I recently sat and heard the story of a young 24-year-old woman and her family who were homeless. I sat on their blanket and listened as she poured her frustrations out. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship minister to the homeless weekly and provide food and water for them.

Her children are working-age, yet she's 24. She started early because she had cervical cancer at 12 and was afraid she'd never have children. Her and her family were out on the streets homeless and have had to survive some pretty rought and tough times. Most of the harder stuff she told me I'm reserving typing because it might be too personal to let out publically. One thing I did want to share was that her surrogate father was taking care of her and her children. He was black, she was white - they didn't look like they were related. But, he adopted her and has known her since she was a toddler. The ministries come out to give the homeless and the poor food. The 24-year-old has an ankle fractured in 3 places. So, she can't get up and get food for herself. And, the ministries wont give a double portion to one person. So, Roy has had to give his food to his daughter, going without food for days. When they sleep, people may steal their things. Her ankle brace and pain medications as well as her vitamins were stolen from her. She's in pain over her ankle without medications. It needs to be broken again and reset into a place where it could heal properly, but they're without healthcare being homeless and the free clinics aren't equipped to handle her needs. The police drive them away every morning at 5. They have to be constantly on the move. If she gets up to go to the bathroom the others yell at her, trying to think about her healing leg, and tell her to sit down. They have no resources or places to go. Christian ministries help them as best as they can, but without adequate healthcare, they are really suffering. Her father's wife had surgery and their greatest fear is that they discharge her, where she'd go to the streets with an open wound and possibly be reinfected. And what's worse is that there are others in the street struggling with addictions that get irrational when under the influence and beat on the others. She's been beat plenty of times and has the scars to prove it. Even on her face. If she tries to defend herself, the police will arrest her, too. All she can do is take the beating. Such is their plight... She said, "Red is my favorite color, because it's the color of Jesus' blood." I wont let my left arm know what good my right arm did that night, but she received a bible. I hope that she will read it and know the mercy and grace found only in Jesus Christ that the world cannot provide.

Christian ministry is so powerful. Jesus said we're the lights of this world. Not 'this little light of mine,' but the light of the world (like the sun). The Church is powerful through the Holy Spirit and can really bring light to darkened areas of this world. I intend to start with their medical needs.

Please pray that God will reveal His call on me to do Missionary Medicine, and provide a door of opportunity into a medical school to be equipped with the knowledge I'd need to bring the Gospel to darkened areas that need to hear the Gospel (even through a translator). Pray that God will reveal His will for me on Global Health Issues and Medical Missions, evangelism, and missionary work. Pray that God will show me what He wants me to do about going to medical school. And raising a family. Pray for homeless families like the one I described. Pray for them to know the comfort that comes with being in Jesus. Pray that the Church can continue to help them with their physical needs.

Thank you, friend.
Isaac D.