Back at the end of November, The Hartford Courant published an article about the food problem in New Britain and how an increasing number of people were going without food because of the worsening economic climate.  In that article, they mentioned Isaiah 58, a ministry led by Ray Labbe that had been feeding the hungry and homeless faithfully almost every Saturday since 1990.  This service to the people of New Britain was staggering for two reasons – most importantly, for the remarkable faithfulness to God displayed over 18 years of ministry, and secondly, for how under the radar it was!  With no fanfare, no marketing plan, and no desire for glory, Ray and a team of volunteers had been preparing hot soup, hot dogs, bags of apples and canned goods, and lots of other food, packing up the big blue van, and carrying it all across the river to New Britain for the simple reason that God tells us to:

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter– when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)

The ironic thing about the Courant coverage was that the New Britain public health department read about this ragtag bunch of believers feeding the hungry right under their noses for 18 years, and told Ray he could no longer serve hot soup unless it was prepared in an approved kitchen.  The soup was the center of the meal – a glorious and healthy collection of fresh vegetables, meats, and broth, a perfect meal for cold street living.  But after being “outed” by the Courant, Ray was forced to stop serving the soup, replacing it with simple Cup-a-Soup instead.  So much for all press being good press.

And so, the past few months, Ray had been spending more time making his ministry “legitimate” in the eyes of the world.  He was trying to find a way to continue serving soup on the streets, and was pursuing a non-profit status for the ministry.  But last Tuesday, Ray Labbe fell asleep on his couch and never woke up.  By the time his wife Linda found him, Ray had left this world and woken up in the presence of His Lord.  And can there be any doubt that the first words he heard were those glorious words of Jesus, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. 

Anyone who knew Ray certainly has many treasured memories.  I brought a number of youth groups to New Britain over the years to serve alongside Ray’s team, and he always encouraged our kids that every cup of soup, every hot dog, every donut, every bag of apples was given “in the name of Jesus.”  We weren’t just there just to give food, but because of Jesus and His love.  I know that as our kids served hot food across the table and sang songs of worship in that parking lot, that the name of Jesus was being lifted up, and that was what mattered most.

My most treasured memory of Ray was how every time I called him and asked how he was doing, he always answered, “Is Jesus on the throne?  Well, then, I must be okay.”  Ray had gone through two bouts with cancer that almost took his life – I still remember being a college student attending his church and seeing the “Pray for Ray” bumper stickers – and had come away knowing that no matter how bad things got, as long as Jesus was still Lord, he was going to be all right.  Just like the Apostle Paul, Ray had learned the secret of being content in all situations:  “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).  He would never be guaranteed health or wealth, but he would always be guaranteed that His Lord was in charge of his life, and that was enough for Ray.

I miss Ray already.  I don’t yet know what will become of Isaiah 58 ministry.  I don’t know if the people were lined up last Saturday, waiting for a blue van that never showed, or whether the volunteers are carrying on the ministry in Ray’s absence.  I suppose this is still a question to be figured out.  But whatever happens with the ministry, I know that we will all miss Ray so much.  I loved it whenever he and Linda showed up at NewLife, and was always happy to give him a few minutes to share what God was doing “on the street.”  He always had a twinkle in his eye and joy in his heart as he shared excitedly about how God was transforming lives.

I’m not sure what the future will hold for the ministry, and I’m sure that Linda and his daughters Robin & Jillian have even more questions.  But no matter what the future holds, I thank God that I can still hear Ray’s words echoing in my ears – “Is Jesus still on the throne?  Well, then, I must be okay.”

We would love for you to help us remember Ray and bless Linda and her daughters.  We will be collecting stories and pictures that you may have from the years you have known him, and compiling them into a little memory book for Linda.  If you have a story to share, please send it to me, post a comment on the blog, or both.  Also, Linda is planning a Celebration of Life service for Ray that will happen in either March or April but has not been planned yet.  As soon as I know the date, I will pass it along.  Praise God for sharing with us His servant, Ray Labbe.

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