Monday night was spent visiting Skid Row residents, in an attempt to diminish their suffering of living on the streets, by delivering hot soup, water, snacks, and clothes.  Among the hundreds of homeless people I came across tonight, there were two encounters that are still vivid in my mind.  One was a very straightforward speaking man and the other a soft-spoken lady.

Yeretzgin Susan and I were standing on the street behind her Honda trying to sort out the clothes to give out.  A man just stood on the edge of the curb by the side of the car watching as we worked and started talking to us.  He said “you know you’re angels for coming here tonight, because you don’t have to be here like us, you could be sitting in the comfort of your home, but instead you’re here and trying to take care of us, and because of that you’re angels.”  He kept on talking and admitted that he was living on Skid Row because he wasn’t trying to get out of his situation, implying to us that he could find a way out if he really wanted to.  He said “I’d be a hypocrite if I told you otherwise.  I’m not ready to come into church because I ‘m not ready to give up my old ways.”  I told him that God is always ready to receive him the moment he turns back on his old habits and walks back towards the way of God.  We wrapped up our distribution on that street and said goodbye.  He blessed us and we left.     

A few stops later we met a woman.  When we got out of the car, she approached us and the first thing she asked for was a Bible.  Unfortunately we didn’t have a Bible with us (we’ll remember to pack some with us on our next visit).  The only book we had was a Webster’s dictionary.  She said she would gladly take it.  We found a bag and put the dictionary in the bag for her.  She was a very petite pretty lady.  Clean, well-kept, and smelled good too.  She said she wanted a nice outfit.  We had several dresses and were thrilled when she looked at them with excitement.  You see, almost none of the other homeless women wanted dresses.  Whenever we suggested a nice dress, they laughed and said they don’t wear dresses.  And that’s the harsh reality.  When living on the streets, it’s not practical to walk around in dresses.  The most important thing is to find clothes that will keep the body warm on a chilly night, or cool on a hot one. 

There was something very special about this woman.  She possessed a great deal of poise and dignity that when asking for specific female-relevant items she asked in a hushed voice so the men around her wouldn’t be privy to her personal requests, and asked us to keep our voices low as well.  She didn’t want to be embarrassed.  She desired to feel feminine and look stylish.  In the end we were able to find two pairs of dresses with jackets and two pairs of shoes to match.  She gave me a hug and asked me to pray for her.  I asked for her name.  She said she’s known as Teddy Bear, and then gave me her real name, Teshaun.  She looked deeply into my eyes, and at that moment it was all I could do to keep myself from crying at the sight of her heartbreaking visage.  I promised to pray for her.  I don’t know what her circumstances are.  She said she had to go to court.  I didn’t ask her the reason for her court appearance, but that’s inconsequential.   The point is that this visit was important enough for her to make a good appearance, looking well-groomed and put-together.  For anyone reading this blog, I ask you to please pause for a moment and say a prayer for Teshaun.  Ask the Lord that this woman may be given the strength to overcome her trials, and whatever obstacles lie in her path.  May she find her way out of living on Skid Row and move into permanent housing.  Please pray for her.  And also pray for our homeless brother, for him to turn away from the habits that keep him chained to the streets.  These people need our prayers to give strength to those with the resolve to improve their circumstance, and to be the positive examples that will drive them to choose a better future.     

I write here only of these two encounters.  Thousands of people call the streets of Skid Row in LA their home.  Every single one of them has a story.  In the next few days, you will read about the encounters of others.  It’s impossible for our group to reach every soul, but we try our best.  We hope for a day when we visit Skid Row and find the streets empty.  Until that day, we will continue walking…