For
the first time at any Olympics, the thousands of visitors had an extra level of
care and support, thanks to an initiative from the local churches. It is not just the athletes who go higher,
faster, and stronger at the Olympics; so do the emotions of the spectators as
they attempt to navigate the mayhem and sometimes confusing events. Helping visitors find the right coins to
access the public lavatories or consoling a man who had recently lost his wife
and child were all in a day's work me and the other 300 volunteers serving as Games
Pastors.
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| Engaged in ministry conversation with staff at Kings Cross Station |
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| Local kids eager to receive More Than Gold & Dollywood trading pins |
The
transportation hubs were full of harried, confused, and lost people, most of who
were far from home. With more than
100,000 travelers expected each day to pass through Kings Cross rail station in
London, the station manager and Chaplain realized the need to be ready to offer
support during the Olympic Games. I was
part of small team who worked at this particular station offering travellers
support, compassion and a listening ear.
We
did everything from help a man search for a lost contact lens- and direct him
to a pharmacy, to help police calm a drunk and disorderly woman and talk, over
a cup of coffee, with a man so consumed by guilt about his role in a fatal car
crash that he was considering suicide. When
he left after an hour we knew all his problems weren’t solved, but he went away
with some hope.
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| I was really HERE! |
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| Standing in Olympic runner Usain Bolt's 100m stride |
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| We developed a close friendship with the local volunteers |
Another
time I was able to help a Korean student who had caught the wrong train. I talked for hours with a Christian from
India who needed encouragement in his faith.
And I listened as Randolph unloaded a heap of anger and frustration
about life and politics. Randolph was my
favorite conversation while I was working at Kings Cross. He was angry when I first met him; this is
how I knew we would become good friends.
I was up for the challenge. His
job was to stand outside the terminal and supervise the area; my job was to
drink coffee and listen. After two days
of listening I stopped his ranting and interjected the notions of a God who is
predicable, loving, and in control of the universe. As I was preparing to leave London and return
home, I made a point to see Randolph one last time. He was no longer angry but rather excited
about his life. He expressed a confidence
that God has blessed him and that he has begun to explore the reality of God’s
goodness and presence.
Thank you to all who offered prayers and thoughts for
me while I was on my trip. I do not know
what was most sensational. Was it being
in London? Going to the Olympics? Or knowing that I was doing good on a
“mission trip”? Of what I am certain is
that God used me, in my place and time, to reveal His presence. It is easy for our concerns to get stifled in
the chaos of home and work. Sometimes we
just need to know someone cares. Allow
yourself to be that support, compassion, or listening ear for a friend. Open yourself to the movement and rhythms of
God; trust Him to lead you to be in the right place at the right time.
