Al's Outreach Outtakes

In honor of Groundhog Day (the movie) I considered re-running last week’s column about the Random Angels Ministry but then thought that not everyone would appreciate that style of humor (I thought it was funny…). After collecting myself, I did start to think about the fact that every morning each of us likely does wake up to a routine of some sort that is uniquely our own. Some of you may be early risers who jump out of bed with a smile on your face ready to take on the challenges of the day. Others (you know who you are) wake up and the first word out of your mouth is “cooofffeeee”. Still others might gradually pry open their eyelids, gather themselves and then roll out of bed.
 
Like many of you, I am blessed to wake up in a warm bed with a roof over my head. My thermostat is set so that the house is not too cold when I throw the covers back. I can take a warm shower and have clean clothes in my closet. I can choose what I want to eat for breakfast. That’s my groundhog morning. Maybe yours too?
 
Not everyone is as blessed. A couple of weeks ago I encountered someone who has a completely different experience. She was sleeping under an overhang space and as I approached to talk with her she reminded me we had met a few years ago. It took me a minute to recognize her face, but the more we talked the more I recalled. She shared with me that she is constantly on the move and over the last couple of years had actually been up and down the West Coast. Back in the local area she simply looks for wherever she could find a place to stay a while.
 
When I asked what she needed and how we might be able to help she replied “I just want a place to stay; a room I can call my own; a place to wake up every morning.” Not so different from you and me.
 
As she packed up her bags we got her a little food and a few other things she could use. She expressed her gratitude and walked away in search of the next place to rest.  Please pray for her and all of those dealing with housing insecurity.