That's what he told my husband this morning. His exact words, "It's bad when you have to wait for a warm day to bathe." My heart broke when I heard these words. Paul lives around the corner from us. Literally.
Late last summer we were headed home from church when my husband spotted them. Hot and sticky weighted down with groceries. I was talking and not paying attention but knew exactly what was happening when he began to turn the car around. Another person walking. My husband does this fairly often but only when he feels the Lord nudging. So, we pulled up beside them. Hubby got out and asked if we could drive them home. He was greeted with brief hesitation before agreeing. The kids were silent as Paul talked. He told us a bit about his life and how he used to work in the landscape industry. Of course, when the economy tanked so did construction and everything related to it. Since then, Paul has been unable to find work. "Everyone says I'm too old" were his words to us. He is in his 50s.
Paul often walks to businesses close by to apply for jobs because he has no car to travel long distances. He also has no phone so interested potential employers have no way to get in touch with him.
When we drove up to him home that day, my girls' eyes were opened. Paul and his wife lived in a very small, run down trailer. Dark and dirty and in a bad neighborhood. But they were both very upbeat and told us to have a blessed day as they got out. We drove away in silence. Humbled to have met such a wonderful couple.
Hubby has seen him and picked him up several times since that hot summer day. Each time Paul reveals a little more about himself. And then this morning...
It was cold outside. In the 30s, I'm sure. Dragging a propane tank behind him, Paul was making the trek home. Hubby saw him and pulled over. Paul's face lit up with he heard his name. They loaded the tank into the back and were turning in the direction of Paul's house when he told my husband they lost that house. The house they are now living in wasn't far. Pulling down the drive my husband's heart sank. Paul's new house is falling apart. There is no electricity. They cook on a small propane grill. There's no heat and it's cold. As in it's suppose to snow tonight cold. And they "....wait for a warm day to bathe."
My husband invited Paul and his wife to dinner tonight. We're seeking God's clear direction for our relationship with Paul and how we can help his situation.
What does God call us to do? How can this be the reality right around the corner- in my small little corner of the world?! Praying for God's clear direction.
In Him,
E
4 comments:
Ugghh...so sad! Let me know if there is anything we can do to help. This is when I wish we had a home for our camp and had it up and running. He is just the type of person we would need to live at camp and work on buildings and such. We will keep him in our prayers.
I know it's not the most help, but I'd like to buy them a gift card for a local supermarket. Can you email me at brianandrachel dot davis at gmail dot com if this is ok and I will purchase one and mail it to you to give.
In Christ,
Rachel
p.s. We'll pray for you - not the easiest situation!
And I thought your "one" this year would be a little one. Maybe this is the "one" you prayed about.
Wow praying for you to have peace and know how God wants you to help him. Do you think he would pass a backround check? My husband is always hiring. We live far away but the pay would be really good if he would be able to train and pass a test to install Direct tv/ hughes net or wildblue. Let me know if you think it would work.
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