Building relationship through trust.

November 27, 2022

Building relationship through trust.

As we go into the streets to make the love of God known, we have been trying to avoid crowds. We are better able to learn people’s names and stories when we meet them one on one. Unfortunately, that’s not always possible. As we pulled up to the bridge where our friends, Peter and Rachel reside, a crowd of nearly twenty people formed.

We knew most of them by name and they certainly knew us;“Oh my God, I’m so happy to see you.” Another person asks, “Can I get another packet for my friend. She can’t stand and walk.”This is a frequent request and we always say,“Of course.”Some have questioned our decision, saying,“How do you know they’re not taking a second packet for themself?”We answer,“We can only build relationship by trusting people, not by questioning their honesty.”

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”Proverbs 11:24-25

On the Streets Ministry - The Sunday following Thanksgiving Day.

We have known Sue since God inspired On the Street Ministry. She is a small, middle-aged woman who suffers from seizures. Dysentery is one side-effect of her seizure medication. Most of her day is spent lying down. When we arrive, she rises with difficulty to accept our gifts and encouragement. For over a year, Sue has taken up “residence” under the bridge. Several weeks ago, the highway department conducted a periodic cleanup of items left by the homeless. Sue’s blankets and other personal items were swept away. We were concerned since we hadn’t seen Sue since the cleanup.

It was late in the day, and we had been blessed with interacting and helping 54 women and men. We had one packet left (a $10 bill, a $10 DD gift card, and our prayer card) left to give out. We saw someone ahead huddled on the sidewalk.

With great joy we both exclaimed, “It’s Sue!” Bright eyed and smiling, she came to her feet. We said,” We have been so worried about you! Where have you been?” Sue shared that she had been “staying around.” We knew to leave it at that. We told her she looked wonderful. Smiling and upbeat, she truly did look transformed. Sue told us her doctor had finally stabilized her seizure medication. She was feeling so much better. Then she excitedly told us a wonderful Thanksgiving story. On Thanksgiving morning, a Haitian woman stopped to speak with her. The woman invited Sue to her home. When they arrived, Sue was offered the use of the bathroom where she was afforded “the luxury” of lounging in a warm bath. The woman then gave Sue some of her own clothes. Later in the day, the woman’s daughter and son arrived along with the son’s girlfriend. Sue joined the family at the kitchen table for a “sumptuous” Thanksgiving meal. Sue went on to tell us, “After the kids left, Maria and me sat in the living room. Me on one couch and her on the other. We talked and then started to watch a movie.” With an infectious grin, she then told us, “But we both fell asleep.”

“Suffering is the mother of compassion; the love of God’s people is not restrained by borders, race or nationality.”