We left Oregon and went up the
coast, one of God’s many creation wonders . . . simply out of this world,
breath taking beauty. We went up Hwy 101
which we didn’t realize the “scenic route.“
(Originally from Texas, Rick used to work for me when I was in the
construction business, before taking his current position as the Director of
Facilities for Everett Housing Authority.) Being at their home was a big giant taste of Texas.
Kathy and I were scheduled to
work at the Everett Rescue Mission, so once we were settled in at Rick and
Ann’s we reported to duty and served in the food line for about 150 men that
night. It was fun. I prayed one on one with some and met some
really nice new friends. I always have
such a difficult time deciding whose story to share, so I hope the ones I chose
will impact you and your opinion of homeless people.
Meet Richard. Richard, like many
other homeless people, had gotten himself into some trouble. Originally from New Orleans, he came to
Everett after Hurricane Katrina. He was
just looking for a new start. Unfortunately, he got into some trouble with his
girlfriend, and she accused him of domestic violence. He says it wasn’t true, that she was just mad
at him and wanted to get him into trouble.
You hear all kinds of stories out here, and you never know which ones
are true, but I did believe him. But, the government doesn’t take too kindly to
domestic violence cases, so he can’t get
any help from the government. He really
was not a bad guy at all, just needs a chance. He is a Christian, and we prayed
together. I still talk to him on the
phone. Praying for you, Richard.
Now Meet Irving. I met Irving in
the food line while serving in the kitchen.
Irving is a transplant from New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina as
well, but he and Richard didn’t know
each other until they got to Everett.
Can you believe it? Irving has a
special place in my heart too. I went
and got him every day, and he went with us as our tour guide in Seattle, (as
that’s where he first lived after coming to Washington.)
We went on the streets and
ministered to the homeless with food, toiletries and the Bible, and Irving came
right along. I loved it that he worked
right beside us. He stays at the mission
because he has no work, but he’s trying to get some benefits. He’s very determined not to be homeless, and
I believe he will succeed.
He’s full of the Lord, love and
life. Can’t wait to see what he does
next. I still speak to him several times a week. He is one of my many true brothers in Christ.
And finally, Meet Bigg Al. One
day I went out to hit the streets while Kathy stayed home to do computer
work. I’d already been on the streets a
few days so I knew where to go in Everett to find the homeless. I pulled up where they were and there was a
guy with an SUV parked, giving out toiletries and snacks. Well, of course, I had to see what was going
on so I went over to his vehicle. When I
walked up, the homeless ladies saw me, and they all approached me. I started talking to one of them in
detail. After I heard her story, I
started to pray for her as she sat on the back of Bigg Al’s SUV, and I laid
hands on her.
I hadn’t even met Bigg Al yet,
but he didn’t disturb me as I was praying.
But that’s how I met him and here’s his story.
Bigg All had a wonderful
childhood. But as he chased after his
dream in life, he ended up hanging out with the wrong people , and soon found
drugs, Meth to be exact, and was hooked.
Before long, Bigg Al became a drug dealer and was involved in organized
crime. He calls it his own personal
taste of hell.
All of the friends he started this journey with
either died or were arrested. Soon, he
lost everything and was down to just one backpack. He called his ex-wife and
kids out of desperation, and they took him in, took him to church, and he
surrendered his life to the Lord and was filled with the Holy Spirit.
He started helping in his Church’s
ministry, and now works with a group of people who go somewhere every Saturday
to preach the Word to the homeless. Through the week, he does like I do, hits
the streets and gives out things to the homeless
He even brought me two big boxes
of great stuff for me to give out!
Bigg Al is now remarried and works
for the church. I know you hear me say
this all the time, but even when we, the world, have given up on someone ever
being able to get their life straight, God never does. He never does.
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