Street Pharmacists and Salt
Written by Revolution Hawaii
Tuesday, 24 August 2010 03:55
Matthew McQuade
by Matthew McQuade
1.26.09
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men” This past weekend, God allowed me to see this verse come to life. You see, on Saturdays, we go out into different neighborhoods and visit with people in their homes, asking how things are, seeing if they want prayer. As a part of the Revolution Hawaii team, this is one of the ministries I get involved in throughout the week.
What was special about this particular Saturday, was a guy by the name of “D”. He lives in a low-income housing project, here in Honolulu. As I talked with him, I found out that he was what they call a “street pharmacist”, aka a drug dealer. The more we talked, the more I learned about him. In fact, he told me that he was originally from Portland, Oregon which is where I am from. That right there was a window of opportunity to get to know this guy and build a strong relationship.
He wants to get out of the drug business. At age twenty, I told him that he has such an awesome future; if he sets his mind to it. Later that day, I ran into him again, and talked with him some more. He said, “what you do is what I call the good life; I want that.” It was truly a God thing. The streets are rugged and fast-paced. It is so easy to get caught up. But in what many would consider a “saltless” environment, I saw the salt.
See, somebody had told ”D” who Christ was at an early age in his life. Now, there has been some more exposure to what following Christ is all about. “‘For I know the plans I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. This is a promise to all people, I believe, especially for “D”.
Yes its so true that the street life is so easy to get caught in only because we are not given any option, or are aware of a better way to live, and we convince ourself that way of life is must. Sell dope or stay hungery.
I’m one of those by the mercy of God have found an option throu the A.R.C. and with Revolution Hawaii, to seek God or to continue to walk in darkness. I totally wished that I had better influences in earlier in my life.. Thanx Revhi..
“There are people hurting in the world out there. They need you. They need me. They need Christ!” And living in NYC (Brooklyn) the harvest is ripe.
Andre