Eddie

Eddie Gamble. Several years back our church decided to walk throughout the community here in Wenatchee and knock on doors to meet the lives in our neighborhood. We were Christians just trying to get our christianity out of the building and into lives. As doors opened we asked our neighbors if they knew of anyone who might have come across difficult times and needed some food. If not we asked if they knew of anyone who was sick or in the hospital we could pray for and perhaps visit. Just getting "out" of the building and into our communities can be difficult, however, this time we did and we met Eddie. Eddie is not native to Wenatchee... Passing through Wenatchee, his life changed. Emphysema. Notice the horizontal lines on his cheek? Marks of a freshly removed oxygen nasal tube... (he never lets me take his picture with it on) Unable to get around as much due to this life changing disability, Eddie made Wenatchee home. Home for several years before a group of "christians" got their "christianity" out of the building and into the neighborhoods. Several years, Eddie made his home in a town to which he thought no "church of Christ" (forgive me) denomination existed. So as Sundays came and went, Eddie stayed in a small, State assisted and minimal to say the least, Columbian apartments. Knock, knock! "hello... We're just christians trying to get our christianity out of the building..." I know it's exciting to find this one who was... well... Lost? I keep asking myself, "who was really lost and now found?" Lesson learned, I hope. Behind dark doorways and at the bottom of empty glasses are people. People who once knew the joy of community with a people who claim Jesus as Lord. There are also people who have never heard the story that brings life. (that's another post) Eddie is a life on the "Road to Gaza." Eddie has been very faithful to gather where the people meet to learn about God and he has contributed greatly to many. My personal joy is his interaction with my children. A hard life which gives back gentleness. I am honored to know Eddie. He is my friend and my brother in Christ. btw, if you smoke, Eddie would kindly suggest you stop or you'll be lugging around a 10 pound bottle of oxygen the rest of your life... which really isn't much of a life. peace. johno~