The following are blogs and posts that I have written over these past 6 months. They are memories and feelings that I hope I always keep with me.That first night seems like a million years ago in some ways and like yesterday in others. I never want to forget the anticipation, nervousness, and excitement. I am compiling these memories for myself so they are in one spot. They are also for others that might be interested in seeing what God can do with a bunch of people who have a tiny plan to love people the way Jesus did and are willing to allow God to grow that into His own thing.
Night Light’s First Night
Thursday September 19, 2013 marked our 1st ever Night Light! Much planning, preparation, and prayer went into our first night under the bridge at Maybelle and Brady! I was sick to my stomach with nervousness and excitement. I wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh, cry, or throw up. We were beyond thrilled to host approximately 35 guest and about 20 volunteers! I loved watching the interaction between volunteers and guest from both the homeless population and the neighborhood.
The smell of hamburgers and hot dogs filled the air and filled lots of stomachs as we grilled about 65 burgers! It was great to see people from all different paths sitting together at tables and building relationships. We also were able to hand out many gifts from our "blessings table". It was fun to watch as some of our female guest sorted through donated soaps. I even saw that some of our amazing donors had given brand new "bath and body" products! Some of our guest stepped way out of their comfort zone and allowed us to wash their feet and clothe them with new socks! This was a favorite station of mine as it allowed us to really visit with someone we didn't know.
What an amazing night! God has provided more than I could have ever imagined to do myself or with any group of people. I am excited for what this next week will hold! I hope that our consistency and our love for people will reach all of those that we saw looking on from a distance.
Food line during our first week
Double Blessings (Week #2)
I have spent several days processing the events of last Thursday's Night Light. There are really no words that can fully explain the relationships and blessings that were exchanged that night. I will do my best to recall some of what I was able to see or hear about. I am truly unsure of who was blessed more...our guest, our volunteers, or our core staff!
As we met for volunteer orientation the guest were already coming in, finding a seat, and waiting on us. Within our first 15 minutes we had surpassed the number of guest for our entire first night. We had about 30 volunteers (including core staff) this is 10 more than the previous week. By the end of the night we had nearly tripled our first night number and served approximately 80 guest! We were excited that many of the guest we had met the previous week had returned. We were also excited to see kids from the neighborhood coming with their families and also kids coming with volunteers. We look forward to the all the possibilities as the children bless each other and build friendships!
The host/hostess group heard many of our guest saying things like "I can't believe you guys take time to talk with us" and "this is the first time I have seen Jesus down here". We do not force any lesson or prayer time upon our guest. Our goal is to build relationships and let visitors know they are important. Whatever comes from that relationship is a bonus! At the blessings table I heard so many guest excited and grateful to get multiple items from underwear to cough drops.
The foot washing station was a amazing place to be. Last week I washed about 6 guests feet. This week it was around 15! At this station I watched as a daddy and daughter worked together and a friend worked with my sweet Benjamin to wash feet. The guest certainly felt pampered! Toward the end of the evening one of the guest whose feet I had washed the week before came in. He walked directly up to me and said "sit down, now its your turn." It was such a touching moment and I was so overwhelmed. Never did I see this coming. What a special thing that I will always remember. Also, toward the end of the evening we had a lady in need of shoes and one of our volunteers, without hesitation, took his off and handed them to her. He was in his socks for the rest of the night.
Guest washing my feet
Living the Mission (Week #3)
This past Thursday brought forth a large growth of volunteers. I am glad that the word is getting out and that people want to be apart of this experience! It was our third week under the bridge. We have had many new faces each week, but we are also seeing many regulars, both guest and volunteers. It is fun to watch everyone greet each other after being apart throughout the week. These are the relationships that the Night Light staff has been praying about and striving for. All of the food, blessings, etc. are just reasons to meet someone new, open a door, and build a relationship. Our very gracious guest have made very easy to do. This week we witnessed many acts of kindness. Some of our homeless guest even helped us clean and load up at the end. Then they circled up with us for a prayer before we left. It has been amazing to watch this mission come to life and cross worldly barriers...blessing all involved with gifts of love, hope, encouragement and non-judgment.
Orientation
Loving Individuals, Giving hope, Touching souls (Almost 2 Months)
Night Light Tulsa has almost reached its 2 month mark of serving under the bridge. After many months of praying, planning, and preparing, we are now enjoying watching where God is leading us. We have watched many new friendships form and blessings being traded between our guest and volunteers.
