Homeless life in Chicago’s Northwest Side
The morning started off very cold. The wind temperatures were -6 degrees and we did not know how many people we would encounter with the cold weather. We prepped 20 turkey, 20 ham and 20 PB&J sandwiches and packed each bag. Because of the cold weather conditions we had a smaller group of volunteers and only had to take one route all together with three cars. Edwin, our group leader lead us in prayer and asked for courage and confidence from the Lord to be instilled in us all before we left.
We departed out and first met with Sherida?—?under the Kennedy Expressway on North Ave. Sherida has 5 children, unemployed and goes out to the streets to earn money to keep her apartment where she calls home for her family. She is constantly out working to keep her family afloat. Her prayer requests are to provide for her family, get off the streets and receive a good paying job.
Under the Clybourne Metra Station is where we soon found Heather and Dennis who are a married couple. Both Heather and Dennis have lost their jobs, then financial trouble followed after that point and things unraveled from there for them. Laura?—?our group leader has been able to start a relationship with Heather. Laura has been seeing Heather at the Franciscan Outreach on Le Moyne Street for their soup kitchen on Saturday nights. Last time Laura saw Heather it was her birthday and Heather was sad about the gray hair she was starting to have grow in. This week Laura remembered and brought hair dye for Heather?—?and was able to give to her as a gift. The face on Heather was so thankful and happy to know that Laura was listening and cares for her. Moments like these are so heart warming and times when we really can show God’s love, plant the seed of his compassion and share his story. Our prayer goes out to Heather and Dennis for them to receive God’s love on the daily and know they do have a bright future ahead and can change their lives around. We pray for strength and courage to get through these tough times for them.
Next to the South Bound exit ramp of the Kennedy Expressway on Armitage Ave is where we have been seeing Alfredo the past couple of times we have gone out. Alfredo is here in Chicago alone and does not have any family. He used to have a job as a driver, but within the past year found out he has M.S.?—?multiple sclerosis a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. He soon then lost eyesight in one eye and then lost his job because of that. Since that moment he started to have financial trouble and ended up on the streets. A spot just became available for Alfredo in Pacific Garden (shelter home) but he decided to give up his spot to someone else. He is very hard on himself and felt as if he did not deserve to have the spot in a shelter home before someone else. Edwin, our group leader has been spending much time and building a strong relationship with Alfredo and showing him God’s love. Alfredo has committed his life to the Lord and carries a sign that says:
“I have made bad decisions in life, I am homeless as a result. I am sorry to everyone especially Jesus my Lord God, daughter, mother, etc. I ask all for forgiveness. America please help me restore my life. I need funds to rent a room.”
On 2/28 we were able to record his testimony to an event that happened on his birthday. That night he was under the viaduct on Armitage Ave where he sleeps. He was praying and asking Jesus that all he wanted for his birthday was $100—after he said that prayer— a man pulled up in a car where he was called to him to come to his car, and handed him a $100 bill. After that moment he was taken away and just began to thank the Lord for his goodness. We need to continue to pray for Alfredo?—?that he receives strength from the Lord and power to get out of this state and know better times are ahead. We also need to pray he receives positivity from the Lord.
On our last stop we headed under the Belmont/Kimball Kennedy expressway bridge. Most of us split up in pairs/triples to cover the amount of people living down there. All of us were able to distribute the remaining bagged lunches we packed and hot chocolate/waters.
There we met L.C. He lived under the bridge on the north side of the sidewalk. L.C. is from Mississippi?—?he has been homeless for the past three months. He used to live with his sister here in Chicago but they had a falling out between each other and he left during that time and has not talked to or seen her since. We were able to prayer with L.C. He was very open to it and said “no prayer has ever hurt, so please pray for me.” We prayed that he could restore his relationship with his sister and family so that he can get off the streets and be whole again with his relationships.
We were able to give him a new pair of shoes, pants and a new winter jacket. He was so happy to receive. He also did not have a pair of gloves. His hands were so cold and we were able to give him a pair to tide him over throughout the rest of winter. His next request for next time we see him was for hand warmers. He was such a kind man and very positive about things, but we pray he keeps that hope. He said that next time we come back out we should not see him and he will be off the streets and our prayer request for him is that he will be off the streets.
Please keep all of these people in your prayers. Our next outreach will be Saturday, March 28th.