East Texas
On September 10, Nick and I were up at 5 and ready to start at the shelter by 6AM. Saturday morning was slower as the days before were very busy with the announcement of the Debit card and funds for evacuees. It had been very busy to help people with that. With Family Services not available on the weekend it was quieter, but we had one young man, Kevin come in.
He arrived really dirty, and wrapped in an old blanket — it was almost unbelievable. He was very broken-hearted, his eyes were all red from crying and I wasn’t sure if he would burst into tears again. He told us his story of how he had come up from Mississippi to East Texas where he had one relative, but no phone number or address. He explained he hadn’t eaten in 4 days, he had gone to one place where they didn’t have a place for him to stay overnight and then he tried the next night at a church, but he was in such a traumatic state from wandering and traveling that sadly he was misunderstood and turned away.
He had one relative in a tiny town and no address or number, and decided to walk there. He finally found a hospital where he received some medication as he had been crying uncontrollably, and then walked another 3 miles from there and turned up here at the shelter this morning. We immediately referred him to the doctor to check him, and signed him in. Then I was able to assist and take him for some clean clothes, and set him up with a bed and bedding in the shelter. When asked how he felt by others, he said,†do you know how it feels not to eat for over 4 days? Even a small candy fills youâ€. We found out he has lost contact with his wife and daughter, so after getting him breakfast and settled in we started helping him with calls and an internet search for them.
His appearance changed and more importantly each time we saw him throughout the day his spirit changed. He even started looking for employment. He still had no shoes but we had some set aside for a man who then had some bought for him and, didn’t need them anymore, and they fit Kevin perfectly. While I was busy working in reception for the shelter, Nick spent time ministering to and praying for many of the people in the shelter.
The main highlight of the day for us was later in the afternoon, when Kevin came looking for the “missionary†and gave us a beautiful shop bought card, really beautiful, with a few simple word with so much sincerity thanking us for helping him, the help he had been looking for these last days. We were so touched it was hard to hold back the tears, as really we had not done very much for him, but it had touched him so much. It was a beautiful moment for us and we continue to pray we can help him find his family. Here is Kevin with us at the end of the day, thankful and feeling hopeful and new found friends together.
This afternoon a team of volunteers from The Family International came to the shelter for the younger kids. Suzanna did face painting and Eli, Chelsey and Mei helped with the kids and the balloons, it was really fun for them and time passed quickly. The other volunteers and the shelter manager were very happy about the program and asked if they could come again tomorrow!
Joanna was manning the main reception desk for the shelter. The reception desk is one of the main communication points, and deals with every person coming in and out of the building, and almost every question and situation is taken care of or passed on there. Besides the administrative side and communications, and working with all the other volunteers around the building, you hear about the problems and situations first hand and meet the people, which gives you a great desire just to do everything you can to help them.
Some highlights have been helping separated families to be reunited with their loved ones. We also were able to help a young woman 23, with bone cancer, single with 2 children, to get a house and hospice to take care of her. Of course we hear the heartbreaks of their difficult situations, and sometimes sad stories of how they could not get help, but the Lord is always there for them to help them in different ways and people are thankful for their blessings. It’s a privilege to be able to help and serve these people, and each little thing counts in putting back their lives together.
