I Went On A Date!

I headed to downtown Lisbon for my appointed date with Teen Challenge.

Teen Challenge is a Christian ministry organization that has been around for close to 50 years. They minister primarily to people who suffer from addictive problems, such as, drug addicts and alcholics. They setup their own rehab centers and programs. Through volunteers and staff they also reach out into the drug communitites and shelters to invite them to a "coffehouse." Seeking to lead them to Christ, get them into rehab, and eventually help them to transition back into family and society. That is the goal. Teen Challenge has 5 of these rehab centers in the greater Lisbon area and seem to have a great ministry setup here in Portugal.

For the first part of my "date" night, I rode along on an evening run (they make two trips daily) to one of the worst drug areas of town. Cynthia (Teen Challenge staff whose been here a year and is originally from New Jersey), Ricardo (a recovered drug addict who is now a counselor at one of the centers), Pedro, and Jerome (both of whom are soon graduating from the rehab program) were my hosts for the first part of the evening. I was amazed at how noticeable it was that we had entered the drug area of town. The drug culture was evident on the faces of the men, and some woman, I saw as we drove through the area. The van reached its destination and before we were out there was a line formed behind the van. For the next 45 minutes sandwhiches, soup, and hot coffee were handed out as our companions chatted with the men gathered. Cynthia pointed out a drug deal going on just off to the side of us. Sad, they seemed oblivious to the statement written across the van encouraging them to "Choose Life!"

Cynthia pointed out a young man in his early 20's. She had chatted with him a couple of times during prior visits to the streets, and he had promised to come to the coffeehouse. She was praying that he'd make good on his promise since had skipped out on her a previous evening. As we were packing up the van he was nowhere to be seen. Cynthia and Ricardo walked around a bit looking for him but returned alone and disappointed. We started heading down the street when we saw him running along side the van, motioning for us to stop. Cynthia let him in and cracked a joke that he'd have to give us his cell phone number so we can phone him next time to let him know we were leaving. He grinned. We made room for every smelly inch of his person...:)

As we drove to the coffeehouse they pointed out sections of town noted for it's drug and prostitution populations. We waved to one of the Teen Challenge teams who were returning to the coffeehouse by foot. They walk a certain stretch inviting drug addicts to join them for the coffeehouse.

The coffeehouse consisted of a plain room with a kitchen in the corner. There were about eight tables, all occupied by people off the street and Teen Challenge staff. I counted about 36 people there that evening, with about 12-15 being Teen Challenge staff (many themselves are recovered drug addicts). Tea, coffee, and snacks were served as discussions were going on around the room. I sat next to a woman, Andreia, who shared with me that she had gone through the rehab program 4 times before she finally stayed clean. Today she volunteers at the coffeehouse and works with family members of drug addicts who come seeking counsel and encouragement concerning their loved ones.

Once everyone arrived, we sang two songs that talked about the hope and life found in Jesus Christ. The message that evening was given by a man named Paul who works as a counselor at one of the rehab centers. He used the passage in Matthew 7 where he challenged those in the room to stop building their house on sand but on a sure foundation found only in Jesus Christ. A former drug addict himself, he shared his testimony of his changed life found in Christ. He gave thanks to his Lord for helping him remain clean these past eleven years and blessing him with a wife, son, and a baby on the way! The evening came to a sweet close when the young man from our van stepped forward to receive Christ as his Lord and Savior!

...Lord, thanks for letting me watch you that night. I saw your compassion at work on the streets as your hands were handing out food and coffee. Or hear how you have been working in the lives of Paul and Andreia. You alone can take our broken lives and make them whole. I loved hearing the truth found in your Word that you are our firm foundation in this crazy world! My favorite moment was when I caught a glimpse of the young man as he was hearing your truth. I saw you in his eyes...You were his hope.

That was my date night!
Not your traditional dinner and a movie kind of date.
Funny, wouldn't have wanted it any other way.



"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
-Jesus