You Look Cold

A warm place on a cold street; a light glowing in the darkness - are two very appropriate ways to describe the Freak Fest outreach from two weeks ago. In downtown Madison, Wisconsin, the Phos House (Phos is Greek for light), a ministry of YWAM Madison, stood as headquarters for the 100 volunteers who participated. Walking up and down the street to engage party-goers in conversation about God was attempted, but the greatest success was found in the proximity of the house.

Being a Halloween celebration, many sported costumes - costumes that did not seem to provide adequate warmth and insulation for their wearers, so the large heater on the porch was always surrounded, as were the tables where free hot chocolate and hot dogs were handed out. With people on hand to initiate and direct conversations toward faith and God, there were positive encounters, despite the intoxicated state of most.

Humankind is a rebellious and wicked species, but even before that, we were made in the image of God. And, in the midst of our evil, we are perfect candidates for grace and redemption. The kindness and love we displayed toward Freak Fest participants, we hope, signaled the beauty and life that our Savior makes available to all. We also felt it was important in order to demonstrate to them their inherent value as God's image bearers.

After the event ended at 2am, we piled in the van and began our 14-hour journey back to Ozark. Our fears and nervousness that marked the beginning of the outreach faded into an excitement that overpowered fatigue. Students compared tales from the night before drifting off to sleep, as I drove on, with heat blasting and headlights leading the way.

See Photos from the Event