Street Stories - A Ringside Seat To Over 4 Decades Of Taking Jesus To The Streets Of The World

age of 32. He was survived by his wife, a son and a daughter, his sister, Anane, and other family members.

One by one, each NYPD officer in attendance rose, walked to the front of the church and saluted Officer Houston’s casket. Then each one turned to face his grieving family, saluted them, and gave them hugs and condolences. I realized that each officer was going to pay their respects this way and it was going to take a long time. I did not in any way want to be disrespectful or disruptive, but I was going to have to leave very soon, or I was going to miss my flight back home to LA. Sondra Berry Young was sitting beside me, so I leaned over and whispered to her. “Sondra, I am going to have to step out and get back to the church and head to the airport.” I continued, “Please tell Anane and her family that I am praying for them and trusting God to carry them through this. Tell them I am so sorry, but I had to leave early.” Sondra promised me she would tell the family for me. When there was a slight pause in the service, I left my seat and as inconspicuously as I could, I headed for the exit to the church. I had reasoned I would be able to quickly hail a cab and barely make my soon departing flight. I didn’t realize since the service was being held at a church a little bit out of the city, there was no yellow cab service nearby. I started walking down the street asking the Lord for help and provision to get to the airport in time. I didn’t even know which direction I was headed to, but I walked and walked. I was still in my black suit and still wearing my white clerical collar. I’m sure I was quite a site in this neighborhood.

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