Sometimes it takes a couple of tries for us to hear what God is trying to say. On New Year’s Eve me and my teammate Lindsey had a bit of an adventure. Upon getting to a coffee shop we saw a little boy selling fruit and vegetables and smiled at him. Then later when I went to order my coffee he was in front of me. He didn’t have enough money, and by the time I realized what was happening he had left. I was so disappointed in my being so unaware. If I couldn’t help feed a child then what was I even doing? Lindsey reassured me, saying that God surely had a plan.
It was when we got up to go get lunch that we found him in front of a store checking his foot. Getting a closer look we say he was obviously a street kid. He had dirty ripped clothes with only one shoe and was small enough that I couldn’t guess his age. We talked to him (Lindsey led the conversation because I am socially awkward) and found out that the day before he cut his foot on glass and had simply put a band-aid on it and suffered through the pain. It looked dirty and deep so we made the decision that lunch could wait. A kind stranger gave us extra money to go to the pharmacy for him and off we went.
On our way we found out his name is Eric. He lives on the streets with his friends and when we asked about family, he told us that he is alone. Eric turned 11 on December 26 and swims at the beach almost every day. After taking care of his foot we decided to get him some food and we went to the pizza place. Finally, we headed back to the store and had to say goodbye. It was hard to know that I would be going home to a roof and bed later that night and he would not. To know that my mom is only a phone call away and he only had other children to look to. And that I could only love him and be his friend instead taking away all his problems.
We go to debrief tomorrow in Port Elizabeth so I don’t know if I’ll see him till after. But I will keep him in my prayers and hope that he finds comfort in the Lord while there is no comfort from the world.
I don’t really know how to end this or transition this blog. I still need $3,350 to stay on the race and get to know Eric and others like him. Please consider donating or sharing this to someone who might. I know that God has more planned for me here and he finishes what he starts. Thank you and have a happy New Year!
Verse of the day: Psalms 5:11
