Several Saturdays ago, my husband Mike and I, as well as a good friend of ours, were walking to our car after attending an event in downtown Oshawa. We looked across the street and saw a young man sitting on the bumper of his car with the trunk open. Signs attached to the back of the car said, “Free water”, “Free sandwiches”, and “Ask me why I’m here.” Mike said to me “Isn't that Jonathan from church?” I was pretty sure it was, so we crossed the street and walked over.
As we got closer, we saw an older gentleman approach the car. Jonathan gave him a sandwich and a bottle of water, and spoke with him for a few minutes. I was amazed at how at ease and genuine Jonathan was while talking to this man. Immediately after he left, a mother and her young son walked past, pushing a shopping cart filled with empty beer cans and liquor bottles. She was grateful for the bottle of water she received; her son was very happy with the cookie he got. If Jonathan had been asked why he was doing this, he would have shared Jesus’ message, but it was not pushed onto anyone. Mike and I were very impressed by Jonathan’s commitment to serve others, especially those less fortunate. He said he felt strongly about getting out into the community to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Our friend [who does not go to church] was also impressed as he watched Jonathan interact with the man, and the woman and her son. He listened as Jonathan spoke passionately to us about what he was doing there on King Street. As we walked back to the car, our friend told us he couldn't believe that a young man would give up his time on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to serve food and water to those less fortunate. We continued to talk about it on the drive home as well. It was obvious that Jonathan had made a big impression on him. It is amazing how God works! While ministering to those in downtown Oshawa, Jonathan, though unaware, was also ministering to our friend!
- Debra
P.S. The "Ask Me Why I'm Here" sign is significant because the acronym AMWIH is the tagline Jonathan is giving to this ministry or social movement. He credits God with giving him this idea of face to face conversations through the simple act of handing out sandwiches and talking to people who are curious for a few hours each week.
As we got closer, we saw an older gentleman approach the car. Jonathan gave him a sandwich and a bottle of water, and spoke with him for a few minutes. I was amazed at how at ease and genuine Jonathan was while talking to this man. Immediately after he left, a mother and her young son walked past, pushing a shopping cart filled with empty beer cans and liquor bottles. She was grateful for the bottle of water she received; her son was very happy with the cookie he got. If Jonathan had been asked why he was doing this, he would have shared Jesus’ message, but it was not pushed onto anyone. Mike and I were very impressed by Jonathan’s commitment to serve others, especially those less fortunate. He said he felt strongly about getting out into the community to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Our friend [who does not go to church] was also impressed as he watched Jonathan interact with the man, and the woman and her son. He listened as Jonathan spoke passionately to us about what he was doing there on King Street. As we walked back to the car, our friend told us he couldn't believe that a young man would give up his time on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to serve food and water to those less fortunate. We continued to talk about it on the drive home as well. It was obvious that Jonathan had made a big impression on him. It is amazing how God works! While ministering to those in downtown Oshawa, Jonathan, though unaware, was also ministering to our friend!
- Debra
P.S. The "Ask Me Why I'm Here" sign is significant because the acronym AMWIH is the tagline Jonathan is giving to this ministry or social movement. He credits God with giving him this idea of face to face conversations through the simple act of handing out sandwiches and talking to people who are curious for a few hours each week.
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