Rodger

This summer, a particularly affluent youth group from out of town came to serve with us at Mission Waco. Although poverty was foreign to most of them, the kids came with open minds and hearts. The youth group played hard with the children at a Section 8 apartment community.  They learned about ethical goods at the Fair Trade Market and how to love our neighbors by loving our earth at Urban REAP. From getting their hands dirty painting and pulling weeds, to still moments of worship and reflection at My Brother’s Keeper shelter; the group experienced the many ways to serve. At the end of the week, the youth group visited Church Under the Bridge, which has a socioeconomically and racially diverse congregation. Working with the mobilization team at Mission Waco, I tend to forget how God uses these experiences at Mission Waco to create fresh perspectives. This was the case with one 13 year old boy, Ben who grew an unexpected relationship while attending Church Under the Bridge. 

Rodger. He does not need teeth to share joy with his smile. You can perceive the grit of his character by the sound of his heavy work boots and by the feeling of calluses that cover his fingers and palms in his handshake. The words of scripture spill out of his mouth. Rodger punctuates most statements about the goodness of God with a “Hallelujah”.  My favorite thing about the sound of his “Hallelujah” is the little yodel between the “lu” and the “jah.” When he “Hallelujahs”, he shakes his head reverently with eyes closed, and the reality of God’s faithfulness feels tangible in his holy exclamation. The Holy Spirit exudes from his pores.

Rodger has been staying with Mission Waco at My Brother’s Keeper homeless shelter for many months now.  Many of our groups this summer have been blessed to meet him in Chapel at My Brother’s Keeper, which is a regular part of our summer scheduling with Mission Waco work groups. Rodger is not only a participant at My Brother’s Keeper, but also regularly attends Church Under the Bridge, which is the church I have the pleasure of calling home. After church one day, my friend Rodger had a confession that struck me; he said, “I am continually blessed by God’s provision in my life. He gives me everything I need. He is so good.” 

As a middle class college student at a private university, I was struck by Rodger’s sincere trust in God’s faithfulness and provision. I have more than I need, yet, I doubt God’s provision constantly. Anxiety bombards my mind with its typical attacks: “Can I make enough money with my degree?” “Will I have enough friends?”  “Am I smart enough?” “Am I spiritual enough?” “Am I pretty enough?”  “Is God holding out on me?”  “Will he really provide me with all I need for life and godliness?” I am not the best at internalizing God’s promises of provision. In Matthew 6, he promises to provide us with what we need, because our Father in heaven knows we need it. How can I be anxious when God has already provided me with abundantly more than I have ever asked for or needed? How can I be so untrusting when God has already blessed me so abundantly? “Ye of little faith” (Matthew 6:30).

Rodger knows in the depths of his being that his Heavenly Father will provide him with abundantly more than he needs, and this gives him the freedom to bless others. It is clear that I am not the only one who has been blessed by Rodger’s example of trust in God. 

 A few Sundays ago Pastor Jimmy of Church Under the Bridge pointed out a group of teenage boys who were visiting from out of town. He said it was one of their birthdays. Ben stood up and waved to the congregation. Jimmy explained that the birthday boy came to Church Under the Bridge during the summer, and had such a great time that he wanted to bring his friends to Waco to come to Church Under the Bridge to celebrate his birthday. I thought to myself, “What an odd place to have a party!” After the service, I ran to say hello to Ben, and he introduced me to his mother. She had tears in her eyes and a steady grin on her lips. She asked, “Do you know Rodger? Rodger changed my boy’s life. He has not stopped talking about him since coming home from Mission Waco!” I immediately knew why Rodger had changed this 13 year old boy’s life. In the midst of Rodger’s poverty, he loves and trusts his Heavenly Father wholeheartedly. 

Rodger's unwavering faith prompts us to ask, “How can a homeless man have more faith in God’s provision than those who are materially wealthy in comparison?”  The question is rhetorical in nature, and poses a challenge to those who have more money and things than they need. This is the question that undergirds Ben’s changed heart and mind which his mother told me about through tears. And this question haunts me when I begin to worry, and inspires me to trust my Heavenly Father. To have God and nothing else is more than enough.