Last year, I met a rather tall, older African-American fellow when first making my way through my Woodbine parish. He was sitting outside just relaxing in his yard. I struck up a conversation with him, and we easily talked for 45 minutes. He was originally from Philly (an hour away), had some trouble with the law years back and even did some hard time. As for his spiritual state, it was pretty clear that he was trusting in his good works to stand before God—and I in turn warned him not to do so, as they are filthy rags, and that we must flee to Christ for salvation. We’ll call him “Darius.”
Since then, I’ve returned to visit—that time learning that he did not live in the large house I had assumed was his, but in a trailer out back (I think on the graces of his family inside). We read the Bible and prayed, and I eventually got him and his girlfriend, “Sarah,” to church. They fell right in.
Sadly, Darius is no longer living there, for whatever reason. He called me out of the blue recently and shared that he is living 30 minutes away in Rio Grande, temporarily in a motel. He is a rather gentle giant, from all I can tell from the outside; but perhaps there is more to the story. Hard to say. In any case, he is on government assistance and must vacate this motel in 13 days from today. He is on Medicare and so has means to pay rent, however limited. He is asking for a place, any place, to stay—including another trailer. I cannot vouch for him beyond what I’ve shared here, but I have evidence that he’s been a hard worker in the past, and he has always struck me as easy-going.
If you live in S. Jersey and have a lead to share, I’m sure he would welcome it. I would be happy to relay any opportunities for him. But either way, please pray for Darius, that the Lord would give him a safe and stable place to stay. And pray for me as I endeavor to draw Him to the Savior. Rev. Allay, a local OPC minister friend of mine who lives close to Rio Grande, will be joining me Saturday for another visit.
Contact me if you have any leads or opportunities at mjives dot refparish at gmail dot com, or by cell at 515-783-5637.
West Port Experiment 
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