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Terry Lane operates the Jacksonville, Florida-based Metro Kids Konnection, which feeds over 145 children—physically and spiritually. Terry and his wife, Kathy, have gone from enjoying a six-figure annual income to subsisting on $12,000 a year. But, Terry reports, "Nothing can replace the joy of having a little child crawl into my lap with a hug for 'Pastor Terry,' or for a young man who's been rescued from a probable drug-dealing life shake my hand and say, 'Thanks, P.T.'"

My cabinet-making business with its 40-man staff had outgrown its building. So we built a new plant in Jacksonville. But every night the alarm sounded, revealing broken windows, bullet holes, and stolen equipment. "What possessed you to build a plant next to the Cleveland Arms?" a policeman asked me. He informed me that this subsidized housing complex, occupied by drug dealers, prostitutes, and felons, sold the most crack cocaine in Jacksonville.

As I stood on the loading dock one afternoon, glaring into the complex, a crystal-clear thought came to me: If you'll love those who despitefully use you, I'll take care of it. Stunned at God's gentle command, I sensed him add, Look past the drug dealers; look at the children. I prayed for days about how to connect with the complex, then bought about $200-worth of basketballs, wrote "Jesus loves you" and "Mr. Lane loves you" on them, and threw them over the fence. [continued 1/26]

Adapted from our sister publication Today's Christian (9-10/07).

Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Please make my life count, Lord, by helping to transform the lives of those who are hurting.

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