Cold and rainy

Saturday Morning June 3, 2023

“Leo’s right ankle was tightly wrapped in cardboard, held in place by duct tape.”

We saw two men sitting in a doorway. When the smaller man stood, it was clear that his leg was injured, and he was in pain. We sounded the horn to get their attention and waved to them. Not knowing us or our motives, they approached cautiously. We introduced ourselves, held out our packet and asked if they could use some help. Seeing the $10 bill and Dunkin gift card they relaxed and sincerely expressed their gratitude. They introduced themselves as Leo and Greg. Leo’s right ankle was tightly wrapped in cardboard, held in place by duct tape. We asked him what had happened. Leo told us he had been doing day work for a small local contractor and hurt his leg when he slipped while on a roof. (Small local uninsured contractors regularly seek out homeless men to do unskilled labor for a day or two for low wages-cash.) As he limped away, Leo told us, “This makeshift splint keeps getting wet and falls apart. I need money to go to a drugstore and get a real support bandage.” A local pastor had recently asked his parishioners to donate any gift certificates they had laying around their house to On the Street Ministry. Among our stack of gift certificates were several to local pharmacies. We handed Leo two $10 pharmacy gift cards. Amazed that we could provide for his needs, he thanked us and waved until we were out of sight.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19