This evening while my husband and I were on the way to our car after dinner we came across a man on a corner playing a guitar and harmonica and singing. I told my husband, maybe we should see if we can help him. He reminded me, not everyone on the corner was homeless.
We passed another man hunkering down in front of a store, surely he can benefit from the package. While looking at my husband I told him that someone was hunkering down for the night and maybe can use one of the care packages that we made. The man was stooped down taking items of out his napsack when I approached, then I held the package out in front of me and said, I have this package and you can have it if you feel you would benefit from it. He began to ask me why I was handing him the package and I responded because I care for people and am wanting to help. "I get that" he said, "But WHY???" At that moment, I looked at him and said, "Because I believe God wants me to do this." He stepped back with a smile on his face and said, "OKAY, what you are doing is a good thing." Then he asked me if I belonged to a charity, "No, my husband and I put these together last weekend." He said the bags look like something he had seen that was given out to homeless individuals on the street. I repeated that we packed these last weekend. He said he didn't want to take the only one I had, I told him there were two more packages in the car so it is not a problem. Then he asked for all three. I was wondering why he was asking me for the other two packages and he began sharing with me how women are exploited on the street and not as resourceful as the men are. Then he asked me if I go to church. I responded, "No, I no longer go to church, but I have HIS word and HIM and that is all I need." The man smiled and said that he really does not need the packages because he has all the items he needs, but the women will need them. He began sharing with me to go to the CVS and see who goes in and out of the store and watch who is hunkering down. See if they are drinking liquor and if they are, then those are the people we don't want to give the packages to. He said what some do is, instead of purchasing the items they need to survive, by giving them a package it frees up money for them to get things they don't need to keep them where they are. Never have I thought of this before, but I am saddened by it. I want to be able to help everyone, but I don't want someone freezing on the street because I enabled them to continue in an addiction or keeping them on the street.
Since it is getting colder outside I asked what things are helpful. He told me that socks, gloves, hats and under garments are important for the women to keep them warm. He shared with me that there are shelters in the area and since it is getting cold, many will be staying in the shelter. He shared with me that there are churches that help and there is a minister that goes to different coffee shops in the area and ministers to them. It has taken a while for them to get used to this minister because they are in a vulnerable situation. The women do not go into the coffee shops, because they are exploited by the men on the streets. He also told me when I give a package to a woman, there is often a man behind her that will indirectly benefit from the package.
I asked him his name and he told me. His voice was very soft and gentle. He told me, the way we can help him is to give him a check for him to do his laundry with the check made out to the laundry mat, but to ask my husband first and go along with my husbands decision. He told me the reason he was asking for a check is because cash does not go to the intended purpose or they get beat up for the cash. (This is true, one of the girls I helped the other week was beat up for the $20 we gave her.)
My husband came over to see what was taking me so long and met him. He payed compliments about me to my wife and told my husband the same things he told me. He was also, very thankful and expressing his gratitude for our willingness to help others. He also, told us that he had $7 cash, but needed $10 do his laundry.
We all said our pleasantries, then my husband and I left. While we were in the car we were discussing if we should give him a check and I REALLY want to, but you have to think of the impact one can have giving a stranger a check. The worse thing they could do is take the routing number and account number to pay for items on the internet. So we thought maybe we can meet up with him tomorrow and meet him at the laundry store to give him the money to do his laundry, but then my husband mentioned that he does have $7. It is not that we don't want to help, but we also want to be careful and keep ourselves safe too.
What would you have done?
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015
A HUGE Disappointment
Everyday I wake up hoping and expecting the best, not just from myself, but from others too. Lately there is so much going on in the media and so many are upset that our government has decided to allow refugees in our country from other places and keep the illegal immigrants here, but are accused of not taking care of our homeless and veterans that need help.
It has been on my heart and I have been taught to help other people, even if it is just doing dishes. So, it is in my nature to help others especially our homeless and veterans.
