"As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has--or ever will have--something inside that is unique to all time. It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression."
Fred Rogers...aka Mr. Rogers
For those who do not live here in Southern California it has been raining a lot the last few days. On Friday the forecast, while it was raining heavily, was rain pretty much continually for the next 4 days. I began to wonder if I would be able to make a trip downtown at all this weekend. When it's raining, people find places to hide to get out of the rain. Not only are your clothes wet, but unless you have a waterproof tent or tarp, all your stuff gets wet too. You're then colder than you would be and even more miserable for days afterwards until you dry out. The next day, Saturday, (it was still raining) while at work I decided I would go no matter what. I came to the conclusion that those people I did find would be really glad and thankful I found them despite the rain. So after work, I stopped by the store and got the stuff I'd need to make sandwiches and Sunday afternoon I drove on down. It was raining a little bit when I left and I hit a downpour in Alhambra, but slowed to very light drizzle by the time I got to Los Angeles.
The first guy I helped was sitting on the sidewalk under the freeway trying to sleep. Apparently, not very soundly because when I asked him if he was hungry he practically bolted over to the car. I had gotten off the freeway at the Santa Fe/Mateo exit because I wanted to see if I could find Alan as I drove through that part of town. Sure enough, along the way I found him resting and sitting on a small pillow on the sidewalk (the sidewalk was wet). I had to turn around and drive back to get to him. I've known Alan for several years now and have shared with you before that he doesn't talk much. I called out to him as I was positioning my car near where he was and he came over. I immediately noticed that he didn't have a shirt on under the sport coat he had on. I gave him a couple of sandwiches and a couple bottles of water and asked him if he wanted a shirt. He nodded yes and I got one out of the trunk for him. I had some socks and asked him if he needed a pair. He actually said "Yes" to that. During my visit with him I put my arm around his shoulders and told him I loved him. As I drove away I wondered how many years its been since anyone has said those words to him. I'm sure it's been a very long time. Here's his picture from today.
Alan
I went over to 10th and San Pedro St and saw my friends who live there. Last week I didn't stop there because I was all out of food before I could get to them. These folks have suffered greatly in the rain. There is a small awning that they live under and it leaks. It seems the tarps and blankets I give them get stolen repeatedly and now I'm pretty much out of both of those items. They are looking forward to warmer and dryer weather....and soon.
On the last trip that I wrote a blog about (January 1st) I told about two women I have tried to help each time I come downtown the last 2-3 months. One was Carmen who told me she was abducted at 12 years old and forced to work on the street. I saw her last week and again today. I learned a few more details about her ordeal which lasted seven years. The other woman was Maria. I didn't see her today, but spent twenty minutes or so with her last week. I showed her pictures of my family that were on my phone. She seemed very grateful to me spending time with her and sharing the pictures and conversation (such as it is with her limited English and my limited Spanish). I have a couple of pictures of these ladies, Carmen from today and Maria from a couple weeks ago. Now you have a face to put with the names and stories. Please pray for each of these women: First is Maria and then Carmen.
So after I found Carmen today I was about a block or so away from where Maria lives in her van. But when I got there, Maria was nowhere to be found. There is a church on a corner near there that I spend time praying for when I'm down there and while I was parked there it started to rain heavily. At that point, it became nearly impossible to find people needing help as they were all someplace out of the rain. I drove around for about another 20-25 minutes until the rain let up and finally found Becky. She is another homeless woman I've now known for at least 6-7 years. I had two sandwiches left and I gave them both to her. I was glad she got them and she was happy to receive them. She told me she was very hungry. Although the rain had let up and barely drizzled at all on the way home, the traffic was a mess and it took twice as long as normal to get home. But I got home safely and just as the coin toss for the football game was about to start. After all, it is Super Sunday and it's Super to do God's work any day of the week. Next week my work week switches back to nights for the next four months. I won't get off work until 7 am Sunday mornings and will have to sleep when I get home. It will make these trips very difficult for me until we switch back to daylight savings time in another month. Please pray for my health and energy levels. --Until next time. John
PS. I began this blog with a quote from Mr. Rogers about saying yes. Initially, I was only thinking about how difficult it would be for me to find people to help in the rain. Then I started thinking about those I would find and how they would feel to be found! What a privilege it is to help those in need and let them know someone cares about them when things are at there worst.
Thank you God for John O...Thank you for His servant's heart for the least of these, in Your eyes God, the Most!
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