I want to write about 'Baby'. The other night I was at re:cre8 and I was standing outside while my friend, Shawniferr (his real name is Shawn, prefers to be called Jennifer but because we know way to many Shawns and way to many Jennifers, he's become known to us as Shawnifer), sat in his wheelchair. While we are out there chatting and elderly gentleman came up, put his hand gently on Shawnifer's shoulders and whispered at what my best guess would be "be well". I don't think it was necessarily from God - but it definitely was not demonic either, I think it was just down and out compassion. I asked this gentleman his name and he replied in this innocent voice, with his chin sheepishly dropping to the side said "Baby". Aside from his obvious, though once unintentional, baby like demeanor, this was a very unfitting name for him. I invited him in for some coffee and my heart began to break for Baby.

He told me stories of growing up, watching his parents get shot, at two separate times. His sister getting hit by a car. He has 6 siblings, and 4 kids of his own. More then 50% of his family is dead, and mostly due to drug use and abuse. (ps - I HATE drugs, don't do them - they kill). The preceding 30 minutes or so, Baby used his same baby-voice to tell me his life events. Sometimes these things, especially down here, can be scripted or faked. 'Baby' is not the fist downtown eastside resident to use a baby voice by any means - in fact it is more common then one would think, but he was the first to cut deep into my soul. As I looked Baby in the eyes I saw his soul, his hurting, shamed and jaded soul. His long grey, tangled beard and his wrinkles and laugh lines did not mask the infancy of his soul.

As I was chatting with Baby, tall guy with a cane (I don't know his name) came and wanted a book. A different, not odd, but different request we get. So I asked Baby to wait while I escorted Mr. Tall Cane man upstairs to our attempt of a library. He was actually amazed at our War Room and book selection. After deciding on what would go to his nightstand, we escorted him back down and to my sadness, Baby had left. I ran out side in the hopes of finding him, and it proved easy. 'Baby' I exclaimed, 'You didn't wait for me!', turns out he had to line up for the shelter line. As we are finished our started conversation, a deaf girl walks up and gives Baby a hug. Now I took a Sign Language coarse over 5 years ago now, and like any language you do not practice I lost my skills. But with what little I do remember I attempted to ask her name and tell her mine. Then the Holy Spirit showed up and if you can speak in tongues in Sign Language then that's what I did, because Candy and I ended up having a pretty deep and impacting conversation, one I could not do without the Holy Spirit I guess speaking through my hands, and the interpretation came on too, for I understood what she was saying clearly. She didn't get saved, but she did hear some words about her worth. Our conversation quickly went to her abusive boyfriend and since the Holy Spirit was speaking in sign tongues to her, she could receive she is worth more then that and that no one deserves to be abused. I hope I see Candy again.

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How is Nicole?

Completely exhausted right now. I am at work (overnight). Ive been busy lately with weddings and all that goes along with those (Congratulations Donny and Jenea!), War College Graduations (Congratulations Incendiaries!), pickups, hellos and goodbyes. 5 hours and I can crawl into my bed and sleep the day away!

Spiritually I am doing well. I'm trying to interpret a common thread in my recent days "Bells", every time I hear that word, its like the Holy Spirit nudges me and Ive yet to figure out the fullness of it. I've just started to dive into Jeremiah. I think its a timely book for the prophetic season the Lord has brought me to.

War College, Conquerors Session, starts in 2 weeks and we go on our community camping trip next week. Looking forward to all of it.

Gotta go play Crib now with my work mate.

Grace,

Nicole

ps - God is here.

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