Hands and Feet

"And now the lost, be welcomed home by the saved and redeemed, those adopted as your own. Let now our hearts burn with a flame, a fire consuming all for your son's holy name."

-Saviour King by United



As I sat at Starbucks the other day, reading, waiting for my disabled clients to arrive, a man walked up to me and asked me if I could spare some change for him. My immediate analysis of this man was that he was another homeless man looking for money to get some booze and get drunk. I told him I didn't have any change to spare and so he walked around and asked other people passing by if they could spare change. He came back to where I was sitting and started talking, but not to anyone in particular, just talking. Suddenly it hit me, this man was lonely, all he's looking for is someone to listen, someone to care. And so I turn my chair around and acknowledge him, and he begins to tell me his story. He was an engineer back in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina. When Katrina struck New Orleans he had lost his home, his cars, and his land. He only received a small amount of relief money, compared to the thousands of dollars he was now in debt with from his job being destroyed and bills that he was not able to pay as a result of it. He hitchhiked all the way from New Orleans and was trying to get to a friend who lived in San Francisco to see if he could get work. For about 30 minutes we talked, more so I listened, as he told me stories of him back in New Orleans, his rusted voice resonating with nostalgia from a few years ago of what it was like before the hurricane and what it was like after. I reached in my back pocket and pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to that man. I could feel his appreciation instantly as he thanked me. He got up and went to walk into Subway to get some food, and as he went turn and walk he looked at me with sincerely thankful eyes and said, "I will remember you." "What's your name?" I asked the man. "My name's Ron." "Well my name's Michael." "Pleasure to meet your Michael." "God bless Ron." "Thank you." And with that he headed into Subway to get a much needed meal.


Hours later I was walking around with my disabled clients and saw 3 young teenagers. Their clothes were worn, their eyes seemed a bit tired from traveling. I walked up to them and introduced myself. We got to talking and I found out that Evan was from Minnesota, Natasha was from Maine, and Adam was from Los Angeles. All three hop freight trains as a way of getting around the country. They told me stories, of how they got to doing this. I simply listened, didn't judge them or try to force any spiritual formulas on them, just loved them and accepted them. I also found out the food they were eating was from a dumpster. They didn't have much money and were waiting for another freight train to take them to LA that would be leaving on Sunday. I pulled out a twenty dollar bill and gave it to them and offered them my place to shower, freshen up, and cook them a hot meal. After work they came with me and made themselves at home. My roommates Brandon, George and Janet joined in and offered their food and cooked as well. They loved them and accepted them. I found a box of clothes I had not unpacked yet from my move and told them to pick whatever they wanted. You could see it, the feeling of being accepted, of feeling like they mattered in their eyes and subtle smiles. They were so happy to be watching tv, Evan told me that it had been so long since he watched "The Simpsons", one of his favorite shows. Adam was in awe playing the Wii, he had never played it before. Natasha and I talked about music and how you can only take so much grindcore music before you have to listen to another genre of music. Later on that night I came home from church with a ton of chocolate bars for them, I figured they could use a sugar rush. They ended up staying the night, and as I was about to head to bed I asked if there was anything else I could do, Adam looked up at me and said "you've done so much, we're all thankful for your hospitality." And with that I said goodnight and headed to bed. But before I dozed off, God spoke to my heart and through silence I heard his words, "This is what it means to be My hands, My feet. This is what it means to feed my sheep. This is how you say you love ME. This is how you build a community, this is how you lead people back to ME."

The next day I woke up early to head out to the city to visit my brother. I had a feeling I wouldn't be seeing them when I got home so I wrote them a letter. It was nothing fancy, but sincere. I told them how much I enjoyed their company, their conversations, and how glad I was that they could share a part of their lives with me and my roommates. I also told them that I would keep them in my prayers, and that God truly loves each on of them.
After a long day I came home to find a letter from each of them, my heart smiled at their words, reminding me that what you do....echoes in eternity.


Dez,
I can't thank you enough for your hospitality. Having a warm place to stay and shower can definitely make a huge difference. I was feeling pretty burnt out, sitting in the same place for days, and I'm definitely ready to face the world (and the train yard) again. I don't have anything for you other than my thanks but it is sincere and your kindness is truly appreciated. At times people can be cruel, and it's folks like you who restore my faith in humanity. Take care, I'll drop you a line on my space. Thank you so much!

Natasha


Yo Dez thank you sooo much. I patched up my pants so I left the other ones here. Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Adam


Thank you again for your never-ending kindness in bringing us in and having us as your guests. We'll surely never forget your generosity and be sure to keep in touch. Keep the faith up, man.

Evan

P.S. Your roommates are great too, give them our thanks, especially Janet for the bag of food!



"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."

-Matthew 25:35&36