In the past few weeks our Night Light Tulsa donators didn't miss a beat stepping up to the challenge of keeping our guest warm. Last week our guest waited patiently for blankets, coats, gloves, and other warm items. We were so overwhelmed that our donators had filled these request and we had plenty to give out. Each guest was so grateful for these items and we heard "thank you" along with their stories of trying to stay warm the last several nights over and over.
The foot washing area is of course my favorite area. It has been really taken off. When we first opened this area our guest were unsure of what to think. They would watch from a distance as a brave soul would venture over every now and then. Now this area stays busy. We have started warming the water as it has turned cold and they are truly in for a treat as we wash, lotion, massage, and powder them. I love to hear them brag to the next person in line! Each person leaves with a new pair of socks. This week we had a gentleman come up in a pair of dirty socks and no shoes. His shoes had been stolen the night before. I watched as our amazing volunteers covered him in dignity and love. When he left this station he knew he was important to us and he had clean feet, new socks, and a new pair of donated size 10 shoes. The relief on his face was enough to warm all of us standing there.
The food table remains busy from the time we open until we close. The line typically extends out the bridge. Last week we served about 200 guest. Each week we have watched God provide just the right amount of food to feed our crowd. One women shared with us that this is the 1 good meal she gets each week. Our servers and our host and hostess' have done an amazing job working together to get the food out and to share a meal at a table with our visitors.
I am amazed to witness the graciousness of people. Both our guest and volunteers have pushed themselves to step out of their comfort zones- to not draw a line in the sand of "them" and "us". We are all the same. All children of the King. All brothers and sisters. Some of our guest are already recognizing this as something different than what they have seen before and are beginning to ask questions. Others are not to that point yet. Either way, we continue to build relationships with everyone under that bridge. We are blessed beyond measure with all the support Night Light has been given and we strive to make a difference by Loving Individuals, Giving Hope, and Touching Souls.
Donated Blankets
Beginning of November
I am still in awe of the movement to love and serve each other that I saw last night. I want to share a few stories about people making a difference.
The first story is of a young lady who has found herself homeless for the first time. She and her husband were in the low-income category to begin with. Her husband was murdered and she lost everything after his passing. As she was on the streets with her coat, a blanket, and about $20, she was followed by a group of guys. They stole everything from her. She came to us with no coat, no blanket, and a lot of hurt and sadness. Our volunteers were able to be an outlet for her grief. They built her back up and provided her with a warm meal, a coat, blanket, pants and a warm shirt, and many essentials.
The next is about a little girl from the neighborhood. Her parents are divorced and she comes down to visit us each week by herself. She is the sweetest little girl! She always comes by with a hug and a story. This week she was asking for blankets so she wouldn't have to share one blanket with 2 of her siblings that she sleeps with. We ran out of blankets before she got one. She said she will be back earlier next week.
Last is a story from a volunteer:
"My friend that came to help last night (at Night Light) told me that he and his daughter sat and talked with guests that were there for the first time. At the end, the guest said that after his meal and watching people receive clothes and others getting their feet watched, that he truly felt like it was the first time he had ever been at "church"."
There are so many stories. They are from here...in Tulsa. When a donation is made people are not just giving out a coat- someone is loving that individual and building a relationship as they help them pick it out. It gives them an opportunity to be a "real" person and find something they like. They are giving them warmth and safety from the elements. It is so much more then a coat that wasn't used anymore. It is like that with all of the donations- both physical and financial. It is so humbling to be a part of this opportunity.
Night Light in November
Posts from my Facebook
Proud of Ben
So proud of my Ben, who last Friday hopped in the car and said "I need some Night Light flyers"...and then today followed up and took them to some of his teachers! When I asked him why he thinks we do Night Light his response was that we are suppose to show others Jesus. This is a way we can do that. Love, Love, Love his heart!
