Dark. Damp. Rainy. This particular Wednesday evening was not one that you would want to spend outside. But many people don’t have that choice.
Heads ducked under our hoods, my friends, Sam and I walked towards a collection of tarps and tents at the end of the neighborhood side street. We carried sandwiches, waters and T-shirts for the homeless. As we approached the tent homes, the only sign of people were the collection of clothes, plastic bags and zipped tents but nothing stirred.
Our friend Derek called out to the tents, “We have food and water!”
Nothing happened.
Our other friend, Sarah, repeated, “We brought food and water!”
Then, one tent rustled and a voice murmured.
“What was that?”
“We have sandwiches!”
“I’ll be right there!”
All of a sudden the tents stirred. One side a bulky tarp started to shift. On the other side a light turned on.
One-by-one the individuals made their way out of their makeshift dwellings. We offered food, clothes and prayer. Derek and Sarah greeted them each by name and with a hug. They had built a relationship with them from weeks of coming out and bringing food.
Of those that we encountered, three people made a deep impact upon Sam and I:
Meeting Texas Jack:
From down the street, a man came on a bicycle rode towards us bearing a makeshift backpack made from a garbage sack and broom handle. A black cowboy hat protected his bearded face from the rain. Seeing our collection of supplies that were passing out, he greeted us like fellow-men-at-arms. As we introduced ourselves, he grinned and said, “They call me Texas Jack – I lived outdoors my whole life since the age of 2. I am a true cowboy.”
He shared how he chose this lifestyle and works to help those that don’t have the choice, “I’m Marine for Christ – working the front-lines trying to serve and bring good to these people.”
As we continued to talk about the life on the street and God’s provision, Texas Jack shared what he had learned, “Everyone has to carry their own cross – a lot of people out here need help up but you can’t carry their cross for them God has a plan for them that they can only learn through that experience.”
We closed our conversation in prayer with Texas Jack for protection and provision in this lifestyle.
Meeting Tammy:
Behind us as we said goodbye to Texas Jack, a woman approached carrying a broom and sweeping the drains free from leaves and trash. She too was a member of this tent community. We greeted her and offered her food.
“I’m Tammy – but out here they call me Ma”
As Derek and Sarah asked Tammy about how other people they ministered on the streets were doing, she gave them updates. One was in treatment. The other she hadn’t seen in days and was worried about. Her eyes teared up, “I am worried one day I am going to find him dead out there.”
She was clearly a mother of many. She truly cared for those that lived out on the street with her – she shared advice about how to speak to people on the street that were broken and wounded from a number of experiences. She instructed us on other places we should go to look for those in need. She continued to open about her story which is too detailed to share here but we ended our conversation in prayer for God’s peace and strength.
Meeting Howard:
We made our way back to our car 5 blocks away. We talked to several people on our way back and Howard was the last. He was a tall older man who stepped slowly one foot at a time. He was clearly in a lot of pain. His hands were swollen because of arthritis We had spoken to so many and passed out over 30 sandwiches. But we had run out.
“What would you like?” Sam asked.
“A BigMac!” Howard excitedly requested.
After getting his Big Mac, Howard shared his pains but he confidently stated, “I hurt but things could be a lot worse!”
Although each of these individuals were all so different, they all shared a profound view of life and showed incredible resilience. Each had a view that all of us can learn from.
Texas Jack was choosing a rough lifestyle and yet he chose to take advantage of his choice to serve those in need. What an example of what it means to be a soldier for Christ. He shows how bring practically support to those he finds on the streets. How can we be the hands and feet of Christ?
Tammy, who had every right to look out for herself, had such a heart for those on the street. She was making the best of her situation and loving others. How can we better care for those around that are hurting?
Howard chose to say, “Things could be worse.” Of all the things that he could say – He was homeless and in chronic pain and yet this was his view. Any day where complaints may arise, think only of Howard.
“Things could be worse.”
Our Missionary Lifestyle 