
Over
a Lunch Tray
By Eddie Boscana
Ministry Staff
I never know what to expect when I walk onto a public
school campus to spend time with students. And because
of that I consistently pray that God will give me
favor and lead me as I hang out in lunch rooms. The
lunch visit at Central Middle School proceeded like
normal until I sat down with Jake and Kristen. Kristen
is a student leader who is a new and very passionate
Christian. As soon as I sat down and was introduced
to Jake, Kristen interrupted our conversation by throwing
a tract on the table in between us. I recognized the
tract as one very similar to the one I once carried
with me in my back pocket, ready to give it to any
unsuspecting "non-Christian" that was lucky
enough to cross my path.
"Jake isn't a Christian!" she said promptly.
Before I could respond Kristen began to explain. "He
isn't a Christian, Eddie! You see, I tried to get
him to read it?" while she pointed at the back
of the tract that contained the "sinners prayer"
so he can be one but he said he didn't want to, and
I told him that he has too or else he can't go to
heaven?" I interrupted as I noticed Jake's face
begin to turn a few shades redder than a ripe apple.
I tried as gently as I could to both correct her approach
and let him know that I accept him regardless of whether
he is a Christian or not. Getting the hint Kristen
backed off allowing him and I to talk.
I tried to change the topic and was somewhat successful.
I wanted to start over with Jake and try to earn his
trust. After a few minutes of calmness, and a few
good laughs, Jake paused and really opened up to me.
"Eddie, my Mom and Dad hate God, and hate church.
In fact, I've never even been to a church like some
of the kids talk about. Actually, they use all these
words like prayer, and God, and sin?but I don't know
what they're talking about" he said.
Our conversation ended with Jake telling me that even
though his parents will not let him go to church,
that he might be able to come to the Xtreme, so we
can talk more about this whole God thing. At that
moment I realized the power of a lunch room visit.
As he unfolded a little of his story, I got to see
a totally new perspective of the feelings of one who
is completely severed from the church. I got to see
some confusion and even some of his pain. I realized
even more than before that witnessing is not just
a pamphlet or a prayer or even a story. But that witnessing
sometimes is actually just listening and considering
someone else's story and meeting them where they are.
Sometimes that means in the middle of a lunch room
in a public school.