God is at work...everywhere.

I've heard about the millions of Christians living in China where Christianity is illegal. I've read about missionaries living and dying in countries where Christians are persecuted and Bibles are smuggled in. I know a man who's sister has an underground Christian church in Bhutan where Christians are at times subjected to imprisonment and torture. God works in some of the most oppressive societies through some of the most vulnerable people on the earth so that everyone as access to Him the Devine through Christ Jesus.

It is stories like these that help me see that God is truly at work everywhere. These stories inspire me, but it is also stories like these that sometimes distract me from what may be going on in my own back yard. Have you ever heard of Christians who are homeless and live in the woods? Or let's take the question a step further; have you ever heard of Christians who are homeless, live in the woods and are constructing a church? These questions are not rhetorical since maybe you have but until last month I hadn't.

The fact that there are Christians that are homeless doesn't surprise me nor should it. The fact that there are homeless that live in the woods also does not surprise me. However what does surprise me (maybe it shouldn't but it does) is the Jesus movement coming out of the Red Cedar Nature Area (south of the Frandor Shopping Center) and taking place within the Lansing homeless community. I met Rob and Carynne about a month ago, they were introduced to me as a couple who live amongst a homeless community in the woods. So I ask, "what do you need?" and we talked. Here comes the surprising part...in our conversation I find out they have chosen to live this way in order to minister to the homeless in Lansing. What a revolutionary idea! There are dozens of programs, lunches or day centers in the area that specialize in helping the homeless but they all seam to be missing something. While their efforts are admirable and certainly needed and helpful in many aspects what most of these fail to do is present themselves as equals. Let me explain...I'm not talking about the people so much as the programs. The programs are often centered around the idea that "we want to help you become like the rest of us in society" and again there is nothing wrong with that. There are many folks that find themselves without a home and desperately want and need help getting back on their feet. There are also many many more that are perfectly content with their situations. Living as a homeless person is not the "easy way out" it is very difficult and it isn't wrong...just different. It is time that we, as a society, begin to accept homelessness, for some, as a chosen life style. We should present ourselves as equals and invest in personal relationships.

Now back to my original thought before I go too far down any rabbit trails. Robert and Carynne have chosen to be homeless and have placed themselves in the woods in Lansing Township among a community that already exists there. Once the cold weather hits many seek refuge in the local shelters but they have chosen to stick it out in the woods to handle the overflow. They are becoming a hub of the homeless community. Robert and Carynne spend a lot of time at Open Door (a great ministry to the homeless in downtown Lansing) networking. When new folks arrive into the community they are often times sent to Robert and Carynne because they can provide food, warmth and shelter...in the great outdoors. Within their camp there are two particularly useful structures. One is a very large tent used to house the many items that have been donated. The donated items are distributed in their camp and other camps along the River Trail. The second is a church. Yes, essentially a church...in the woods. It is made out of small trees and branches covered in plastic and tarps with a small opening in the roof above the fire pit. The structure is small but holds a handful of people and it is on its way to becoming larger.

You may be thinking..."why a church in the woods?" "Why not just come to church?" I would ask then... "are they not coming to church?" "Are they not gathering as Christians (and non Christians) to learn, explore and worship the wonders of the Holy Trinity?" There was a time when God was accessed in a temple but the death and resurrection of Christ unleashed God allowing our accessibility to Him anywhere at any time. Should we be so naive to believe that for one to be an active part of the body of Christ we must first enter into a "church like" building with others who live in a socially acceptable way? You see...for most of us, we live in houses, have jobs, own cars, go grocery shopping and go to church with others who live in houses, have jobs, own cars and go grocery shopping. How comfortable would you be to go to "church" in a wigwam with folks who live outside or in shelters, don't have jobs, don't own much of anything and don't fit the mold of what we believe to be normal?

Today my daughter and I had the opportunity to experience church in a manner most find weird. "That's weird" is the usual response I get when I tell people that I have been helping these folks build a "church" in the woods for us to have Bible study. And you know, it is kind of weird but it is also quite humbling. Robert, Carynne, Cajun, Chris and I almost forgot Oliver (the cat) were extremely hospitable. They were (as always) so kind, so grateful and ask for very little other than someone to take the time to provide them with Bible study. Yes it was chilly and raining and bit smoky (from the fire) but we talked about Jesus, we studied the Bible, we prayed and it was GREAT.

It is Jesus movements like this within a community of people who do not get stories written about them, who are not being persecuted for their beliefs, who have opportunities that many others around the world don't but are still in need of a way to tap into the power of Christ. It is seeing that God is caring for these folks in a way that works for them, with something so much more than monetary gifts, food or material objects, even though it seems weird to us. It is experiences like today's Bible study and the growing anticipation for the continuation of these Bible studies that, to me, affirm God's hand is at work everywhere.