A Beautiful Opportunity
Don't know if I can sleep... pretty sure I can't. Tonight at Night Light I took a minute to step up into the shadows of the bridge and watch. This push from God over a year ago...between a couple friends... has turned into this beautiful thing. God has led it completely. Putting all the right players in place and providing everything we need....down to extra socks at the last minute tonight. I watched as several different groups served together. It didn't matter whether you were from this church or that, a teen or elderly, homeless or with a home. There were many stories I got to hear about or watch unfold but one that I loved was as one volunteer unknowingly asked another if she could wash her feet. The volunteer declined and they laughed as they realized they were both volunteers. Then the first came to me and said "I love this, we are all the same under here. You can't tell who is who." What an amazing thing it is to love people and serve one another without it mattering what you do or don't have. Loving and caring because ALL people are important and because that is exactly how God thinks of us. I am so blessed to be able to meet so many amazing people each week. Thank you Lord for this opportunity.
Blessings Of A Harsh Winter
It was around 16 degrees at Night Light last night. I had about 3 layers on along with 2 pairs of socks and 2 pairs of gloves. When I got home it took a few hours to thaw out. As cold as I was, I wouldn't have changed a thing about last night. This harsh winter has brought many blessings under that bridge. Over and over our guest, now our friends, continue to talk about how they know they can rely on us to be there. Amazing volunteers continue to bundle up and show up! And it's not just volunteers we know. Last night there were at least 8 new volunteers (off the top of my head) that came by word of mouth and Facebook! Other supporters continue to donate warm items, essentials, and money- all necessary tools for setting up relationships and loving people. A few favorite moments include one man sharing that he's never felt homeless when he's with us. He said, "it's always just felt like I am a guest in your home." Another sweet guest never misses and each week he comes over and expresses how thankful he is to spend his time with us and how grateful he is for the meal...he does this each week before he leaves. Another young guy came over and asked Anisa Jackson and I if we pray. We answered yes. He said, "well, I don't really believe in that stuff but I have a friend"...and he continued to share concerns on his heart and asked us to pray for this friend and his friends children. Before he walked off he again said he didn't believe but he's noticed that when people who do believe, pray, sometimes things happen. He doesn't even recognize God working in him...but we did! I also love that one of our first time volunteers who was there with her teenage daughter (who had previously made and donated warming kits over the holidays just from hearing about us) stated "this is really fun, and amazing". She also commented how she could see the relationship between everyone just by watching interactions. Also, one of our guest that really struggles with alcohol was sober last night and we got to have a great conversation. The winter is hard but what better way to show how much each person means to us. And they do- guest, volunteers, and supporters! I am sure that I am the one blessed beyond what I could ever imagine. Wouldn't change a thing!
My hubby and oldest son braving one of the cold nights!
Rick
The last two weeks have been extremely frustrating, challenging, and just all around rough with a lot going on with different things in our lives. Last night as I got to the bridge I saw the sweet familiar face of Rick. He is a friend that hasn't been out in several weeks because he has been in the shelter and they don't let them out at night or they lose there spot. He sat there on the curb, his wheelchair next to him. He had arrived a hour before any one of us would even be there. I was so glad to see him that I immediately went over and sat with him and gave a gentle hug. He began to sob saying how much he's missed meeting with us and explaining that he couldn't leave the shelter. Last night he chose to sleep on the street just so he could spend a couple hours under the bridge with friends. With us. I could have sat right there holding his hand the entire night. I watched numerous people love on him. I don't think he even realizes what a blessing he was in my life last night. I have other sweet happenings from last night that I'll share later. This one has just really been on my heart all morning.
What I Love About My Time Under The Bridge
There are so many things that I love about spending my Thursday nights under a bridge. Here are a few from last night:
- The hugs from neighborhood kids, guest, and volunteers
- Surprising the kids with their favorite color of socks...its the little things!
- That it doesn't matter how many weeks ago I washed someone's feet-somehow they remember my name and what we talked about. I love these rela...tionships.
- Seeing volunteers that haven't been able to be out it a few weeks come back ...they never know how much they have been missed!
- Watching people mobilize themselves whether it is an 8 year old girl and her family who take a dollar and turn it into $150 to donate and she also challenges her neighborhood to donate used board games for an upcoming springtime game night OR a volunteer that challenges those around her to give blankets and comes to the bridge with around 80 to give away.
- Stepping back and watching God use people to provide EXACTLY what is needed- last night we went to the bridge with very little clothing/coats and only one blanket. Volunteers showed up with around 80 blankets and filled the clothing racks with exactly what we needed for the night.
- LOVE THIS ONE- a guest who has been coming for weeks and is always so quiet and reserved- steps out and hugs you.
