Lila lives close to Joe and Heidi White, VMC pastors in Fresno, CA.
Almost always a little standoffish, not eager for neighbourly chit-chat – she was a hard-to-get-know neighbour.
But Joe and Heidi are faithful prayer walkers.
After years of ministry, they know their true hope is in God alone – so they pray and rely on the Spirit of God to do what the Spirit does best – redeeming people and places.
Each week they pray through their streets and neighbourhood, remembering their neighbours to God.
Including Lila.
One day, Lila unexpectedly approached Joe as he was playing baseball in the front yard with his boys.
She said, “I know you pray for me.”
Joe was a little surprised!
She continued, “I’m a spiritual person.
I can feel your prayers as you walk by.
And when all those people gather at your house on Sundays, I can feel their prayers too.
They’re powerful.
Do you mind if I sometimes just come and sit on your front step?
It feels peaceful here.”
A few weeks ago, Lila joined them for Sunday church.
“This Jesus thing is powerful and it’s changing my life,” she wept.
Photo credits: Unspash (Jonathan Borba)