Saturday, July 24, 2010

My Testimony: Terror By Day

On Wednesday, July 21, at 8:15am, the store in which I work, 7-Eleven, was robbed…and I was there to witness every horrifying minute of it. Before the craziness ensued, it was just a regular day on the job. I had just finished dealing with a long line of customers that satisfied their fix for coffee and other things, and I had turned my attention to organizing some of the grill products. I let my coworker take over on the register for a while because of course, I can’t be in two places at once. I started to hear some loud voices, but I thought it was just another disgruntled, impatient customer. All of a sudden, I hear something that I didn’t anticipate at all: a GUNSHOT! I saw the gun, and I did what any unarmed man that feared for his life would do, and that is DUCK! The gunman yelled out, “Give me the m.f’ing money” several times while my coworker was shuffling through both of our registers, naturally scared, shocked and confused. There were four or five customers in the store at the time in various areas. One hid in the bathroom, another ran towards the coffee bar, and I saw one ducking on the ground near me. One customer who sits by the window almost every day saw the whole incident from beginning to end and was telling my coworker to give the robber the money along with the rest of us. After the robber got away with the money, I immediately called 911 and shortly, the police showed up and our store became known as the “crime scene”. For about three hours, witnesses including myself, my coworker and two customers were questioned about everything from the robber’s physical description to exactly how much money was stolen. I even got a call from the Washington Post and a reporter from a public access station even showed up to the store to get “the scoop”. After all the questioning and investigating, the head detective said that he would come back when the manager was able to open the office to look at the surveillance tape. Soon, it was back to business as usual. As Erykah
Badu once said, what a day.


When I saw that gun and heard that shot, I did feel a sense of fear because I knew that any one of us could’ve been the recipient of the next bullet. I realize that it was nothing but the Holy Spirit that protected all of us during the five minutes in which we were under siege. I see the bullet hole in the ceiling now and I consider it a symbol of God being our shield and His angels encamping around us. I thank God for giving me the wisdom to remember our store’s policy for what to do during and after a robbery. For many years, I heard about convenience stores being robbed, and I was arrogant enough to actually think that it would never happen while I was in one. That thinking is abolished now, and I understand that because of our sinful hearts, we are capable of doing things that have the potential to destroy ourselves and others around us. I am forever grateful to the customers that were with us during the incident, not because of the danger that surrounded them, but because they were able to share the evidence that was necessary to bring justice to this situation. They were also very encouraging and helped me to laugh, which might’ve taken longer if they were not present. To everyone that prayed for me and checked to see if I was okay, I appreciate you and I love you forever. I can say that the scripture that I kept meditating on the whole day was Matthew 10:28, which says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill the body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in Hell”. This situation has helped me to be more cautious at work by paying more attention to my surroundings and making sure that not much money is kept in our registers. I am working towards being more compassionate and patient, even with the most demanding people. I make it a point to laugh as much as possible nowadays. For a while, I felt like I was being weighed down by expectations brought on by being one of the only employees at my store that spoke fluent English, but after this incident as well as my week at Teen Camp, I’m learning how to be content in the place that God has currently put me in until He leads me somewhere else. Now more than ever, I’m looking forward to fulfilling my call as a Youth Pastor and leading teenagers closer to Christ. I encourage everyone that reads this to remember that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, literal or spiritual. Please pray for all of those who are lost and have to resort to robbery. May the Lord draw them towards Himself so that they know they are forgiven. I sincerely hope that you are all blessed by reading my testimony, for it would’ve been wrong of me to take the glory away from God by keeping this concealed. Grace and peace, brothers and sisters!

Camp Is GREAT (Part 2) (aka Camp Is 'DOCIOUS): The Things I Remember Most About The DelMarVa-DC Teen Camp 2010

As you probably know, I had a phenomenal time at last year's Teen Camp. It was the first time I had ever signed up to be a counselor. I learned so much and met so many wonderful people. Well, this year was no different. As a matter of fact, I would have to say that this was the best experience I've ever had since I acknowledged my calling to youth ministry. I wanted to do something a little different when I came back to share with you all, so what I did was make a list of all the catchphrases and other things that I remember from my trip. If you get confused at any time, just laugh anyway. Here we go...

1. Camp is GREAT! No, camp is 'DOCIOUS!

2. Every counselor, camper and recreational staff member

3. WHO ARE WE? PENN STATE!

4. I said a beef hot links! (I said a beef hot links!) When I say Hillshire, you say Farm! Hillshire! (Farm!) GO MEAT!

5. REDDDDDDDD ROBINNNNNNNN...YUMMMMMM!

6. OOOOOOOGAAAAAAAA...BOOOOOOOGAAAAAAAA!

7. (sings) If I could talk to the animals... (jumps around like a rabbit like Fred Abbott)

8. (sings) Start spreading the newwwwwsssssss... (screams a name and throws out a balloon)

9. (Brian Whitelock voice) DODGEBALL!

10. The water slide

11. Capture the flag

12. Flag Football

13. The big rock on top of the mountain...and people rolling DOWN the mountain

14. Buying nothing but Gatorade at the Canteen (the 7-Eleven of Teen Camp)

15. Balloon-A-Grams (some people got more of these than others)

16. AIN'T NO PARTY LIKE AN AI PARTY 'CAUSE AN AI PARTY DON'T STOPPPPPPPPPP! (throws up an "A")

17. Seeing Bishop Ronald "Yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhh" Martin during dinner on Thursday

18. Camp food, especially the French toast that made us either vomit or use the bathroom...or both

19. A Minute To Win It

20. CAN'T NOBODY DO ME LIKE GEORGIA! CAN'T NOBODY DO ME LIKE THE 'DOGS! CAN'T NOBODY DO ME LIKE GEORGIA! HE'S MAN BEST FRIEND!

