A lonely memorial to a kind soul

Sunday, November 6, 2022
We were privileged to serve 44 people

“No place to lay their heads!”

On Sunday we encountered our homeless friend, Harry. He shared, with winter fast approaching, that he and Laverne have been desperately searching for an apartment they can afford. A man offered them an efficiency apartment for $800 a month. Their combined Social Security checks total $1400. It would mean a very tight budget, but they thought they could make it work with the little extra they earn from collecting cans and bottles. Several days later, they were told that someone had offered to pay $1,200 a month for that very same apartment. The landlord told Harry and Laverne they had first choice at the higher rate. Sadly, they had to decline as that would leave them only $200, plus their “canning money” to cover food and other expenses for the month. Many people think drugs and alcohol are the primary cause of homelessness; those reasons do exist. However, a greater contributing factor to homelessness is that poor people have been priced out of the housing market. Bob, one of our “challenged,” elderly, and homeless friends, receives a monthly supplemental Social Security payment of $623 a month. The going rate for a single room with a shared bath in the hallway is on average $225-$250 a week. Bob does not do well staying at the homeless shelter because of issues he has socializing with others. Therefore, each night, in summer heat or winter cold, Bob searches for an abandoned car to sleep in. Even if Bob could find a room to rent weekly (which are hard to come by), he could really only afford two weeks a month.

“Homeless people are also made in the image of God.”

“This isn’t really living – it’s just barely existing.”

The help we have offered to folks over the past couple of years has opened the hearts and minds of scores of people we have met on the street. We have been able to develop friendships and trust with many people who are homeless. Paul and Beverly have an alcohol problem. They talked to us recently about “getting straight” and their desire to “get off the street.” We encouraged them and assured them of our prayers (and yours). Last Sunday after sharing with them, Paul and several others thanked us and then drifted off, but Beverly stayed behind. With tears streaming down her face, she told us, “This isn’t really living – it’s just barely existing.” We assured Beverly that there is a way out and encouraged her to talk with Paul. We gave her a cell number and told her to call us if they decided to try to get sober. “There is help available,” we said “but only you can make the decision. Please just pray on it and we and many others will too.”

“Wealthy is the person who is blessed by the prayers of a friend.”