Two days before leaving for San Antonio, I was baking on the streets in Huntington…not baking as in food, but baking as in getting a massive sunburn. Churches from all over came together with various community agencies to sponsor “Taking It Back” A Celebration of Community.
I had conservatively estimated that we served about 1500 people, but the media reported it at 4500. Since I have a tendency to under-estimate, I will defer to their count. There was free food and entertainment interspersed with testimonials from about 20 individuals who have been delivered from drug/substance addiction or are currently in recovery.
Anyway, the sunburn was worth it (plus it made me look real tan in San Antonio). Now plans are being made for three other similar events around the city over the course of the next year. After sharing with the PBS video journalist about the prayer movement in Huntington, he met with our Mayor and City Finance Director to get more info about the involvement of the churches and how they are helping turn the tide in our drug infested city.
You can view the report here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkzjpT8XplA
Just to let you know, a recent survey indicated that one in four middle school students in Huntington have already tried illicit drugs…not including alcohol. That is 34% higher than the national average. When asked where they got it, most of them indicated “from their parents”.
The end of this month, our new youth pastors, Jeremy and Ashley Toler will be coming on board. They have their work cut out for them.
One of our church kids is going back and forth between family members because her uncle who just got custody of her has been arrested for murder. Another of our church kids has a mother who recently finished serving time for drug related crimes. Yet another one has an aunt getting out of Juvy and moving in this month, while his mother is no where to be found feeding her addictions.
Needless to say, the problems are more than one local church can handle. By coming together with others of like faith, crying out to God, and reaching out to the hurting, we are beginning to see a turn around. It takes a while, but it will be worth it.
Turning Slowly,
Darrell B Jr.
