By Caitlin Ferguson

God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good. 

We all seemed to wake up a little earlier today, excited and a little nervous for the upcoming experience. Debrief took place at 830 while we shared a delicious meal of blueberry french toast with homemade whipped cream. Yum! Julie and Seth (City Center staff) came in to share the details of where we were headed. For the next three hours, we would be immersed in the homeless community, without any of our worldly treasures. No jewelry, no cell phones, no food, no water, no sunglasses, no purses. Holy Spirit led, four teams set off into the community to spread the love of Christ, help those in need, and ultimately experience a glimpse of the daily lives of those we serve. 

Psalm 22 was the scripture placed on Pastor Kathy’s heart to share that morning at debrief, and boy was it fitting. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?…YET you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried out and were saved…For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help…The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him.” Psalm 22: 1,3-4,24-26

This scripture was shown in real time before our eyes. We met women, men, and even animals from all walks of life today. Homeless people like Carla who sings Christian songs and recites poems she wrote (that would instantly receive the golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent if she had the opportunity). Doggos that didn’t even want food, they just wanted a loving touch. Testimonies like that of Jeremy’s where he had a vision Sunday night of a young man whom he didn’t know, and then fast forward to today when a man on the street hands him a photograph of his son who has been missing for two years—and it was the same man in Jeremy’s vision! That team had the honor of praying for him and the return of his son, as well as the impact that story had for Jeremy in his own personal walk with Christ. 

Brayden’s summary of the homeless immersion sums up how I believe many of us felt today, “The first thing they need is prayer and to understand that “homelessness” is a label society has placed on them—that is NOT who God created them to be. They need to be recognized, comforted, understood.” 

After the teams gathered back together at the bus, we headed to lunch where we shared, cried, laughed, and prayed with Jed & Julie. We were then treated to the best shaved ice I have ever had at a local gem called “Shimmers” on our way back to the City Center. We freshened up, filled the bus with hundreds of clothing items, food, and toiletries and within 30 minutes we were back on the bus to go serve some of those same folks we met earlier in the day. We partnered with From the Ashes, and OKC ministry who provides a hot meal, clothing, hygiene items, and dog food every Tuesday. For me, pulling up and seeing Indio and Omar’s smiling faces (some folks I had met earlier in the day), sharing warm embraces and captivating smiles just filled my heart with joy. We did not even know they would be there, so thank you God for another blessing.

Well, we are off to share our numerous happies, and honestly doubtful we will have any crappies, and get some rest after a beautifully humbling day. Pray for us as we expect some high winds tonight but we know that the Lord will sustain not only us, but our new friends.

I leave you with lyrics from one of my favorite songs by Chris Tomlin:

You’re the God of this city

You’re the God of these people 

You’re the Lord of this nation

You are

You’re the light in this darkness

You’re the hope to the hopeless

You’re the peace to the restless

You are

There is no one like our God

There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come

And greater things are still to be done in this city 

With love and gratitude,

Caitlin

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