On a mild, winter afternoon in Georgia with a large pot of soup, cornbread, chocolate chip cookies, and water, four friends embarked on a life changing expedition. Half of us were experienced at what we were about to embark upon and half of us were fresh-eyed innocents. Ray gave us instructions and off we went! Filled with anticipation, excitement, and a little trepidation we drove around to look for God’s homeless children. They were not hard to find. We found Bob, Tyree, Jason, and countless others walking downtown, sitting in a group, or laying in their makeshift home. Â As we saw them, we rolled down the window in our “travelling cafeteria” and asked the simple question “are you hungry?”. Â With the exception of maybe 3 people, God’s children answered affirmatively and we either drove up to them or asked them to come to us depending on the location.
God’s children were extremely thankful and gracious. We noticed time and time again how they would look out for each other and were never greedy. They would call to their friend across the street to come over. “Come here! You will understand once you get here!”, one man exclaimed. “Can I have another bowl to take to my blind friend who is inside?”, another of God’s children asked. When I was asking God’s son down the street if he was hungry and got no response, another son receiving his soup from the back of the SUV informed me that the other man was deaf and mute but then quickly motioned for his friend to come over. After receiving their portion, they each thanked us and blessed us.
Bob was one of the first that we met along our journey. While making small talk with him, he smiled and informed us that he was staying very warm and even at night he sometimes would get hot. His “bed” was off in the distance with his belongings next to it. Bob was content, happy. He expressed his feelings of being blessed that he was warm even when others were not. As Bob turned to walk away and I said my goodbyes, I opened the door to get back in the vehicle and my emotions flooded my spirit. With tears streaming down my face, I wondered how Bob could feel so content and blessed with no roof over his head and with that thought I became convicted. God forgive me when I am not satisfied!
We continued down a side road and saw two young females with an older man. One of the girls seemed to be an older teen or a younger twenty-something. Ray informed us that the man was probably their pimp. My heart broke in two. My mind began racing, “what do I say?”, “what can I do?”, “how do I rescue these girls?”. But then I realize my limitations and simply offer them the soup and tell them that Jesus loves them. After a short conversation, they walk off into the distance to find a place to rest and eat and all I can do is speak my Savior’s name. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus….
Many were encountered today and many etched a place in my mind and in my heart. But one in particular caused each of us separately and then as a group to start asking questions and wondering what we can to do to help. After brainstorming and tossing scenarios around, Ray went back to talk to Jason. Ray was able to not only get some history of how Jason came to be in this situation but also to witness to him and to discuss with him the possibility of getting him some help. We have begun the process of reaching out to others that may be able to offer guidance and assistance to us as we help him. Â Our prayer is that Jason will most importantly come to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior but we also want to help Jason have a second chance. He matters and he is worth it!
Each of these people today expressed “hunger” which Merriam- Webster defines as a craving or urgent need for food or as a strong desire. I want to ask the question one more time, to you, are you hungry? What are you hungry for? What is it that you desire? What are you yearning for? Search deep to identify that hunger and take your “bowl” to the cross where Jesus and only Jesus will fill your bowl to over-flowing with a soup that will wash away your pain and fill any holes that are there. Allow Jesus to satisfy your hunger today.
