As I was driving on the on ramp to highway 10, I looked to my right and saw the scene above. Some people had set up a shelter and where living in the woods. These people were right off the highway. It was 35 degrees outside and it was afternoon, so nights were colder. I stopped to see if anyone was “home” and talked with a woman who was about 35 – 40 years old. She and two guys were living there she said.
When I stopped I had some granola bars and fruit I could offer her but nothing to help with the cold. That night when I got home I posted on Facebook about meeting some new friends and their needs, since it was cold and they were living outside. I collected some blankets, hats, gloves, warm clothing and food for my new friends. I stopped by to drop off supplies 1-2 times a week after meeting the woman about 2 weeks before Thanksgiving.
I knew that I could easily be in the same place where this woman and two men were: homeless, sleeping outside, doing whatever they are able for work each day, to meet their needs for that day. I am technically homeless. If I did not have the supportive community that I do, I also could be permanently living outside, without a source of income and food.
I kept stopping by to drop off supplies once or twice a week but no one would be “home” when I stopped. I would tuck the food, supplies and note of encouragement into the rain fly of the orange tent to protect it from the weather. Two weeks before Christmas, I left work early and went to the grocery store, then stopped by to see these friends. The area where they had been living was completely cleared: no tent, no tarps, no trash. At first I was devastated. Did the police come and make these people move on? What happened?
As I prayed about this situation over the next few days, I was filled with hope and not despair for these 3 people. Why did them moving locations have to be a negative thing? Maybe they were helped by the police to get into a housing program or maybe a friend offered them a room to stay in?
The Lord taught me through this situation that I have to trust Him. He alone knows what happened to these three people, where they are at this very moment. I need to lift them up in prayer, asking for safety and provision and I need to trust Him, because He is faithful and cares for them even more than I do.
Tina, despite your own hardships, you stopped to help these people. You are really feeding Jesus and helping Jesus. He said that when you do it for the least of these, you are doing it unto me. You are the hands and feet of Jesus. You are truly a light in the darkness. I am inspired. God bless you.
Lilian is right! You were the hands and feet to these three, a true angel. The angels came to the shepherds, considered lowly. Who else would go to them first but the Lord?! Now you turn to speak love to the lowly. He turns things upside-down, as I know you do and will! 🙂