This spring we
were able to take our kids on a long awaited trip to Southern California. It
was a trip to remember and to make a Shutterfly Photo book about. On our 6 hour
drive home, we decided to get Chick-fil-a just because you never pass a
Chick-fil-a without indulging. As we get our bags full of food, my son Daniel
sees a homeless man going through the garbage trying to find scraps to eat. My
son watched as my husband fished out his own sandwich and handed the sandwich to
the man. The man was happy but confused; our son Daniel would never be the
same. He would talk and think about that day often. It bothered him that there
would be people starving-- to the point of eating out of the garbage. Moved
with a broken heart and compassion, he asked us what we could do to help out
these homeless people. A suggestion was given about filling gallon sized Ziploc
bags with goodies and a few essentials. We would reach out to the community and
have kids put the bags together. So Daniel ran with it…
We jumped right in! I helped him set up a Sign up Genius page and
Daniel went to town; literally he
went town.
He asked our local
Dental for toothpaste and toothbrushes.
He asked for
donation momentary or tangible.
Donations started
to pour in; from his east coast uncle, grandparents, great grandparents, to his
west coast friends, church family and neighbors. One of our friends even had
her company donate Sun-maid raisins.
We were
overwhelmed by how our community moved to help our son with his project.
Eventually, the donations were filling up corners and rooms of our house and
soon the day came for packaging. It took five very smart boys, 2 hours to put
60 bags together. The bags contained tissues, combs, Chap Stick, wet ones, hard
candy-mints, water, granola bars, apple sauce, socks, toothbrush and paste,
Sun-Maid raisins, and spoons.
The last step was
giving out these bags…but to who?
We decided that we
would do a family trip out to San Francisco. So we loaded up our goods and
headed out there. Being new to the area, we didn't know where to find these
homeless people. It was early - 8:00 am. We drove until we ended up on Mission
Street (don't ask us how). We know that the Man upstairs had us here for a
reason; soon we started to notice them. They lined the street, finding any nook
to sleep in. It was cold, sad, and quiet. I didn't feel safe at all - but we
had come so far. My husband and I came up with a plan: He would go hand out the bags alone, while
our kids waited in the car a safe distance away. This mama bear was okay with
that plan. Daddy would hand them out, mommy would drive the (get away) car and
the kids prayed that Daddy would be safe and that the needs of these homeless
would be met.
It was a life
changing moment as I watched my husband carry out this selfless act. And then
watching the reaction of these people. They were over-joy, shocked, and
grateful; a few refused us and asked us to find others that needed it more.
Still others, asked if we could give some out to their friends - leading us to
more people to help. Rob had a few long conversation…those stories were sad…but
we lent a listening ear. How
could giving be so satisfying?
Our boys, will
never be the same.
This is the part
of San Francisco I want them to remember…the day an 8 year old decided to
make good on a "God thought".
I love the words for the Song Give me your eyes, By: Brandon Heath
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
I am praying that God would should me how
to carry out some of those "what if I did this or that" thoughts. I
want God's love for humanity, and not just on the street, but in the super
market or school or the park.
There is a big need for soldiers to service
in the army of God. What will you do today?
Editor - Selena Hoye
Editor - Selena Hoye
