January 2, 2005
Tonight, as I was basking in the warmth of my home,
drinking a nice hot cup of cider and relaxing with my family, the
telephone rang. As I got up
from my warm comfortable spot, to answer the call, I was jolted to the
harsh reality of street life.
“Hi, is this The Father’s Heart?” a young voice
asked. “Yes it is,” was
my reply, “How can I help you?”
“I was given your number by an agency here in Portland they
said you might be able to help me.
I am homeless and freezing (the temp was dropping to 29°),
all I have is a sweatshirt and what I am wearing and 2 wet
blankets……can you help?” “What
is your name? How old are you, where are you from, do you have family
here? I ask. “My name is
Ryan, I am 19 years old and I am from Washington, I have no family here. I was messed up in drugs, but I
am clean now, I just finished treatment…….can you help me? I can only talk on this phone
for another half hour, then it will be turned off and I have no money to
my name.” “Where did
you sleep last night?” “I
slept in a gated area, I broke into for shelter, I almost froze, and I
couldn’t escape the wind”
Okay Ryan, give me about 40 minutes to gather some items
for you and make a few phone calls.
I will try and get you into a place for the night. Where are you?” As
he responds, I can hear the weariness in his voice. “I am down on 13th and Jefferson, by the Outside
In. My heart breaks as I
listen to this boy. “Watch
for my car, what do you look like?”
“I am about 6’ tall with a gray hat on and I have a dog with
me.” A dog??? I already know that no shelter
will take someone with a dog. He
will have to give up his dog in order to stay in any shelter, my heart
sinks!
Many homeless have dogs.
They are companionship, protection, loyal and unconditional love
to them. Most will not part
with their animals, even feeding them before themselves…..that is the
depth of the love they have for them.
I know it is hard for most people to understand, but I understand
completely.
Even so, I make a couple of phone calls. Just as I thought, either full
or he has to give the dog up. Oh,
there is one more person who takes youth into her home, I will try her. No, no room…….
Marty & I drive in to The Father’s Storehouse, where
I begin to gather a sleeping bag, blanket, gloves, hat, long johns, warm
coat, hoodie, socks, backpack, and snack food.
We then drive
to the location and quickly find Ryan…..there he sits in the freezing
night air with his dog. A
picture of loneliness in the night shadows.
Marty rolls down his window and calls out his name. Yes, it is him. I get out of the car and run over to greet him. “Ryan, I am sorry to say,
there is no where you can go this late at night with a dog. But
tomorrow, check with Join or Porch light
and they might be able to help you.” Then I walk over to open up the
car door and ask him if he can use these items, he was overjoyed and
very thankful. I pulled out
a warm coat and helped to put it on him.
I gave him the backpack, (God knows everything, his was torn and
falling apart.) He
couldn’t thank us enough. He
was going to go over to an old church near by and sleep in the entryway. He was feeling a little better
since he now had a warm coat, sleeping bag and heavy blanket.
As for the dog, “no, I can’t part with her, I was
really depressed before I got her, she has pulled me out of my
depression, I could never get rid of her.”
We sit and talk with Ryan for a while, it seems he just
needs people to talk to. He
shares a lot about himself and shows us how smart his dog is…….he is
a young 19. Pretty soon, I
said, “Ryan, can we pray for you before we leave?” “Yes, please”, he responds. He slowly removes his hat and I
reach for his hands, he is quick to grab onto mine. I pray over him and into him the protection and truth of God. Then I look at him and ask him
if he has ever asked Jesus into his heart. “Yes, I did while I was in
treatment” Good, then you can trust Him, He is with you, He will never
leave you or forsake you, that is His promise.
After we are finished, he reaches over (like a little boy)
and gives Marty a big hug (much to Marty’s surprise!) Then reached in to hug me……..I wanted so badly to take
him home with me, he’s just a kid!
Oh Jesus, hear my plea oh God. Have mercy and compassion on this young man. Lord, fill Him with the
knowledge of the love that You have for him, send your Angels to guard
over him. Send others into
his path that will continue to be your vessels of love.
I invite him to come to church with us on Sunday…he might
he says. Oh Lord let Your
will be done, guide and direct his path to You.
Ryan thanks us again for all that we have done for him, I
also left him some McDonalds coupons for some warm food…………Off
we go to our nice warm comfortable home, brrrr it’s cold, I think
I’ll turn the heat up…….
Sometimes we don’t realize how good we have it, we have
so much, we are a spoiled people!
PLEASE, don’t forget those here
at home that are suffering from homelessness and poverty. No shelter or clothing. Many mentally ill wandering the
streets, many lost and hurting for someone, anyone to talk to them, to
make them feel they are of some value.
In light of
the recent horrific devastation of the Tsunami, as you reach out and
help them, remember to reach out and help here at home as well. The Father’s Heart and Marty & I have given in order to
help in the relief efforts of the recent destruction over seas, it is so
great and the needs are so great. But
we also will continue to help those whose plight is great locally as
well.
The need for hats, gloves, coats, sweatshirts, flannel
shirts, men’s jeans, socks, blankets and sleeping bags is GREAT. If you can help, call us @
503-708-8558 or 503-630-3652. Remember,
your financial gift will go a long way; even the smallest gift goes a
long way in helping others.
Blessings, Teri
The Father’s Heart Street Ministry
10776 SE Hwy 212
Clackamas, Oregon
97015