Today I went to a soup kitchen for the morning with my group. While the volunteer coordinator put them to work on the serving line and cleaning the tables, I sat down with a couple guests who were eating lunch. These women's names were Kathleen and Carlita.
Kathleen immediately caught my eye since when she came in she called my kids "angels" and sincerely thanked them for the work they were doing. I sat down with her and chatted about DC and her life. I was struck to hear her story and the hardships she has endured. Throughout her daughter's murder, her poverty, her husband's death and other life calamities, she has stayed reliant upon the Lord. It was amazing. She gave me advice about everything from marriage, to kids, to jobs, to traveling. She also told me stories of miracles and shared her story of relying on God.
Along with these stories, these women both described to me their lives on the streets. They both would rather stay on the streets then in shelters, since many of them have bedbugs, maggots, and roaches and are dirty places to stay. I have heard other stories about women who sleep during the day and stay awake at night to protect themselves. When I asked Carlita if she ever felt unsafe on the streets she said that she had always felt protected by God and had never been attacked. I can't imagine making that decision, staying on the streets or staying in an infested shelter.
I asked them what I can be praying for them about. They both answered with the same request, strength.
Pray for the strength of those living on the streets tonight. Pray that they would be comforted in the midst of uncertainty and that they would have the peace and hope that can only come in Christ.
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