In a previous blog I wrote about a young man who makes a significant amount of his income by soliciting a young women. Rather than refer to the young man as pimp, I will give him the name Matt.
A couple Saturdays back my brother and I went to the mission to pick the mission van. Just like any other time one of the Cross and Crown staff go to the mission for the simplest of tasks we are always in for more then we bargained for. This trip was no different.
As my brother and I pulled onto Mckinley off of tenth street we were immediately spotted by Matt. As we put the back seats into the van Matt made his way over to us. I greeted Matt and introduced him to my brother as he began to explain his current need. He explained how he had a new job that he was working with his brother. He said he was laying tile at a house on 39th and Western. I explained to Matt how we were kind of in a hurry because we were on our way to pick up family members from the airport, but that did phase him (at least he is persistent, right?).
After throwing a few questions at Matt to determine the validity of his new job I decided that if he really did have a way to make money in an honest fashion, I would love to be apart of that in help in any way I could. I told my brother to go on without me and I would take Matt to his job site, but my brother insisted that he would follow me and then we would go together. I could see why he would be concerned, Matt isn't the friendliest looking guy. Honestly though, even if my brother wasn't there I would still feel comfortable giving Matt a ride.
On the way to the job site Matt and I were able to talk. We talked about where he grew up, his parents, his brother who he was going to work for that he hadn't talked to in about a year and the girl he solicits/his girlfriend/who is now pregnant. We also talked about sin and what God thinks of us when we sin. It was interesting how we started talking about it. Matt asked me straight-forward if I knew what kind of work he was involved in. I told Matt that word travels fast and that everyone in that neighborhood and Cross and Crown knows his work. He was embarrassed, briefly. He then went on to say how it was only temporary and how he was only doing it until he could get some things straight in his life. He told me how he knows what he is doing is wrong. That's how we got on the topic of sin. Matt said he knows what he is doing is sinful and that God doesn't enjoy the way he is living. He said that he feels like a dirty person but he doesn't know what else to do. Then he said something to me I will never forget, he said, "Luke, everyday I'm living in Hell. Everyday is Hell for me."
I really didn't know what to say. I think I just nodded at him in agreement. He went on to explain how he knows it's like that because of the way he lives. He admitted that his own actions and choices shape this Hell on earth that he lives in.
As our conversation continued I mentioned to him how sin is sin to God. Sure, there are some sins that have greater consequences then others here on earth, but ultimately we are separated from God because of sin, rather large or small, anyone who sins, everyone, is separated from God.
As we arrived at his work site our conversation was cut short, but as we pulled up I made sure to pray with Matt before he got out of my car. After I finished praying for him he did something that really surprised me, he asked to pray for me. Wow, what a blessing. How many of the people reading this blog (which hopefully is more then my mom, dad or sister) have had a pimp pray for you? Somewhat ironic.
Matt's girlfriend/employee both attend our Sunday night worship. Matt expressed to me how much he enjoys these worship times and how he looks forward to each Sunday. I'm not sure of it, but I really feel like one of these days we are going to have a breakthrough with this couple and I think these worship times are going to be the catalyst.
Joshua 2:1-22
