Back Ally Bible Studies

If you were sent to this post from our newsletter, I meant to link you to THIS (Living The Dream) post! Oops!

One of the core values of NieuCommunities is to live among those we serve. It is for that reason that all of us that participate (there are a variety of roles) in NieuCommunites have committed to live in the neighborhood of Golden Hill and within 10 minutes walking distance from each other. On top of being close to most everything, Janny and I have cut back to owning one car so we walk alot.

I have been doing most of my work and study at a coffee shop about 1/2 a block from our apartment. Having to walk through a back ally to get there, I passed a couple fellas that were sitting on the ground talking. I was on my phone, but nodded hello.

About 2 hours later a man walked up and sat down at my small table. He said, "You're still here!" I was having a hard time placing him at first and then it clicked that he was one of the guys in the back ally. I still hadn't said much more than a word or two and he started telling me the story of the past 6 years of his life that now had him homeless. He said he had been a missionary in Mexico and was trying to get his life back together by attending a local church. Finally getting a word in I said, "How did you know I was a Christian?" He told me that when I had walked by talking on my cell phone he told his buddy that I "was a rich prick." My table mate continued, "then my buddy told me I was making an assumption and that you were probably just a normal guy. After that I felt like I should apologize and when I sat down with you I could see that you love Jesus."

I was blown away.

I ended up buying him and his buddy a sandwich and hung out with them for a bit in the back ally. They told me they read the Bible together. I asked if I could come hang out with them sometime. Without hesitation they said yes.

I am now part of a back ally bible study with two guys I would have normally driven by, ignored or not even noticed. Now I can see why we live where we serve. Please pray for our times together. Also pray that they would feel welcomed into our community as they meet other folks from NieuCommunities as we live life and embody the Church here in Golden Hill.