Meet Little Rashad!

I have told a couple of stories over the last couple months about what it is like at my apartments. Well, there have been some new developments that I really don't know how to go into exactly. A few weeks ago we had 3 separate armed robberies right outside my apartment. I don't say this to scare anyone or make where I live sound worse than it truly is. It all centers around drugs, and people coming into buy drugs. I will tell you that I have been home every time that these robberies have taken place, and on 2 occasions have had the windows open. However, I never heard a thing! No yelling, screaming, or police! How this has all happened... I have no idea! I believe that the Good Lord was protecting both Matt and I.

But now on to the good news of the story! Two new lives have been brought into this world in the last 24 hours that I will have the privilege of being involved with! My good friend Jason and his wife Amber, who I work with at The Lot Project, had a little baby boy named Oliver weighing 8 lbs and 13 oz. Both mom and baby are doing well.

The second baby born is the one I have pictured. His name is Rashad and he weighed in at just over 5 lbs. I met Rashad's parents because they are my neighbors. Over the last couple of months I have been working on these parents trying to introduce them to the Lord. Not in a Bible beating - your a sinner type of way, but in I will show you Jesus loves you by my actions sort of way. Rashad's father and I used to hang out a lot! Chillin outside on the porch talking, but a couple of weeks ago I got a text saying that he (Rashad's father) had been arrested. I immediately went over to talk with Rashad's mother and try to find out what was going on. The stories are always confusing, but he had been picked up on one of the armed robbery charges. Rashad's mother and I went to go visit him in jail, but the first time we were to late and the second time they wouldn't let me in because I wasn't on the list. However, I had put some money in his account, and told her to tell him that I loved him, wasn't mad at him, and wanted to be put on the list.

Rashad's father got out on bail last night, and is now at the hospital with his precious baby boy. It was awesome to go and spend sometime with them at the hospital. I made fun of Rashad's dad because he wasn't very good at changing diaper's, and was able to hold little Rashad for about 45 minutes. The innocence and vulnerability overwhelms me as I write this. The little (and I mean little) boy will rely on his parents for everything. I was able to talk to him briefly about the charges, and he told me he didn't do it. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. What is really cool is that Jason (who I work with) and Rashad's father are only 7 doors apart! I don't believe that is a coincidence... do you? I ask that you continue to join me in prayer as we attempt to show this family the Love of Jesus, because as court hearings and the weight of being a new parent goes forth, I can guarantee that this is going to be a trial.

According to His plan~

Andy

Wrong Address!

Hey Everyone,

I was just informed that I had switched a couple of numbers around on my September News Letter. The address that support should be sent to is as follows:

Andy Gibson
P.O. Box 4181
Anderson, SC 29622

Sorry for the inconvenience!


Andy

Zo's 1st Birthday!

I have lived in Anderson for a little over 7 weeks, and it has flown by. There were some definite walls up, and it has been difficult to build the relationships that are needed to really help anyone who lives near me. It started out by just saying hi to everyone when I drove into our complex. Then it moved to spending more time outside shooting hoops, and taking everyone a bottle of water. Now it would not be uncommon for me to go outside and just hang out with the boys. It has been really amazing to see the walls that were originally there being broken down!

Last week one of the guys was talking about his little boy Zo, who I get to play with on occasion. He came up to me and told me it was his 1st birthday. I asked him if they were going to have a party, and he said no because they didn't have the money. So, I was able to go to the building and get a couple of toys, and a little teddy bear. When I saw his dad the next day, I jumped out of the car to give him the things for his son's birthday. It was awesome to see the genuinely thankful look on his face! I could tell it meant a lot! So, than a few days later he came up and invited me to his little boys party! I couldn't believe that the guy that they used to think I was an undercover cop, or that I was there to kick them out of their apartment, but now I am actually being invited to a party! I picked up some pop and chips with another guy and his girlfriend from my apartment complex and went to the park. It was fun to sit, talk, and eat birthday cake. Zo got it all over himself, and it was a privilege to be there! I will continue to ask you to pray for favor in these eyes of those in my neighborhood, and that walls will continue to be torn down!

According to His plan!