- Knowing that God is leading.. There is a house nearby that we contemplated renting for storage. We decided against it and last night the new renters joined us under the bridge.
- "The popcorn man" and how he came to be
- Animal Control coming out to love on the animals...not take them away. AND... on there own, and apart from their shelter...arranging for a vet to come out in April and give out free rabies vaccines to the dogs...I never expected that type of mobilization!
- New people
- "Regulars"
- Volunteers who keep coming regardless of being uncomfortable the first time...each week they become more comfortable and fall more in love with the relationships and the opportunities to love people....and when they say "I want to try the prayer table sometime soon, but I am not ready yet" and then take a host position....and God knows them better than they know themselves....and a guest asks them to pray. Right then. Right there. And they do!!...and they surprise themselves. I LOVE THIS!
I love so many things and so many people that are connected to that bridge and to my Thursday nights. If you have never been out there I urge you to step out and see what it is about. You will bless so many...and you will be blessed. If you can't be out there and want to be apart of it in some way, call me. There are things you can do to help that you probably don't even realize.
Alan the "popcorn man"
Adaria
I met Adaria about 3 weeks ago. The first thing she ever said to me was "nice to meet you Sarah. If you met our Savior today what two words would you say to him". And with that loaded question our friendship was born. She lived homeless for two years and now lives with an older lady (she herself isn't young). They house a couple of other homeless folks. Last week she searched me out and asked me to pray for wisdom for her to know the right ways to help homeless people. This week she came over as I was washing feet and asked if she could help. She put gloves on and got after it. I sat with her as she washed Shawna's feet. Shawna is a new friend. She has one week before she will be kicked out of supportive housing (something to do with our system and a felony). She is slightly younger than me. She shared with us her struggles with mental health and that she had a felony. She sat and cried. Overwhelmed. She knew where she came from and where she would be headed if she ends up back on the streets. For now she is going back to her mom's in Louisiana to prevent that but she left there to have a new start as that's where her troubles and struggles began. We grabbed hands and Adaria said a sweet prayer over her. Please pray with me for both my friends. It was a blessing to be apart of this moment and I feel lucky that these sweet women felt comfortable sharing their lives with me.
Prayer Request
Many times, my time under the bridge is spread out (which I like). It's not typical for me to be able to spend the entire evening in one area. My nights are usually a rainbow of hugs and updates on how guest are doing, praying and talking with those who need a listening ear, meeting new volunteers and answering questions, listening to previous and new volunteers disclose experiences and feeling that only come from serving like this, searching for things that didn't make it off the truck, connecting people, monitoring the environment, and looking for little neosporins (darn things go so fast). Things like that. Last night was typical in that way so it's not surprising that I was running behind on cleaning my foot washing station up. Many times people will wonder up after we've shut things down but last night it wasn't just one person. Last night was different. This was a panicked mother pushing her 2 year old baby in a stroller (breathing nebulizer in the bottom of the stroller because the baby has RSV), and her 4 boys ages 5 to 16 carrying all of their backpacks. They had just been kicked out of one of the shelters for missing a meeting by 20 minutes. Her phone went dead while trying to get them into another shelter. She was lost. It was dark. She had all her babies with her....and here she was standing in front of me. Panicked. As I pulled out my phone and began to help her she and the kids were surrounded with love (I love our people under the bridge). I was able to get her into the shelter and sat with them through the whole process. I've also been able to go back and visit with her today. I doubt many of us even know how blessed we are and how flawed our system is. Let me tell you this, I am forever changed by this experience. God uses us when we feel undeserving of being used. He opens up doors and waits for us to walk through them. He wants us to find ways to encourage one another. We all need it...both on the giving and receiving end. My words are scattered as I still process everything that I've heard and seen...and knowing 5 precious kids are living this, along with their exhausted momma. Please pray with me for this dear family.
Blessings From The Bridge
I'm convinced that foot washing is the absolute best station under the bridge. I love when a volunteer steps out of their comfort zone and fits so perfectly in a new area. I love watching the blessings flow back and forth. I love sitting at our guests feet and listening. I love how they go from a guest to a friend in these few minutes. I love washing feet with my eight year old son. I love all of that. And tonight I also love that as one of my friends was leaving the bridge to go back to her "home" she was sure to stop by, give me a hug, and say I love you. Awe, if only I could fill others hearts the way mine is filled each week.
Night Light -6 months this month
