This picture describes yesterday. Everything about this picture makes me smile. I love this city, and I love these people. I know there are hot political debates about homeless, but I love them. I fully understand that people are not perfect and we make mistakes. I also understand having grace and showing love too!
The SBRM's Youth Council, made up of 13 youth from 7 different Caddo/Bossier Parish private/public high schools - held THE BIG EVENT. It was a culminating event for their efforts of the past two weeks having drives go on in their schools. El Chico's catered the event, and the SBRM volunteers made homemade desserts for all the clients to enjoy with their free Mexican food! We also had plenty of donated Pepsi and coke products too.
Anyone able, could come and enjoy the food and music of this event. It was outside and absolutely beautiful weather. I actually got sunburned on my face!! There is a low income apartment complex not too far from the SBRM, and we saw that there was some surplus food, so we went over there to let the tenants know there was free food for anyone who wanted to come over and get it. Over 200 were served yesterday.
There was one guy that really stuck out to me. On my way over to the Fairmont, there was a guy who was diving in the dumpster (literally) for food. I walked over to him, (in the dumpster) and let him know, he could get a hot meal right around the corner if he wanted. He acknowledged what I said and kept going through the trash. I went on in to the building to let others know. When we came out of the building, he was still there and had found a piece of sandwich that had been thrown away, and was eating it. I told the guy I was with (had to have a 'body guard') I just might lose it seeing that guy. I told the man again to come over and eat. He lifted his hand to wave at me, and I realized he didn't have a hand. I have no idea why this man didn't have a hand, but I don't care. My heart broke. I was struck by who this person was. All I could think about was Jesus saying, "what you do to the least of these, you do to me." We walked back over to THE BIG EVENT and I told Randell (my body guard - who is actually an amazing board member), if I got food would he walk back over there with me to give it to that guy? Of course he didn't mind. I gathered two trays, some desserts, and drinks and we were on our way back over to find my new friend. He was walking down the street, and I called out to him, "hey! we have food!" He stopped and turned around. He was covered in trash, and stench, but that didn't matter. I was determined to get my friend something to eat. My friend couldn't hardly talk, but his smile lit up his ebony face. His eyes sparkled, and he was grateful. He took the food and kept bowing his head. As we walked away, my eyes were filled with tears.
I know I saw Jesus yesterday.
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