Being a teacher in the inner-city of Brooklyn, was a phenomenal experience. Like any job, there were high points (teaching an exciting lesson, and pay check (holla!), and low points (grading 27 essays), moments of glory (when a child would “get it”), and moments of frustration.

Some of those moments of frustration were when I noticed my students misspelling words that were up in the classroom. I remember telling them, “Hey guys, look around the room, the words you are misspelling are all hung up…you can spell them correctly”

But even after my lectures, only 1/5 of the class grasped the concept of being aware of the words that were plastered on the walls of the room.

It made me think about how unaware our culture is. We rarely pay attention to signs… and even less attention to others. It’s so easy for us to go about our day, and only be focused on what’s in front of us, or only what concerns us.

I was guilty of that, until, like Ace of Base (another 90′s song reference), I saw the sign…and the Holy Spirit opened up my eyes…to the need around me.

I try to make it a point, in the mornings, or when I head out, to say a quick, and sincere prayer…”God, guide my steps today. Let me see how You see.”

Today as I was driving down 3rd ave. in Brooklyn, going to get my jeep (I call it a JEEP! (though my P-squad family says differently)..but it’s a SUV.. I think.. I dunno) inspected, I started to notice a cluster of X-rated dvd stores along the avenue…right near a Costco.

Immediately my thoughts went to the millions of girls and children, around the world, who were probably trafficked, stolen, abused, and manipulated into making those videos…but then from a distance I saw a figure stumbling about on the corner.

“Prostitue?“

I didn’t want to jump to a conclusion, but something inside of me was confirming that thought. I drove past her, and saw her trying to wave down a man in a truck… thought confirmed.

I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to go back and speak to her.

“But what will I say?” “I wonder if her pimp is around.” “WHAT will I say?” “O.K. God.. here I go.“

In a series of illegal u-turns, and missed turns, I finally was able to reach her.

“God fill my mouth.”

I got out my “jeep”, and walked over to her. She was obviously on some sort of drugs. Her face looked sullen, spaced out, and incoherent. I opened my mouth

“Hi, I was driving by, and I felt God wanted me to stop and ask you if you needed help with anything.”  ”What’s your name?”

She looked shocked! She incoherently shook her head, and said “My name is Nina…No.” And she started walking away… as if I was going to ger her in trouble.

I walked with her a little bit, and opened my mouth again.

” I just want you to know that God loves you, it doesn’t matter what you have done in your life, He loves you, and wants to give you another chance at life. You don’t have to live this way.”

She kept walking.

I felt like just crying there for her.. I turned around despondent, and walked to my car on the remote corner… A light blue BMW with dark tinted windows pulled up right behind me..basically kissing the bumper of my car!

I locked the doors to my car,

“Her pimp“..

I put the key in the ignition, and pulled away.

As I was driving, I saw  a bandwagon of police cars. I pulled over and was contemplating telling them about Nina. But how could I prove she was a prostitute? They would just lock her up, and she’d rot in jail, or get released and head back into “the life” (as prostitution is called in that world) again. Her pimp would see the cops coming, and drive away…never to be caught.

“What if I were a dude?“

“Would I have had a longer time to speak to Nina?” “Would Nina have given me more time to speak to her?” “Would her pimp have thought I was another john, and let me then tell Nina about the extent of the Savior’s love for her, and how she can be saved from the prison she calls life?“

 I was aware… I saw Nina…I will pray for her.

I wonder if sometimes we choose to be unaware, subconsciously, so that we don’t have to deal with responsibility, or don’t want our “to do” list to get interrupted.

Believers… can we open our eyes?… can we see how God sees? can we? can our hearts break for what His heart breaks for?

“When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.” -Luke 7:13-15 (MSG)

Agenda: Love,

Bethsaida

p.s. the Thai for Thai campaign is still in full effect. Would you be willing to give up a Thai meal, and donate the cost towards helping rescue a girl in the sex-trade in Thailand? Click HERE to donate. Also visit the FB Thai for Thai event page. SHARE SHARE SHARE <333