Well tonight was our monthly Conscious Party and we spent the last few days debating as to whether or not we should have it. Most of the people who come have no place to stay at night and it has been record cold nights for our area lately. We thought that having it might be a bad idea because either it would flop due to everyone trying to get their spot in a shelter or they would leave here too late to get in a shelter and would be out in the cold all night. Yesterday we decided to call it off but changed our mind when the underground told us that we didn't have to turn people out into the cold if we were willing to stay here with them. (a unique exception because ITS FRICKIN' COLD OUT THERE!!) We are not a shelter and were completely unprepared for it but jumped at the opportunity to provide warmth for our friends on the streets. We had a small turn out but an amazing night together. We ate chili, drank coffee and folks shared on the open mic. We heard stand up, singing, poetry, a skit, a testimony, and a few things i don't know how to describe. It is always a real privilege to share this night with the homeless and just be encouraged and awed by these voices from the streets. Tonight we were a little short on performers so I grabbed the guitar and got up to sing a Johnny Cash song for fun. Beau, a guy we just met shouted out a request for another Cash song and luckily I knew how to play it and half of the guys in the room sang it with me. I'm telling you it is a joy worth living for!
As the night slowed down we took what was left of the food and headed off to the lounge on the other side of the building to unwind and get some rest. I've never been at a church lock-in like this before! I've been laying on the floor thinking about the night and just had to run across the building and type this up while it was fresh in my mind. This is a night I don't want to forget. Tonight, Jesus has a warm place to lay his head.
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