"When Jesus saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, 'A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.'" --Matt. 9:36-8
My take-away from yesterday's trip was how many people are just barely surviving and thankful for just about any assistance they receive. From the first man I met, Al, from New Orleans, to Robert, off 4th and Alameda, everyone was just eking out an existence.
Just down the street about 70 yards from the fire station on Olive was a man named John right before the corner of Pico. He was laying down on the sidewalk with his shopping cart next to him. On his cart was a pair of crutches. I had already called out to him to ask if he was hungry. Without even looking up he answered me and started to get up. If I had known what a struggle it was for him to get over to me I would have gotten out myself (although that's not a quick thing for me anymore either). Anyway, while he was starting to get up I remembered a guy I met a couple of years ago right about where this man was who had a wheelchair next to him while he was sleeping. It was an early Sunday morning, about 9 am that day. That man had only one leg and told me the 'authorities' found him passed out one day and when he woke up he was in the hospital and they had amputated his leg! What a horror that must have been. So when I saw this man yesterday and the crutches I had flashbacks of the other guy and was hoping this guy had both legs. Anyway, when he did get up, he used the shopping cart as a crutch to get over to the car. I could see getting around to even get a free meal at the missions required a tremendous effort for this man. I was happy to provide some relief for him.
Just around the corner from this man is a parking lot with an alley going through the middle. From time to time there are people living in the alley up against some of the buildings on the far end. Usually, they get run out after awhile when too much 'homeless stuff' starts collecting there. Anyway, I drove down the alley and gave some food to a man named Carlos. Just past him on the other side was a make-shift 'home' and someone was looking out the opening (doorway). I think they had seen me giving food to Carlos so I couldn't very well pass this person up. It turned out to be a woman in her late fifties (I'm guessing). She went by the name of Angel. There was a wheelchair blocking the doorway. I'm not sure if it was for her or just to block the entry way. She started telling someone to 'get back in there' and that someone turned out to be her dog, "Princess". So she was Angel and her dog was Princess! Angel was very outgoing with a big smile that revealed a lot of missing teeth. Like the front four were completely gone. Yet, she was radiant and thankful for the help I gave her. I'm going to check on her again next week.
I've been looking for John Stokes for the last few weeks. The place under the freeway where he has been camped for the last five years that I've known him has undergone some renovation. There is now a chain-link fence where he was staying so he has moved. I think I've found where he is now, but the last two weeks I have called out to him under the make-shift shelter and he hasn't answered. So he is either asleep or 'out'. I wanted to follow up with him on his Social Security payments. His birthday was last week and he's now 66 years old. Last year they told him he wasn't old enough to start receiving benefits. He's hoping it's this year.
I helped a few others near where I think John lives and then headed down to where Robert lives by the mini-truck stop on Alameda before 4th. He was there and I was able to give him some jeans and a shirt. I asked him what size shoes he wore and he told me 13's. I'll have to look around for some that size. I don't get that size donated very often. I prayed with Robert and told him I'll look out for stuff he can use. Yes he got food and water too.
I then drove on over to McArthur Park. There was a street festival going on with a live band and the street that separates the two sides of the park was blocked. That meant there was NO PLACE to park. I drove back down to 7th and Alvarado and could see that the Spanish speaking Jewish man was giving one of the other street preachers a hard time. I decided it wasn't my day to go to the park. Until next time. --John
Monday, June 9, 2014
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