JOHN
I’ve noticed John on the same corner for years in Pasadena, California. He’s not homeless, but he does live in poverty. He also doesn’t beg. But he stands out.
John is a wonderful African American man. He’s an older gentleman who also happens to be missing an arm. With his good arm he usually holds a windshield squeegee that is covered with soapy water from a nearby bucket. If a car passing by wants their front windshield cleaned, he will gladly do it. The drivers give him a tip. He never forces himself on anyone, and is always smiling.
One day, I set out to meet John and encourage him. Instead, he encouraged me. He is a content man, doesn’t complain, and is a follower of Jesus Christ. We spoke, we hugged, we prayed, and we laughed. We spent about 30 minutes talking, hugging, and bonding.
I still see John a few times a week as I get onto the freeway. Whenever I can, I swing by his corner, give him a $20, a handshake, a smile, and a greeting. Sometimes John isn’t there and I worry if something has happened to him. Then a few days later, he reappears.
John is a wonderful African American man. He’s an older gentleman who also happens to be missing an arm. With his good arm he usually holds a windshield squeegee that is covered with soapy water from a nearby bucket. If a car passing by wants their front windshield cleaned, he will gladly do it. The drivers give him a tip. He never forces himself on anyone, and is always smiling.
One day, I set out to meet John and encourage him. Instead, he encouraged me. He is a content man, doesn’t complain, and is a follower of Jesus Christ. We spoke, we hugged, we prayed, and we laughed. We spent about 30 minutes talking, hugging, and bonding.
I still see John a few times a week as I get onto the freeway. Whenever I can, I swing by his corner, give him a $20, a handshake, a smile, and a greeting. Sometimes John isn’t there and I worry if something has happened to him. Then a few days later, he reappears.
UNO
One Saturday morning, I went to a nearby park where a lot of homeless tend to hang out. I encountered Uno, an older Japanese American woman, wheelchair bound, and homeless. She was wearing a funky sun hat and big, bright framed sunglasses.
I asked if she’d like a bottle of cold water? She said, “Oh yes! Thank you!” I then asked if she needed any money? Again, she said, “Oh yes!” and looked up to see who I was with a big smile on her face. I gave her a $20 bill. I asked if I could give her a hug? She melted, again saying a hearty, “Yes! You just made my day!”
As soon as I started hugging Uno, she started saying, “Thank you! God bless you!” I repeated back, “God bless you!” I asked her name and spoke to her awhile. Then as I was about to leave, she sheepishly asked for another bottle of water, and another hug. Of course, I complied.
As I walked away, she called out, “Thank you! I love you!” I responded, “I love you too!” Uno repeated this several times until I was a good 100 feet away.
I was so touched by Uno’s deep, expressive, appreciation and childlike behavior. Whenever I recall the experience or pray for Uno, it puts a smile on my face.
I asked if she’d like a bottle of cold water? She said, “Oh yes! Thank you!” I then asked if she needed any money? Again, she said, “Oh yes!” and looked up to see who I was with a big smile on her face. I gave her a $20 bill. I asked if I could give her a hug? She melted, again saying a hearty, “Yes! You just made my day!”
As soon as I started hugging Uno, she started saying, “Thank you! God bless you!” I repeated back, “God bless you!” I asked her name and spoke to her awhile. Then as I was about to leave, she sheepishly asked for another bottle of water, and another hug. Of course, I complied.
As I walked away, she called out, “Thank you! I love you!” I responded, “I love you too!” Uno repeated this several times until I was a good 100 feet away.
I was so touched by Uno’s deep, expressive, appreciation and childlike behavior. Whenever I recall the experience or pray for Uno, it puts a smile on my face.
CINDY
If you have NOT read this websites’ INTRO section, which talks extensively about the role Cindy had in the formation of Hugs4Homeless, please do so now. Cindy was my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd homeless person I hugged and was a pivotal person in this homeless ministry.
This is about a more recent time I saw Cindy. I had moved away from the area and subsequently hadn’t seen Cindy for several months. I was back in the area, so I decided to look for her. Sure enough, I found at her usual spot, in front of the local Smart & Final store.
She was very happy to see me and to get hugged. It was a sweet reunion. From the joy expressed, you’d think we were long lost family members! And it’s true, we are both children of God!
Cindy seemed a little different to me that day. First, when I offered her a $20 bill, she refused it, saying, “I can’t take your money, you’ve already given me so much!” I could not make her take it. So, I finally stopped trying.
Cindy asked where I’ve been as she hadn’t seen me for months. I explained that I moved away from the area with my 2 sons. I asked how she’s been. She informed me that she was no longer homeless, and that she was renting a room from a family nearby.
This was the change I noticed in her, that she now had a roof over her head and a place to eat, sleep, shower, and use a bathroom. I was overjoyed for her!
We spoke a little more. I shared how Hugs4Homeless was progressing. Then we said goodbye, and hugged one more time. It was a long, firm hug. I’m so glad God brought Cindy into my life. She’s at the top of my prayer list, and often on my mind and in my heart.
This is about a more recent time I saw Cindy. I had moved away from the area and subsequently hadn’t seen Cindy for several months. I was back in the area, so I decided to look for her. Sure enough, I found at her usual spot, in front of the local Smart & Final store.
