In the late 60’s and early 70’s, I transitioned from high
school to college. My jet black hair, cut in a long shag, hung down past my
shoulder blades. I wore long flowered dresses and flowers in my hair, as I
flirted around the edges of the Hippy movement. I did not participate in the
drug or free-love culture, but I was definitely a flower child.
About that same time, I read The Cross and The
Switchblade, by David Wilkerson. Through the pages of that book, I found
Jesus Christ as my Savior. As a student at the local junior college, I joined the
Baptist Student Union and met a fellow Catholic who was also looking for a more
intimate relationship with God. We dated and felt led to rent two old homes in
downtown Pensacola, FL.
God soon filled them up – one with young women and the
other with young men. These young people, on their way to Pensacola Beach, were
hitch-hiking, or riding the rails across the country and jumping off just two
blocks from these two homes. We dubbed the boy’s house - a beautiful, old,
two-story, Southern Colonial home - the One Way House.
We offered the sojourners the solace of three days and
nights with clean sheets, three square meals and a shower if they agreed to attend
the nightly Bible study. Many of these young people accepted Christ as their
Savior. Then, on the final day of their stay, they either traveled on their way
or stayed on in the area.
We helped those who stayed to find a job and affordable
housing, and they continued coming to Bible studies every night. Our reputation
soon spread, and we had about 150 people meeting every evening of the week with a
hunger for God’s Word. Known as the "Jesus People", we and similar groups around the country, called the Church back to its roots. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_movement )
Each day, those who did not have jobs would clean the
homes and then help to cook meals for lunch and supper. Those who worked gave
their earnings toward the household budget, and we had all things in common,
just like in the book of Acts (Acts 2:44, 4:32). On
one particular day, one of the men fixed three pancakes each for the eleven
people who were at the house during lunch time.
As we sat down, three new travelers came in the front door.
Without mentioning a word, two of the men and I agreed through our facial
expression to give our pancakes to the newcomers. As the cook placed three
pancakes on each person’s plate, all fourteen of us ended up with three
pancakes. God multiplied that food and our faith at the same time.
Another afternoon, I went to the freezer to thaw out
something for supper that night. The huge chest freezer was totally empty.
Several of us joined hands in the kitchen and prayed for God to provide. With
the final “Amen”, I opened the freezer and found a huge ham inside, which we
cooked with scalloped potatoes, green beans and home-made bread – compliments of
our pancake chef.
God continued to bring salvation and miraculous provision
to us throughout the years that He anointed the One Way House ministry to
function. We made life-long friendships and many of us continue to pray for one
another even now. Coming from all walks of life and various states, we all had
one major aspect in common – the love of Jesus Christ for each other and for the
lost world. What a great way to start my new life in Christ.
