The Saints Go Marching In...

We moved to New Orleans because God was calling us to live a new life on mission with people who just don't care about God or His church. So we moved into the Uptown neighborhood of NOLA and began walking the streets asking God to show us the people and places He wanted us to begin hanging out with and building relationships. On one of those walks we met a man named Robert who was hanging a huge sheet in his tree in his front yard. Silas simply said "hello" and asked him why he was doing that, and a new relationship was formed. We talked to Robert and he told us that every time the Saints had a game at night, they hung up the sheet, projected the game on it, and invited all the neighbors to watch the game in their front yard. He invited us and we immediately said we would be there. So every time there has been a night game, we have gone and participated. Last night was the first game of the NFL playoffs and the Saints and Lions were battling it out and of course there was a party at the neighbors' house. And if there was a party... guess where we were? Yep, at the corner of Nashville Avenue and Clara Street in Robert's front yard. As you can see from the picture at the top, the yard was packed with about 80 people in chairs, on porches, on the grass, or just standing and cheering. It was quite an experience to witness first hand. The people of New Orleans love to party and they love their Saints and they love their alcohol. So here we were with our kids and our chairs in the midst of 80 people who love life and love to party but don't know our Savior. Now I love football and last night was a perfect game for me since I have been a Detroit Lions fan since I was little and since I was routing for the Saints because I live in this town now. Obviously I had that motive of watching the game, but my bigger mission was being present and in proximity with those who don't know the love of Christ. Jen and I could have stayed home and watched the game online and in the safety of our own home, but we decided to go to the neighbors who were drinking and cussing so that we as a family could be on mission with people. Now I didn't pass out any tracts or find someone to walk down the Roman road with me, but I talked to people, learned their names, helped them clean up and shared our food and space with them. We built relationships and made some new friends that hopefully we will see on their porches or at the park and we will continue to share life with them and celebrate with them. Please pray that the relationships we have built will grow into relationships that will lead to conversations where we will have the opportunity to share God's love story with them. To all those who support us.... THANK YOU for making this possible. For all those who know Christ... Look for ways to meet and hang out with your neighbors. Be intentional about inviting them into a space where they feel like friends and listen to the Holy Spirit for opportunities to share Christ with them. All those who know Christ can use proximity to share the Gospel boldly!!! Love you and appreciate your prayers.