Today we got a lot done when Northwood arrived 45 minutes early. They were able to sort out the clothing and set up teams while we were at each area. The teams were separated from clothes and food distribution, drinks, music, evangelism and prayer, and garbage cleanup.
We still had a couple families from the seminary. I'm thankful for James and his wife Talisha(sp) and Zach and Abbie. We loaded up toiletries, about 6 bags of clothes, shoes, underwear, socks, 80 hotdogs, 50 sandwiches, green tea, gatorade, watermelon, and tracts.
The first stop was at the Texas Car Wash at 10a, but we moved further in and we weren't at the original place we usually meet at. Rather we were next to a wooden shack so we set up our base there. From the start there was much clothing, but as the time wore on, we found out several people who were struggling. Claudia was still missing her Guatemalen husband (deported or imporisoned, don't know which story is true), Ricky was stabbed in the neck for owing money, Noriega was pushed down a rocky sloped and punched out for his wallet, Susan beaten by her husband with a warrant of arrest for his fiance, and several others with several other issues. We sat and prayed with many of them and were able to medically help a few. One with some tylenol and another with some bandaids. Northwood had set up a few guys to do garbage.
The second stop brought us to the area near Shamrock. We set base there and helped out about 20+ more. There we got rid of most of our hotdogs, sandwiches, and clothes. We also cleaned the area and a few of the students got to know Betty and a few other of the guys. I also had a blessing, by overhearing that Shaun, a person who didn't like me sharing the gospel a month ago, heard the gospel a couple weeks ago and accept the Lord. He was very different. He was positive uplifting and shared that he's running back to Him like the prodigal son. This was awesome. We helped Venita and her boys again. I'm puzzled at why the doctor increased the potency of Ruben's medication. We got to pray in a big circle for a bunch of them. I had a conversation with the attorney next door. His name was David. He has done his fair share of social work, especially in Phoenix, AZ. He told me things that we do that meet simple needs does not work. His advice to us is to leave them alone since none of them have the heart to change. We're better off doing it elsewhere. Unfortuantely, i disagreed with lots of his points, but I was willing to move the location to across the street so we're not in his way. From the talk, I gathered that the local government is getting rid of the gas station and the food store there. They allow the homeless to drink liquor around there, and that's illegal.
Our third stop took us to Susan. Armed with 40 people we cleaned the outside of the house and inside. The place was very clean when we left. Unfortunately, the landlord is looking for $200 or else she's out of the house. There's a warrant for the arrest of Aaron as I mentioned earlier. He broke two windows and knocked the door down. There's alot of domestic abuse and the televisions were stolen and he took off with anything that's worth any value.
We prayed for her. Hopefully she'll stay put. We blessed her with much food. I praise God for the Northwood Youth Team that came over. They did an amazing job. They did not complain and every response was "Yes Sir" or "Yes Ma'am". They were ready and engaged to represent Christ.
Till next time...
