Year After Year After Year
Lonely, Tommy became infatuated with Terry, and, after knowing her for only a month, they married. But Terry had secrets. She used heroin — and then she learned she was HIV+. Depression followed, and then cocaine. Terry said cocaine was the only thing that made her feel happy. Tommy wanted her to be happy, so he kept the cocaine coming. It wasn’t long before he, too, began to use. His bank account gradually emptied. Tommy wanted to stop, but he was powerless. He realized that he and Terry were pulling each other down, and one day he walked out. He became a wanderer. His addiction made it difficult to hold a regular job, so housing was always an issue. As the weather got cold, Tommy needed to keep warm. Sometimes he had a place to stay, but there was never any heat. He heard that there was a mission in Coney Island where he could get a blanket, so he went to see if the rumor were true. Not only did he find a blanket, but he also found all the contents of the Homeless Care Kit. Tommy was glad for the resources, but he didn’t want any other involvement with Christians. Because of the mess he had made of his life, he figured God wouldn’t be interested in him anyway. Tommy became a courier for a local drug dealer. Winter came again, and again he went to the mission for a Homeless Care Kit. This time he stayed around a little longer listening to the message, but the lure of drugs was too strong. This cycle went on for several years. Whenever Tommy was in need, he went to the mission and found help. Eventually he found the help he really needed — he committed his life to the Lord. God enabled Tommy to turn away from drugs, to go back to work full time, and even to volunteer at the mission. Being part of a regular Bible study helped him grow steadily in his faith. Tommy said later that, to him, God’s faithfulness was demonstrated through the regular provision of Homeless Care Kits when he was in great need.
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Tommy wasn’t a “typical” homeless person. He was a veteran, well-educated, with a background in business and education.
One of our most crucial outreaches of the entire year is the annual winter campaign to share life-saving Homeless Care Kits.