Two mornings, driving to downtown New Orleans, commuters’ headlights and the red lights illuminating the GNO (Greater New Orleans bridge) served as reminders to our team of just how early we were heading out.
Two mornings, driving to downtown New Orleans, commuters’ headlights and the red lights illuminating the GNO (Greater New Orleans bridge) served as reminders to our team of just how early we were heading out.
Grace at the Greenlight, a breakfast ministry serving unhoused individuals, on N. Rampart Street was our destination.
Our first day of service was a day of cultural acclimation. The second day found us more prepared to engage at every opportunity. Tammy Parrish, a natural at connecting with others, was positioned at the entry (inside the building) on the first day. Her duty was to record the name and birthdate, as reported, of each unhoused patron. After taking the name and birthdate of one young man, Tammy told him, “Now go make good choices today.”
24 hours later, Tammy found herself at the entrance again, however she was assigned the outdoor entrance with the security guard. To her surprise, the young man challenged to make good choices the previous day made his way to Tammy. She
remembered him and asked about his choices. He shared he had indeed made a very difficult good choice the day before and was following up immediately after breakfast with a gentleman available to help people at breakfast with residential living assistance. He relayed the fact that Tammy reminded him of his mother, which prompted him to make a good, though difficult, choice.
Change is very hard. Permanent change is even harder. Pray for this young man as he embraces change and that he finds his source of strength in Christ.
