The cloudy skies and frosty landscapes are back! We just had our latest dumping of snow. A projected forecast of snowfall this entire week has been received in two ways: foreboding from me, euphoria from Jonathan. Our evening out on the street last night was dusted constantly with flurries. Despite the chilly conditions Jesus, as always, was out there doing his work and we were happy to be helping alongside him. The sidewalk looked pretty deserted a majority of the night because most folks preferred the cozy indoors but we still had several interactions.
The first one came as we reached the last bar on the street, Apo. The bouncer was leaning heavily against the far wall, holding a limp looking girl in his arms. Loosing one hand he quickly waved us over. He explained that the girl had been inside and was slipping into unconsciousness due to a little too much drinking. He had already called the ambulance but he wanted someone to stay with her until they came. He had been holding her up for five minutes already and even though she was a tiny, dead weight gets heavy. We got out some emergency blankets and wrapped her up. She was slipping in and out during our time with her. It was soon evident that her heart must be hurting because she sobbed out several times that she just wanted to die. Micah and I helped her where we could but it was convenient when two of her girlfriends came out of the bar and encouraged and loved on her. I prayed hope, life, and the sweet presence of Jesus over her as the Red Cross workers loaded her up. A couple hours after she was taken away we received something rare in these cases, an update! Her father had come to the Kai in attempts to find his daughter's purse, which had apparently been misplaced in the hustle. Knowing that we had helped her he chatted with us momentarily and informed us that she was in the hospital sleeping it all off and was stable. What good news!
After chitchatting with a couple more groups and passing out some appreciated waters we were greeted by a friendly young man. He thanked us for our service as Street Buddies and told us that we had helped him a couple weeks back. We inquired about the situation and he explained it had been really late at night, around bar closing time 4am, and while he was waving to a friend he got punched by somebody. Quickly the fight escalated and resulted in five guys wailing on him. He was even being kicked and punched while lying on the ground. Jonathan and Micah started remembering that same scenario from a couple weeks back. We had phoned the police that night and after the crowd had dispersed we had found this very man leaning against a fence blood pouring form his forehead complete with a largely swollen lip. Micah had called an ambulance while Jonathan and Daniel had bandaged his head. The young man was so surprised that we had been the very people there that night. He laughed and showed us pictures of himself in the hospital with the bandages and all. It was such a crazy moment! It was so good to see him healthy, friendly, and so alive. Normally in those cases the people are so beat up, drunk, or unconscious that they don't remember us and we never end up seeing them again but its always so cool when God brings us into relationship where we can connect.
P.s. Here is a German learning victory! So this past week on Wednesday I actually shared, in front of a small group of real live people, a little testimony all in German!!! My voice decibel level was approximately parallel to the sound of mouse footsteps and there were several times where I paused awkwardly to frantically scan my notes but all in all I was understood by everyone and I think I said what Jesus wanted me to. It was also a huge blessing that the group was small and comprised of people who are lovely and kind. There is one hurdle down with many exciting, nerve wracking, but awesome ones to go :).
Much love to you all!!
-Rachael
The first one came as we reached the last bar on the street, Apo. The bouncer was leaning heavily against the far wall, holding a limp looking girl in his arms. Loosing one hand he quickly waved us over. He explained that the girl had been inside and was slipping into unconsciousness due to a little too much drinking. He had already called the ambulance but he wanted someone to stay with her until they came. He had been holding her up for five minutes already and even though she was a tiny, dead weight gets heavy. We got out some emergency blankets and wrapped her up. She was slipping in and out during our time with her. It was soon evident that her heart must be hurting because she sobbed out several times that she just wanted to die. Micah and I helped her where we could but it was convenient when two of her girlfriends came out of the bar and encouraged and loved on her. I prayed hope, life, and the sweet presence of Jesus over her as the Red Cross workers loaded her up. A couple hours after she was taken away we received something rare in these cases, an update! Her father had come to the Kai in attempts to find his daughter's purse, which had apparently been misplaced in the hustle. Knowing that we had helped her he chatted with us momentarily and informed us that she was in the hospital sleeping it all off and was stable. What good news!
After chitchatting with a couple more groups and passing out some appreciated waters we were greeted by a friendly young man. He thanked us for our service as Street Buddies and told us that we had helped him a couple weeks back. We inquired about the situation and he explained it had been really late at night, around bar closing time 4am, and while he was waving to a friend he got punched by somebody. Quickly the fight escalated and resulted in five guys wailing on him. He was even being kicked and punched while lying on the ground. Jonathan and Micah started remembering that same scenario from a couple weeks back. We had phoned the police that night and after the crowd had dispersed we had found this very man leaning against a fence blood pouring form his forehead complete with a largely swollen lip. Micah had called an ambulance while Jonathan and Daniel had bandaged his head. The young man was so surprised that we had been the very people there that night. He laughed and showed us pictures of himself in the hospital with the bandages and all. It was such a crazy moment! It was so good to see him healthy, friendly, and so alive. Normally in those cases the people are so beat up, drunk, or unconscious that they don't remember us and we never end up seeing them again but its always so cool when God brings us into relationship where we can connect.
P.s. Here is a German learning victory! So this past week on Wednesday I actually shared, in front of a small group of real live people, a little testimony all in German!!! My voice decibel level was approximately parallel to the sound of mouse footsteps and there were several times where I paused awkwardly to frantically scan my notes but all in all I was understood by everyone and I think I said what Jesus wanted me to. It was also a huge blessing that the group was small and comprised of people who are lovely and kind. There is one hurdle down with many exciting, nerve wracking, but awesome ones to go :).
Much love to you all!!
-Rachael