For this cold and wet winter’s Youth Day, we drove around the neighbourhood with special gifts ready! Two large pots of soup were loaded into the van, as well as winter clothing items.

Each homeless person we met was the grateful recipient of a steaming bowl of soup, a scarf, cap, and blanket, and to round it off, a waterproof winter jacket! Each was also given a Gospel tract with a simple Salvation message.

One group of “friends” united in poverty immediately began eating their soup, and thanked us profusely. Then, when the youth volunteers returned a second time from the van with the clothing items, their astonishment knew no bounds. One of the men held his new jacket at arms length and felt the material, exclaiming again and again “this is a real winter jacket! Look, it’s waterproof!”

Another man rose up from his makeshift bed in a corner between two buildings, and we were shocked to see that he had on only a tshirt and an old tattered pair of pants. We were nearly moved to tears as we realized yet again how blessed we are, and how much we take for granted.

Another large group received their gifts thankfully, and then surprised us with a request. “Will you please pray for us?” With glad, humble hearts we bowed our heads and led them in a simple prayer. Isaiah 59:1 says “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:“

We clearly saw the need that night, both physical and spiritual. Our thanks go to our friends and sponsors, as well as the youth volunteers, without whom these dear ones would have faced a far more difficult winter’s night.