11:00 a.m. - Church bells chimed! Once, Lord Jesus, You were preached by the ministers at that church. Now, oh, Father, how Your heart must ache. We sat at Uncommon Ground briefly with Meg Ellis as she shared her thoughts and impressions from her vigil. Lots of families on the streets. Kids Day.
11:30 a.m. - Very few people are walking with a purpose; most seem aimless. Lord, how will they know unless someone tells them? Give Dave's ministry purpose and effectiveness.
11:35 a.m. - A plane takes off and flies across the lake. Father, even in the heavens You are there. A young man passed, speaking into a cellphone in a foreign language. A middle-class couple walks arm in arm. I pray that they know how much You love them. A white man on crutches has an animated conversation with a younger black man.
11:45 a.m. - A family that looked like tourists passed. Perhaps they are vacationing. People are beginning to sit at the restaurant tables, some are walking around with various kinds of bags: Eddie Bauer, backpacks, shopping bags. A father with a "together" look pushes a double-decker stroller with small babies covered with identical blankets. Twins, double blessing. We pray that they know how blessed they are and will bring these little ones up to know Jesus.
11:55 a.m. - Stopped to watch the NEPAC Dance Team do an exercise routine. Lots of children. You do want us to take care of our bodies. They are Your temple; but, Lord, what's in our hearts is so much more important. You love these people so much. Please bring someone into their lives to tell them.
12:10 p.m. - In front of Bruegger's Bagels, a young woman was crying. A young man was trying to comfort her. I pray, Lord, she will know You. You are the true Comforter.
12:15 p.m. - We walked through the Farmers' Market area. These people selling flowers, food, vegetable plants and herbs, and probably other things, seemed to have more purpose and direction. They are "good" honest folk. We pray they know You, Lord.
12:20 p.m. - A young couple were letting their pre-schooler climb on the rock in front of Learning Express. They appear to be good parents. I pray they will be wise also and bring these children up in Your nurture and wisdom. A man was also sitting on the rock in front of the body shop wearing a black sweatshirt with a large (?) question mark on it. I wonder why?
12:25 p.m. - We passed a couple. She was wearing a shiny, sparkly dress with silver shoes, almost after-5-ish. Her companion had a sports suit and tie on. He asked, "Do you suppose there is any place to sit down?"
12:35 p.m. - At the Fair Play Street vendors place we saw him demonstrate some kind of noisemaker. A lady bought one for a little boy. He walked off swinging it, having a good time. A bunch of mid-teenage boys carrying their skateboards passed. Sometimes people are very loud as if to draw attention to themselves.
12:40 p.m. - We heard an ambulance. We prayed for the person being transported. This was followed by 2 firetrucks. Perhaps it is a wreck down close to the waterfront.
12:45 p.m. - We feel the concept of Church Street is good. Most small towns need to have their downtown area revitalized. The problems are built in, however. Anything and almost everything "goes." We have seen all kinds of people, all nationalities, many varieties of dress (rags to riches). We've heard people speaking languages we didn't understand, the old and very young, buyers and sellers. I suppose if we sat here long enough, the whole world would pass by.
God loves them all! Thank You, Father, for Your infinite love. Again, we ask
You to bless Dave and his small congregation, that they may reach as many as
possible with the gospel. Thank You, Lord, for giving us this opportunity to
pray for Dave's ministry and all these people.