I had an encounter with a Homeless couple that changed my life! It happened one day in August when I was in the park reading a script for an interview reading I had at church. As I was preparing I looked over and saw this tall, sun worn shirtless white guy walking briskly towards the wooded area talking to himself which I thought nothing of at the moment....
Moments later I saw him again as he was aggressively, angry and aggravated in his expression walking towards a group of 3 young girls as they were enjoying the day swinging in their Hammicks; my natural reaction was to walk after him to make sure there was no danger to the young girls (I didn't know what was going to happen next).
As I walked in pursuit of him he turned around and walked towards me and I asked "Is everything ok?" and he responded "So!, what are you about Mr!?" And all I could think of since I was holding my script for my church interview was to say, "I am about the Gospel!" he then said, I've been in these Streets homeless for over 25 years" He then grabbed the cross that I wear around my neck and rubbed it between his fingers and said "if you are about the Gospel then you will give me food!" That statement hit me like a brick! I was really short on time as my interview was in 15 minutes; I told him that I would love to get him food but I had to go, which at that moment sounded like a "cop out" and he felt that way as he said "I thought so" I told him that if he would meet me over at the Walmart across the street at 4pm I would be there and take him Grocery shopping! He said, are you a man of your word, I said "Yes" and would be there! I asked his name and he said he goes by "Oklahoma" because he loves the Oklahoma Sooners and always wear Sooner shirts and hats.
THE RETURN
TRIP TO GROCERY STORE!- I returned to QT at 4pm and there waiting was Oklahoma. We went inside the QT to get him his favorite drink (all flavors of the Fountain). I contemplated if I wanted to drive him over to Walmart in my Hummer (yes I was being judge mental and critical of having a homeless person in my vehicle). I thought of the story of Jesus an the Leapord Man; quickly got over that and opened the passenger door for Oklahoma. He was so excited to ride in the Hummer and so appreciative to be grocery shopping... This entire situation was teaching me continual lessons... I found myself wondering what were people thinking of me as I walked through the store with a homeless person, and then immediate thoughts of showing the love of Christ was what was more important... Oklahoma talked and talked, he was so happy, He told me how his wife gets up every morning, goes to work every day and drives her car. I really had a hard time believing he had a wife who had a car, went to work and they lived in a tent behind the trees(more of my judgemental mind-set). As we shopped He said that he wanted to get some steak, Sharp Cheddar Cheese that his wife liked, berry flavored Juice and a bag of ice. So we finished Grocery shopping and checked out and got in the Hummer and headed back over to the Park... As we got ready to part ways Oklahoma was overwhelmed with Joy as he cried and thank me... I told him that Jesus loves him and this is a result of that... I asked that we pray before departing.
THE PRAYER- Oklahoma was more full of Faith than I've ever seen and told me he had Jesus in his heart, He is a Believer!! His Faith was so strong I could touch it! He knew the Bible and God's word! We stood in the park parking lot and embraced in a brotherly hug and again I had to battle the thoughts of "do I hug and wrap my hands around a Homeless guy with No shirt and what are people thinking that see us;again I had to tell myself that Christ's Love was more important! He prayed one of the most Powerful and Genuine prayers I had ever heard that was full of Thankfulness, Grace and Love for others- Love for my family... He prayed for me and my family and for Hedge of protection and also to bless our finances because he felt in his heart and knew that we were Tithers above and beyond... At that moment God showed me that he can and will use anyone for his Purpose; a situation in which I thought that I was there to Help, Give and Bless by showing God's Love but I ended up being the receiver of all of it. As we departed, Oklahoma said "come back sometime" I left full of Joy, Hope and increased perspective of how big God is and to work on being judgmental.... However, I also left wondering did Oklahoma really have a wife that had a car and went to work every day!?!? One thing that I did know was that I would be back to see him, He was now a friend!
THE RETURN- 3 weeks had past and I finally returned hoping that I would see Oklahoma... I knew where his camp and tent was but I didn't want to invade his privacy so I sat at my usual picnic table reading my book... 10 minutes later I see Oklahoma and a lady walking in the distance.... I walk toward them with excitement Oklahoma sees me and says to the lady that's with him "this is Andrew the guy I told you about, the guy who I Prayed for him, his kids and family right over there." "He gave me a ride in his hummer and bought us the meat and food." Oklahoma was so excited. The lady was his wife and I was so surprised to learn this as I didn't believe that he had a wife when he told me.... Her name is Sholonda and she was very apprehensive but very thankful that I had bought them food, but she was wondering what other agenda did I have because of my kindness.... She was very stand-offish... We talked for a bit and I mentioned wanting help Hurricane Victims and Sholonda mentioned that at her Job they were taking up donations of clothes for them and she wanted to help... There another thing I found out that Oklahoma spoke of that I thought was not true but proved to be true.... She/his wife had a Job... Then they spoke of her car having mechanical issues and not working.... So another thing that Oklahoma spoke of and proved to be true... Well I asked them both if they would like to go to Walmart and get a few groceries... Sholonda again was apprehensive and Oklahoma spoke up and said that Sholonda has a difficult time accepting help and doesn't want to be a taker/charity case. I told her that I didn't want to over-step or make her feel that way but that I would like to Bless them as Friends....
So she finally agreed to go to Walmart but under her own effort so she walked over and met us there as we drove over. So we get to Walmart as we shopped walking each Aisle for what they wanted (they were having hot dogs that day and they already had wieners) So we shopped for their favorite can of Wolf brand Chili, Mango fruit drink and hot dog buns... We talked as we shopped, I learned that Sholonda works at a Cataring business serving food and that now that her car is broken she has to navigate the bus route schedule to get to work, which can be difficult. Well we completed shopping and as we went to pay for the food Sholonda wanted to go outside and wait for us... I felt she didn't want to be made to feel being helped again... So after we bought the groceries Oklahoma and I walked out we couldn't find Sholonda so we talked and he was very thankful he said that Sholonda probably is at the Dollar Store so we said our good byes...
Sholonda's Prayer As I was getting into my truck to leave I notice Sholonda walking up to me... She stops me and we have a very "Special Moment" Sholonda takes the time to tell me that she is very thankful and blessed by my kindness and wonderful to see God moving through me... She asked me if she could pray for me and my family... Sholonda prayed a miraculous prayer that moved me and was a great message from God that showed me that he will use who so ever he wants to show his Glory and do his work... I left that day feeling amazed that God is always in the details.... I also left with many learned lessons about not to be judgemental, give people a chance.... Oklahoma and Sholonda were now my friends and I now had a since of Care, Concern and Connection with them...
BE A BLESSING!- I felt a tug on my heart to get Sholonda's car fixed so that she would have dependable transportation to get to work.... Even as a homeless person she was working every day and doing all she could to be independent, support her family