To the Streets of Chicago with basketballs, bibles, shoes, and hugs.Part 1 (Season 3 Ep 1)

I was talking with two African American pastors of a Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa.  Pastor Anderson turns to his wife and says, "Tell her how God brought you to South Chicago".  Halfway through the story she started laughing hard and exclaimed, "God gave a white boy a heart for the ghettos of South Chicago."  We all laughed because God often uses unqualified, inadequate people to serve his purposes. While driving through Chicago in our van the beautiful skyscrapers glistened in the sun and reached toward the clouds.  As I looked from the buildings to the people as we kept driving I thought many people looked sad.  We drove by neighborhoods with houses abandoned and windows covered in plywood.  I started praying about how God might use me to impact hearts here.   Just then a picture flashed before my eyes.  In this picture I saw a little girl reaching out her hands toward me with a huge smile on her face.  In my hands I held a basketball.  It was a beautiful picture.  The joy on her face was palpable.  Was God answering my prayer? Did he want a former wrestler from a small town in Iowa to hand out basketballs in Jesus name in Chicago? This is the first part of a story of how God led us to the streets to give His love, and receive His love from the people we met.  It is also about how He aligned us with wonderful people who are already on the ground serving and loving so well in His name. It is my hope that through my stories God might plant seeds in your heart to go on your own God trip.  It might be opening your Bible again to take a fresh look at Jesus.  It might be across the street to a neighbor in need.  It might be walking and praying in your neighborhood.  It might also be across the world.  LOVE WINS!! YOU MATTER                   YOUR LIFE MATTERS                             BECAUSE SOMEBODY DIED FOR YOU               AND HIS NAME IS JESUS CHRIST