Several years ago, a fellow named Terry and some others in our church grew concerned for the subculture of male prostitutes that flourishes on Manhattan’s Lower West Side in a place called the “salt mines,” where the city keeps salt for deicing streets. Living in abandoned vehicles or subterranean cavities, many dress in drag and offer themselves to customers who drive by.
Our outreach team began to bring food and blankets on Saturdays. Although these men made considerable money, most squandered it on drugs, which left them scavenging garbage cans and dumpsters for food.
To feel compassion for these guys, to understand their wretched life, was extremely difficult. Our church prayed fervently on Tuesday nights for love, compassion and protection for them.
One Sunday, our outreach team got in vans and brought 27 of the men to our afternoon service. After the service, I met Ricardo. Walking down the center aisle, I bumped into an attractive woman in a black dress, with blond, shoulder-length hair, nicely done nails, black stockings and high heels.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” I said.
She turned … and this low voice with a heavy Spanish accent replied, “No, that’s OK, man.”
Terry later told me that Ricardo was one of the main troublemakers who introduced young kids to crack cocaine and prostitution. He’d been plying his trade for at least 10 years, and the dreariness was finally getting to him.
Over the next few weeks, Ricardo sat in our meetings, where it dawned on him that maybe he could be different, that this Jesus he was hearing about could actually set him free from crack and this lifestyle. He kept listening, and after about a month, he gave his heart to the Lord.
I will never forget the Tuesday night we introduced him to the congregation. He stood before us, a bit shy, in male clothing. His blond hair had been cut, and dark roots were now growing out. His nail polish had been chipped off. The congregation couldn’t help but cheer and praise God.
Ricardo’s story has been evidence to me and our church of what God will do in response to fervent prayer. No one is beyond His grace. No situation, anywhere on Earth, is too hard for God.
