In Memory....Miss You Buddy

Most Saturdays for the past two years, Lonnell would, without hesitation go with me to minister. We would go pick up donations and then deliver them to folks God put on our hearts.

Often during the day he would point out places he used to work - roofing houses, driving a cab - and people. He knew almost everyone. He would constantly have me pull over so he could have a reunion with someone. Many times, however, the person wasn't who he thought they were...so he asked them if they needed anything. He would point to me, in the van, and say, "That's Sister Love and she can help you..." Then we would buy food for them or take them where they needed to go and pray for them.

Many times I was pooped and I'd pick him up at Sally's and he'd say, "Good morning deni. Let our Father God in Heaven give us grace to understand the knowledge of His Word to become Wise to help those that need to be helped in the name of The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Even though the evil of man's law tell us not to do so. As Moses did for the sake of mercy for one's life. Amen."  Then he would flash that Lonnell smile and off we would go. I was renewed and tried to keep up with him.

He could fit more pieces of furniture in our ministry van than I thought possible. When I doubted they would ever come out for delivery...he easily removed everything without any damage...and give me a look that challenged my lack of faith.

He was also my navigator. He would get us anywhere in north Tulsa, Jenks, Glenpool, Sand Springs and all over Tulsa without a map or GPS. He was my body guard at times as well. I approached a guy who was under the influence and he started talkin' smack to me. Lonnell got out of the van and said, "You okay sister love?" The guy immediately backed down and asked me to pray for him. :-)

He loved to pray for people. We would hold the hands of those who donated and those who God blessed with our giving...and he would pray. He knew that the Father was pleased when he prayed and he nodded as if he felt Jesus patting him on the back.

He loved to sing and dance while we rambled down the road. He could play drums on his leg and he would sing songs I thought I knew...but they sounded different. He would always tell me his version was better. When we would be called to help someone neither of us knew...his joy was childlike. He thought it was so much fun to serve Jesus!

He loved to eat. Every Saturday we journeyed for Jesus there was an inevitable stop at Taco Bueno, Quik Trip and more often than not Church's Chicken. The last Saturday we journeyed together he ate a hot dog covered in relish and a bag of peanut brittle. When I would challenge his food choices he would tell me, "There is lettuce and tomatoes...vegetables...on my taco." Grin.

Many Sunday mornings he would be standing at the bus stop by Sally's waiting on me to pick him up for church. He always greeted everyone in the van when he got in. Then after church he would ride around with me, while I took everyone home. There would always be a stop at his storage unit and at Quik Trip. Then he would want to be dropped off at the bus station. "It's a good place to let the love of Jesus shine."

Luke 10, Isaiah 58, In His service, First Baptist Church Tulsa, Indian Health Care Resource Center and everyone who knew Lonnell, are missing an incredible servant of Jesus. 

"We are His daughters and sons / We are the colorful ones / We are the kids of the King / Rejoice in everything / My colors grow so dim / When I start to fall away from Him / But up comes the strongest wind / That He sends to blow me back into His arms again / And then the colors fall around my feet / Over those I meet / Changing all the gray that I see / Rainbow colors of the risen Son / Reflect the One / The One who came to set us all free." Stained Glass by Keith Green

I miss you buddy. 
In His service, d
The following link is our ministry video with Lonnell.


https://youtu.be/lNYEYXFKhr4