These are critical days for Frank, so your best prayers are requested.
It is rare that God permits me to see a person a closely as I have seen Frank recently. I have witnessed how much he wants to leave his past life of drug addiction and he wants to become a minister of reconciliation in prisons. And just as the spirit is willing also his flesh is weak.
Frank was not in his bed at the shelter several nights this week. He got tangled up in his harmful patterns of panhandling to support his drug addiction to K2. So he did not get back to the shelter before 8 PM curfew. He slept out in the rough like he has for many years.
When I talk with Frank I feel the presence of God unlike talking with any of the dozens of drug addicts I have helped before. I have a knowing that the hand of God is on Frank in a very special way.
After days of not seeing Frank, the Lord caused our paths to cross recently while I was running some errands.
I told him that I had contacted Denton Freedom House that is a Christian residential rehab that is an hour and 15 minutes north of downtown Dallas.
I watched 2 amazing testimonies of their graduates and I was convinced God can use this ministry to complete the needed transformations in deep in the soul of Frank.
It is a 6 month program that is free to those residents that are in their Christian discipleship program.
Frank recognized that was a wise choice for his next season. I began to fill out the online application on my laptop for he does not have a laptop or smartphone. During that process it called for his Texas ID number. Suddenly he recognized that he has lost it recently.
To not have an ID is a big deal for a homeless person. Access to most help is closed. So his next step is to go to the Texas Depatment of Public Transportation and pay a fee of 11 dollars https://www.dps.texas.gov/DriverLicense/replace.htm
Going to take care of that detail is just an inconvenience for most people. But during this season for Frank it might be a huge challenge. Pray for God to guide him to get this task done soon.
When he has that Texas ID number then we will complete the application. The next step is for the admissions counselor to talk with him on the phone. Hopefully he will be accepted and move there.
The first days and weeks of rehab are the most challenging. There is a big temptation to bolt. Many years of unhealthy lifestyle are familiar and the fear of the unknown future can be rough.
God is moving in my life about housing after 3 years at the homeless shelter. I could move to Ennis that is 45 minutes south of downtown Dallas. That might happen in a week or two.
It is possible that Frank could move to Denton Freedom House that is more than an hour north of downtown Dallas at about that same time.
I have been struggling to let go of my mental and emotional attachments to the outcomes of how God has been ministering to Frank through me.
I have a certain faith that Jesus is the grand Good Shepherd. So the Lord can take care of His own sheep without me.
I thought about the saying the cat that has 9 lives. In that context Frank has had 10 near death experiences on drug overdoses. So he is on life number 11.
I admit that I fear that Frank might continue in the old patterns that are self destructive.
God can bless and help Frank if I move away. I just want to do my best at this time.
The bottom line it that Jesus is Lord.
The Good Shepherd has begun a good work and He will complete it in Frank.
I seek to enroll plenty of prayers for Frank during these days.
Pray and believe that God will open the best door for drug rehab right on time. Amen?
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