So, I guess it burns me that I created a fund and shared with family and friends on Facebook about this fund and how the money will be used to help others. I gave them the link to the campaign and I gave them the link to this blog. I AM thankful for the friend that did give, but my hearts is grieved that so many that call themselves believers haven't said ANYTHING about this fund. Also, two of my friends supposedly shared the information on their Facebook walls asking others to pass it around, but I haven't heard anything from that either.
Are we just a nation with a big mouth and nothing backing that big mouth up? I truly am hurt, but will not allow this to deter me from helping the homeless because they need all the help they can get, ESPECIALLY since it is getting cold outside!
I still ask that God will bless all my family and friends.
If you are interested in helping the poor and veterans, please select the link to read about the campaign and/or donate.
It has been on my heart and I have been taught to help other people, even if it is just doing dishes. So, it is in my nature to help others especially our homeless and veterans.
So, I guess it burns me that I created a fund and shared with family and friends on Facebook about this fund and how the money will be used to help others. I gave them the link to the campaign and I gave them the link to this blog. I AM thankful for the friend that did give, but my hearts is grieved that so many that call themselves believers haven't said ANYTHING about this fund. Also, two of my friends supposedly shared the information on their Facebook walls asking others to pass it around, but I haven't heard anything from that either.
Are we just a nation with a big mouth and nothing backing that big mouth up? I truly am hurt, but will not allow this to deter me from helping the homeless because they need all the help they can get, ESPECIALLY since it is getting cold outside!
I still ask that God will bless all my family and friends.
If you are interested in helping the poor and veterans, please select the link to read about the campaign and/or donate.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Ray and the Traveling Man
When I moved to nearby Royal Oak, Michigan, it was an exciting time for me. Royal Oak was like the New York City of Michigan, at least where I am from. The art fairs, art beats and eats, along with so many other things happen in little ol' Royal Oak. On this particular day, I had seen a man in a wheel chair and at first I felt uncomfortable near him because he was holding out a cup asking people for money. I don't know about you, but when someone comes to me so boldly asking for money, I tend to shy off. I did go around him and asked God if I should go back to the man and give him food instead and minister to him. When I went back to the man I asked him his name and he said that his name is Ray and he had been in the area for a few years panhandling, but he lives in Detroit with his sisters who bring him to Royal Oak everyday. My heart was touched speaking with him. He has no legs and looked so exhausted in his wheel chair. I smiled at him after speaking with him and went on my way.
The next time I was in the city, I had seen Ray again and also on the next block a young man with a guitar. He had a sign saying that he was hungry and trying to get back home to Tennessee. I again, prayed about it, walked over to the guy and asked him if he wanted something to eat, I was hungry too. I asked him to hold on a moment and I would be right back. I asked Ray if he wanted something to eat and he told me no, so I went to subway and got two sandwiches, two drinks, and two chips. When I went back to that spot, I walked passed Ray and say, "Ray I have two types of chips here would you like a bag?" "Sure" he said. I gave him a bag of chips along with a bottle of water, or was it a Pepsi. He put the bag next to him in his wheel chair and held his drink, then I asked if he wanted a sandwich and he replied "No".
When I walked away from Ray, I walked to the young man with his guitar and gave him the sandwich, with chips and drink. We began speaking about where he is from and how he got in the situation of looking for a way to get back home to Tennessee. I asked him if he was a Christian, if he believed in God and if he had a bible on him. He opened is backpack and pulled out his bible and we began doing just a little reading. I don't quite remember what we read as it had been so long ago, but he did have a smile on his face. While we were sitting on the ground eating, there were some people that were compassionate to give him coins into his guitar case and a few dollars, but most had looks that could cut you if looks could kill. No one asked what the situation was or how they could help, but kept walking on, with the exception of a few people that gave him coins and cash. Before I left this young man, we prayed and then I went over to Ray.
Ray was still on the corner with his cup looking for change. I asked him if he was OK and if I could help him with anything before I left. He asked if I could open up his bag of chips and feed them to him. I thought to myself, "Ummm, OKAAAYYY". When I had seen him try to feed the chips to himself, it was apparent why he didn't want the sandwich, because these chips were getting on his clothes moreso than in his mouth. So, being the person I am, I helped him. After helping Ray with his chips and drink, we prayed and I went home.
