… and this just in: News from the Streets of Ipswich. Issue 7

The Word on the Street

A dealer of life

So many amazing and fascinating things go on in Ipswich, as I move around on the streets making friends with people. There are lots of stories I can’t share, for various reasons, but I find there are many that I can.

I hope this series gives a colourful insight into life in the street culture of Ipswich. This is the community into which I speak God’s Word. I love the people, and I see God powerfully at work here.

A dealer of life

You may recall my drug dealer friend from a previous post, who gave his life to the Lord, and in the process, “ticked up”.

I had a conversation with the same fellow not long afterwards:

Me: “God is going to use you in a big way in this town”

He: “Yeah, I hope so, Kev”

Me: “No, not ‘hope’. I’m telling you. He’s going to make you part of the solution instead of part of the problem around here. Do you see what I’m saying?”

He (nodding, looking down): “Yeah, yeah. That’s good”

Me (recalling another conversation about me being “a dealer”): “You know, you’re a dealer of death.”

He (not understanding, still nodding, still looking down): “Uh huh”

Me: “I mean, these kids that come to you for drugs. You’re selling them death, right?”

He (now understanding, unchanged posture): “Yeah, I know”

Me: “I mean, it’s not just killing them physically. It’s making them dead inside, isn’t it? It steals their life.”

He nods, still nodding at my feet.

Me: “God is going to make you a dealer of life, instead of a dealer of death. He’s going to make you a leader in the restoration of this town. You’re strategic. God knows that when he’s got you, you’ll lead all these fellas home. Do you see what I mean?”

He (wide eyed, looking at me now): “Aaaaaah, yeah. Yes, that makes sense. God told me I was going to do something important…”

Me: “Well that’s the plan. Come and see me. We’ve got work to do”

He: “I will. I will.”

… and then he said something that melted my heart: “Thanks for never giving up on me, Kev.”

My God does not give up on people.

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