How The Streets Can Change a Man

During last night's debriefing time, Josh shared a song he wrote in the two hours since he got back with the street team. During their time of connecting with people downtown and handing out burgers to the hungry, they ducked into the famous Cafe Dumont. Lawrence, a pastor here at the mission, noticed a man sitting away from the outdoor cafe and tried to wave him to join the group. He refused.

Lawrence told the group that this man was a very hardened and bitter man that he had come across numerous times. He was so hardened that even the street people stayed away from him. He had no interest in being around Christians and had no trust for anyone.

Soon the afternoon thunder storm hit with a torrential downpour. Lawrence called to the man again and this time the rain drove him in to sit with our team under the cover of the outdoor cafe. For the next 45 minutes the team listened to his angry ranting about all the people who had hurt him or deserted him. They heard about his being abused by what he called "religion." His anger boiled as he talked about the racism that has cut him time and time again. They sat and listened.

His name is Mark Anthony. He told them that he will not turn the other cheek and that he won't even turn the first cheek. He will kill or be killed.

Our team talked with him and, for the first time according to Lawrence, allowed the team to pray for him and pray that God would soften his heart. Our kids prayed like they had never prayed before. They prayed with God's heart and truly felt His love for Mark Anthony.

Josh shared his new song with us. Forgive the cell phone video quality... it may help you to follow the lyrics below the video.

How The Streets Can Change A Man
by Josh Linscott

I walk down the streets today
Backpack on my back
All I can do is pray
I barely can do that
I hear you calling me
The voice that whispers in my ear
Says to me it’s time to stop
stop and listen

Mark Antony will kill
Before he turns his cheek again
I don’t understand, I never will
How the streets could change a man
Mark Antony will kill
Before he turns his cheek again
I don’t understand, I never will
How the streets could change a man
How the streets could change a man

Is there any hope for the heart that's frozen
Is there any hope that his eyes will open
You keep calling me
Put the whisper in my ear
telling me it’s time to stop
stop and listen

Mark Antony will kill
Before he turns his cheek again
I don’t understand, I never will
How the streets can change a man
Mark Antony will kill
Before he turns his cheek again
I don’t understand, I never will
How the streets can change a man