I was recently approached by the brother of one of the guys who I serve hamburgers to on Wednesdays. The brother recently got out of prison after being there for 10 years. And when he got back and saw that the guys were open to me, he couldn't believe it. He asked me why I was living here in the projects and how I got an open door into the lives of the people here. Then he said these words that have kept me going all month, "I was so surprised to see these guys, who I have known for a long time, letting you, a Caucasian into their inner circle." When he left that day, he had no idea how much he encouraged me.

 

My neighbor handed me her cordless phone and her 18 year old daughter was on the other end. She was calling from a St. Louis jail where she has been for a year now. I was shocked that she wanted to talk to me. Before she went to jail, she wouldn't have given me the time of day. With a shaky voice, she said, "I'm really scared. My trial is tomorrow, will you pray for me?" I told her when she goes to trial, the best thing she can do is be honest, no matter what. And in doing this, it would open the door for God to be her Defender and Lawyer. She accepted what I said and we prayed together.