That day two lives were made just a little bit better. Since, I have moved out of state, but when I go back to Michigan, I will be going to Royal Oak, Michigan to check on Ray and keep you updated.
The next time I was in the city, I had seen Ray again and also on the next block a young man with a guitar. He had a sign saying that he was hungry and trying to get back home to Tennessee. I again, prayed about it, walked over to the guy and asked him if he wanted something to eat, I was hungry too. I asked him to hold on a moment and I would be right back. I asked Ray if he wanted something to eat and he told me no, so I went to subway and got two sandwiches, two drinks, and two chips. When I went back to that spot, I walked passed Ray and say, "Ray I have two types of chips here would you like a bag?" "Sure" he said. I gave him a bag of chips along with a bottle of water, or was it a Pepsi. He put the bag next to him in his wheel chair and held his drink, then I asked if he wanted a sandwich and he replied "No".
When I walked away from Ray, I walked to the young man with his guitar and gave him the sandwich, with chips and drink. We began speaking about where he is from and how he got in the situation of looking for a way to get back home to Tennessee. I asked him if he was a Christian, if he believed in God and if he had a bible on him. He opened is backpack and pulled out his bible and we began doing just a little reading. I don't quite remember what we read as it had been so long ago, but he did have a smile on his face. While we were sitting on the ground eating, there were some people that were compassionate to give him coins into his guitar case and a few dollars, but most had looks that could cut you if looks could kill. No one asked what the situation was or how they could help, but kept walking on, with the exception of a few people that gave him coins and cash. Before I left this young man, we prayed and then I went over to Ray.
Ray was still on the corner with his cup looking for change. I asked him if he was OK and if I could help him with anything before I left. He asked if I could open up his bag of chips and feed them to him. I thought to myself, "Ummm, OKAAAYYY". When I had seen him try to feed the chips to himself, it was apparent why he didn't want the sandwich, because these chips were getting on his clothes moreso than in his mouth. So, being the person I am, I helped him. After helping Ray with his chips and drink, we prayed and I went home.
That day two lives were made just a little bit better. Since, I have moved out of state, but when I go back to Michigan, I will be going to Royal Oak, Michigan to check on Ray and keep you updated.
Everybody is Kun-Fu-Fighting
The care packages were not created yet, but I am hoping to go back with many packages and hand
them out while in New York too.
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
King Street Metro
We met at King Street Metro station, she was holding a sign saying that she was homeless and needed some money for food. At first, I walked passed her, but I heard a small voice tell me to go speak to her and give her the cash in my pocket. I walked pass her again back into the station and got the cash out of my pocket, folded it up, put it in my hand, and walked over to her to get to know her.
We introduced ourselves and asked her if she was from the area. She said she moved up here from Charlotte, NC from her mothers home and her dad kicked her out of the house here. I wanted to know why, what happened? But sometimes, we are not supposed to know, just help. I asked if she was in school and she told me that she was going to school for web development, but had to put it on hold because she isn't at a place where she could finish it right now. I asked her if she had interviews and she said she did, but she didn't have clothes for a decent interview. My husband was waiting for me because we were on our way to dinner, so we swapped numbers to keep in contact and prayed.
While my husband and I were waiting for a bus I noticed someone give her a box of donuts from Dunkin' Donuts, that made me smile to know that others are helping.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few weeks later she was on my mind and I called her to see how she was doing. I didn't receive a phone call until several days later asking me to call her back, but I couldn't because I was out of town. So when I came back to town I gave her a call and she said her car had been towed when she was in the hospital.
