When we arrived at the Claiborne camp, the first ten minutes were filled primarily with greeting our friends, exchanging hugs, and sharing words of affirmation. Following that short time, a news crew approached us. They were there representing ABC news network. The lead reporter was there doing a piece on the FEMA trailer deadline. As a result he wanted to get coverage of life at the Claiborne camp.
They spent the next twenty minutes speaking to us, our friends, and filming our interactions. I don't believe that any of this footage will be used for this story because our primary reason for being there did not relate to the story they were working on. It was, however, a great opportunity to be able to educate this news team of the dire living circumstances many of our friends face. Also, it was a great opportunity to share my testimony and plant more seeds.
When we moved to the other end of the Claiborne camp, I connected with a man named "Lit". He was visibly impaired by some type of substance. It was a challenge talking to him, because his thoughts seemed to be racing from one topic to another. Like a child tests boundaries, he verbally challenged me repeatedly. He seemed to be trying to shock me and the rest of the team. Depsite his oppositional attitude, he remained there engaging in conversation until we left the Claiborne camp.
For me, Lit is a perfect example of most of the people we meet on the street. He is looking, searching, franticly for something. He has no idea for what he is searching. As a result, he grabs hold to everything tangible (drugs, clothing, money,women,etc.) he can. What he does not yet realize is that the very thing he is searching for, is the very thing he is running from; that very thing he runs from is everywhere. All he has to do is just grab hold of his Savior.
We were able to share our faith with this man in the half hour or longer that he spent with us. I gave him a Bible, although he claimed to already own one and know it well. I marked several pages in the Bible for him to be reading this week. Also, when Goke prayed for him, he sank right into Goke. Lit is hurting.
Please pray for Lit and all the rest of our friends. Please also be praying that the Lord will begin preparing their hearts and minds for our return to the camp on Sunday. Last of all, pray for the team, that our hearts, minds, and bodies will be protected and prepared for the things we are called to do on the streets of New Orleans.
Thank you for all your support & prayers. I love you!
Angie
Donna- She is someone that we have not seen in quite a few months. We originally met her at “Bunker Hill” and she was one of the first to be removed from that park and placed into housing just before Thanksgiving. She has a friend that is now living at the Claiborne camp, and she comes out on the weekends to visit him. When asked her how we could be praying for her, she asked us to pray for her friend Charlie.
Charlie- He is currently working with a case manager at Catholic Charities. When we spoke to him, he was hopeful that Monday he would hear some news from his case manager regarding a move-in date on his new apartment. He asks that we will pray for him to get off the streets. He is another example of the working class among the homeless in New Orleans. He works at the Arena, Superdome, and also with Times Picayune. Also, he expressed disgust with the “night life” at the Claiborne camp. So, please pray that he will remain safe and protected from the evil and dangers that many of our friends endure in the night time.
Kenny- When we saw him Saturday, it was evident that he is losing weight again. Besides living on the street, he battles a terminal illness. Please pray for healing and relief from the symptoms of his illness. He has requested a belt, as a result of losing so much weight.
Larry- It was nice to see Larry again. We had not seen him in a couple weeks, so we were unsure if he had been arrested. He seemed to be doing well. He told us that he tries to spend as little time at the Claiborne camp as possible, in order to stay out of trouble. He also expressed agitation towards some of the men that live at the Claiborne camp and the threat he feels against his well-being. Please pray for him that the Lord will soften his heart, so that instead of fighting with his neighbors, he can learn to love them. Also, please pray that as a result of our multiple contacts with him, that the seeds planted will be watered and he will get to experience the power of freedom in salvation.
Russ- I would consider Russ as one of New Orleans core homeless. He is homeless and has no real plans to get off the streets. He is also well versed at being able to tell you what you want to hear. His greatest struggle that I have observed seems to be alcoholism. The team has only been able to connect with him superficially as he goes to great lengths to avoid any real conversations. Please pray for his deliverance from his addiction.
Coolio- He saw us at the Claiborne camp and walked over to greet us. Coolio is someone we typically see on the river performing for the tourists. Seeing him today was different from most days. He did not have his wheelchair today. He was walking and he was sober! I told him how great it was to see him standing and sober. He smiled and told us he was taking small steps at a time each day. While he visited with us, he prayed for the team and also our new friend Lit. Please pray that the changes he is trying to make in his life will be consistent, and that he will experience true deliverance from the strongholds in his life. Also, please pray that he and his wife Willie Mae will be able to connect with some strong Christians and be able to rebuild some natural supports in their life.
Pam- She came to greet us again this week. Yet again she is talking about seeking some in-patient treatment for her addiction. Although it always sounds good to hear our friends talk about positive change in their life, most of the time we find that it is what it is, just talk. One of the things we are finding is that as we go deeper with some of our friends, we are able to verbally challenge them. Please pray for Pam. She is struggling with drug addiction in her life. She has been in treatment before, and we would like to see her go in again and be successful this time. Please join us in prayer, that she will experience this freedom, like many of us.
Charlie- He is currently working with a case manager at Catholic Charities. When we spoke to him, he was hopeful that Monday he would hear some news from his case manager regarding a move-in date on his new apartment. He asks that we will pray for him to get off the streets. He is another example of the working class among the homeless in New Orleans. He works at the Arena, Superdome, and also with Times Picayune. Also, he expressed disgust with the “night life” at the Claiborne camp. So, please pray that he will remain safe and protected from the evil and dangers that many of our friends endure in the night time.
Kenny- When we saw him Saturday, it was evident that he is losing weight again. Besides living on the street, he battles a terminal illness. Please pray for healing and relief from the symptoms of his illness. He has requested a belt, as a result of losing so much weight.
Larry- It was nice to see Larry again. We had not seen him in a couple weeks, so we were unsure if he had been arrested. He seemed to be doing well. He told us that he tries to spend as little time at the Claiborne camp as possible, in order to stay out of trouble. He also expressed agitation towards some of the men that live at the Claiborne camp and the threat he feels against his well-being. Please pray for him that the Lord will soften his heart, so that instead of fighting with his neighbors, he can learn to love them. Also, please pray that as a result of our multiple contacts with him, that the seeds planted will be watered and he will get to experience the power of freedom in salvation.
Russ- I would consider Russ as one of New Orleans core homeless. He is homeless and has no real plans to get off the streets. He is also well versed at being able to tell you what you want to hear. His greatest struggle that I have observed seems to be alcoholism. The team has only been able to connect with him superficially as he goes to great lengths to avoid any real conversations. Please pray for his deliverance from his addiction.
Coolio- He saw us at the Claiborne camp and walked over to greet us. Coolio is someone we typically see on the river performing for the tourists. Seeing him today was different from most days. He did not have his wheelchair today. He was walking and he was sober! I told him how great it was to see him standing and sober. He smiled and told us he was taking small steps at a time each day. While he visited with us, he prayed for the team and also our new friend Lit. Please pray that the changes he is trying to make in his life will be consistent, and that he will experience true deliverance from the strongholds in his life. Also, please pray that he and his wife Willie Mae will be able to connect with some strong Christians and be able to rebuild some natural supports in their life.
Pam- She came to greet us again this week. Yet again she is talking about seeking some in-patient treatment for her addiction. Although it always sounds good to hear our friends talk about positive change in their life, most of the time we find that it is what it is, just talk. One of the things we are finding is that as we go deeper with some of our friends, we are able to verbally challenge them. Please pray for Pam. She is struggling with drug addiction in her life. She has been in treatment before, and we would like to see her go in again and be successful this time. Please join us in prayer, that she will experience this freedom, like many of us.
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