“There was a time when we didn’t get along, cause I thought I was right and he was wrong, still when I laid down at night, I’d hear him get down on his knees and say a little prayer for me” Lyrics from song, “Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore” by Chris Stapleton

Today, we had the privilege of serving 21 people.

• A lot of our friends were not around this morning.  The shelter let them stay in later because of the cold.  We ran into our friend (Enzo) who was maneuvering his wheelchair up the street.  He still amazes us how he can get around the downtown streets.  We gave him our packet of $10 bill/$10 DK card/prayer card.  We were able to give him a jacket, vest, gloves, socks, snacks.  Every time we see him; he always asks us to look out for his friend (Diego) who is also in a wheelchair.  He asked for a pair of boots; when I looked down, he had a pair of old boots on with no lacings.  I told him I will pick up a pair for him.

• We met a new friend (Larry) outside of the shelter.  We started chatting and offered him our packet.  His eyes welled up.  He said he has been at the shelter for 9 months waiting for housing.  He told us he had just turned 73 the day before.  We offered him clothing and snacks, but said our packet of $10 bill/$10 DK card/prayer card was plenty.  It is always nice to have such a positive reaction when we meet a new friend.  Some of our friends can be difficult, but we must remember the mission, as Jim would say, “to bring the love of Christ to those we serve.”  Terry reminded me of this when we spoke this week about a particular difficult friend.  She said, “Jesus never gave up on us”.

• We did run into (Diego), (Enzo’s) friend in a wheelchair; he was at the bus terminal kiosk keeping warm.  He was happy to see us.

• We met up with our friend (Susan) who was with a new friend (JD).  We had not seen her since the summer.  She said it was divine intervention that we met up with her.  She said to her friend (JD) that she hadn’t seen us and was hoping she would.  We pulled over and gave them our packet along with gloves, hats, sweatpants, scarf, snacks.  She asked for a pair of women’s pants and when I gave her a pair of leggings, she started crying and gave me a hug.  We talked about Jim when he used to meet up with her. Reminds me of a line I read, “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”.  We continue the mission of Christ through Jim making ourselves available to our friends on the street.

• Liz continues working with a homeless vet in her hometown, he spoke to her about how he had lost everything from his drinking. She dropped off an AA big book and is trying to get him headed in the right direction. All of our Friends know when they come to a point where they want to make change in their life, they can call us, they have our cell numbers. We can only hope and pray they do.

Thank you to all the people who continue to support this ministry.  Men’s and women’s winter coats are in demand with this stretch of cold weather. Lightly used with no holes would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

God Bless,

Claire and Shaun Teed and Tito

‍

“Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst”. John 4:13, 14