Feeding the Hungry. In your own backyard.

In the right place at the right time.
That’s how I feel about our meeting Rob M.

Yesterday I had that lovely craft morning with Karen.
Afterward, before leaving that neighborhood,
I thought I’d stop by the relief center to see Mary and “S”.

While there I found out about Rob M. who had called the center,
asking if he could get some food delivered to his house. Mary
had spoken to him, telling him some numbers for some ministries
and churches that deliver food parcels. But it was too late on a
Friday afternoon and he was unable to request anything until
Monday.

Mary relayed all this to me and said that he mentioned he had
an injury, he was taking care of his disabled son, and that he
was unable to afford groceries at this time.

I felt awful and remembered that we have some extra money
from donations people sent to us in February. We plan to do
some food delivery for other families next Wednesday with
that same money.

So I got Rob’s number from Mary and called him, asking
what kinds of things he likes or needs. He was the nicest guy!
He said, “I don’t know what to say!! Thank you!” and then
when I asked what kinds of sweets he wants (after getting the list
of the more nutritious staples he needed) he said, “Ohhh wow,
I don’t know! We haven’t had those in awhile!”

Today we went to PakNSave and bought a bunch of groceries.
It is so amazing to be able to do that for someone. Thank you
to all our donors!!!

So we drove into his neighborhood which is just north of ours.
It was a really messed up area (from earthquake damages). We
showed up and he walked out smiling. I immediately noticed
his right arm was pulled up to his side and I asked about it. He
mentioned having several surgeries (free healthcare here) from
injuries and some benign cancer. The nerves in his arms no
longer work and he hurts it often because of that.

Once inside we noticed what a disaster the home is in.
We found out later that due to flooding (from rencent snow melt
in his broken roof from earthquake) that the house has tons of
water damage. Everything was in disorder.

Then after talking awhile he mentioned that he couldn’t afford
groceries in the last few weeks because money went to the
cleaning up of the house issues.

As we helped him put away groceries I noticed the empty fridge,
bare shelves… I handed him a hunk of cheese and he “ooh’ed and ahh’ed”,
saying, “Cheese!” clearly expressing he hadn’t had any in awhile!

At one point I said, “I don’t know if you’re a believing man,
but we’d love to pray for you if that’s OK,” and he was happy
for us to, so that was great. I prayed and he seemed really touched.
He kept his head bent down after and murmured,
“That was really touching. No one’s done that for me before.”

Wow. It was one of those beautiful moments.

Before we left he shared with us some more
bad news of things that have happened in the past.
Both of his children (now 18, 23) were raped at young ages.
Gut wrenching. The kids’ mum left when they were young.
He’s raised them and cared for them through all this time
and has been there for them emotionally as well.

He has suffered a lot. He has worked different jobs
but cannot do a lot at the moment due to his arm. And
he mentioned they have no family around, and not a lot
of friends. My heart broke.

We all need community.
We need love and hugs and support.
And prayer.

It was a pleasure to meet him. He has such a great attitude.
He is so caring of his kids and his 3 dogs who he rescued.
We hope to be in his life more.

As we left his house he said, “Thanks again for praying for me!”
And I said laughingly, “Anytime you want it, we can pray! Just ask!”

I literally just wanted to go back and pray, pray, pray
that very second. But I didn’t want to overwhelm him!

We hope to invite them all over for dinner soon.
We’ll keep you updated!

If I hadn’t of swung by the center
we never would have had this
interaction. I love being at the right
place at the right time. So many
opportunities are around us to
love people and take care of each
other…