Monday night is always special for us. This is the night we go down to the “avenue” and just build relationships with the hurting. Actually, we build relationships with the whole community. We spend about three hours just walking the “avenue” waiting for the Lord to speak to us about who He would have us minister too.

Tonight was really different and surprising. When Kathy and I stepped out on the “avenue” it seemed that all the people were acting really strange and almost unreachable. Most were dissolved in their own personalities. Wow, I thought, this is really off set! Then is hit me, the enemy does not want us here! (DUH moment on my part, oops!) We continued on though and about an hour and a half later I looked at Kathy and said “It is lifted, the enemy has ceased the attack!” Everyone was cool and the night went on to be very fruitful and helpful to many.

As we were leaving to go home, we thought it would be nice to go out and get a bite to eat. Well, we went to the Santa Cruz Diner and as we were entering in, there was one of the guys that we help standing out front: “Bear” is his street name! (By the way he can really play the guitar). Most of the people who think these are just “bums” and “rejects” do not realize that these hurting people have a story and lot of talent! Anyway, we invited him in for dinner and he politely refused and ask for some money that he needed for tobacco! So, yes, I gave it to him! (Sorry to shock you religious people). As Kathy and I took our seat, in walked one of the most famous homeless persons in all Santa Cruz County, my friend Levi. He was drunk and walked right by me. I reached out and grabbed his arm and ask if he would join us for dinner. He was so stoked, that he sat down and I ordered him, mashed potatoes and Yankee Pot Roast with vegetables. We all ate dinner together and laughed.

The cool thing about this is we were all done for the night, heading home, thinking it was a great night! It was not over though! God had a better plan. To take Levi to dinner at one of the most popular restaurants in Santa Cruz. Here is the key: As we were eating, Levi stopped for a long moment and looked at me. He said: “Preacher, would you pray for me tonight? Because I may not wake up in the morning” My heart broke, my eyes swelled with tears and of course I agreed to pray. Wow, God had a plan! Here we are thinking it is over and God sets up a prayer meeting!

“A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure. ” (Proverbs 16:9, AMP)

I just wanted to share this exciting moment with you! The picture is of Levi!

Peace

Dennis

P.S. Kathy and I are going to do a prayer walk on a different night in Santa Cruz on the “avenue” We are going to just pray up and down the street. Breaking the enemies power over this city!

All scripture references are: The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.