Roger Huang - Chasing God: One Mans Miraculous Journey in the Heart of the City

Contents

Acknowledgments

Foreword by John Ortberg

1 Breakdown

2 Lost and Alone

3 Breaking Free

4 Finding a New Life

5 Finding Salvation

6 Chasing God

7 The First Day of the Rest of My Life

8 Let the Little Children Come to Me

9 Finding Our Place in the Tenderloin

10 Home Base

11 Finding Our Way

12 Praying and Fasting About Whom to Work With

13 Praying and Fasting About Going Full-Time

14 Praying and Fasting for 230 Jones Street

15 Praying and Fasting for a School

16 Praying and Fasting for the Tenderloin

17 Praying and Fasting for Homes

18 Praying and Fasting for a Building Project

19 Lives Changed in the Tenderloin

20 Praying and Fasting for Workers

21 Praying and Fasting for a Conference

22 A New Vision for the Tenderloin

FAQS about Prayer and Fasting

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank each person who has helped me and loved me through this journey of chasing God. First and foremost, I want to thank my children and their spouses who have given their lives to this work and who are passionate about Jesus. I love you with all my heart!

Marie France, you are wise, godly, beautiful, and passionate.

Philip, you are independent, a hard worker, and a great provider for your family.

Michelle, you are beautiful, stubborn, and caring. You always look out for me.

Christian, you love God and people. You have so much grace. Youre the one who makes us laugh! You are a peacemaker.

For my grandchildren, Clayton, Cade, Cal, Elle Louise, Kahaleana, Gabrielle, Abraham, Ezra, Isabelle, Sophie, Canaan, Joelle, Malachi, Micah, Maiya, and Hunter. I love each of you so much! You are the reason I want to stay close to home. I want to be with you every moment of my life. May God use you in a great way. May His mercy and grace be upon you.

Clint, you are dedicated, faithful, and a hard worker. You are a lover of souls.

Rossie, youre filled with grace. You are godly and beautiful. You show me grace.

Cori, you are my personal counselor. Youre godly and beautiful.

Jody, you are so kind and patient. You are a great listener!

I love you all and am thankful for each of you every day. My heart overflows with thanksgiving at Gods mercy over my family.

To each person who has invested his or her time and resources and passion into our mission here in the Tenderloin, I cannot thank you enough. This list should go into the thousands. I am thankful for each person who has poured himself or herself out, loving the poor, giving of their time and energy to show Jesus to those here in the Tenderloin. I would like to give a special thanks to each person who has worked and volunteered at City Academy, the rescue mission, the thrift store, and for our countless community outreaches. If your name is not mentioned, just know that we would not be here without you and we love you!

Ed and Sandi Morgan, thank you for the opportunity to serve in your church when I first got saved.

Lula Baird, you prayed with us and invited us into the Assemblies of God. You were the reason they took us in. Thank you so much for your passion and love for Gods work in the Tenderloin. I miss you so much.

Terry and Vicky Wong, you were my first helpers in the Tenderloin. Thank you for your love and support!

May Chan, thank you for praying for over twenty years for God to send someone to the Tenderloin. We are the answer to your prayers!

Mary Cheng, Connie, and Angela, thank you for leading the ESL classes with the immigrants. You were my inspiration!

Mrs. Chan and Susan Lee, thank you for your help every Saturday making sandwiches and feeding the kids. Susan Lee, thank you for your faithfulness and continuous support for twenty-nine years.

Mr. and Mrs. Sun, for giving me the bag of gold coins to help me purchase the building. Thank you!

Donald Annas, thank you for accepting me into your fellowship. You were like a father to me.

James Braddy, you encouraged me to keep going when I didnt know what to do. Thank you!

Glen Cole, you trusted me and gave me your endorsement. You were my mentor. I miss you!

Jack and Chris Schat, you provided a place of refuge where I could rest my heart and spirit with your beautiful home by the coast. That is priceless. You spoke to me with your smiles and kindness.

Dean Heath, you rallied your church and gave us a working commercial kitchen.

Karl Stewart, you helped me when there was no one else to turn to. You gave me financial help time after time through your church. I appreciate your help and your trust in this work.

Kevin and Gayla Compton, you single-handedly helped me time after time when there was no other way out for me. You gave without reservation. God bless you.

Mel Keys, you never stopped talking about Gods goodness and faithfulness! You kept me going!

Dennis and Deanna Smith, your love, support, and encouragement have lifted me many times.

Rick Cole, thank you for your friendship and continued support.

Mike and Wendy Nelson, you gave and served with us year after year.

Mark Heath, thank you for your friendship and support. You taught me graceand kindness!

Ben Hardister, you are a mover, a maverick, and a giver. You are daring and courageous. You helped us for two years when there was no one else in sight.

Karen Hardister, youre an immovable presence, and I thank you for interceding for us.

Scott and Barb Farmer, you rallied behind your church and gave us a new building. You gave your resources to an inner-city work you knew nothing about. Your love for the poor and the children in the Tenderloin community is evident. I am overwhelmed by your passion.

Dick Sanner, you have shown grace in leading the team from your church and working with Fred and Jan to complete our building project. You are a man of compassion and grace. You became a mentor by visiting me often and sharing your dream about wanting to do more for the rest of the world.

Marsha King, thank you for your continued intercession and for being the one God used to bring many to help the mission.

Jeff and Beth Farrington, you two were a power team, always helping the children and the poor. I miss Beth so much! Jeff, youre a true servant and ambassador!

Connie Crank, thank you for serving and for your passion.

Mike and Laura McMillen, you gave me the hope and courage to continue. You are my friends and advisors.

Craig and Rheanell Farrill, thank you for loving Gods people and investing in this work.

Fred and Jan Hull, you built us a school building. You led over four thousand volunteers in doing so, and you were an answer to prayer. You are like John the Baptist. You lifted our spirits and our confidence. You gave us a head start. It was a once-in-a-lifetime miracle. I still cannot believe you gave us a brand-new building with the space for 350 students. I am in awe of your love, sacrifice, and obedience. God bless you both and your loved ones!

Scott and Kelli Welchek, you have been so generous, caring, and loving. I love being around you!

Tom and Josie Dowd, when I thought you were pushing me, you were actually pulling me. Your love and motivation kept me going! Your constant advice and your investment in me give me confidence. Love you much.

Howard and Judy Guild, thank you for your love and investment in our inner-city elementary school. Your love for the children and the teachers is a great encouragement. Thank you.