The Shooting Zone

 Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your prayers!  I felt them.

What an experience it was!  The Lord taught us so much and is continuing to teach.  This is how our day and night went:

Jane and I went and ministered Friday morning through The Father's Heart and then served meals.  Then I left to go back home and replenish the van for Saturday morning.  Jane stayed behind at the Blanchet House and visited and got to know people on a deeper level.  The Lord showed Jane how much she needs discernment when it comes to people.  Something I know we all need and I pray for as well.  One thing that I took home from the Graham Cooke conference was making sure that my prayers are in alignment with the Godhead, so that "WE" are in agreement with the Lord as He intercedes on behalf of that person and we are praying the same prayer ...... POWERFUL, this hit me HARD!

Anyway, I rushed to fill the van back up and picked up Jane, we then went to Chris' place and met with him and 4 other believers.  We read scripture and prayed together, it was awesome!  (there were 7 of us all together)  We then headed to Pioneer Square.  Once there, Chris and one of the other fellows took turns doing some open air preaching ......wow, talk about boldness!!  As they were preaching, the others of us mingled with the people, shared Jesus with them and prayed for them.  It was sooo wonderful!  It is different then the ministry the Lord has me in, The Father's Heart is a compassion ministry, Chris' is hard core bold loud preaching.  But, our hearts are the same, we want Jesus to touch lives through us, for His love and mercy to be revealed.  I was actually able to pray for about 4 people and share Jesus with a couple others. 

We had a wonderful time, it was different for me, stretching, more stretching and the Lord showing me His diversity.  Yet another "Facet" of Him and how He moves through each of us according to His purpose. Hallelujah!

At about 11p.m., Jane, Chris and I headed to the Burnside area.  Once I parked the van, we got our bedrolls and backpacks and headed to a dumpster.  Chris helped us dig through the dumpster to find some cardboard to sleep on.  Once we gathered enough cardboard, we walked several blocks to the Burnside Bridge. 

As we were digging through the dumpster, I saw from between the dumpsters, in the night shadows, the legs and feet of someone bedding down for the night.  Though I couldn't see their faces, I could tell it was a couple.  There were bigger gnarly hands caressing and trying to wrap a more delicate smaller foot ...... it was touching...... Oh God!

As we walked to our destination, we passed sooo many bodies curled up here and there, and groups of people under various sheltered areas with all of their worldly possessions close by, in black plastic garbage bags, in grocery carts, in bags and backpacks all tucked as close to them as possible.  Oh Lord, what a horrible life this is, to be in constant fear of all that you have being stolen.  Do they sleep, I mean really ever sleep?

We are now at the bridge.  Chris chose a place to the side of the bridge on the grass....... it wreaks of urine.  We soon figure out that this is the community toilet.  It starts to rain, so we move.  This time we are right under the bridge.  We spread out our cardboard and sleeping bags once again, only this time on concrete.  Chris prays a prayer of protection, we say good night.

Teri and Chris set up camp

Oh God, the smell, it smells so bad!  The combined smell of dirt, filth, urine...... it was awful!  Oh God, how do they do this?  How do they do this day after day after day?  I am so uncomfortable laying on this concrete.  The constant noise of traffic over head and in the city.  The constant cursing of those under the bridge, the arguing, fighting, shouting mixed with the groanings and incoherent sounds and retching and coughing.  I hear some one walking and walking, his foot dragging a bit, I peek out from under my blanket and see a very disheveled man walking and angrily talking to himself.  Oh God, how miserable this life is.  Then a wailing from a woman begins.  She is almost incoherent.  It sounds like she is calling some one and begging for something......it is a young girl, is she calling home, I wonder.  The wailing stops.  Soon it starts again, I try to peek and look around, Lord, is she ok, is she being abused what is going on?  Someone curses at her and tells her to "shut the _____ up!"  She does, but not for long and starts again.  This time the Lord let me hear what she was saying and understand what was going on.  She was strung out on drugs but wanting more; she was begging for 6 more dollars worth of the drug.  This continued for most of the night. 

