“Now don’t lie to me, God is listening.” The panhandler on the subway had just asked me what I did for a living. I hesitated, not sure how to answer him. “Don’t lie to me!” My delayed response was, “I work for God.” The man quickly got off the train, saying loudly to the rest of the car as he left, “Did you hear that? That guy works for God. You know he has to be lying.”
Working for God has been interesting. We have been experiencing His faithfulness to order our steps and provide for us, even when we don’t have a five year plan, a one year plan, or sometimes even know where He may position us next month.
Naomi and I spent the summer in New York City, continuing to minister there as well as helping at The New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM). Our time as Team Leaders for NYSUM allowed us to connect with Gods’s family from Philadelphia to San Francisco and Alabama to Maine. We also connected with new organizations and churches in NYC. Through these partnerships, we had opportunities to help with homeless outreach on the streets and in family shelters that included children’s ministry and school backpack outreaches. We also partnered with Urban Church, serving at food banks and soup kitchens.
We have seen God work through us as we continue to build relationships and invest in people who struggle with homelessness or addictions. There were opportunities to provide clothes, shoes, and to start a Bible Study. It is always incredible to see how God orders our steps to impact those around us.
One Tuesday morning, I had my day all planned out. I was going meet a young man at a program that would help him find job opportunities. At the last minute, he was not able to make it due to train problems. With this change of plans, I quickly run down to a different subway platform to catch an express train. I got through the car doors just before they closed, just in time to hear the announcement that the train was being delayed due to a sick passenger.
As I am standing in the middle the train, I realize that my change of plans and the delay allowed me to be on this train. As the car begins to move a young man standing next to me begins to speak. He wants to share some poetry with the crowded car. His rap/spoken word is about life, God, and Jesus. When he is done, he says he will take donations, encouragement, or a high five. I give him a hug and tell him that his words spoke to me. I offer to treat him at Starbucks when we get off the train. At first he says no, but after walking to the other end of the car he changes his mind and accepts my invitation.
At the Starbucks, we sit in the corner with our drinks and begin to talk. With tears running down his face he tells me that he has recently stopped selling and using drugs. We talk for an hour, and then he asks to pray for me. Sitting there praying, I see a girl with a double stroller approach us. She asks if we are praying and we invite her to join us. “I don’t know what you’re going through,” I tell her, “but God loves you.” Upon hearing that, she bursts into tears and begins to tell me that she is not a believer but how broken she is.
We prayed with the girl and I gave her Naomi’s contact information. I have stayed in contact with the young man, purchased him clothes for a job interview, and he recently got a job. On a day in a city of eight million, on a train that I should have missed, in a Starbucks with two strangers pouring their hearts out, I am in awe of God’s love, faithfulness, and divine appointments.
As we enter the fall season, we are excited about opportunity that has come up to work with Kiwimbi in Kenya. Kiwimbi provides vocational training, and Lord willing Naomi and I will be flying to Kenya on September 27th to learn more about helping in their woodworking and tailoring programs.
We will also continue to help NYSUM this fall by helping to train Bible College Students in urban ministry. Yes, a pair of bible college dropouts is helping to train current college students. This is that same kingdom where men who deny they know Jesus build His church and men who hate and persecute believers write I Corinthians 13. The needs of this world are many and great. We need your continual prayers as we look to God for his direction each step of the way.
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Paul and Naomi Slozat
Read more newsletters about our work with NYSUM here.
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