A Saint and Sinners

Deb, Steema, John, Rob, Shawn, Tim 2005

I've been using this blog mostly to share some of the lives of the extraordinary people I am blessed to encounter in many places. I love being able to meet people who are not making names for themselves, but who are making their lives count in ways that go beyond words.

Since I came to faith in many years ago, one of the people I have turned to, laughed with, grieved with, and just loved to be with is Deb Erickson. Deb is Straight Ahead's prayer chain coordinator and has been coming to Teamworks for many years. Sometime before she started with us, the Lord told Deb that she would be visiting prisons and meeting with many inmates. At that time, Deb's reaction was something like "you sure you got the right number Lord?", but shortly thereafter, she starting writng to Shawn-the first kid I met at a lock up in 1990--as he was incarcerated. That lead to weekly visits, which lead to a wonderful friendship that continues to this day. Her letters to Shawn, Ryan, Steema, Joe, Mike and many others have kept their hope alive when others gave up on them. Her love is Christ's love incarnate.


Deb was also there when we lost Justice, JS, Red and Hollywood. If she had not been such a support, I don't know that I would still be in the ministry. Last weekend, Tim and Linda Crump, Shawn and his wife Mandy, and I got to hang out with Deb for the afternoon.  Being together gave us a chance to laugh as we shared some of the great memories that we've all had together for many, many years.

Right now, Deb is battling serious health issues so I'm asking for your prayers for her, her husband Dave, and their children Darcy and Todd. When Deb tells someone that she will pray for them, it's not a Christian brush-off, but a true commitment. I'm asking for all of us to do the same.