Safe in the Hands of Jesus

by Bev Beymer

Sleeping under the stars in the fresh air consummates the idea of freedom to some people in America. John is one of those who feel this way that frequently sleeps in the park in Temple, Texas. Ex Viet Nam Warrior, ex husband, ex Law Enforcement Officer, ex Society in general, John says he wants to live a life of freedom and does so in the convenience of the park. John has made a choice, but is it really a choice? Or is it a rebellion against the demands of a society that many are ill-equipped to satisfy? By "choosing" to live "free", John is at least able to exert a small amount of control into his world, a world grown increasingly harsh in its demands. Do any of us really realize the true burden of responsibility we place on ourselves in our society? Not complaining, mind you, just looking at the awesome picture of the amount of responsibility we do require of ourselves. Compared to some countries in this world with simple lifestyles, we certainly do put a heap on ourselves that many rebel against.

 Those who do rebel and bury themselves in addictions of one kind or another, or who just say "no More!" " I want freedom from it all!" may have no place to go for the freedom except for a city park or a under a bridge. It is a life style the "rest of us" have a problem accepting. Especially if those we are exposed to or accidentally see are dirty, smell of alcohol, haven¹t cleaned or combed his or her hair in some period of time. We may have a tendency to judge them and we may have a heart wrenching desire to rid ourselves of them. Possibly because they may be a reminder of our own failures, a picture of what we could become ourselves if we crack under the pressure. Possibly because we may not want to face the fact that we have made it too impossible for others to endure what we have created. It is a horrible thought that we may be responsible for someone else's inability to keep up with us and crater under the pressure of it all and drink themselves to oblivion because of it.

That is probably far fetched. No need to make ourselves responsible for everyone else in the world. It is hard enough to keep up with ourselves.

At any rate, more and more we are realizing not all "homeless" are there because of addictions. Many, like John, who we mentioned at the beginning of this article are there for a different reason al together. "I feel free here" is his quote. Simply wanting out. (Stop The World, I Want To Get Off). John was born in 1941, went to war, married, had children, worked, divorced, ...did it all. Now in his sixties and having been "homeless" for several years, he just wants to be free from obligations.

Some drop out of society because of desperation, being overwhelmed with responsibility, some losejobs and have no skills to rely on for back up, some receive so little to live on they can¹t afford to pay rent. And some end up on the street through a series of events over which they have no control at all. Like "Jerry" (not his real name), and his son. Married, employed, getting along ok, and then disaster strikes. Severely injured in a wreck that takes the life of his wife, Jerry can't work for a long period of time, and loses his job. Inadequate insurance, no income, mounting bills, his mortgage foreclosed, and suddenly....homeless. Jerry is not there because of choice, but because of events that he had no control over. And for now, he must contend with them, until he can find a way out.

In Temple, Texas these particular individuals have been blessed with a friend of Jesus. His name is Steve Desjardins. A young man originally from New Hampshire, now a Texan of five or so years. A young man with a love and compassion for others who has become friend, companion, and discipler to the residents of Jones Park.

  Leading the way, he, wife Melissa, and companions like Chaplain Tom Dye and others, begin the week on Sunday morning. Preaching and teaching the Word of God at 9 am sharp in the open air, taking advantage of this fresh atmosphere of freedom. pictured Chaplain Tom Dye, (l) and Steve Desjardines (r).

Church In The Park, as the ministry is titled, was birthed in Steves heart with a mighty strength having discipleship and training as its ultimate goal. Sunday morning services are just the beginning of the week, followed Monday through Saturday with visits with his friends in the park where he helps to meed the needs of each person on a one on one basis.

Very impressive is this young man and his concept. And quite apparent he listens to the leading of God every step of the way. "The Lord gave me a love for them. You know I look at them as my friends. I hope they see that genuiness, because I do care for them. I do hope the best for them. During the week I don't preach to these guys. Unless the Lord lays it on my heart, because I want to show them Jesus. They have heard it all. Many times, even in the park here, but, now they need to see it. There is always someone who needs something, if you make yourself available", says Steve.

Steve spends time helping reestablish responsibility in work by giving them work to do. When the funds are available to him to purchase Alderwood for barbque chips, he pays them $3.00 per container for shipping the wood. Funds are not readily available though, so he can only do so much. He also works with them to learn real Christian values and outreach by taking them with him to reach out to others. "To reach out beyond yourself" he said as he described his heart's goal, is "for each individual here to learn and to see through Christ." He is committed to teaching real Christian Service, and has already established a group of outreaching relationships between the park residents and others. Steve was very pleased as he described how some of the men here are sharing themselves and are receiving strong resurgences of confidence and high self esteem as their reward from The Lord.

There may be a thousand reasons for the circumstance of these and others in the same predicament, but for whatever reason, our nation is riddled with people in need living in parks and under bridges or in bushes in our neighborhoods.

We, the Body of Christ, have a duty to meet the needs of our poor. We need only to read a few scriptures on the subject ro realize how important the poor are to God. Beginning in Deut. 15:7-8 "If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth". And then we have Jesus saying in Matthew 19:21 "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come follow me." These two quotes of scripture alone convict the heart and say, we can not turn our backs on the poor of our own country.

Meeting the needs of the hungry in Africa has been a pretty easy accomplishment for Americans for several decades. Giving to missionaries and sending them out to other countries through our denominational missions programs has been very commendable through the years and some have even reached out through independent churches and ministries to the needy of our neighborhoods in a great effort. However, we still fall pretty short of the call.

Steve Desjardins, his wife, and friends at Church In The Park are on the right path to meeting the guidelines spoken in Isaiah 58.

If you would be of mind to contribute to this ministry in any way, whether volunteering time, goods, financially, or otherwise, please feel free to contact Steve at 1-254-986-2345.

You may also contact Chaplain Tom Dye at 1-254-939-1555.

Remember winter is soon appearing and many clothing needs must be met as well as food, blankets, etc. Jesus said "the poor you will always have with you." It is not our purpose in life to question that fact, nor to try to escape its reality, but to respond to it in the only Christian response that satisfies God....and that is to give, to love, to care, to comfort, to grieve with them, to share joy with them...to be their friend.

If your church or group would like to collect clothes, blankets or food for the Church in the Park, call us and we will be glad to pick it up and deliver it to Pastor Steve. Or, you can call him direct and make arrangements to get it up to him.

"Harden not thy heart..."