the God of this city

Yesterday was different.  At least that is what the team said when they came home last night from doing a 5-Day Club in Springfield.  They had done clubs the week before in the projects.  It was eye opening there and very heart breaking.  When asking for examples of sin, some of the kids replied with "throwing rocks at windows", "stealing from cars", "stealing from people's houses"....  Not the typical "I was mean to my brother" response we usually get.  Last week saw around 40 kids who were able to hear the Gospel and see the love of Jesus in the faces of our team. One girl was sad when Brianna was leaving and told her that the only Christmas present she wanted was to see her again.  One little boy tried to jump in our van and begged to go home with us.  Toddlers were being supervised by 6 and 7 year old siblings. Kids were asking for food.  It was incredible.  But rewarding.  One boy was apparently known as being a bully.  He prayed to receive Jesus as Savior one of the first nights.  Later that week he was approached by a kid he was usually mean to and asked why he was being so nice to him.  He said, "I don't really know.  Jesus is just doing something really cool inside of me."  Jesus changes people.

Yesterday was different.  In another area of Springfield, the demonic oppression was felt by all.  Strong.  Dogs would bark, car alarms go off, motorcycles drive by loudly as the Gospel was being shared.  Kids were meaner, tougher.  It's hard to witness.  I haven't been there, but it has been explained to me and I can see it on Matt's face and on the team's faces.This rough life that is the result of people wanting their own way instead of God's.  I am reading through the Bible and am in the middle of Joshua.  It's what happened in Old Testament times and it is what's happening now.  SIN HAS CONSEQUENCES.  There are signs of children being abused, kids fighting to be head of the pack, neglect.....  

Matt has felt the call of God to "make My name known and great in the city".  Easier said than done.  Do they even hear?  Is there hope?  Can being exposed to God's love make a difference in a city as dark and hopeless as Springfield?  

Please pray.  Please pray that God will encourage the team and work in the hearts of the children even though all around them is so dark.

I love these words by Chris Tomlin:

[Verse 1]
You're the God of this City 
You're the King of these people 
You're the Lord of this nation 
You are 

[Verse 2]
You're the Light in this darkness 
You're the Hope to the hopeless 
You're the Peace to the restless 
You are 

There is no one like our God 
There is no one like our God 

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 
Greater thing have yet to come 
And greater things are still to be done in this City 

We have the answer.  Pray that they see Jesus as their Light, Hope, and Peace.  He is offering it.