“They’re cookin’ tonight.” These were the first words I heard as I answered my phone. Of course, I knew the phrase had nothing to do with food and had everything to do with another adventurous day of ministry. The number and the voice were familiar – my ministry/business partner. He was a retired law enforcement officer, and together we ran a probationary and counseling service for several court systems. We played the “Good Cop/Bad Cop” roles well. He knew the law and I knew about teaching people how to rebuild from their crisis, so the courts kept us quite busy.
This particular call was in relation to a youth court case we were working. The young man in our care was being used as a “mule” (person who transports illegal drugs for another) by his own mother and her live-in, and we knew it – just had to prove it. Through one of our informants we had gotten word that these adults would be cranking up their meth lab that evening and now was our chance to get this kid out of this hellish lab/trap house. As the day progressed the plan continued to unfold and preparations to raid this sixty-year-old mobile home out in the county were detailed.
Of course, we had determined that I would be the “how” of getting into the house. The young man and his ‘family’ would recognize me when I drove up, and not think a thing about my visit. It was part of my routine to visit him and check on his progress as he continued under my care through the youth court. However, there was one catch. I would be the only guy in the gig with no gun because I was not law enforcement. Evening began to fall, and the time was right. Everyone was in place and I proceeded to drive out into the county and soon arrived at this dilapidated home which again also served as a drug production/distribution location.
As I stepped out of the car, I saw the young man peering out of a small window in the entry door to the mobile home. “It’s just Brother Royce,” I heard him shout! So, I nervously, pretending calm, continued to approach the door as he opened it and prepared to welcome me in. JUST as I stepped across the threshold of the door I heard a loud crash from the back of the trailer, and suddenly a shout, “IT’S A RAID!!!” Guns started firing, windows started breaking (people jumping out – trying to run away and not be caught), and suddenly there was the organized chaos of a drug raid. I just grabbed the young man, threw him under the kitchen table with me, and simply told him, “Hold On, Mr. Billy (my partner) is going to take care of us!” It all happened so fast, but we didn’t come out from under the table until I knew that all the Good Guys had all of the Bad Guys in handcuffs.
We read in James 2 that our faith is a dead faith if it is not backed up with works (actions) which give evidence of what we believe and in Whom we have placed our trust. Mind you, I’m not endorsing signing up for a drug raid with law enforcement as part of your commitment to Christ – not everyone is called to extreme circumstances of service. However, I am saying the EVERYONE who claims the name of Christ has an obligation to be a part of the solution to problems (moral and social ills) which surround their community and other spheres of influence. So, I want to tell you of two opportunities YOU have to GET INVOLVED and make a difference in Yazoo.
1) The week of June 18 – 22, Revive Yazoo is going on. I KNOW! This annual gathering has been happening for years, but this year, I want you to drop in with purpose. Sure, there will be great worship and speakers from around the world, but I want you to show up and ask whoever greets you one question, “Where do I find George Woodliff?”
“Father George”, as many know him has been making a Kingdom difference for years, and when you do meet George, ask him this question. “How do I become part of the solution?”
2) You see my friends, for those of us involved in the Yazoo Ministerial Association, we are working to build a network which will combat the social ills of Yazoo, head on – drugs, poverty, and more. Brother George can tell you where and how to connect with ACTION! Then, the second thing is to have you place August 5, 2018, on your calendar.
That evening we (the same association) will be hosting a Back-to-School event at Parkview, to help this community determine a clear plan for real change as a new school year begins. The evening will include FREE FOOD, great bands, and informational speakers. DOING, for you, acting out your faith, can truly begin with these two events, and WE NEED YOU TO BE INVOLVED!
OH! The young man in the story I shared? We helped him progress as far as we could. I even took him to Snowbird that year. (You should have been the preacher who showed up at church camp with a teenager wearing a GPS Tracking Device! HA!)
SADLY, the drugs had destroyed his mind, paranoia and schizophrenia took over. He was under the care of his mother at nineteen years old, committed as mentally incompetent, and living on disability benefits.
Unfortunately, a year later I was called to the home to identify his body. He had been discovered hanging from a tree near the home. (suicide) Drugs had destroyed his mind and literally, ultimately took his life. YOU SEE, the issue is critical, and our young people in Yazoo are being impacted – a generation destroyed. How long will YOU sit on the sideline?
For the King, Brother Royce Cor. 9:16
