Extreme Make-over
Things are happening. Have you ever had a time in your life where you could feel, tell, or notice that things had just taken a huge step in a new direction? This weekend we had an experience that encouraged us, broke our hearts, and gave us great hope all at the same time. A strong relationship exists between our group and two people who have grown dear to our hearts over the past few months. We were challenged to love at a new level, and to take the next step in what it means to serve those in need…
One Monday Robert and Laura called us from “their” payphone.. (Funny how we are a part of families where everyone, including ten year olds, have their own cell phone! Robert and Laura walk about a mile to the payphone each week to call us.) When they call we plan a time to get together, eat, get them any supplies they need, and laugh together. This past Monday when they called we made plans to pick them up on Saturday and spend the day with them. They agreed…(Back to that in a minute.)
Every Saturday morning at around 6:45 one of our “gatherers” named Grant takes a group downtown to meet with our friend Michael Hatcher for what he calls the “Soul Café.” Coffee is served to the homeless as they fill the streets after being sent out of the shelters for the day. This past Saturday in the parking lot of an old abandoned building there was no small crowd of people. About ten people from “Intentional Gatherings” spent a couple hours hanging out with the homeless of Ft. Worth. They all have different stories. Some are straight up drunks. Some are drug addicts. Others lost their job ten years ago and can’t seem to get a grip on life. They have no friends, no family, no home, and nothing but the clothes on their backs to their name. Both physical, mental, and emotional needs are met on Saturday mornings. Keri was talking with this man and noticed his eyes. He excitedly agreed when she asked to take a picture. Meet Al:
After spending some time at the “Soul Café” we usually head over to the woods to visit our friend Charlie who is pushing 70 years of age. He’s a sweet man. Of course, we swung by the corner store to grab him a couple packs of Patriot Cigarettes to give him a break from having to roll his own. We spent some great time with Charlie: Donnie ran screaming like a girl as a large bee buzzed around him, and I walked down the trail behind “Charlie’s pad” to use the “restroom.” It was a good time. Charlie laughed. As we were leaving a couple of us were saying our goodbyes to Charlie. Here are Charlie’s words to the four of us who remained, “You know, I was thinking the other day after the last time you guys were here…I decided that you guys are like my grandchildren.” I immediately yelled for Keri who was on her way back to the car. She returned quickly and I filled her in on what Charlie had just said. She looked at Charlie and said, “Charlie, I’ll be your granddaughter!” For the rest of my life I will never forget the look on Charlie’s face as his eyes filled with tears. Charlie, for the first time in a decade, has a family. He calls us his adopted grandkids. Charlie is no longer alone in the woods. He knows that his adopted grandkids love him. Meet Charlie:
The day had just begun. We made our way to the Denny’s on University where we always meet Robert and Laura. They had everything they needed for the day. They hopped in the car with me and we made our way back to Bedford. I had to keep the windows rolled down on the way there. I say that to point out the reality of the situation. Our friends had probably not showered in months. The odor was strong. We were excited that the Lord had allowed us to be a part of seeing this need met. We got to Keri’s parents house (Thanks Bob and Anne!) and the showering began. I want to take this time to share a “before” picture of our friends Robert and Laura. This was taken the first night we met them, and this is how they look each time we see them. Meet Robert and Laura: (left)
As you can see Robert is hidden behind a thick beard and, until Saturday, I had never seen him without a cap on. While Robert was in the shower, we set out sandwich stuff on the table for lunch and spent time out on the back porch talking. Laura came out from the shower. She was beautiful. Her hair was clean and brushed. She no longer had dirt staining her skin and she smelled nice. She had a huge smile on her face. At this point we all started feasting on sandwiches. Robert had three I think! Afterwards, Robert hit the shower. He got out and Morgan began cutting his hair. She must have cut five inches of hair from around his head; the top was bald. We all watched as Robert closed his eyes, smiled, and enjoyed something he had not enjoyed in who knows how long. We spend a lot of time with homeless people. They do not get touched very often. We make it a point to give out as many hugs as we can when we hang out with them. Morgan had the opportunity to give so much more than a hug. She touched, combed, brushed, ran her fingers through, and cut the hair of this homeless married couple. I had to ask myself how many girls I know who would do that. I thank the Lord for people like Morgan Mitchamore. She painted one of the most powerful illustrations of love through her act of cutting Robert and Laura’s hair on Saturday. After cutting his hair, she went to work on his extremely long beard. Bob got a laugh from everyone when he returned from the garage with the hedge trimmers:
After Morgan cut the majority of the beard off I went to town carefully sculpting a sweet “Trucker’s Stash” out of the remaining beard on Robert’s face. I had never been this close to Robert before. As I concentrated on shaving him he just looked at me with big eyes and a huge smile. He was comfortable. I was comfortable. A trust had been developed between us. It rocked. He looked good! Meet the new Robert:
Laura rewet her hair and Morgan began running her fingers through it. This was an equally amazing thing to watch. Laura was in heaven on earth. She closed her eyes, and relaxed as Morgan made her look even more beautiful on the outside than she already was. Check her out:
The make over was complete. Our friends were showered, dressed in clean clothes, fed, and floating on a cloud. Ladies and gentlemen, the new Robert and Laura:
Robert and Laura hadn’t been to the movies in over a year. We took them to see a movie. I watched Robert through the entire movie, his face beaming as he leaned forward and crossed his arms on the chair in front of him. He rested his chin on his arms and stayed that way through the entire movie!
After the movie we were standing in front of the bathrooms waiting for Laura. When she came out we asked them how they felt about us getting them a motel room for the night, so they could sleep in a real bed under a roof. Robert’s eyes watered and he replied, “You guys really don’t have to do that.” We said that we knew, but that we would love if they would let us do that. They graciously agreed and we were on our way. We had looked for a place within walking distance to where they “lived,” or hid their stuff in the woods. Everything was booked. So, we had to go back towards our place.
We found a place and got them settled into a room. Keri and Jeremiah would have to go pick them up in the morning after checkout to take them back to their stuff. We felt the need to share with Robert and Laura why we do what we do. We told them about I.G. and what we do each week when we gather. We told them how we try to individually live out the Gospel everyday. We invited them to an I.G. cookout that we’re having in a few weeks. They know that we will be singing, sharing, praying and reading the Scriptures. They are going to join us! Praise God! We told them that Christ has transformed our hearts and caused us to want to do nothing but extend grace and love towards those in need. We told them that we will love them no matter what they believe, and that our goal is not to convert them. They were confused by our words. We continue to pray that the Lord would capture their souls and set them free. Please join us in that prayer. We ordered a pizza to be delivered to their room, prayed over them, traded hugs, and headed home. We have an amazing vision of seeing Robert and Laura each week at I.G. In our minds we picture them sitting in the circle with us as we worship God…Robert is praying.
*For information on how to be a part of homeless outreach please send an email to:
intentionalgatherings@gmail.com