First night of training we were sent into the streets of downtown Atlanta with nothing but $1 and instructed to evangelize to the homeless. This was an incredibly humbling experience for me. Other than the one dollar, I had nothing to offer the homeless except my words and love, which turned out to be a powerful gift. I talked with and prayed over three different homeless men. It amazed me how THEY were quoting Scripture to ME! I was also amazed how they just want someone to talk to them, listen to them, and just treat them like human beings. I walked away from that experience with conviction of the needy right here in Georgia. While there is so much need right now in Nicaragua, there are still so many hurting and sick people right here close to our homes. I am so guilty of not doing anything to help the homeless where I live. So I have been encouraged to alter my lifestyle and the way I spend my time and money when I return to the U.S. And I want to challenge you to do the same. God tells us in Matthew 25:31-46 that when we give food to the hungry, give a drink to the thirsty, invite in a stranger, clothe the naked, look after the sick, and visit those in prison, we are doing these things for our King! And I am certain that there are people that are hungry, sick, and in prison wherever we live! So if we claim to be Christians, we must respond to Jesus when He says, “if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