She was very happy to see me and to get hugged. It was a sweet reunion. From the joy expressed, you’d think we were long lost family members! And it’s true, we are both children of God!
Cindy seemed a little different to me that day. First, when I offered her a $20 bill, she refused it, saying, “I can’t take your money, you’ve already given me so much!” I could not make her take it. So, I finally stopped trying.
Cindy asked where I’ve been as she hadn’t seen me for months. I explained that I moved away from the area with my 2 sons. I asked how she’s been. She informed me that she was no longer homeless, and that she was renting a room from a family nearby.
This was the change I noticed in her, that she now had a roof over her head and a place to eat, sleep, shower, and use a bathroom. I was overjoyed for her!
We spoke a little more. I shared how Hugs4Homeless was progressing. Then we said goodbye, and hugged one more time. It was a long, firm hug. I’m so glad God brought Cindy into my life. She’s at the top of my prayer list, and often on my mind and in my heart.
JOSE
When I find homeless asleep somewhere, I’m hesitant to wake them up, so I usually speak softly. Sometimes, they continue sleeping, other times a head will pop out from a blanket, sleeping bag, or tent.
Jose looked asleep when I approached him on this beautiful, sunny Tuesday morning in Southern California. Jose wasn’t asleep at all, but was in fact getting ready to take a nap.
When I asked Jose if he’d like some water, he sprung up from under his blanket saying, “Sure I would!” He had a huge, warm smile on his face! He also seemed to be missing most of his teeth, which made his smile even more unique, and comical looking.
I also offered Jose money and a hug. He was jubilant and said, “You made my day!” Then Jose asked my name, and we hugged again.
There is an assumption that most homeless people are out of their minds, schizophrenic, and dangerous. I’ve encountered a few that fit into those categories, but have to say that to my surprise, most of the homeless I have met, seem to be of sound mind.
Jose was definitely of a sound mind. He served in the US Military for many years. He studied theology at a Bible College and is a minister. He has been homeless twice in his life. He is a compassionate man with a big heart toward his fellow homeless. Sound familiar? Jesus was without a home, and he had tremendous compassion for the poor.
Jose often takes what little money he has, and gives it to other homeless he sees as needing it more than he does. The words of Jesus come to mind, “It is more blessed to give, than to receive.” Most of us will repeat these words to children, when trying to teach them about being less selfish. Rarely do we live life like that. Jose does. I, myself am moving in this direction. I still have a long way to go.
When we stop thinking with our heads, and start loving with our hearts, we get to a place hopefully where we just give when there is a need. As we let go of the security of our savings accounts, owning bigger houses, driving expensive luxury cars, and give money and stuff away, we become more dependent on God, on a daily basis. To learn to trust our Creator, who formed us in the womb, made this world, our galaxy, our universe, and gave us everything, is truly liberating.
We have so much to be grateful for! Everything we have is a gift from God. God never promised to meet our greed, but He promises to meet all our needs.
As Jose and I spoke, I sensed his passion for his fellow homeless. He prays with them, gives his money to them, shares his food with them, even though he has so little. It truly is more blessed to give! Jose inspires me!
Jose looked asleep when I approached him on this beautiful, sunny Tuesday morning in Southern California. Jose wasn’t asleep at all, but was in fact getting ready to take a nap.
When I asked Jose if he’d like some water, he sprung up from under his blanket saying, “Sure I would!” He had a huge, warm smile on his face! He also seemed to be missing most of his teeth, which made his smile even more unique, and comical looking.
I also offered Jose money and a hug. He was jubilant and said, “You made my day!” Then Jose asked my name, and we hugged again.
There is an assumption that most homeless people are out of their minds, schizophrenic, and dangerous. I’ve encountered a few that fit into those categories, but have to say that to my surprise, most of the homeless I have met, seem to be of sound mind.
Jose was definitely of a sound mind. He served in the US Military for many years. He studied theology at a Bible College and is a minister. He has been homeless twice in his life. He is a compassionate man with a big heart toward his fellow homeless. Sound familiar? Jesus was without a home, and he had tremendous compassion for the poor.
Jose often takes what little money he has, and gives it to other homeless he sees as needing it more than he does. The words of Jesus come to mind, “It is more blessed to give, than to receive.” Most of us will repeat these words to children, when trying to teach them about being less selfish. Rarely do we live life like that. Jose does. I, myself am moving in this direction. I still have a long way to go.
When we stop thinking with our heads, and start loving with our hearts, we get to a place hopefully where we just give when there is a need. As we let go of the security of our savings accounts, owning bigger houses, driving expensive luxury cars, and give money and stuff away, we become more dependent on God, on a daily basis. To learn to trust our Creator, who formed us in the womb, made this world, our galaxy, our universe, and gave us everything, is truly liberating.
We have so much to be grateful for! Everything we have is a gift from God. God never promised to meet our greed, but He promises to meet all our needs.
As Jose and I spoke, I sensed his passion for his fellow homeless. He prays with them, gives his money to them, shares his food with them, even though he has so little. It truly is more blessed to give! Jose inspires me!