Jorge's testimony: "I know God will work all things out for my good."

Disclaimer: Jorge encouraged me to share his testimony, "So that others will trust God, especially in difficult times."

I met up with Jorge today, who had been in a bit of a slump because he had lost his job and had been put out by his room mate, whom he had been sharing an apartment with. Apparently his room mate "did him wrong" and Jorge had nowhere to go. He wound up spending several nights at a rescue mission/homeless shelter in Albany.

He came into the Pod yesterday morning and had asked to use the phone to call about a job posting at a nearby supermarket that I had previously told him about. He spoke to the store manager who told him to come and fill out an application. Immediately after his phone conversation he went right to the place and filled out some paperwork. The manager interviewed him on the spot and told him to call back today to find out his status. At 11:ooam Jorge came in and called the supermarket, spoke to the manager and was told to report there at 6:00pm for new hire orientation and that he'd be starting his first shift Saturday morning. Jorge was so excited that he grabbed me and gave me a big bear hug.

Not more than a half hour later Jorge came back, informing that he had called the property manager for the building that houses The Pod Coffee House, along with five additional store fronts and 18 apartments above. She was to meet him here at 12:30pm to show him a studio apartment that is available. When she arrived a few minutes later, she took him upstairs to show him the apartment. He just shared with me moments ago, "Not only is it a great apartment, but it is within my budget, and the landlord will work with me on the security deposit." Jorge was so eletated that he shouted for joy, raised his hands in the air and shouted, "Thank you Jesus."

Jorge is another one of my friends who believes and trusts in God, yet he does not regularly attend a traditional church. He told me once that he sometimes goes to a nearby Hispanic church, and although they seem to be glad to have him there, he often feels uncomfortable because, "Whenever I walk into that place they look at me funny because I'm wearing the same street clothes I've had on for two or three days, and my hair is sometimes not groomed nicely. Don't they know that if I had nice clothes to put on that I would?"

Jorge had previously turned down my invitation to visit the CORE Church, perhaps for the very reason he no longer attended the Hispanic church mentioned above. he may be thinking that he will be the center of attention if he did come for a visit. This afternoon, as he exited the coffee house he did tell me, "if you had church here at the coffee house I would probably come." So, here's two people in as many days who have suggested doing what I've been thinking all along, even before we opened our doors as "The Pod Coffee House." We'd probably have room for no more that 20-25.

Imagine that! Church, in a coffee house, for such a small seating capacity!

Dana's testimony: "My life was once really screwed up, but now it's not so screwed up."

While working at the Pod Coffee House today, Dana, one of our regulars, came in, along with her young son, Jordan, to get a bite to eat. After finishing their meal she came up to pay the bill and realized she was a little short on $$$. She apologized and promised to pay the rest of her bill the next time she stops in for lunch. I told her not to worry about it and she almost started to cry. She went on to explain that she had just come from a doctor's appointment and that her son has a serious ear infection and that she had promised him, if he was good for the doctor, she would take him somewhere for lunch afterward. On one of her previous visits we got to talking about the Pod and she learned that we are here to do more than sell coffee and food. Ever since then she has been sharing bits and pieces of her life, including the fact that she used to go to church but hasn't in awhile due to her overcrowded schedule. Having four children to care for, while being a single mother, going to school and working part-time pretty much eats up her schedule. She did share with me that she prays and reads her Bible from time to time and that she knows God is working in her life because her life, "used to be really screwed up, but now it's not so screwed up." She went on to share that when she focuses on Jesus, she is reassured that He is watching over her and that He has a plan for her life. "You ought to start having church here at the Pod," she suggested, as she exited the storefront with her son.

Imagine that, church in a coffee house!