Bigg Al, Bigg Hearts, and a Bigg Taste of Texas

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.“

We were supposed to go to Portland next, but we rearranged our schedule a bit to accommodate our hosts’ schedule. We spent our 9 days in Everett, WA, at the home of my friend, Rick, and his wife, Ann. 

(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.

Easy to Judge the Homeless - Easy to Judge Their Families - Eugene, OR

We got to Eugene early one evening only to discover that God, once again, had given us a wonderful CHEAP hotel with two, yes I said TWO bedrooms, clean and decent. Just around the corner from the hotel as we came in we saw homeless under the bridges.  Boy I got excited.  (I guess most people wouldn’t be excited about their hotel being just around the corner from the local homeless population, but well . . . you know.)

Eugene ended up being a “stopover” for us because we’d sent email  after email with letters of reference for weeks and either didn’t receive a response or got a “no” you can’t stay here and/or “no” you can’t speak or serve here BUT GOD still had plans for us to see homeless there.  I have to say that since I listen to the Holy Spirit to lead me and people say “no” but God says “yes”, I still go.

The next morning, we got up after sleeping in a bit, (we were so tired and Kathy was so sick.)  Once we loaded up and started out of town, we started looking for the homeless.  BUT GOD had me drive by a small, but nice park right under two freeways.  I saw groups of homeless, so I stopped.  The first group was two guys and a girl so I got some peanut butter crackers and some Bibles and headed across the street to talk with them.  You never know what you’re going to get when you walk up to somebody, sweet grapes or sour grapes, I still just go…

They received me well.  All of them really loved it in Eugene.  They said it was kind of a hippie town and laid back.  I spoke to the girl for a while.  She is from California.  She’d left Eugene and went home to California but just had to come back.  She said it was easier to be homeless in Eugene than it was in California.  The other two guys were born and raised in Eugene.  

Drugs were the problem for all three of them.  One guy loved heroine but they ALL loved pot, and I’m not kiddin’.  The one who loved heroine pulled out a BIG zip lock bag and they started rolling joints.  I knew it was time for me to leave because they were firing them up, and I wanted no part of it.  I managed to stay out of trouble for 57 years and wasn’t about to get into it by association and the Holy Spirit pulled me away. 

I got back in the car and drove to the other side of the park.  I saw a pleasant looking older guy so I got my standard crackers and Bible and set out to talk to him.  What a pleasant person he was.

You know when you see those people oozing the Lord?  Paul was that guy.  He glowed from ear to ear.  He said “Sit down, let’s talk.”  As he was eating his peanut butter crackers I started talking to him about what I was doing and why I came to talk to him.  

Of course I started to ask my famous question “Why are you homeless?”  He said “my unemployment money ran out 16 months ago but I’ve been unemployed since 2007” so he just sleeps on the street.  He had a Safeway shopping cart full of his clothes and his foam mattress and blankets.  He also had two little Chihuahuas.  He sure does love them.  He told me he doesn’t trust anyone on the streets and the only thing he really loves are these two male Chihuahuas.

 

It was an exceptionally happy day for Paul today because at 5 p.m. a man who had a bike with a custom made trailer behind it was getting rid of it and was going to give it to him so he could get rid of his basket and have a place for his puppies to ride on with him and to keep his stuff more secure.  He said he kept to himself all the time because he didn’t want any trouble from anyone. 

He said Jefferson Park was the right park for me to come to as there were all kinds of homeless there.  He said this was a big park and on the other side of the bridge was where all the “meanness” was and “do NOT go there.”  I prayed with him for peace as he really already had it, but just wanted it to be confirmed and he wanted plenty of food for his puppies.  He said that he had everything he needed because God was in his life, and he was happy.  About that time a friend of his came up to the picnic table by the name of Todd.

I found out that Todd was the real reason I was in Eugene for. Todd had spent his life in and out of trouble and wound up in prison at an early age.  It’s sad that at such a young age you can’t leave drugs and alcohol alone and steal to get money for those habits. I had a real connection with him.  He was seeking answers. 

He’s only 45 and still doesn’t know for sure his journey.  He loves the Lord and knows He’s the Way but still needs guidance.  Todd was released from prison 8 years ago.  Initially his parents helped him, but he relapsed and they washed their hands of him.  He wants so badly to get reconnected with his family, but he just can’t get clean.

 

I prayed with him for direction and for help to get out of his current situation.  And I prayed for him to be reunited with his family. I think sometimes it’s easy to judge, both sides of the fence.  Easy to judge the homeless, easy to judge their families.  But really, we can’t judge any of them.  Just love them.

-Sammie

"I Guess God Paid For Your Room" - Klamath Falls

Well, folks, I am gradually catching up on our stories from the road. Today I want to tell you about a quick stop on our journey, Klamath Falls.  We arrived in Klamath Falls late one day.  Kathy wasn’t feeling well so after check in, she took medicine and went to bed.  I went out on my own to see what I could find.  I went to the Klamath Falls Rescue Mission where I spoke with some of the homeless people, both in the mission and out on the street.

I don’t remember how many days we were there, but on the last day, I went in to pay for the previous night we had stayed and met a lady by the name of Brenda.  She was really busy but I had talked to her about paying my bill.  

She looked in the computer and couldn’t find where we had been in the room that previous night.  She did find the first night but not the second.  She kept trying to find it but couldn’t.  She asked me how my stay was and asked if I was there on vacation.  I told her what I was doing while she was working with the computer trying to find us.

She said “Oh my!  I’ve been praying for somebody I could talk to about my situation.  It’s got to be you!”  So we went through what her prayer needs were, and she asked for prayer for herself and her daughter.  I have to tell you, we had a big Texas-size God party right there in that office.

