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| from L to R: don't know, April, Jimmy and Stephen |
We approached them as they were standing near one of the booths scattered about in front of City Hall and extended our services. Their response, the way they received not only us, but the idea behind what we were doing...well, that's why we do it.
These men were strong believers in the Lord. Full of faith and of life and love, and full of stories. We couldn't of asked for better people to help me transition from missionary wannabe into the real deal. April, of course she's already a blessed soul on the path, I am just now seeing how bright and beautiful that path is. But, enough of us. Back to our new friends...
So Jimmy and Stephen begin to tell us their stories. We begin to chat about the Lord and our cause and their lives, and before long, we find out that Jimmy and Stephen have never met each other until today. They have never had a single conversation with one another until today. They have never known the other existed until the four of us came together to speak about Jesus. Coincidence? I think not.
Funny enough, they both stay at the Bridge downtown, a homeless outreach organization aimed at giving them a helping hand at helping themselves. Great, great mission. Anyhoo...they go to the same place, hang out in the same place, essentially sleep at the same place, and have never met. It's a true testament to God's Divine powers that these men, I'm happy to report, have said they'd be friends from now on. And that's good, because Jimmy wants to learn how to work the Internet at the library, and it just so happens that Stephen knows how. Connect. The. Dots.
Jimmy Shaw
Jimmy's a speaker. Natural born. No doubt about it. As he spoke, I could picture the throngs of people around us being called to make their way over and listen to him talk. You see, he used to preach to the people on the street. He's quick to tell us that he wasn't ordained or anything, but he spoke of the Word of God nonetheless. And I'm quick to say in response, I think as long as your preaching the Word, you probably don't need a title to make yourself sound legit anyway.
He spoke of his one true love, Pauletta, and how she, in the end, was able to show him that she loved him "more than I loved her." That must've been immeasurable, because Jimmy's eyes sparkled and shone while he spoke of her.
He told about her kindness. About how she, in her broken down, gas-guzzling car, she'd drive ten miles out to get her Aunt a hamburger, then twenty miles out to deliver it. When Jimmy saw that her Aunt had a nice, new car in the driveway he asked Pauletta why she did all this in her old car, when there was a perfectly good car just sitting there. She calmly told him that it was because her Aunt had just taken medication, and she didn't want her behind the wheel.
Pauletta, Jimmy remembers, was always selfless that way. Always thinking of others. She was his angel. And she picked him! Despite his flaws, despite his past. And he will be eternally grateful for that.
At a point, time and circumstances had separated them. 30 years or so went by. Jimmy always longed for Pauletta, the only woman he ever loved. One day, through a series of events, they were reconnected. Jimmy was ecstatic.
When he went to see Pauletta, she was soon surrounded by a bunch of young children. Her grandkids. A light clicked on. You see, Pauletta became pregnant just before she and Jimmy were separated all the years ago. Jimmy, after reuniting with Pauletta, was also introduced to his grandchildren.
Jimmy also spoke about when he was younger. He didn't really know his father so he often found comfort in hanging out around a local man who "looked like a black Jesus." One day, this man was sitting on the corner, drinking a forty [ounce] and he told Jimmy, "If people start to shoot at you, you run in a zig-zag pattern."
Jimmy was confused. Why would anyone shoot at him? Sure enough, the very next day, Jimmy says he came upon some policemen who did just that. They began to fire their guns at him, and ran a zig-zag pattern just as "Black Jesus" told him to. He says had it not been for that advice, he'd be dead.
Amongst the many nuggets of wisdom Jimmy gave to me, one of my favorites is this: "Jesus pours into you, to impart through you." I gotta leave you with that...
Stephen McGee
Stephen's an artist. A wonderful artist. We have pictures of his sketches to prove it. As a matter of fact, we'll add a post strictly dedicated to his artwork on this blog.
Stephen's also a man of God. He told us he prays everyday, asking God what His plans for him are that day. He is led wholly and fully by the Lord's hand. As a matter of fact, this morning he asked God for guidance...30 minutes later he saw people walking by out the window and God told him to follow.
They led him to the festival. Which led him to us. Which led him to Jimmy.
The Lord works in mysterious ways!
