It was one of those cold, wet March evenings. We were out with George and Linda on one of our first outings. We had seen a number of homeless that night.
We were parked in front of Union Station when Greg came up to George. Greg was about 24 years old, the age of our son. He had grown a beard over the winter. Still, he looked so young. His eyes were red and swollen. He cried as he spoke to George. "I just want to get some sleep. Every time I lay down someone comes by and tells me to move along." George looked at him as if he were his own son. He put his arm around his shoulders and spoke softly to him. "You just need to find some place out of the way Greg." We gave him a cup of hot soup and a blanket. George continued to talk to Greg. His voice was soothing and reassuring. Greg's tears stopped flowing. He was able smile just a little. Greg walked away, looking for another place to sleep. Karen's heart was aching. "Where is this boy's mother? Does she know where he is?"
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On a cold December night, three volunteers were driving the streets of Indianapolis in hopes of finding anyone who was out on the streets needing help. We had just passed Conseco Fieldhouse when we spotted three men on the left and at least two or three on the right side of the busy four lane street. We stopped briefly to let them know we would come back around the block with food. One man said, “One of the men across the street has no blankets, only a card board box. He is about to freeze to death.” Our priority changed quickly as someone was in great need of a warm blanket.
We drove around the block to park, and to prepare food bags and blankets to take to them. Then we went back to the man with no blanket. He did not speak English. However, he knew we were trying to help him. So, we wrapped him with blankets and gave him food. He looked at us with thanks in his eyes and put his hands together and thanked God for sending us to him. As we were leaving one of the other homeless men covered him with an old trench coat. It wasn’t much, but he shared what he had with a friend in need. Finding and helping one person made our entire evening worthwhile and we knew why we brave the cold and continue to be involved with HOOP. The pay back is priceless! On Monday morning I talked with the co-worker who had brought us these blankets a few days before. I wanted to share this story with her. She was so thankful that she taken the time to bring the blankets to us. What a difference she made in a homeless person’s life. With one small kind gesture, she may have saved a life! |