I spent some time with Pastor Freedom this afternoon. His recovery from the surgery to remove cancer in his leg is going very well. The physical therapy is progressing nicely, as he has been using a walker to take walks in the hallway outside his hospital room two times a day. He is still waiting to hear back from the doctors about whether or not he is cancer free or if he will need additional radiation or chemotherapy. Hopefully he will be released from the hospital tomorrow, and then he will spend a week or so in a hospital facility that specializes in rehabilitation and physical therapy. If that goes well, he'll be home for Christmas with his family. He's really looking forward to that! Free and the kids are doing well, also. This family is impacting many people with their testimony of trusting God in the midst of intense trials. Please continue to lift them up in prayer through this period of physical therapy over the next three or four months.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Baptizing Tyrone
Tonight I have the opportunity to baptize one of my good friends at the All Campus Worship Night at North Way Wexford. It's happening because North Way has an incredible "go" strategy... we're opening up North Way locations all around the city of Pittsburgh in both suburban and urban areas. I lead the East End location in the urban environment of East Liberty, and that's where I first met Tyrone. He was homeless when I first met him, and he happened to find our church. We welcomed him into our church family, and he has been on a dramatic process of transformation since we first met. He has dedicated his life to God. He is so passionate about Jesus, and he invites a constant stream of his friends to our church.
About two months ago, Tyrone nearly died. His kidneys failed while he was staying the night at a local shelter, and he had to be rushed to a local hospital. The doctors saved his life that night, and he has been on a slow process of care and recovery since then. Tyrone desperately needs a kidney transplant, so his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have been encouraging him and helping him navigate through the process of dialysis and obtaining insurance so that he doesn't slip through the cracks of our society. He is hoping to be able to return to work soon, to be able to rent an apartment by Christmas, and he hopes to be able to help out more at the church.
I've grown to love Tyrone as a brother in Christ. He looks much different than me... he's African-American, he has tattoos all over his body and his face that are the obvious signs of a tough life. He has persevered through a difficult life of gangs, drugs, and eventually homelessness. He's looked death in the face, and he has come out on the other side with a new outlook on life where he wants to share Jesus with as many people as possible in the short time that he has on this earth. He currently reaches many people with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I would ordinarily have a difficult time reaching.
Tyrone has spent his life on the margins of mainstream society in America, and God is now working through him to reach other marginalized people. He is giving so many people hope. He gives me hope. My life has been changed forever because of my friendship with Tyrone. God is indeed close to the brokenhearted. God's grace is found in its most abundant forms in people like Tyrone. I can't believe I have the privilege of baptizing him tonight. God is so good!
About two months ago, Tyrone nearly died. His kidneys failed while he was staying the night at a local shelter, and he had to be rushed to a local hospital. The doctors saved his life that night, and he has been on a slow process of care and recovery since then. Tyrone desperately needs a kidney transplant, so his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ have been encouraging him and helping him navigate through the process of dialysis and obtaining insurance so that he doesn't slip through the cracks of our society. He is hoping to be able to return to work soon, to be able to rent an apartment by Christmas, and he hopes to be able to help out more at the church.
I've grown to love Tyrone as a brother in Christ. He looks much different than me... he's African-American, he has tattoos all over his body and his face that are the obvious signs of a tough life. He has persevered through a difficult life of gangs, drugs, and eventually homelessness. He's looked death in the face, and he has come out on the other side with a new outlook on life where he wants to share Jesus with as many people as possible in the short time that he has on this earth. He currently reaches many people with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I would ordinarily have a difficult time reaching.
Tyrone has spent his life on the margins of mainstream society in America, and God is now working through him to reach other marginalized people. He is giving so many people hope. He gives me hope. My life has been changed forever because of my friendship with Tyrone. God is indeed close to the brokenhearted. God's grace is found in its most abundant forms in people like Tyrone. I can't believe I have the privilege of baptizing him tonight. God is so good!
Monday, December 9, 2013
Happy Birthday to Rafael
Happy 19th birthday to my friend, Rafael. When I first started mentoring him almost eight years ago, he was struggling in school and in many areas of his life. He honestly didn't envision himself even living to see his 18th birthday. He lost his older brother to street violence when his brother was just 17 years old, and his uncle was murdered that year as well. Raf has had to navigate through more pain in his short life than most of us will ever have to endure in our lifetimes. Still, he is a resilient and courageous young man. He is on track to graduate from high school this year, and he has dreams of going on to a career in the military. Raf is far from perfect... none of us are perfect. But, I am encouraged that God has a plan for his life and that he is going to accomplish many great things. He has hope for the future. I am so proud of him. We've been through many ups and downs in our friendship, but I am so thankful that God brought Raf into my life.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Good News About Pastor Freedom Blackwell
Many people have been praying for my friend and partner in ministry, Pastor Freedom Blackwell, on his path to recovery from a rare form of cancer. He had a major surgery all day yesterday, and I'm happy to report that the two surgeons who performed the procedure are confident that they were able to remove all of the cancer in his leg. Praise God!
Freedom is still not out of the water yet, so please continue to lift him up in prayer. He will be in the hospital for about a week, and then he is going to have at least three or four months of intense physical therapy. He may also have some follow up treatments which may include radiation or more chemotherapy, depending on where the doctors determine that the cancer originated from.
I was able to spend some good time with Freedom and his wife, Free, at the hospital this morning. They are very encouraged, and they are giving all of the glory for this recovery to God. I have been deeply impacted by the faith in Jesus that this amazing family has demonstrated over the past few months. They are truly an inspiration to many people. Their story has impacted thousands of people with the hope that can be found when we put our trust in God.
A lot of people have asked me how they can support Freedom through this ordeal. Please continue to pray for him and his recovery. Also, he LOVES the hundreds of cards and personal notes of encouragement that he has received. Please continue to write those notes of encouragement for him. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, you can drop those notes off or put them in the offering baskets at any of our North Way locations, and I will personally deliver them to him. I know he really appreciates all of the support.
Freedom is still not out of the water yet, so please continue to lift him up in prayer. He will be in the hospital for about a week, and then he is going to have at least three or four months of intense physical therapy. He may also have some follow up treatments which may include radiation or more chemotherapy, depending on where the doctors determine that the cancer originated from.
I was able to spend some good time with Freedom and his wife, Free, at the hospital this morning. They are very encouraged, and they are giving all of the glory for this recovery to God. I have been deeply impacted by the faith in Jesus that this amazing family has demonstrated over the past few months. They are truly an inspiration to many people. Their story has impacted thousands of people with the hope that can be found when we put our trust in God.
A lot of people have asked me how they can support Freedom through this ordeal. Please continue to pray for him and his recovery. Also, he LOVES the hundreds of cards and personal notes of encouragement that he has received. Please continue to write those notes of encouragement for him. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, you can drop those notes off or put them in the offering baskets at any of our North Way locations, and I will personally deliver them to him. I know he really appreciates all of the support.
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