Today was a great day! We went to visit the Center for Civil and Human Rights and Little Five Points! The Lord did some amazing things in our hearts and the hearts of the people that we came in contact with. Check out our stories!
Danielle's Story: Today was such an AWESOME day! We got to head out to one of my favorite places in Atlanta, Little Five Points! When I was a kid, I always wanted my parents to stop here if we were ever in Atlanta. I was always so fascinated with the counter-culture ideals that are represented in this eclectic place! While we were there today, we saw a couple gutter punk kids (homeless/houseless individuals). We stopped and asked them to share their story with us. We got to hear why they are where they are and their thoughts and feelings about life. As Amy, Kimberly and Emily were hanging out with one guy. I ended up hanging out with these two cool kids. I was able to pray for them and just listen to them. It was so cool, because I was able to let them know that they have a voice and that I cared about what they were talking about.
As I got finished praying for them. This other dude came up and asked if I could buy him some food. I was hesitant at first, but then just felt compassion for him. We started talking and as we did he said that he isn't able to keep food in because he poos it out as soon as it comes in. So I just asked him if I could pray for his digestive tract and then buy him food because I knew God could heal his stomach. He agreed, so me, him, the other gutter punk guy and the camera man walked over and bought him and the other people a meal from a local restaurant.
As we were walking over, the fun gutter punk kid was saying how this particular establishment always kicks him out since he isn't ever a paying customer. I told him that they won't today, because he is a paying customer. He got the biggest grin on his face and a little more pep in his step. When we got in, I told the two of them that they could order whatever they wanted, and they did!
It was neat getting to buy these guys food, because you saw how they got a sense of belonging, because they were customers instead of nuisances. I love how the Lord prompted me to bless them in this way, because though it wasn't a big supernatural hoorah, it was AMAZING to see their faces light up because they felt like they were seen and know and that they belonged! Oh and the one guy's stomach wasn't upset after eating two chili cheese burgers! That is God's love in action! What a great day!
Amy's Story: God is so faithful and He just loves to surprise us with reminders of His goodness. I used to think that I had to wait until I saw/heard/felt something from the Lord before I would go speak to people on the streets but lately God has been teaching me about His boldness. It's God's heart to bless everyone so why not step up in faith and take a risk? He will back us up 100% of the time. He hasn't failed and He won't start now. So, in faith our team approached a group of ladies from Spelman College sitting outside of the Civil Rights Center. Holy Spirit filled our mouths and we were able to bless every one of the ladies with words of encouragement and love. By the time we said goodbye we literally had made new friends in the city of Atlanta.
We also hung out at Little Five Points and met some really cool people. Sometimes loving people well simply looks like stopping and listening to their story. One guy we met was mad at the world and raging against the lions of injustice. He felt small and insignificant with no real purpose in life. We just sat and listened and prayed and spoke life into his situation. He went from telling us he had no name when we first met to revealing his God-given name at the end of our conversation. He moved from a lack of identity to remembering and speaking out who he is with such passion that you could almost see the fire in his eyes. There is such breakthrough when we declare the truth about who we are.
We met another girl who came alive when she created the jewelry that she was selling for a living. Her enthusiasm for creating something beautiful and timeless was captivating. As our team spoke words of life and encouragement over her and her business she was radiating the joy of being known by her Papa. The love of God washed over her so powerfully that she was glowing and couldn't stop smiling every time we walked by her.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above nor in the earth below - indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:38-39
Kimberly's Story: Day two of #CultivateBoldness Atlanta was great. It was beautiful out doors and pretty cold- welcome Autumn! We started our day at the Center for Civil and Human Right (CCHR), which was educational, heart warming and heart breaking all at the same time. I highly recommend visiting the place if you are ever in Atlanta. It will inspire you on so many levels. After our tour of the center we made our way outdoors where we met four Spelman College students and one of their friends. Thanks to Amy, we walked up to them in faith, as neither of us had heard anything from God for them before doing so. We were believing that God would give us something once we moved in faith. He did, and it was awesome! God spoke to all five of them- one guy and four girls. They were so encouraged and filled with gratitude that they took photos to commemorate the moment.
From there we went to Thumbs Up restaurant and then to Little Five Points (LFP). We met Bebe at LFP. Bebe is homeless, and today, he was angry too because last night he'd been arrested and jailed for sleeping outdoors. He has a great passion to see injustice derailed in the city of Atlanta. Bebe had a lot to say, so it was difficult at first to get a word in with him. When the opportunity presented itself to pray, I took it. From there he ask for prayer for his kids. I prayed and while doing so God gave me a word concerning his kids. It was obvious that he greatly loved his kids, so after blessing them we were practically friends. His walls had come down and he later told us his name (which he wouldn't do in the beginning), shook our hands, and stood up and gave us each a hug. We even danced a little before parting ways. While all of this took place, Danielle went and bought Bebe and friends food, so he had a meal waiting for him when he was done dancing. Today was a great day!