My husband and I met her at a metro station and I handed her a care package. We took her out to IHOP for breakfast, then went to the tow yard to get her car. On the way there, a homeless man was walking across the street in front of us and I asked if she wanted to give her package to him. She said she was thinking the same thing. I put on my flashers, she got out of the car and handed her package to the man. When we went to the tow yard they were telling us that we couldn't get her car nor pay for the tow until the following day, Monday. She called the tow owner and tried explaining the situation with her. He became nasty with her and she handed her phone to me. I told this man, "First, don't raise your voice with me, I am just trying to help her get her car so she can get to her grandmothers. I don't have my car this week because my husband needs it for work, today is the ONLY day that I can help her. How would you feel if your home was taken away from you? You know God sees and knows and he will bless you whether you believe in him or not. Can you please help me help her? Please, can you help me help her?" He told me to hand the phone to his guys, she was now allowed to get items from her car, we were able to pay for the tow and she was able to get the car from the tow yard the following day.
She had some things to take care of and left her items with us while she took care of some things. We went home and I packed clothes to give her for the winter and interviews along with a new care package. I wanted to give her more clothes, but they wouldn't fit in the bag.
We met her at the King Street Metro station, to give her the items she left with us along with a care package and I prayed with her before we parted ways. The next day she sent me a message telling me that she got her car and was on her way to her grandmothers. When she got to her grandmothers she said thank you and was very appreciative and grateful for the things that were done for her.
We introduced ourselves and asked her if she was from the area. She said she moved up here from Charlotte, NC from her mothers home and her dad kicked her out of the house here. I wanted to know why, what happened? But sometimes, we are not supposed to know, just help. I asked if she was in school and she told me that she was going to school for web development, but had to put it on hold because she isn't at a place where she could finish it right now. I asked her if she had interviews and she said she did, but she didn't have clothes for a decent interview. My husband was waiting for me because we were on our way to dinner, so we swapped numbers to keep in contact and prayed.
While my husband and I were waiting for a bus I noticed someone give her a box of donuts from Dunkin' Donuts, that made me smile to know that others are helping.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A few weeks later she was on my mind and I called her to see how she was doing. I didn't receive a phone call until several days later asking me to call her back, but I couldn't because I was out of town. So when I came back to town I gave her a call and she said her car had been towed when she was in the hospital.
My husband and I met her at a metro station and I handed her a care package. We took her out to IHOP for breakfast, then went to the tow yard to get her car. On the way there, a homeless man was walking across the street in front of us and I asked if she wanted to give her package to him. She said she was thinking the same thing. I put on my flashers, she got out of the car and handed her package to the man. When we went to the tow yard they were telling us that we couldn't get her car nor pay for the tow until the following day, Monday. She called the tow owner and tried explaining the situation with her. He became nasty with her and she handed her phone to me. I told this man, "First, don't raise your voice with me, I am just trying to help her get her car so she can get to her grandmothers. I don't have my car this week because my husband needs it for work, today is the ONLY day that I can help her. How would you feel if your home was taken away from you? You know God sees and knows and he will bless you whether you believe in him or not. Can you please help me help her? Please, can you help me help her?" He told me to hand the phone to his guys, she was now allowed to get items from her car, we were able to pay for the tow and she was able to get the car from the tow yard the following day.
She had some things to take care of and left her items with us while she took care of some things. We went home and I packed clothes to give her for the winter and interviews along with a new care package. I wanted to give her more clothes, but they wouldn't fit in the bag.
We met her at the King Street Metro station, to give her the items she left with us along with a care package and I prayed with her before we parted ways. The next day she sent me a message telling me that she got her car and was on her way to her grandmothers. When she got to her grandmothers she said thank you and was very appreciative and grateful for the things that were done for her.
We All Have Needs
I have created an account on Go Fund Me Campaign to help those in need:
https://www.gofundme.com/compassion4all
Please check it out.
