Grace to you.

 “My Father is always at His work to this very day....” That is what Jesus said during His lifetime and as it  was true then, it is true today as well. God is at work all around us! What an exciting reality. I am so thankful for the times we see God at work and even more so when we get to participate in what He is  doing. It is so cool! 

Recently our city (Starkville, MS) had its second gay pride event. A Gay Pride event is a time when members of the LGBTQ community and their allies(supporters) come together to celebrate  one another and their cause. In our city, there were activities all week leading up to a parade on Saturday.

Lisa and I along with a few people from our church were at a couple of the events. Our desire was to be  present, show God’s love in a tangible by handing out water, and in the midst of it all we were looking for  opportunities to turn our everyday conversations to gospel conversations. It was so exciting for our team  to be there. I want to tell you how God was at work.

One of the events on the day of the parade was what they referred to as the “Queer Art Market”. It was a flea market with artists or vendors who were gay or an ally of those who are gay. This year we went into  the park and no one stopped us or asked us to leave as they had last year. Lisa spent most of her time in  the market area having conversations with a number of people at the event.  At one of the booths she saw someone that we know. This person and a friend of her’s that we also know are friends with the artist at the booth.  The artist is gay. This may seem coincidental but is was just so cool to see this  network of believers in the life of this girl who is gay. This is seeing God at work and we are praying for Him to complete what He is doing. 

I went with some of my friends to another event during that week. The event was called “Queer Religion”  and it was a discussion about the role and impact of religion in and on the life of LGBTQ individuals. One  of the guys with us recognized one of the individuals at the event. They briefly talked that night and have  had some conversations since that night. My friend said this person he had recognized would probably be contacting me to talk. That is so awesome to me and evidence that my Father is at work all around us.

As the parade was ending, two girls walked across the street toward where our team was  standing handing out water. They were walking toward me. I knew one of the girls for she was one of the  organizers and we had met last year. I’ll call her “Sarah”. The girl with her was her cousin. As “Sarah”  approached me she called me by name and introduced her cousin to me. She told me that her cousin  from Atlanta was doing a documentary on the Pride Event for a college class and she wanted to interview me. 

I reminded “Sarah” that my point of view was not the same as theirs. She said she knew  but that her cousin wanted to get all perspectives.  I told her absolutely that I would talk with her. We  moved away from the crowd and she began to ask me questions. I answered and in doing so had the  opportunity to talk about my own story of involvement in homosexuality and how change in a person’s life  was possible as I had experienced it in my own life. “Sarah” was not present while her cousin and I talked and I do not know what will come of that interview but I can’t help but believe that at a minimum “Sarah” will ask to see what I said. I just pray God uses it in the lives of many.

I am still amazed at God at work. The fact that they came over to where we were in order to ask for our  story is only an act of God in my opinion. 

My Father is at work all around us! I know He is! I see Him working! I praise Him for what He is doing in those around us and in us. 

He will complete what He started! He will be praised! People will be transformed all because God is at work!

Thank you for standing by our side in this ministry. Your prayers and support are helping us help others live free in Christ one step at a time. To God be the glory!

Grace,

Hal & Lisa