Unexpected Appointment

As I mentioned in a previous post, whenever we host a Friday Night Lights outreach I ask the Lord to give me (& us) divine appointments (in other words, God-orchestrated opportunities to share the love of Christ with people). This past Friday night was no exception. God once again honored my request and provided me with opportunities to speak about Jesus in conversations. However, what made this Friday unique was how one of them came about.

It was about 10:30pm or so when a man named Tony approached me and asked me if I could give he and his wife and son a ride to 55th and Wabash. He explained that the neighborhood gangs were about to start shooting, and that he needed to get his son to his grandmother's house. I told him that I could give them a ride, but I was a little skeptical of his "the gangs are about to start shooting" comment. He then told me he was going to get his wife and son, and would return to our lot in a few minutes. About 5 minutes later he returned by himself. He told me that his son was embarrassed to have his friends see him get into my van to be given a ride somewhere. He asked if I could pick them up from the store up the street so that his one would not be embarrassed. The scenarios just seemed "sketchy" to me, so I told him that I was more than willing to give them a ride, but that they were going to have to come to the lot where my van was. He once again told me they would be back in a few minutes. At this point, I didn't think I would see Tony again. I was both skeptical and a bit cynical at this point. However, a few minutes later Tony returned with his wife and his son ready for the ride. It turned out that I knew his son from Sexton school, and that my previous roommate (J. Harvey) had built a friendship with Tony during his stay in Chicago.

I dropped off Tony's son at his grandmother's and allowed his wife to run him in. Tony and I had a few minutes alone in my van as we waited. I asked him what his faith background was. He told me protestant, and then added, "well just Jesus really!" He quoted a couple of verses. I shared another verse. He quoted another one. I shared one, and we went back and forth. It was such an encouraging conversation. He encourage me to continue to be a positive role model to the young people, and emphasized that they need the hope of Jesus. As I dropped he and his wife off, they thanked me and we exchanged numbers.

In spite of my cynicism, God provided a divine appointment. I am praying that God gives me the opportunity to connect with Tony and his family again.



Friday Night Lights Update: Although we got "lightninged out" at about 11:30pm, FNL was once again a huge success. We praise God, for the opportunities to connect with neighbors, to proclaim the love of Christ, and to make Peace happen!