After we prayed, she still couldn’t find our name.  She looked at me and said, “I guess God just paid for your room.”  She said she’d never seen the computer do that, and I just smiled and said “Thank you Jesus.”  Brenda’s even called me since I left there, just for prayer.

I knew this was another blessing from my Father. We left that morning and went to Eugene, Oregon.

- Sammie

What Happens When a Meth Addict Rides a Bike in Reno?

We got to Reno late afternoon and met our Hostess, Tammy, at the Prayer House.  Tammy is the Women’s Services Coordinator.  She took us to the Men’s Center where the men and women eat.  She introduced us around and told them we would be there to help them the next day.  We were invited to eat dinner with them at the shelter and then we went back to the Prayer House and met all the ladies and got settled in.

The Prayer House has one section for women off the street to come in, nightly, to stay.  Both single women and women with children.  The other side houses approximately 14 women that are in the Mission’s program.  They are all remarkable women trying to get their lives back.  Over the time we were there, we spoke with each and every one of them, and by the time the week ended, we had grown very close to these girls.

Our first morning there we went with the ladies to the Men’s Center dining room for breakfast and then we joined all the program attendees (men and women) in Chapel.  After Chapel, Paul (Food Services Manager) gave us a tour of the Men’s Center and Kitchen, where we signed up to serve.  Kathy served in the kitchen, and I was Prayer Chaplin.

On Wednesday, I had the honor of being the Chaplin for the morning chapel service.  It was packed, word had gotten around for everyone to be there if possible and they were!  Joan and Dwight Grover had come from the corporate office that morning to set up everything for me and had made it special.  Joan is a photographer and social media person (Director of Communications.)  Dwight is Worship Team Leader.  Chapel had a wonderful praise and worship team made up of both men and women from the program.

When chapel was over, the four of us (Joan, Dwight, Kathy and I) went out on the streets to pray with all the homeless that congregate in the area around the mission. Joan wanted to take pictures as she said “I want to see you in action and take some pictures.”  So…I started doing my talking and praying with people.  I ran across a lady named Heather.  She gave her heart to the Lord right there on the street.  Joan took pictures of it and heard it.  

(Heather’s picture is the one with me in the article Joan wrote for the Reno-Sparks Mission web site.  You can view this article on their Facebook page at Facebook.com/renomission.  It’s on their home page dated April 4, 2013.  They have over 1200 hits on their page from this article alone, the most they’ve ever had for one article. It’s a great article, please check it out.)

We also went to the corporate office and the warehouse to meet the Executive Director, Rick Redding.  Rick is quite a nice guy and really knows his business.  He gave us a tour showing us all they do to recycle EVERYTHING possible both to make money and save money for the missions work. They recycle TV’s, computers and even boxes and clothes no one wants.  You’d have to see what they do to believe it.  It’s quite an amazing operation.  

The mission has several thrift stores, one of which I visited.  It was quite amazing.  They sold everything from A to Z and, if I was fortunate enough to have a house, I could go there and fill it up cheap.

After the tour, we left and hit the streets to talk to the homeless.  Reno has more homeless than you would think since the weather there is so cold much of the year.  There are several other places that help the homeless there but, definitely, Reno-Sparks Gospel Rescue Mission is outstanding.

I met some incredibly special people, with incredible stories I want you to hear, but this post is already getting long, so you’ll just have to wait and read them in the book!

But I do want to give you a quick story about Tammy.

Tammy is in charge of Prayer House operated by the mission.  The ladies there call her “Mama” and she in very well respected.  In 2004, Tammy was a meth addict by day and a casino employee by night.  Eventually, as is often the case, she lost everything.

On a hot sweaty day, out on her bike she stopped in front of a casino and just broke down, whaling for a very long time, broken and hurting with tourist going by and no one helped, asked God to help “Have your way God however you want.”

Getting high wasn’t fun anymore.  She wasn’t living.  She was just existing.

Tammy remembers bargaining with God while on the bike saying “Get me out of this and I promise I’ll go back to church.”

She ended up at the Reno-Sparks Gospel Rescue Mission.  While there, God came to her in the shelter and showed her a vision of her whaling on the bike saying she’d do anything if He took care of her. She went into bathroom to talk to God and said “OK God, I’ll give you a shot.”  Then she took her glass pipe, rolled it in paper and crushed it on the floor.

That was 2004, and this is 2013, and she’s still at the mission.

When Tammy got out of the program they asked her to stay, and put her in charge of dispatching the trucks to pick up donations and deliver to resale shops. Then she was asked to be the Women’s Services Coordinator where she’s in charge of all the women in the Women’s Program.  She oversees anything and everything to do with the women in the shelter. 

When asked, Tammy said,  “My favorite thing is when a woman graduates from the program and to watch God transform her right before my eyes.  I get to see the women come in broken and hurting with all these scars and when she leaves I get to see what God has done.  That’s the best blessing, to watch the transformation happen.”  “My advice to an addict reading this is, I would ask you are you living or are you existing?  Because if you are existing, you’re probably not living.  I know someone who can give you life and that’s Jesus.”

Now, do me a favor, scroll back up and look at the picture of Tammy.  In 2004, she was a strung out Meth Addict that the world had given up on.  I imagined she looked much different than her picture above.  No one would give her a second look back then. But God looked beyond what we can see with human eyes and He saw "this" Tammy.  HE never gives up on anyone.  I wish we could see through His eyes.

Sidenote: - I know we are behind in our stories.  We're catching up!  But the work on the street takes precedence over the work on the computer!  Keep reading, keep sharing, give when you feel led, and keep praying!

-Sammie