We were doing ministry along Canal Street in New Orleans when we saw a familiar face from last year, a man named Smitty, in a yellow shirt. He was preaching the Word of God with a bullhorn. As soon as he recognized us, he gave us all hugs, overjoyed to see us again.
Last year, we listened to him to ensure he was speaking the truth, reciting the five verses from Romans. This year, we did the same thing. After we finished, a woman stepped into our circle. She spoke truth and encouraged our students, emphasizing the importance of what we were doing in Jesus’ name. We gave her a rose, and she posed with it in the picture. We all circled up, prayed for each other, and prayed for Smitty.
Another notable preacher was Sam, who used to sit on a stool with his Bible open, preaching on street corners. Sadly, Sam, who was wearing a black shirt in the picture, passed away about eight months ago. We had seen him every year, and he was a huge encouragement to us.
The next day, we saw Smitty again, preaching with another man named Ronnie, who, despite being confined to a motorized wheelchair after a severe accident, continues to share the Gospel with unwavering dedication. It was incredible to watch them both. Smitty told us he felt that we were his sign that he is doing God’s will and needs to continue.
We believe God preordained a small group of teenagers from South Georgia to be in all these places over the years, encouraging and sharing the love of Jesus with others. We give Him all the glory and are grateful for the boldness He gives us through His Holy Spirit.
You never know what small gesture or seed you plant and what the ramifications will be down the line. It’s a true blessing.