April 2006 Report

INTRODUCING EDWARD

We served 275 sack lunches in March. Edward (left) certainly enjoyed a couple of them. His last name (Littlewalker) also reveals something about one of his physical needs. He broke his left ankle last October after falling from a loading dock. Doctors inserted screws, which became infected. He’s been hobbling along, fighting the infection and asking us to tell his story. He always shows us his bandage and asks us to pray. He's taking an antibiotic, but he can sure use your prayers, too.

EVER HEARD OF HUFFING?

Richard and J.B. are battling a bondage that affects the poorest people among us. On April 5, we found them high from "huffing." It’s a brain-deadening, brutal addiction to inhaling near lethal levels of vapors. They’ll swirl something around like gas or paint thinner in a pop bottle, then begin sniffing. We believe Richard could recognize us, but when we he moved his lips to talk, nothing came out.

THIN MINTS, ANYONE?

Is it possible to be poor, with nothing of material substance to your name, and still be generous? The answer is found in what we witnessed on March 29. While we were preaching at the clock, we gave some Girl Scout cookies to a homeless man to demonstrate the difference between things that are temporary and eternal. Instead of keeping them all to himself, he took one and passed them around to others in the hungry crowd. What a lesson for us all – caring requires sharing.

REFLECTIONS ON REACHING OUT

One of our volunteers (Julie R.) writes Bible studies. Here’s a recent excerpt: “Before my husband was deployed, he was the interim pastor at a small church near downtown. Filling The Void helped us serve monthly meals. That little church would fill up with all kinds of people on those nights – the homeless, drug addicts, thieves and prostitutes. I was a nervous wreck the first time we did this, scared to let my kids out of my sight! As the months went by, I got to know these people more personally. They confided in me. I prayed with them, and God helped me understand that their sin was no bigger than mine. They knew that I had grown to love them, and they came to know Jesus through that. They saw His love in action. It's easy to say we love, but do we show it?”

SPRING BREAK SPIRIT

Downtown Tulsa isn’t exactly a stellar Spring Break destination. But don’t tell that to 20 teens from The Church at Battle Creek who led our weekly outreach on March 22. They traded sun, sand and surf for windy, 30-degree weather. Thanks go to John Hickman and Kristi Osborn for preparing the sacks and preaching to our usual pack.

TAKE A TOUR OF “INSIDE” TULSA

Are you ready to be moved with compassion, just like Jesus? We’ll show you how by giving you a taste of what we see on the streets. We’re happy to provide personalized, 30-minute walking tours almost any day during lunch. Just RSVP @ fillingthevoid@hotmail.com. Free lunch included.