South Coast Rock Tour
~ Day 38 ~
Ann…Derek…John…Choose Hope.
It was so good to be back in Jacksonville. This city feels
comfortable to me. There is a downtown area as well as many beach areas. I
stuck mainly to the oceanside. When I went to Ocean City Church last Sunday,
God had placed Ann in my path… not only to be friends with while in her home
mission field, but to remain friends through eternity. I sent her a text last
night to let her know I was back in the area. We made plans to have breakfast
together at Delicomb, a really cool restaurant and coffee shop. After our egg
sandwiches were ordered, we sipped on the super strong coffee outside. “Want to
go eat at the church on comfy couches?” Ann asked. I nodded as the cool wind
blew our hair and created goosebumps on our arms. We got our sandwiches in
to-go bags and headed down the short stretch of buildings to the church. Ann
works at the church with First Impressions and Integration. She rocks this
role. My first impression of Ocean City Church was a big thumbs-up because of
Ann. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit was very palpable within… both in the
church and within Ann.
The two of us sat on those comfy couches in the light of
large windows of the lobby. We talked about many things: How God had brought
our paths together, the homelessness in Jacksonville, the place and space where
we live, our entrusted spiritual gifts, and how our friendship was already
kindred. When Ann and I stand or sit to talk, time ticks by with our
conversation that circles around in waves. We both like to be the ones who ask
questions and gather people’s stories, so we took turns being the one who
opened up. I love Ann. Her heart is full of grace, intentionality and
compassion.
The pastor of Ocean City Church (OCC) rode up on his bicycle
and flipped down the kickstand inside the lobby. His name is Derek. OCC is 5
years old and they had been in this location just a block off the ocean for 3
years now. Derek shared some of his heart’s desires for the church. His love
for Jesus and love for people is uber evident. He is a pastor, a husband, a
dad, a brother and a surfer. I gave him a “Purpose” rock. It was fitting for
this man of purpose.
Ann and I went back to our deep conversation. At one point,
she gave me some gift cards to Delicomb, a 1-day bus pass, and some cash while
saying, “For gas… Just in case you want to go downtown.” Neither she nor I knew
how it would be used, but God had it planned out perfectly. The morning shifted
as there was a knock on the front door of the church. “Sorry to bother you,
ma’am. Ya’ll had given me a bus pass the other day and I was wondering if you
had another one. I’m trying to get to this interview for a job today.” His name
was John. Ann helped him with giving him a bus pass and went to ask Derek if
the church had clothing vouchers. While they were in the back office, John and
I started talking. He was trying to get off the streets. We used street lingo
and admitted the struggles as well as affirmed the determination. He wasn’t
going to stop by this church today, but was glad that he did. It was a set-up
by the Holy Spirit. I gave him a “Choose Hope” rock. It was the rock that Gypsy
from Savannah had said was for someone special. The rock was meant for John.
Ann and Derek came back into the lobby and they talked with
John about what he needed and how they could help. I heard John say that he
wanted to get some clean clothes before the interview. “Hey Derek, I can give
John a ride to Goodwill and then take him to the interview.” --- “That’s cool,
Katie. You coming to church Sunday?” I nodded then looked at Ann. Our breakfast
was being cut short. I wanted to spend more time with my new friend. John’s
interview was in a couple hours and it was near the downtown area. Ann and I
hugged. We would spend more time together before I left Jacksonville.
The passenger seat of Tumbler was cleared of ponchos, hats
and pouches of rocks. John got in and we lit up our cigarettes. “I put my pants
on the same way you do every morning, bro. And it looks like both of our pants
could use a wash. Let’s go get us some fresh pants.” We talked as we drove to Goodwill.
John was polite and easy to talk with. Gave him $20 before going inside. “We’ll
both go in with money in our pockets.” He hugged me and I recalled the many
times that others had helped me when I needed clean clothes. It can be hard to
receive a hand-out from someone, even when you truly are in need. I wanted John
to feel at ease and that he wasn’t a charity project. There is a big difference
in having someone pay for your clothes and being able to pay for clothes with
money from your own pocket. John was a grown man who had fallen on hard times.
Men are wired to be providers of themselves and their family. John wasn’t able
to provide for himself in the current chapter, but he didn’t need to be
reminded of that by having a woman pay for his clothes at the register. We
separated in the stores and met back at my truck later. He was excited about
his new clothes. I was excited for him too. It’s the little things that are
actually the bigger things in this hard yet beautiful journey we all are on.
We punched in the address to the restaurant where John had
an 1:30pm interview. It was noon and we drove towards the downtown area. I
thought of Ann and her gift of gas money. Unbeknownst to us, it was meant for
this journey with John. We found the restaurant and being that we were early, I
asked John when was the last time he had had a big omelette. “Wow, it’s been a
really long time. I usually just eat whatever they are serving at the local
food missions.” We drove to an IHOP that was passed on the way. I was not
hungry from eating breakfast with Ann a few hours ago, but wanted John to have
a choice of anything on a menu. Again, little things that we take for granted,
that are actually big things. Most of all, I wanted quality one-on-one time
with John. As we ordered omelettes with hash browns and toast, John began to
share past chapters of his life-story. And what a fascinating story it was. He
showed me scars from gun bullets on his arm and chest, he talked about his
family, he shared about the struggle of living on the streets and his desire to
get back on his feet, he opened up about his PTSD and panic attacks and social
anxiety. John carried a backpack full of his few possessions, yet he was
carrying a much heavier burden that was not visible to others.
Such is the case with every person… we all have so much that
we are carrying, be it experiences from the past or our present chapter. Some
people choose to be open books, talking freely about their story. Others, the
majority, don’t put a voice to their story. Be it fear, pride, shame or learned
behavior, we choose to silence our story. Something powerful happens when we
rip the muzzle off the mouth of our heart… we bring to light what was kept
hidden in the dark. It’s a beautiful thing to witness. Though it’s hard to talk
about the ugliness of our stories, it can be made beautiful by the One who
rescues, redeems, and restores. John and I both shared portions of our pain
over piled-high omelettes. We talked about Jesus and His faithfulness in the
valley lows and the mountains highs. We sat together at the IHOP booth as
friends.
We had lost track of time. It was 2pm and we were 30min late
to his interview. We laughed as he said, “Not the best first impression, but
this omelette sure was good!” Drove to the restaurant and we got out of Tumbler
together. We embraced in a long hug. He thanked me. And I thanked him. Our
friendship gave each other different things in those few hours together. One
doesn’t have to have much to give much. Told John to walk in the doors with
confidence. I told him that I was proud of him. He teared up and said that it
had been a long time since someone had told him that. We all need an “atta boy”
or “atta girl” throughout the day. Words of encouragement speak life into
others. May you and I choose our words carefully and be intentional to speak
life into others… and ourselves.
I drove back to the ocean and sat on my red mat for two
hours. Many rocks were scribed. Many thoughts went through my mind. Many
emotions stirred in my heart. I prayed for John and for Ocean City Church. Jacksonville
is a beautiful area and the scenery and people had already plucked my
heart-strings. God would keep me here for the next two and a half days. He
would merge my path back together with John and Ann as well as many others. He
is faithful in the sun and in the rain, in the valleys and the mountains, in
pain-full chapters and in joy-full chapters.
Speak Life.
Unshakable Peace and Purpose
Cling to the Rock
Psalm 18:1-2
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