"...there have been recent shootings / killings on Broadway and retaliation is expected."
This is from an email I received this evening.....there was more but this is what made me turn off the TV and ask God what should I do. I decided I needed to take my German Shepherd puppy Bella out to go and for me to pray.
I usually stay on my street at night and as I was praying for Salem I decided to keep walking onto Broadway....I approached some guys hanging out and asked them if it was true.....nothing....Was there a shooting? Did someone get killed? Someone mumbled something....and then like a mother who has been warning her children about the company they keep....even if THEY are the bad influence, I began to tell them that this is not God's plan for their lives...God loves them, He is the only one who can bring peace into their lives, into their homes, into this town....If God didn't love them, why are so many people praying for this town? I told them that we pray for them all the time at Soul Saving Center. I told them I was going to pray over this corner again as I have in the past....and I will continue to pray. I let them know that God sent my father to preach the gospel and now I'm here and there is no fear, nothing intimidating me, nothing but love for them....I let them know I loved them.
No one moved.....I prayed out loud and asked God to not let another person lose their life because they are not ready to meet Him....I asked God to protect those young men and to go after them and deliver them from the evil that is controlling them. I gave them to God and told them that I would continue to pray and that they need to give their lives to Jesus Christ. The only way out! I kept saying, "He Is The Only Way Out! Before I left, one of the guys said, "We love you too. We love you."
Bella was very good, very quiet and they couldn't believe she was just a 6 month old puppy. I thank God for her temperament. I can minister to the guys in the street at night and she's quiet and right there....I don't fear anyone...and the guys know that, but they are afraid to walk anywhere when she is there.....So God knew what He was doing when He chose Bella for me....Born in Egypt and living in Salem, NJ. And on the mission field with her Mommy. Sweet!
Please pray with all of us who are praying for Salem! God loves this town!
