Update: Sleeping at Church, Again

Brennen called Thursday, October 22
He is fine. Going to The Promise Church in downtown Houston.

It truly amazing how things come around. Up until Brennnen was in the 4th grade he slept each Sunday morning and evening during worship service. Now he is now sleeping each night on the church's property. The Promise Church allows homeless people to sleep on their property and the police will not bother them. About 10 homeless people sleep there. They do have to leave about 5:30 in the morning. When it rains a lot, he and other homeless go under the overpass.

The church feeds people on Sundays. Last week someone gave Brennen some bagels that he ate for about 2 days. Someone else gave him 2 chocolate chip cookies and Brennen asked God for some more food. That night, someone gave him a box of food. Then someone gave him $20.00 and he bought food at Quiznos. Demarco (med school friend) brought him some food Thursday night.

He spends his days in parks reading his Bible. The church gave him a new Bible.
After he lost his backpack, Demarco and Teresa took him to get some more clothes. Someone else, who has lived homeless before, gave him some trash bags to keep his things in and gave him some "tips" on living homeless.

Brennen was discouraged last week - missing physical comforts, missing his family. At some point while he was under the overpass, a man came by and offered him work. Brennen did not believe that God wanted him to do this and he explained to the man what he was doing. The man was a Christian and told him he should not be doing this. That he should live in a big house, be wealthy and prosperous for others to see Christians. He asked Brennen what church he was going to. When he told him, The Promise Church, he said he had never heard of that. He should go to his church, Lakewood. Brennen did not know this is Joel Osteen's church, but after the man told him, Brennen said he did not like that man. Brennen realizes he should not have said that now. He just knows that Osteen preaches a "feel good" message. Brennen did not get the chance, but knows he should have told this man that he believes others would be more impacted by what he is doing rather than the wealthy lifestyle. A lesson learned. However, God did use this experience to allow Brennen to see that he needs to show joy in his circumstances for others to see the love of God and not be discouraged. So this week, he is joyful!