The Homeless plan ahead

January 1, 2023
45 people served-50 degrees

The Homeless plan ahead

As we headed into the street on New Year’s Day, it was sunny and the temperature read nearly 50 degrees. We commented, “There won’t be much call for gloves and hand warmers today.” We saw him walking on Main Street. Pulling over, we held out our packet and asked, “Excuse me, could you use a little help?” Seeing the $10 and the DD card, he answered, “Absolutely! Thank you!” We extended our hand and introduced ourselves. Shaking our hand, he replied, “My name is Fred.” We asked, “Could you use a stocking hat and some gloves?” Fred thanked us. We said, “How about a blanket and some hand warmers?” Fred excitedly accepted everything we offered. Then he said again, “I can’t thank you enough. The weather is nice right now, but all this stuff will be a life saver when I’m trying to sleep under the bridge tonight.”

“We view things differently when we don’t live with a roof over our head and a thermostat to adjust.”

“I wear it in memory of my mom”

Three young homeless men recognized us by the On the Street Ministry sign on our truck. As they approached, we held out our packet and offered them a little help. They expressed their gratitude as we extended the offer to include hats, gloves, and hand warmers. Charlie, the youngest of the group, held back. In an effort to engage him, I complimented him on the pink hoodie he was wearing. “Thanks,” he replied. “I wear it in memory of my mom. She died last year.”

“I never truly understood the words ‘I miss you’ until I needed to hold my mom’s hand and it wasn’t there.”

“God always answers my prayer in some way”

We spotted him pushing his shopping cart down North Main Street. We circled around the block and pulled up next to him. Rolling down the window, we told him our names and asked if he could use some help. “Mike, I’m Mike…Yes, I need help. Whatever you can give me.” Seeing the $10 and DD card, Mike said, “God bless you. Yep, I say my prayers everyday. God always answers my prayer in some way.” He held up the money and the DD card and told us, “See, see? Right now, he just answered my prayer!” Mike went on to tell us that he lives in a tent down next to the scrap yard. He shared, “Those scrap yard people are very nice to me. There are lots of good people.”

“Those who leave everything in God’s hand eventually see God’s hand in everything.”

December 11, 2022