Terry had told me earlier in the long weekend that he wanted me to go out to the streets with him over the weekend. I told him sure as it had been a while since we had gone together. With me working, traveling, and making wedding plans there is never enough time to do everything I would like to do. We were in town shopping Saturday night after a delicious home-cooked dinner (I am very spoiled) and I thought we would continue our "date night" by going to the streets. I am so glad we did! The weather was still nice and so many people were out and about.
I finally met Carmalita. She was walking on Holloway Street and it appeared she was probably using again. She went to Durham Access a couple of weekends ago and told Terry she was ready for rehab. Saturday night she told us she was waiting for a bed to open and thought she might as well keep using until then. She was polite but I thought I saw a twinge of guilt when she asked Terry for another contact card. Terry told her he could get her a bed somewhere but she had to make the decision. She didn't linger for long and headed on down the sidewalk. At the same time Bobby was across the street and came over to the van to speak. It had been a while since Terry had seen Bobby (a male prostitute). Bobby lit up when he saw Terry and asked for Eileen. He was saddened to hear of her passing and told us he had been in jail recently. Terry told him he was glad to see him but not out on the street (most likely back doing the same habits). Bobby didn't linger very long either and turned to walk down the street.
We continued along Holloway Street and passed a very strung out female walking along the sidewalk. We ended up seeing her several times that night and she looked very high every time. Terry said she has always looked that way and he has tried to minister to her on numerous occasions but she is always strung out.
Terry decided to treat me to some "Ghetto Mac" coffee for our date (The Village McDonald's). We went inside and ordered some iced coffees from a very nice young female. She took the time to make ours just the way we like it and we sat at a booth to people watch. Terry told me that behind us in line was a prostitute named Laura that has hindered his ministry on more than one occasion. She takes advantage of people and their addictions by enticing them to do bad things for her. She asked Terry for a McD gift card. Terry told her he didn't have any but he told me he wouldn't have given her one anyway because she would sell the cards for money, drugs, etc. She then begged someone for money in the McDonald's line and left walking in some new tennis shoes while talking on a cell phone.
While we were sitting with our coffees along comes Calvin! He looked so good. It was my first time meeting him but he has such a gentle spirit and seems to be doing well since coming from rehab. Although, he was obviously in contact with Laura that night so we were concerned about that.
Next came Johnny. Terry knew him from a street program but had not seen him for about a year. Johnny was very excited to see Terry and told us that he was already going to NCCU to get a degree and wants to open up his own restaurant! Praise the Lord for the works in his life!
Before we left Terry ordered some McDoubles to take to the streets and witnessed to the girl who waited on us. She told Terry that her grandmother brought her up to live as a Christian. She asked Terry what he was doing with the food and he told her "feeding the people on the street." She was surprised that we would give away so much food and asked us to come back soon.
We left Ghetto Mac and drove back down Holloway Street. We saw Mo, whom Terry and Eileen ministered to. She is doing well and is caring for her young son. She asked for some milk when we next get it saying that her son seems to go through a gallon a day sometimes. We saw Bobby again and gave him some McDoubles. It's fun driving up to people I don't yet know and asking them if they ordered some burgers :) People are surprised at the kindness.
We finished up our date night at the Budget Inn, or rather the parking lot of the Budget Inn. We saw Dawn, another prostitute who frequents the area. She took some food and smiled but didn't have much to say. I also met "D", a former pimp that Terry ministered to and had not seen for some time. He seemed to be saying a lot of the right things but yet he was at the Budget Inn late on a Saturday night?? So many proclaim to know the word and can quote it but they are not living it. Terry continues to love on them and we continue to pray for divine appointments and that lives are changed.
I am so blessed to be a part of this ministry that has blessed me. "Thank you, Jesus, for bringing Terry and I together in love and in this ministry. Help us to spread your word through love and kindness to all of those we come across. I am so excited about the plans you have for me, for Terry, and the ministry. We give you all of the thanks and glory Lord, Amen."
I finally met Carmalita. She was walking on Holloway Street and it appeared she was probably using again. She went to Durham Access a couple of weekends ago and told Terry she was ready for rehab. Saturday night she told us she was waiting for a bed to open and thought she might as well keep using until then. She was polite but I thought I saw a twinge of guilt when she asked Terry for another contact card. Terry told her he could get her a bed somewhere but she had to make the decision. She didn't linger for long and headed on down the sidewalk. At the same time Bobby was across the street and came over to the van to speak. It had been a while since Terry had seen Bobby (a male prostitute). Bobby lit up when he saw Terry and asked for Eileen. He was saddened to hear of her passing and told us he had been in jail recently. Terry told him he was glad to see him but not out on the street (most likely back doing the same habits). Bobby didn't linger very long either and turned to walk down the street.
We continued along Holloway Street and passed a very strung out female walking along the sidewalk. We ended up seeing her several times that night and she looked very high every time. Terry said she has always looked that way and he has tried to minister to her on numerous occasions but she is always strung out.
Terry decided to treat me to some "Ghetto Mac" coffee for our date (The Village McDonald's). We went inside and ordered some iced coffees from a very nice young female. She took the time to make ours just the way we like it and we sat at a booth to people watch. Terry told me that behind us in line was a prostitute named Laura that has hindered his ministry on more than one occasion. She takes advantage of people and their addictions by enticing them to do bad things for her. She asked Terry for a McD gift card. Terry told her he didn't have any but he told me he wouldn't have given her one anyway because she would sell the cards for money, drugs, etc. She then begged someone for money in the McDonald's line and left walking in some new tennis shoes while talking on a cell phone.
While we were sitting with our coffees along comes Calvin! He looked so good. It was my first time meeting him but he has such a gentle spirit and seems to be doing well since coming from rehab. Although, he was obviously in contact with Laura that night so we were concerned about that.
Next came Johnny. Terry knew him from a street program but had not seen him for about a year. Johnny was very excited to see Terry and told us that he was already going to NCCU to get a degree and wants to open up his own restaurant! Praise the Lord for the works in his life!
Before we left Terry ordered some McDoubles to take to the streets and witnessed to the girl who waited on us. She told Terry that her grandmother brought her up to live as a Christian. She asked Terry what he was doing with the food and he told her "feeding the people on the street." She was surprised that we would give away so much food and asked us to come back soon.
We left Ghetto Mac and drove back down Holloway Street. We saw Mo, whom Terry and Eileen ministered to. She is doing well and is caring for her young son. She asked for some milk when we next get it saying that her son seems to go through a gallon a day sometimes. We saw Bobby again and gave him some McDoubles. It's fun driving up to people I don't yet know and asking them if they ordered some burgers :) People are surprised at the kindness.
We finished up our date night at the Budget Inn, or rather the parking lot of the Budget Inn. We saw Dawn, another prostitute who frequents the area. She took some food and smiled but didn't have much to say. I also met "D", a former pimp that Terry ministered to and had not seen for some time. He seemed to be saying a lot of the right things but yet he was at the Budget Inn late on a Saturday night?? So many proclaim to know the word and can quote it but they are not living it. Terry continues to love on them and we continue to pray for divine appointments and that lives are changed.
I am so blessed to be a part of this ministry that has blessed me. "Thank you, Jesus, for bringing Terry and I together in love and in this ministry. Help us to spread your word through love and kindness to all of those we come across. I am so excited about the plans you have for me, for Terry, and the ministry. We give you all of the thanks and glory Lord, Amen."
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