note: The advantage of carrying the shield is-- The gospel is on it; and I don't have to say a word and the seed is planted. I can also read their response to the cross message without asking where they stand with Christ. Often they are waiting for me to preach to them, and I sense a wall. Talking about life in the streets tends to bring the wall down.

     It was Ramadan the Muslim holy month, and I had a burden to pray, anoint over the bad areas of downtown. I noticed the muslims wearing the traditional dress. Their response surprised me. I was expecting a negative encounter. This didn't happen. They seemed very respectful of my beliefs without saying a word, when I entered the liquor stores with the shield.

     It was evening and China town was an asignment to pray and anoint. It had been hours since I ate, and was hungry for chinese food. Because of my apearance and the fancy resturants; I didn't want to go inside. The praying, anointing was completed, and headed back to downtown Oakland. A fast food place was open, but was sick of eating this stuff. Just the thought of eating fast food made me sick.

     The homeless "street spirit" vendor walked by and said:   "Thank You".

     Headed outbound again praying in the spirit outloud. I was challenged verbally to a fight---just kept on walking and praying outloud.  A couple of blocks later, i noticed a white bag that was on top of a newspaper machine. This bag was perfectly round with a knot, and the plastic above the knot pointing straight up. This bag caught my eye, and I was drawn to it and had to check it out. I picked the bag up and it was heavy. I opened it and discovered a bag full of different oriental food.  Note: I was in the Orient for 6 years/Navy.

     I took the bag and found a bench to sit on and began to chow down. The food was incredible; and there were many varieties including several types of meat and noodles.There were kinds of food that i have never tried before. It was cold outside and the food was fresh and was covered in an oriental sauce. I can't remember enjoying a meal like this.

     While eating I noticed that there was something printed on the bag. The bag had "THANK YOU" on it 7 times. I began to praise the Lord outloud, and was laughing with joy.
Note: See photograph on the Testimony page-table of contents at the top.

Note: See second photograph of the food.

Note:  Street people don't miss anything of value. There were a lot of street people around, and this bag would not have been their long, considering many have to eat out of the dumpsters and garbage cans. Some won't go to the mission.
 
      I was directed to leave the remaining food for another homeless person after closing the bag with a rubber band.