'I feel so much love'

Ken, Heather and Roy

I met Jesus today in two different people. They were a homeless couple - Roy and Heather. They were passing through Dothan going to a family member's house in Florida. It has been a long time since they've been home. They have lived on the streets in different parts of the country for while.

Roy was about my height with a bushy gray bread and long matted hair with a few dreadlocks. He wore a yellow bandanna and overalls. Heather had a beautiful smile and wore her hair up. Neither had had a shower in a while. They both carried backpacks, and Heather carried a little long-haired black dog. He was very quiet and sweet.

My good friend and LIA volunteer Rick Denney saw them and invited them to the Love In Action Ministry Center today. Rick came in first and asked if it was OK for them to come in even if she had a little dog. I said of course they could. If it had been a large dog we would have made other arrangements, but then again, as I have learned over the years, most homeless wouldn't even ask if a big dog could come inside. They have too much respect for others.

As most of us know, pets are like family members, but to a homeless person, they are family. For some, a dog is all the family they have, so keeping them together is important.

They came in and LIA volunteer Bryan Cole talked with them as I got them some food. We offered them new clothes, hygiene products and the use of our shower. They were in awe at the love that was being shown them. In fact, it brought them to tears. They were so appreciative.

As it turned out, they were just passing through hoping to catch a bus to Florida to visit Heather's dad, who had sent them money for tickets. They thought they would have problems getting a ticket because Heather didn't have an ID. I told them they didn't need one to get a bus ticket. They were surprised and happy. They just needed someone to tell them, "It's OK. There won't be a problem."

When people have been homeless for a long time, like they have been, they grow accustomed to rejection and failure. The simplest task can seem daunting.

 It was noon and the next bus left at 12:30 p.m. My friend and LIA volunteer Jonathan Ellis said he could drive them to the bus station here in Dothan. They were so excited.

As they purchased their tickets, the bus rolled in. Perfect timing. I had told them earlier, while they were eating, that we would like to pray with them. After they bought the tickets, Roy said, "Will you pray for us?" So we held hands and prayed in the bus station.

They both said several times they kind of wished they were staying because they felt so much love. Roy said, "Keep doing what you're doing. It's great." I told him it was Jesus showing His love for them. Heather kept saying, "My eyes are leaking. I feel so much love."

They didn't have a Bible, so Jonathan went back to LIA and brought them back a Bible. I told them to read John and Luke. We all four hugged about a half dozen more times before they got on the bus with their little dog.

Heather said she would send a post card and maybe a photo of her and her dad. I'd never throw that postcard or photo away if she does.

They came to LIA broken and feeling down, not much hope. They got on that bus with Jesus, renewed hope, smiles, tears of joy, full stomachs, bags of food and hygiene items, and a Bible.

They experienced the true love of Jesus today. And, Jonathan, Bryan and I experienced the love and joy of Jesus today, too. Jesus gives us opportunities every day to serve Him. I am thankful we obeyed Him today. If we hadn't, we would have missed out on a tremendous blessing of serving Him.