity to work alongside Grace Harbor Community Church, a small knit of believers (less than 50) who meet inside the conference room of a Courtyard Marriot Hotel every Sunday morning. Our team handed out gum and hot chocolate (etcetera)at Kennedy Plaza (bus station) and universities in order to inform the city about the church and in the process share the gospel of Jesus Christ…intentional intentional intentional.
There is wisdom behind going to the same restaurants, places, etcetera- to build relationships for the sake of the gospel. In such a go-go, efficiency driven society, sitting around to do a nice gesture speaks volumes (even handing out gum). They are all means to proclaim the gospel.
I read this from an article while we were in Brown University’s bookstore…
“…the true essence of life is found in the sweet connection of two souls. It’s a high that can’t be reached by getting the newest iPod or following the latest celebrity scandal.” -Leon Logothetis in Psychology Today
God is the author of the universe and in Him alone should we delight, but He often speaks (as we see throughout the book of Acts) by using people. Contagious joy surrounded our team as we got to know each other all the while delighting in and incessantly sharing the gospel through word and deed.
There is an urgency in eternity that we cannot be ignorant towards. There is no level of “super Christian” like missionaries in Africa or the best preachers. There are only men and women who are wicked but saved by grace.
Providence only reaffirmed in my heart that God has provided (no pun intended) ample opportunities for us to share His glory to others, if we are simply willing to be “radical” and step outside our comfort zones. Don’t be so concerned about saying the right things. You have forgotten grace. Man’s greatest concern should be to know and admire the ineffable God.
Do we know Him well? Do others know that?
People to Pray for (I’d encourage you to pick a few to pray for consistently):
- Blossom (79 year old lady we met on bus)- doesn’t know Jesus
- Kenny Robinson (former pimp)- doesn’t know Jesus
- Philip, Daman, Cameron, Leo and wife, Brittany - need Christ Jesus
- Tim Horton’s staff
- Grace Harbor Community Church (Leaders include Kevin and Andy, also Lou and James)
- Johson & Wales University (Andrew, Katelyn, Quentin, James, Alex, Andrea, Megan, Seoyurk)
- TNT @ Johnson & Wales (Leadership)
- Kim, Alyssa, Nathan, James, Dan, Jon, Elizabeth, Josh
- Rory, Amanda, Danny, Mark
- Susan, Stacia, Michael
- Danielle, Jess
- Pete (works at FBC Providence)
- Sean Carew and the Providence Rescue Mission (need especially prayer for building 2nd floor to host ‘homeless’ women)
Common Providence Phraseology:
- “I know a guy”
- “I’m all set.”
As Lee Wilson says, “Blogs are the new wikipedia.” But don’t wiki this. I love you deeply. And as Dwight Davis says, “Everything Paul says can be boiled down in 3 words: don’t be stupid!” And as Ashley says, “I’ll stab you, but in a good way.” May the Word of God cut to our hearts and change us. Amen.
Stirring the pot pink,
M@ Pink
Romans 11:33-36