21. That weird ninja game...

22. (Fred Abbott voice) PARTY!

23. Crowd surfing!

24. HOOOOOOOOOOO! (raises and lowers hands to emphasize volume)

25. Ok! (Alright!) Alright! (Ok!)

26. Jason and Shannon Matthews and SHOUT!

27. Cabin 16 (MY CABIN!) winning "Cleanest Cabin" TWO days in a row

28. 14 people, 1 shower (shudders)

29. Wet clothes with dirt and grass stains all over the floor (shudders again)

30. No phone or TV...and NOT CARING!

31. Learning a godly principle after a camper was late for dinner

32. GET YOUR ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE!

33. OOOOH AHHHHHH...WE'RE JUST TOO SMOOTH!

34. The heat during the "Peculiar Race"

35. Everyone has a different story

36. Vin Diesel, Justin Beiber and Soulja Boy clones

37. THIS GON' MAKE YOU CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, CHOP!

38. Sir, have you been drinking?

39. J. Swizz's all-night sermons

40. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE BEEN TOLD, BUT THE U...T IS IN THIS HOUUUUUUSSSSSE!

41. WHERE MY WARRIORS AT? AHHHHHOOOOOH!

42. WHERE MY FELLAS AT? (Fellas) RIGHT HERE SERVING GOD! (Ladies) I KNOW THAT'S RIGHT!

43. Sweating profusely during worship service and pretty much everywhere else

44. The Confidence Course

45. (sings and waves hands) OOOOOOLE OLE OLE OLE!

46. WE GOT A REPUTATION AND WE DO IT LIKE THIS (does random dance move)

47. If a redneck be for you, who can be against you?

48. Anthony Braswell's powerful sermons

49. The morning staff meetings

50. Frogs in the pool

51. Snapping turtles in the lake

52. When I survive, the Kingdom is advanced

53. It's not about a moment, it's about a mission

54. I will be the one

55. People submitting to Christ at the altar

56. People of various cultures loving one another

57. (sings) NO MORE SHACKLES, NO MORE CHAINS! NO MORE BONDAGE, I AM FREEEEEEE, YEEEEAAAAAHHHHH!

58. My life be like OOOOOOHHHHHH AHHHHHHH, OOOOOOHHHHHH OOOOOOHHHHHH! (that's an old song by Grits that was played a lot)

59. The rain that did NOT ruin our recreation time

60. The joy of knowing that I'll be doing all of this and MORE next year

That's all, folks! May God continue to bless all y'all!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

My Testimony: The Men's Ministry at OCG

First and foremost, I would like to say that I thank God for the men’s ministry. It has been such a blessing to be able to minister, fellowship and walk through life with the brothers of the Odenton Church of God. I remember being a part of the men’s ministry at my former home church, New Bethel Church of God in Christ, and I am glad that I have the opportunity to bring everything that I have learned during that season into this new season of my walk with Christ. One word I would use to describe my experience with the men’s ministry is “complete”. I can honestly say that we do just about everything together. We assemble at church for the Sunday morning service, Wednesday night bible study, Saturday morning men’s meeting and any other time where work needs to be done in the building. We also unite to participate in activities outside of the church such as bowling, watching any sports team on someone’s big screen TV, going out to eat and several other endeavors that involve camaraderie, laughter and intense happiness. I always look forward to Thursday nights at nine o’clock, because that is when the brothers come together to pray about any issue that has been on our hearts for any amount of time. The number of callers may vary, but what is most important is that the presence of the Holy Spirit is strong. I am truly touched by the honesty, conviction, compassion and love that permeates each of our prayers. I definitely feel a sense of inspiration any time I come in contact with the brothers. Within the men’s ministry, I see excellent examples of leaders, servants, friends and husbands. I am able to grasp many lessons from the actions of the brothers and apply them to my own life. I am motivated to become a better Christian based on how the brothers approach their relationships with Christ. Shout out to every brother at OCG! I pray that we continue to allow the Holy Spirit to use us completely, and that we never fail to bond with one another in various ways. God has plans for us, so let us step outside of our comfort zones and make a difference in this world by displaying the Savior, Jesus Christ. I love all of you with everything in me. May God bless us and keep us!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

It's been a long time...

What's good, beautiful people! I apologize for being MIA for so long. I was actually thinking about deleting my blog, but a dear friend of mine convinced me otherwise. She knows who she is! Anyway, I missed you all and I hope that everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. I know I did! I got to spend time with my crazy family and eat some good food. That's all I really needed! I've also seen a lot of things go on at my job. People have come, people have gone, and it's been really busy over there just trying to make sure that everything is right. My experience at church has really been wonderful. I'm really enjoying being a part of the Audio/Visual Ministry as well as teaching the Teen Bible Study class once a month. We just had a very exciting, empowering four-day revival service that I will speak about in-depth at a later date. That's what I've been doing all this time. Hopefully you will see me more often this year. I pray that everyone has a great Valentines Day...enjoy the people you love and extend that love beyond one day! Deuces until we meet again!