"The Pants"

Last week as Kati was waiting at O’Hare Airport she received a phone call from one of our friends, David Keep. He said, “Kati, it’s so good to hear a voice, I thought I would get a machine. Do you know who this is? This is David Keep. I just wanted to call you to say, Praise God for what He has done.”

Initially we met David Keep on February 10, 2008. Below is an excerpt from the Celebrate Blessings Street Outreach Book:

David Keep
David has asked for size 13 wide shoes, 5XL shirts. He is a 30 year painter who lives in his truck. He is looking for work, but has indicated that finding any consistent job has been very difficult. He has also dealt with some health issues including a tumor last year. Please pray that this man will be encouraged to get through this circumstance and that he would find a more consistent job that will provide enough income for housing and cost of living.

The following week, David returned to meet us, expecting that our prayers had been answered. That week the Lord had answered those prayers and allowed us to provide a new pair of shoes and some new t-shirts.

David continued to come out week after week to greet us, even though he was not living under the bridge. During those weeks, he did not request any physical need to be met, and yet he continued to meet us at the bridge. He was always very positive and encouraging during our encounters. He communicated his gratitude to God and us for all that we provided to the community at the Claiborne camp.

On March 22, 2008, David asked that we would provide a pair of boots, painter’s whites, and prayer so that he could find consistent work as a painter. He, like most of our working friends, anticipated the new week and the possibilities for work that week. Importantly, he was expecting God to answer his prayers swiftly.

On March 30, 2008, we were able to provide a pair of work boots to David. However, the painter’s whites proved to be more of a challenge because of David’s waist size. He was not discouraged, and rather came with a praise report and gave thanks for the boots.

This day, David and Angie stepped aside and spent some time together praying some very specific things for his life. After the prayer was over, he immediately approached Kati. He said, “Kati, you missed it.” Kati said, “Missed what?” David replied, “We prayed! And, it was really good!”

Below is an excerpt from the Celebrate Blessings Street Outreach Weekly Book March 30, 2008:

David K. David secured a job last week painting the Cajun Queen anticipating God providing the necessary work clothes. He is so excited to be working. His joy was evident and forthright in acknowledging God’s working in his life. We were not able to provide the painters whites, because they do not carry his size at Wal-Mart. However, that did not kill his joy. David and I prayed together before he departed. We prayed for continued favor with his boss and with his coworkers, that he would be able to share his testimony with all those he came in contact with, that he may continue to grow in the Lord, and that he may find his purpose in this life.

On April 5, 2008, David met us yet again at the bridge. He was so excited to give us a praise report, telling us that he had been painting the Cajun Queen all week. The employer had gone ahead and hired him despite David not having the uniform. He and the employer had a full expectation that he would have an appropriate uniform by the end of the week. He was correct. David’s faith in the Lord really, truly inspired both Kati and me. That very week, Kati made it her mission to find that pair of painter’s whites. That day we prayed a prayer of thanks to the Lord for meeting David right at his needs and in perfect timing.

Since, that day, we had not heard nor seen David. Many times over the past months, Kati and I have often wondered about David and how is doing. We, from the beginning of our work together, had to come to the realization that we are here on the streets to plant seeds, and most of the time we will never see them bear fruit. The one thing we had been confident about with David was that he was doing fine and would continue to grow in his faith walk. That confidence was confirmed with his phone call to Kati on June 25, 2008.

David’s story does not end there. The phone call to Kati was to inform us that he is now leasing a three bedroom home in St. Bernard Parish. Since the working on the Cajun Queen, he has been working fervently as a painter, and he even now has three jobs lined up. He also has just hired three homeless men that he met at the Claiborne camp. David is excited to experience God moving in His life, and he does not take that for granted as he aspires to share his testimony with others.

We are currently working with a pastor in St. Bernard parish to get David connected with other believers. We know fully that a roof over someone’s head is not the whole solution, but only a start. It is important that David now begin to build a genuine relationship with the Lord as well as seek other natural supports.

Please pray for David that he will get connected in a church, build Godly friendships, grow in his faith walk, and be able to share his testimony boldly.

Praise God!