My Friend, Orlando

When I first met Orlando (about three months ago), he was wearing some sweet shades. The kind of shades you only see the movie stars wear. Nevertheless, he stood out. He was so drunk this day that he was passing out up against the fence. I tried to talk to him, but he had no clue what I was saying. I told him to come back next week so that we could hang outI started to see more of Orlando, as he would come to receive soup and prayer. He would come and hang out for a little longer each week. He would tell me that he loved Jesus and Jesus loved him. One week we were really close to placing him in a detox for his alcohol abuse. He left before a ride could get there.
This past Saturday, Orlando came and looked especially sick. Although he wasn’t drunk, his whole body was swelling up. I did not want to hurt my friend’s feelings, but I felt I needed to tell him that he was going to die. As soon as I said that, he started to cry. He told me that was what the doctor had told him 2 days prior. I asked how I could help him. He said that he needed to get his documents from his wife in order to be helped at the hospital. His wife lived over an hour away but it just so happened that we had volunteers helping us that day that live in the same city that Orlando’s wife does. BINGO! God had already set up this appointment without consulting my day planner or me. I love it when God does these things!
Before we got him back home he wanted to change his clothes. I asked him “Orlando, why waste any time, let’s get you back home.” He told me, “I want to look good for my wife.” You see, Orlando has been living on the streets for over 3 months. He often told me how much he loved and missed his wife. He hadn’t taken a shower or had a place to lay his head during that time. His clothes smelled and so did his body. I felt terrible for even asking him to hurry up. He put on a suit jacket and some nice pants that we gave him. He looked sharp!
Before they left to take him home, he looked at me and said, “You are my angel, God sent you to me to be my angel.” I couldn’t help but cry and didn’t say a word. I know that I am so far from being an angel but it was so humbling to hear him say those words.
Orlando returned to his wife who was so happy to see him. For Orlando, that day, we as a team acted as Jesus to him. “These things we do… that others might live.”

--Austin

My three favorite boys!
The boys playing in Eli's fire truck bed. They played so well today. I think Q pulled Eli's hair only once today. Poor kid.
Its fun to see Eli leading Quintin along to play this or do that. Thankfully Eli is a good leader and tries to keep Quintin out of trouble, although it usually involves him yelling at the top of his lungs at Q. I'm surprised we're not evicted yet- there is a lot of yelling between them that goes on. Q just thinks its fun to yell. He even knows the words 'loud and scream' (he'll give you a sample if hears those words in conversation.) If he hears 'quiet' he pretends to whisper and then follows with a scream.

Quintin dressed as an engineer. He doesn't look like a baby anymore! :(

Our Thanksgiving

We stayed in Elizabeth for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful time. We spent the day cooking the turkey, mashed potatoes, and noodles. Then we went over to our friends house where several families us. There were lots of kids and good friends. After we stuffed ourselves we played games and enjoyed the company all evening. Though I really missed my family, it was great being there with a group of people that felt like family.
We later went to our other friends house (I need to blog about how we met them!) We stayed there a little late and the boys were exhausted. Unfortunately our window got busted out while there. But Austin's philosophy is "What goes around comes around." I really wish he hadn't broken so many windows when he was young.
I'll post some pictures of our day as soon as they get emailed to me.

That Pagan Holiday (that's so much fun)

Superman and Batman making an appearance.

We went trick or treating with our friends and had a blast. The kids ran the entire time. Quintin went door to door as well- he was not content with riding in the stroller and watching. He didn't really know what was going on but he like being superman and getting the candy.

An Answered Prayer

This is my friend, Lucille. She is a regular volunteer on the bus and has a sweet spirit. Recently she fell and hurt herself, bruising ribs and had a doc's order not to come work with us for over a week. Since she has fallen her shoulder and arm have been hurt to the point where she cannot move it very much or even raise her arm above her head. She showed us last Wednesday in a meeting that she could raise her right arm above her head, but was asking for prayer b/c her left one was still hurt from her fall. We decided that it would be best to go ahead and pray for her healing right then. There were about 7 of us around her. I was the first to pray, and we had two more pray. I remember thinking when I was praying about having Faith and whatever you ask for it will be done. I prayed specifically for her healing. After we were done praying I thought well "what's next?" I am so new to praying and believing, I mean I had to face it and put my faith on the line. I believe that God gave His son, and that takes Faith, but when you pray for someone else's healing that seems that you are setting yourself up for disappointment....unless you believe and have faith. I did, I really did, but I was still not confident enough to tell her to raise her arm up and ask her about her pain. Thank the Lord though that another gentleman asked her to, and she did. She did it once and then, like she had just won the lottery, kept doing it over and over again. Praise our Lord!!!! I love to see Him at work, God is working on me and I am so excited about the journey. God grant me more Faith and help me to walk in that which you give me. I am willing and able to be your tool, use me my Lord! (Austin)

God Knows my Name!

I don't usually write down lyrics or poetry, or forward wishy washy emails. But, there was a song we sang today in church that I felt I really needed to share with someone who would read this. I don't know who needed to hear this but isn't it great to know that God knows our name and hasn't forgotten about us. He is always what we need- we will not be disappointed when we come to him. These aren't the exact words, but you'll get the idea:

I am not forgotten
God knows my name.
Father to the fatherless,
Friend to the friendless,
Hope to the hopeless.
I am not forgotten,
Never forsaken.
God knows my name.

John 10:28 I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Dingman's Falls

We went to Dingman's Falls near the Delaware Water Gap a couple of weeks ago. We went with a group of friends from the hope center and had wonderful afternoon. The weather was great and it was good to get away and into nature. Don't worry- Quintin was not in any danger as it looks. It was a very shallow stream.

Does anyone know how to rotate this on blogger?






Eli, the thinker.