A Thug or a Big Teddy Bear?  

At the end of April, we plan to start grilling outside again for the Wednesday lunch for men ages 18-25. Since November, we have been serving lunch inside the community center of the John DeShields Neighborhood. Serving lunch inside has automatically made the group smaller, but this smaller setting has helped the guys to open up and has provided times of laughter, prayer and conversations about life issues.

One young man's story stands out to me, I will call him Jackson. I remember when he first started coming to the lunch four years ago when I still lived in John DeShields. He is a big guy and well known in the neighborhood. I remember when he was shot in the leg and I remember cleaning up the blood off the sidewalk afterwards with bleach. The door of his apartment has a large bullet hole. It's clear that the effects of the streets have been inter-woven into his life.

Since we've been serving lunch indoors, Jackson faithfully comes most Wednesdays. Each time I see him walk through that door, I'm amazed! This big guy who has such a tough facade, comes to eat lunch with four women who are like Moms or Aunts to him. This is proof to me that he is looking for love and acceptance. He's been letting his true personality show and we're finding that he's like a big teddy bear.

A couple of weeks ago, God opened the door for a heart felt conversation with Jackson. Somehow he ended up talking about how he misses the fun and innocence of his childhood. How his grandfather is the pastor of a church and how he sometimes goes on Sundays. He shared there are times he feels like crying when he's there because he is touched. We told him that if he did cry, it would be ok. He disagreed. I could have swore that I saw him rubbing his eyes to stop the tears while he was talking. Most of the time, he eats a few plates of food, then leaves when he's done. But this day, he stayed and talked and talked.... and we listened.

Four years ago, when I first met Jackson, his older cousin came to my porch and said, "I'm surprised Jackson is coming to eat, he would usually be closed off, especially since you're a Caucasian." His cousin had more to say and it was powerful! Please read what he said by clicking on the Dream Center blog link below.  

Blog Link

Jackson is so dear to our hearts and we are amazed at how God has helped him to open up. Sometimes it just takes time, but these four years of waiting for tenderness in his heart, has been worth the wait.

I dream of a day when these young men who we serve lunch to will be the ones helping us run the Dream Center, who will be examples to the children and teens and who will bring revival to the streets of East St. Louis... one young man at a time. God LOVES these guys that many despise, but that's who Jesus came for... the crook, the gang member and the murderer.  

Thank you for pouring your love, prayers and finances into helping us reach them. I am extremely GRATEFUL! 

LOVING East St. Louis,  

Rachel