| November 27, 2004 Give the man your tunic. That’s exactly what happened today. To set the scene today it was raining and cold. But like the mailman we where down at Can Alley, rain or shine. The first person to come along today was Joseph. Through broken English, Joseph told us he was Polish. He was brought up Roman Catholic and had been blessed by the Pope 14 years ago. For the last 2 months Joseph has been homeless. We gave Joseph a Gospel and some baked potatoes. I told him he had a great name, Jesus’ earthly fathers name. He said yes, Jesus, the Son of God and God. Joseph’s tears where beginning to flow. He was so overwhelmed that someone would show him love; we told him we were there because Jesus loves us and we love him. I asked him if he had a place to stay, he said no; he lived under the bridge. I asked him if he could use a sleeping bag. He said he could. When I brought him the bag, he had to wipe the tears from his eyes. He allowed us to pray for him and thanked us for the potatoes and sleeping bag, the he was on his way. Our old friend George came by next. He thanked us for the sleeping bag that we had given him last week; telling us how much warmer he was now at night. We gave him some baked potatoes and he commented on how delicious they were. We had a good conversation with him regarding what the people on the street could use. He told us mitts and hats. George let us pray for him. We prayed for a job and a warm place to live. Next I was able to give some potatoes to another man. No conversation, name or Gospel this time, but I have planted the seed and hope to see him again next week. Faye was the next person to arrive. She had just lost her job and had been looking for employment. She prayed in front of us for a job. We gave her a Gospel, some baked potatoes, hot chocolate and some loving conversation, and then she was on her way. The final man we met at Can Alley was Jesse. We spent a lot of time with him. I crossed the street and offered him some potatoes. He said what do I do with that I am homeless. You want to give me something, give me your coat I am soaked. I said OK, take it. I emptied the pockets and gave it to him. This shocked him. Jesse was very drunk and very hopeless. I spoke to him of the love of Jesus. He told me that he just wanted to be himself. He invited us up the alley to meet his friends. We walked up the alley and continued to talk to him about the love of Jesus. He asked how? How do I start? I went through the prayer of salvation with him, I asked him to pray it to. But he was not ready. He said he was afraid of nothing. I told him to be afraid of Hell. I told him not to wait to long. I asked Jodi to start heading back with the kids. I spoke with him more about getting to know Jesus, but he could not accept the love. I walked back down the alley to find Jodi witnessing to Raymond. Raymond was saved at 17. Jodi gave him a Gospel and he was on his way. At this point Jesse was back and still wanted to talk. Somehow he brought the conversation around to blankets. I told him I didn’t have any blankets, but I could give him a sleeping bag. He was shocked. He turned down the opportunity to go with Raymond for beer to follow us back to the van to get a sleeping bag. After giving him the bag, he said, you’re serious? I said yes, I give you this because Jesus loves you and so do I. He said I never trusted anyone, but you are all right, I don’t know what to make of you yet. I said good-bye and we left, leaving Jesse standing in the rain, wondering what had just happened to him. Please, pray for him that he finds Jesus and rids himself of alcohol. |