Before the doors swung open at 10 am for breakfast, I snuck out to give her a gift. Little did I know, this gift was going to mean more than a gift from Santa on Christmas morning.
Like every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning, TiTi and her husband Abbu were often two of the first people there waiting for the doors to open. As we stood there buttering bread, TiTi poked her head through the window bars to great us each by name, as usual. As I yelled “good morning” back and I stood there buttering the bread with a heavy heart.
I felt as though I was gearing up for a big race or something. I had no idea that what I was about to do was going to impact me as much as it would impact TiTi. I walked out of those doors with a bag in my hand. The bag consisted of a pair of jeans, my favorite shirt and underwear. I said ‘TiTi, I have something for you”!, she covered her mouth and jumped a little and said “for me”? I said “yes” and then told her to open the bag. She peaked in the bag and she looked me in the eyes and said “thank you”. TiTi came hugged me and nestled her face in my neck. Full of sweat and tears she embraced me and it was almost as if she didn’t want to let go. She continued to thank me and hug me. I informed her it was my favorite shirt and I knew it would look good on her. In that moment, I was so sure that that is what the Lord wanted me to do.
I went back inside and not long after, the doors opened for breakfast. TiTi and Abbu sat down and he made the “get going” motion to her. She scurried up the stairs where the homeless people were allowed to rest, shower, and use the bathroom. Not but 3 minutes later, TiTi came down the stairs in her new outfit. She is a wild one I tell you. She walked out of the center and then walked back in as if she was a model on the runway. TiTi is fierce, strong, funny, and so beautiful. 3 of my teammates including myself happened to be lined up along the stairs and she came by and gave each one of us a hug and a kiss and thanked us immensely.
As this was our last day of ministry there, it was incredible. I told TiTi to come find me one more time before she left after the lunch serving. I walked out and there she was, standing, in my outfit. There were only about 3 people left in the building but it felt like no one. I grabbed her and asked her if I could pray for her. She let me and it was one of the most humbling, most beautiful moments I have ever been through. She wept and nestled in my neck one last time before she walked out of that building. It was obvious that she was forever changed. I was forever changed.
TiTi in her new outfit!