The contents in the packages are:
1 Shampoo
1 Lotion
1 bar of soap
1 soap holder
1 washcloth
1 tooth brush
1 tooth paste
1 tooth brush holder
1 lip balm
1 first aid kit
1 manicure kit
1 razor
1 deodorant
1 Wet Wipes
1 package of tissues
1 pair of socks
2 granola bars
As a young child I learned from my parents that everyone has a hard time in their life at one point or another. What you do in those tough times will determine your character. Will you allow your circumstances to defeat you or will you rise above those circumstances? Unfortunately, there are many who have tried to rise above their circumstances, only to be knocked down harder and not able to get back up. They need help, love, and compassion. My mom once told me that my parents had a difficult time making ends meet and purchasing things we needed such as food and baby formula. She told me that one day after church, someone had put food, diapers, and formula in her car. The odd thing is, my parents didn't tell anyone they were in this situation. Another friend shared with me the same thing happened to her family when she was little. Our families had needs and the compassion of others, helped our families during difficult times. Maybe God just put it on someones heart that our families needed help, maybe someone was watching. The important thing is, the person or people who helped out these families were being obedient to God's word, or just good people, but had compassion for other humans, because we all have needs. One time or another, if you haven't been there already yourself, you will need compassion from a stranger. Someone to help you during your rough patch.
For my life, I can't complain. So many of my family and friends have helped me out during rough times and not only do I want to pay it forward, I really just want to be obedient to God. He says in scripture to help the poor, widow, and orphan. It has always been my desire to help others so they can get out of where they are to help others and keep the cycle continuing. I thought, my life had to be together, I had to have tons of money in the bank before I could help another person. Guess what, I don't! As a matter of fact it dawned on me while in the shower this week that I don't have to be rich to help others, I can help them where I am.
So many here in our country alone need help, but we see our government helping the needs of others more than the needs of our people here at home, at least that's what we see. We are complaining because the current administration wants to import many refugees from Syria, Mexico, and other countries. We should be taking care of our people here at home first, and we are! However, the stories I have heard about the shelters here in our area are not good, so many rather live a life homeless on the street.
I am going to share with you about several people I have already met in my life who were in need and my parents helped them out. Then, I will share with you the stories of others that I have helped. Do I want praise in any of this? Absolutely not! I am just sharing with you, so you can see how easy it is to help those in need.
https://www.gofundme.com/compassion4all
Please check it out.
1 Shampoo
1 Lotion
1 bar of soap
1 soap holder
1 washcloth
1 tooth brush
1 tooth paste
1 tooth brush holder
1 lip balm
1 manicure kit
1 razor
1 deodorant
1 Wet Wipes
1 package of tissues
1 pair of socks
2 granola bars
As a young child I learned from my parents that everyone has a hard time in their life at one point or another. What you do in those tough times will determine your character. Will you allow your circumstances to defeat you or will you rise above those circumstances? Unfortunately, there are many who have tried to rise above their circumstances, only to be knocked down harder and not able to get back up. They need help, love, and compassion. My mom once told me that my parents had a difficult time making ends meet and purchasing things we needed such as food and baby formula. She told me that one day after church, someone had put food, diapers, and formula in her car. The odd thing is, my parents didn't tell anyone they were in this situation. Another friend shared with me the same thing happened to her family when she was little. Our families had needs and the compassion of others, helped our families during difficult times. Maybe God just put it on someones heart that our families needed help, maybe someone was watching. The important thing is, the person or people who helped out these families were being obedient to God's word, or just good people, but had compassion for other humans, because we all have needs. One time or another, if you haven't been there already yourself, you will need compassion from a stranger. Someone to help you during your rough patch.
For my life, I can't complain. So many of my family and friends have helped me out during rough times and not only do I want to pay it forward, I really just want to be obedient to God. He says in scripture to help the poor, widow, and orphan. It has always been my desire to help others so they can get out of where they are to help others and keep the cycle continuing. I thought, my life had to be together, I had to have tons of money in the bank before I could help another person. Guess what, I don't! As a matter of fact it dawned on me while in the shower this week that I don't have to be rich to help others, I can help them where I am.
So many here in our country alone need help, but we see our government helping the needs of others more than the needs of our people here at home, at least that's what we see. We are complaining because the current administration wants to import many refugees from Syria, Mexico, and other countries. We should be taking care of our people here at home first, and we are! However, the stories I have heard about the shelters here in our area are not good, so many rather live a life homeless on the street.
I am going to share with you about several people I have already met in my life who were in need and my parents helped them out. Then, I will share with you the stories of others that I have helped. Do I want praise in any of this? Absolutely not! I am just sharing with you, so you can see how easy it is to help those in need.
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