We were given the privilege recently of partnering with a ministry here in Newcastle called Street Pastors (http://newcastle.streetpastors.org.uk/). Street Pastors is a ministry that pairs with the local police on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 pm to 4 am to attend to the homeless and people partaking in the nightlife here. Newcastle is known to be the 8th largest party city in the world. People from all over England and even the bordering nations travel here to enjoy the wide variety offered up for entertainment and fulfillment.

We met up the day after New Year’s with the team we would be venturing out with to pray and prepare for the night. We had been told that this night would be rather quiet because everyone would have gone out the night before to celebrate and party it up, spending all of their money. We spent the first part of the night walking around giving candy bars and blankets to the homeless people along the streets, of whom many are very acquainted with Street Pastors and among seeing the bright yellow vests and jackets, flocked to receive a gift.

At midnight, we encountered a woman with her 7 year old son who had traveled to Newcastle to visit the city. She didn’t research travel times to be able to get back home so they had missed the last of every form of transport home. After many attempts to contact people, we ended up taking them to the police station where they could stay warm and wait until morning to get home. The leaders of the team spent time with them and talked with them for a long time learning about them. As the night went on, we encountered a group of drunk young men who prevented us from watching after a young girl passing by dressed in as little clothing as possible who was oblivious to her surroundings. They asked about our beliefs, about Jesus and some in a mocking tone. We realized it was a distraction from the enemy that caused us to lose her when they began speaking derogatory words about myself and the woman leader.

I was able to assist a girl who was drunk and walking across the slick street in 6 inch heels who tripped and face planted on the ground. She was intoxicated enough to not feel any pain through laughter though I wouldn’t be surprised if she gave herself a concussion. I gave her a pair of flip flops so she could walk safer and she found it more necessary to eat that get medical help. The last 30 minutes were so eventful that there almost weren’t enough of us to attend to every situation. As a bar was closing, I saw two girls carrying their heavily drunk friend who could barely open her eyes, who was crying and in pain. She had no shoes on so I gave her a pair of flip flops and found out in seeing the massive lump on her ankle that she fell down a flight of stairs and clearly broke her ankle. After much yelling from her friends, who knew we were good and here to help, we got a cab to the hospital for her since she refused EMTs. As this occurred, another girl behind them punched a young man in the face so the rest of the group was trying to keep him from retaliating. She walked off and punched another man whose friend eventually ordered a taxi to take this angry guy home because he refused to not go after her. We had to call the police to pick her up because she was drunk and vulnerable and another man was trying to pick her up.

One thing I learned from this night is the power the enemy has over hungry souls searching for what only God can give and how degrading of levels he takes them to in false fulfillment. Luke 8:4-15 was brought to life before me in reference to the Parable of the Sower. The seeds that fell among the thorns are those who hear the Word but quickly it is choked out by the cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches and the pleasures of this life. It was a joy to share the love of Christ to those who are lost and need to know the depths of this love. James 1:27 says “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

Are you living out this verse to the fullest? If not, what ways can you spread God’s love through serving? If so, is there a new way that you can live it out?

Katie, Pure Fire of Yahweh!!!