A Story of Encouragement

While there is a lot of brokenness on the street, I’ve found there are also many stories of hope. Each time I go out for street outreach, I am amazed by how the Lord uses us to touch others and enables us to be messengers of hope and love.

One story that I’d like to share is from one windy, drizzly day back in April. We were walking down a busy street when we saw a young man standing underneath an overhang of a nearby building. We approached him and offered him food and water, but he kindly refused. He then paused, seeming to gather some courage, and asked if we would be able to call his mom for him. He explained his dad had kicked him out, and he was avoiding the shelters and places where there were a lot of homeless people because he didn’t want to get into that type of environment. One of our team members quickly pulled out their phone, and we were able to contact his mom and sister. After some conversation, we were able to explain to his sister where she could pick him up. As we left, knowing his sister was on her way, he thanked us repeatedly, his eyes bright and his demeanour light.

I thank God that we were able to help this young man on that day and that God allowed me to see that what OIM volunteers do every evening truly impacts people and the trajectory of their lives. I am reminded of Matthew 5:16 as I remember the volunteers that go out night after night: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” All glory to God for the way he uses his people to bring hope to the hopeless on the street

~Lydia, Summer Student