Wednesday, March 4, 2009

I took the red pill

This month has been a real test for me in terms of dealing with real life issues. I think at this point it's only strengthened my resolve for why I'm here but it definitely has pushed my buttons at returning to a life where things only happen on my tv screen or newspaper article and not in my life. Jeff and I were talking yesterday morning and I had to pull the "Matrix" movie out of the hat as it applied to where I'm at once again. I told him that I wished I wouldn't of taken the red pill as I could still be "asleep", but the problems is I did take it and I can't sit back and let things go by as if it has nothing to do with me.

3 weeks ago one of the youth who've I've been close to since I've moved to Pittsburgh came to me with news that his girlfriend was pregnant. This might not seem like big news to some of you or even out of left field as the boys I'm with are on their own most the time. Well, for whatever reason I didn't see it coming. We started talking I found out the girl's mom and step father took away her cell phone and cut off communication between both of the party involved. I then found out that the girl's parents were on the side of getting an abortion for the girl. This blew me away. Without getting into an abortion discussion I was mortified and my thoughts were "there is a bullet heading right towards this baby and I've got to stop it". It's 3 weeks later and still no abortion and it's been silent on this topic for about a week, which isn't necessarily a good thing. I've had no luck getting in touch with the girl or her parents as the resources for the options that are available to them in Pittsburgh are amazing. Please pray for me as I continue on with this struggle.

Now, for even better news, not. Sunday night, two boys who attend our open gym on Monday nights were arrested for holding up a man a gunpoint and trying to rob him. The man who they were trying to rob also had a gun and one of the boys was shot in leg and torso. He is in critical condition at the hospital. The other boy was found a few blocks down the street running from the scene. Both boys will be tried as adults for attempted homicide.

Yesterday Jeff and I felt called to visit the one boy in critical care at the hospital. Without thinking of all the reasons why not and how we wouldn't be allowed to visit him we went. We didn't hide our intentions as we asked which room the young man was in and we proceeded to the intesive care unit. The doors opened for us and we walk back to where his bed was. It was in a separate room with a policeman outside the door. One of the nurses told us we couldn't go back there and then the policeman asked why we were there. We told him that we worked for Urban Impact and the boy has been coming to our gym for the past year and we wanted to see him. Amazingly the cop changed his mind and said go ahead. We walked into the bed area and where there was a nurse attending, she asked what we were doing there and told us we can't be in there. The cop and nurse exchanged a few words and let us in. (I'm sure that none of the 2 nurses or policeman recognized Jeff as the Jeff Hartings Pittsburgh Steeler) I really felt like Lucas Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars as they walked past the storm troopers. We prayed with our student for about 10 minutes and he held our hands and kept eye contact although he was unable to speak due to the respirator. He eyes moistened and he nodded his head as we asked him if he knew that he could turn to Jesus even now after the bad choice he had made in his life.

I don't know what is going to happen with both of those incidents but I do know that God has me here for a purpose and I may only affect a few kids lives through Christ but that's between them and Christ. All I know is that God has put me on this walk and I must continue to walk.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chad...
We will be praying for you and your kids. You have an amazing heart and the world is a much better place with you in it!!!! Thanks so much for taking the time to work with kids that see little hope in their lives, I know you are making a difference and even when times get really tough and seem impossible, later, you will look back and see what an impact you are had on so many precious lives!!!Lots of Love and prayers, Leslie

The Henricksen Journal said...

Thanks for letting us into your life Chad. I will pray for these people in your life. And for you. God bless you for taking the red pill. You are what the doctor ordered. (I believe the doctor in this analogy is God.)
Love you, Gail
PS - I thought of you on Sunday night as I watched a documentary called "God Grew Tired Of Us." Watch it. It really made me feel blessed to live where I live and have what I have. It is time to give back.

Braunersrither Family said...

Chad, It sounds like you are where you are suppose to be! Those kids need you and you will be someone that will probably make an impact on them for the rest of their lives. I am so glad you listened to the prompting to go when you heard it! It sounds like there isn't a better place for you to be! Love, Tricia

Anonymous said...

wow...i've got nothin' else right now...but wow... (Michelle)

Anonymous said...

Missy and I are praying for you and the boys and the girl involved. Keep up the great work.
Love,
Steve

Jody said...

Sometimes taking the red pill makes the most change in the long run. I will be praying for you Chad!

PBraun said...

Hi Chad,
We prayed for you and Jeff and the kids last night in our mens small group. God has called you and Jeff as well as all the others at Urban Impact to handle some very difficult situations for sure. From all bad comes more good in Gods eyes. Everyone is proud of what you are doing for God. You are an awesome friend!

Continue to stand tall in Christ.

Pete

Justin said...

God bless you Chad. What you are doing is so awesome and I know God is going to do something amazing with all your work and dedication.