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In a joint project of the Mission Committee and Pathfinders, nearly 40 people left Mesquite early on Sunday morning, October 9, 2005, to travel to Waco, carrying with us homemade and hand rolled breakfast taquitos, sausage and bisquits, many sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, cookies, oranges, bananas and other goodies. We served the members of the Church Under the Bridge, a full time congregation that meets under the I-35 bridge in Waco, just the other side of the Brazos. The church has held services there every Sunday for 18 years. The congregation is made up of homeless families, others who are living at or below poverty level, and people who are living at the lower to middle income levels. The pastor, Jimmy Durell, and others were so welcoming of us. I found myself wondering as these warm and kind people were making their way through the food line, how many of them had no clue when they might eat again. (Ironically, we were across the street from a large breakfast restaurant chain and were told to park under the overpass or the local businesses would tow our vehicles.)
Our members were wonderful and enjoyed talking with folks and getting to know them. Our teenagers jumped right in to speak with and play games with the children. The service was a bit surreal. It was strange to be sitting in a chair, under the northbound side of I-35 and see cars and trucks passing by above us headed south. (One of our teens suggested the words to the hymns should be written on the vehicles passing by.) I will not long forget the young man who offered a song during the service. With our exceptional music program, the contrast between what we hear in our services and this young man who, frankly was musically challenged, was jarring. But, mostly, I was thinking how beautiful his heartfelt offering was to the ears in heaven and, therefore, to all of us. It was a wonderful example of how we are all one in Christ and I hope others of you will take the opportunity to be a part of this special ministry.
Cynthia Petty
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