Two days ago I met a young guy named Ray. He is from Indiana. And he is homeless. He came into my YMCA looking for a place to stay for the night; he thought the Y was a shelter. He walked 200 miles to get to Columbus. Yes, you read that right -200. He got a ride from several truckers, but walked most of the way. He has a friend who lives here, so that's why he came to Columbus. He walked with a limp now because of a lasting cramp that came upon him after such a rigorous trek. By the end of the day he told me that meeting me was a changing day for him. I think it was ME who was changed...I spend the last hour of my shift online looking up shelters and people who could help him out, and then on the phone calling places and talking with various people. As I worked to help connect him with organizations that worked with the homeless and helped them find work and get back on their feet, I listened to him share his life story with me. It was fascinating. It was eye-opening, and it was humbling. He was such a good guy who just needed a break. He'd been through a lot in his life. I ended up connecting with a director at Faith Mission, and at the end of my shift I offered to drive him downtown and find the office. Before heading out, we ended up sitting in my car and talking for another 30 minutes about life, God, girls, and the future.
I ended up finding the office on S. 6th street downtown (which was an act of God since I always get lost downtown and end up turning the wrong way on a one-way) lol. I went in and talked to the directors, cuz I thought a YMCA employee vouching for him might get him more attention. It worked. Ray probably didn't know, but I was praying for God to work something out since the minute he walked up to the desk and said, "hi, my name is Ray, and I'm homeless and need some help." And God moved. And as I was in the building, I got to talk to many other people struggling with homelessness and poverty. It was an extremely impactful experience. Talking with them, sharing stories, united in our mutual humanity. It was special. And in that moment there was no me and them, no separation of social status or economic standing - there was HUMAN. And we were ONE. And it was beautiful.
I talked to Ray twice on the phone since that night, and he has reconnected with his friend and is doing alright. And he even got a job interview and had me listed as one of his contact references -because as he told me: "I don't know anyone, and I don't have any friends here or at home. I only have you, Nick." Wow. I am his only friend. And I've known him for only several hours. I was challenged to love more deeply that night; to truly love like Jesus. And I learned that as I loved Ray like Jesus would have, I not only ended up giving him food and shelter, but hope, laughter (which he said he hadn't smiled in days. another "wow" moment), and friendship. I still think it was ME who truly gained from that night, and who was truly changed...