Jane and Chris settling in for the night

Some how Jane and Chris slept, but I couldn't.  I looked over at them wishing I could sleep.  But I talked to the Lord and came against the demonic stronghold that was so obviously there.  The heaviness was incredible.  But, I never felt afraid or fearful.  It amazes me the peace that I felt even in the mist of such turmoil.  At one point as I closed my eyes and just listened, the sounds I heard, were what I imagined in part hell must sound like.....the constant torment, day and night, that is what I heard.  There were people there that never slept all night, they were in constant torment.  Oh God, they are so lost and need you so.  I am so thankful I have you and know You, that You rescued me.

At one point through the night, I felt footsteps what seemed like right beside me, they went back and forth, I just laid still listening and wondering what was going on.  Still, no fear gripped me, as a matter of fact, I put the enemy on notice and told him that I was not going to be intimidated by him, that I was going to continue to take back ground in Jesus' name!

There must have been around 25-30 people under the bridge at one point.  Some curled up like cocoons in blankets, some walking around, some huddled together talking quietly and doing drugs, some arguing and cursing at each other, some passed out.  I peeked out from under my blanket every now and then being careful not to lock eyes with anyone as not to cause anyone to think I was getting into their business. 

I had a hard time keeping warm.  I pulled down my "beanie" over my ears and my "hoodie" up over my head.  I could still feel some of the rain blowing toward me.  It seemed no matter how much I tried to curl up, the cold, damp air made it's way in.  Then suddenly there was a hard rain and the flow of water was right next to me.  I moved to try and avoid getting wetter and moved my shoes.  The smell was horrendous! I hear the traffic noise pick up, a sign that the city was waking up.  Jane woke up and asked me if I had any idea what time it was..... I didn't.  We laid there a while longer, she noticed the increase in traffic noise as well.  So I decided to call home and check in with Marty and let him know all is well.  I learn from him that it is 5 a.m.  Time to get up.  The people are used to The Father's Heart being on 4th by 5:45-6:00.  So we woke Chris up, rolled up our beds, grabbed our backpacks and headed to the van. ( my blanket and shoes are wet and smelly)  We took Chris home........... our journey ended.  Oh, Chris shared with us as we walked back to the van, that once when he had slept out, he witnessed a stabbing under that bridge and that is why he doesn't sleep there anymore!!  Plus, one of the guys at the Blanchet told us that that area is called "The Shooting Zone"  I am sure in part because of the heroine addicts there and the fact that people have been shot at there.

I feel that the Lord kept us from knowing that early on.  He wanted to show me how He as my Provider, provided my protection as well.  I learned that greater is He that is in me, then he that is in the world.  The Lord showed me that as I abide in the "Secret Place" of the Most High, the enemy couldn't see me or find me, because I was in The Secret Place that only Him and I know about!!!!  He said, "I AM a God of My Word!"

Our "camping" out under the Burnside Bridge was symbolic.  We were putting the enemy on notice......we are taking back ground! We are standing firm on our ROCK and we will not be moved!!!  I will not be moved!

My heart has a new burden for these lost souls.  A deeper understanding of their plight, and an even DEEPER knowledge of God's unfailing unfathomable love for the lost.  Not to mention the demonic strongholds that are HUGE over our city.  Every time I show His love to someone or give something to someone and bless them in Jesus' name, or pray for someone, or wipe away a tear, or hug someone or take the time to listen to them, strongholds are being broken!

I know that the Lord isn't finished teaching me through this experience yet. 

Please continue to pray for me and The Father's Heart.  The Lord impressed upon me to start our mornings out down there by holding hands and praying right there on the street.  I see others eventually entering in!  Pray for Joe, Jane and myself, that the Lord will give us continued wisdom and discernment.  That it is HIM that they see and His presence that they feel.

 

I know that my street sleeping days are not over.  I still feel the urge to go once again.  NOT to "the shooting zone" but to "camp" out with more "everyday" homeless. So keep me in your prayers.

Blessings to you all,

His bondslave, Teri