Cross Vigil
DAY 29: Monday 12 October
Someone told the above person (no name will be mentioned)
that I was standing with the cross between the gates. He responded to
the person by saying he did not believe it, but agreed he would cycle
along to see for himself. A few years ago I never would have believed
that he and I would be standing together in the same picture, but God
has done an amazing work of grace in his life. Although we are from
the same community we were major opponents. He had the backing of a
major paramilitary outfit, but I had the backing of God, and guess what?
God won! He has been a committed Christian for 3 years now.
Ted was there long (no pun intended - that's his name,
Ted Long!); anyway he was there long before us, only this time was there
to "lift the rubbish!!!" Which made a welcome change! Pastor
John Legge came along again to give his support. Anna came by and totally
spoiled us with coffee in a plunger. Then Mr. Indescribable stopped,
but with no muffins. Instead, he had a FEED fry! I immediately cancelled
dinner at home for later in the day.
Aine stopped for a while and shared her excitement at
what God is doing at New Life and how much she and everyone is looking
forward to the move to City Life Centre. Her husband Alan dropped her
off and then drove away. I thought he was away to get his double decker
bus, but he came back later without it. Although he did promise that
before the end of the Cross Vigil he will bring the bus filled with
passengers.
A lady from the Falls came through the gates on her way
to the Shankill to do some shopping. She lifted her head and looked
up at the cross I was holding aloft at the time. She said, "What's
that?" I said, "It's a cross!" She laughed and said,
"I know it's a cross, but what are doing with it?" I took
it down and asked her what it said on the cross. She said, "John
3 one six". I then asked if she knew what it was. She said "No",
although she did know it was in the Bible. So I quoted it and we then
got into some very friendly talk. She told me her son had been stabbed
to death a few ago, and that her husband committed suicide. She also
had a daughter who died. We expressed our sympathies. She promised she
would be back on Saturday with some friends to join in the Human Peace
Wall. She made me think of the words of a Beatles' song:
All the lonely people, Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people, Where do they all belong?
Father mckenzie writing the words of a sermon that no
one will hear
No one comes near.
Look at him working. darning his socks in the night when there's nobody
there; What does he care?
Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father mckenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the
grave; No one was saved
