Friday morning revisited...

Jimmy and Erin and Pastor Dave were already at the park when I arrived. They were getting the charcoals ready for firing. Tony saw me get out of the car so he came over to see if he could help carry anything. We walked toward the gazebo. Tony is one of the homeless ones. He and a few others are always waiting to help carry the load. They aren't here for a handout. This is church and they are serious. Tony always seems defeated, kind of like Eeyore. Gentle, though, and quiet.
Now, the ladies today were not quiet. Betty, Amanda, and another lady I have not been introduced to as yet could not settle down today. Betty can switch back and forth from weeping and sad to the most outrageously loud, vulgar woman ranting and raving about. Amanda is also prone to wild outbursts, until Pastor starts preaching. It is then that she is ready to pounce on anyone who isn't listening to the Word. And she'll let everyone and anyone know how displeased she is. While Pastor Dave preaches you will see Amanda totally focused on his every word with one hand in the air as praise and honor to God. I do not know the other woman's name. She was quite taken with the Word being shared today and cried in dismay as she realized that she carried the same qualities as the Pharisees Jesus dealt with.
Betty was angry with the woman I do not know. Amanda was upset with her as well for her cries were too loud for them. Somehow the Lord kept them at a manageable level today.
The men sat and listened though.
I guess what I am trying to say, as difficult as it is to share the Word over the ruckus today it was so obvious that the ruckus was their way of showing how seriously they didn't want any one to keep them from hearing what Pastor Dave was sharing.
It is church all the way. What an honor to be able to serve and sit with these ones. How good it is to be with Jimmy, my son, and the other Journey people on these hot summer desert days under the gazebo in the park on Friday mornings.