on the streets of Laredo

Some you notice, some you probably never see. Some hold signs and ask for money, and others just sit and watch as you pass by. We all have thoughts and opinions, but rarely do we know exactly how to act or what to say. They are in your city, and they are in mine. And one night this week, I had the privilege of taking a meal and a bottle of water (or Pepsi, or Mountain Dew...) to the homeless and street people of Laredo, Texas.

I went out with Randy Leyendecker, a giant of a man with a shock of white hair; an exceedingly generous man with a very soft heart for the homeless. Only in the last few years did he even start to notice the homeless on the streets of Laredo, only after he learned that his sweetheart was homeless herself as a child, and that during that time, she only remembers wishing that someone would be nice to her family. Randy goes out 3 times a week in the evening, and searches out those on the street, in need of a meal and a cold drink. Sometimes he has extras. This night we had a case of peanuts that had been donated. He tries to have socks to give out. And he has a stack of little Bibles if anyone asks.

The smell on the bus was slight, but I recognized it quickly, that same smell we became familiar with after years of delivering meals to the elderly and shut in, that institutional food smell. That smell that makes you thankful for a home cooked meal. We gave out a Styrofoam box filled with a little meal, one that would not sustain you for very long. We introduced ourselves and looked folks in the eye and asked their name. And we asked, "can I pray for you?" We heard requests for jobs, and for friends that are in jail, and for health concerns, and for family situations. There are a lot of layers to most stories. Addiction, broken relationships and mental illness are common among folks on the street, though of course, not exclusive to the homeless.

Of course, the delight and sometimes the surprise is in meeting the people and we met some memorable characters. We met several who would barely muttered answers to "would you like a meal?" We met man with a shy smile, and a large "thank you." We met folks who live under a bridge and in a parking lot. We met Spanish speakers and English speakers both. We met folks from south of the border and from south of the Mason Dixon line. We met both young and old, those pierced and tattooed, one bald, one with a mohawk, some clean and well kept, others in need of a shower. Frankly, we were all in need of a shower on a hot and dusty summer evening

Being with those living on the street reminded that me that I am prone to forget to count my blessings, and I am much too quick to grumble. I was reminded that some consequences of life choices turn out much more serious than others. I was reminded that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made, and that it really is such a simple thing, to show kindness to those who perhaps don't experience it often.

And I was reminded that all kinds of folks like having their picture taken...
To see more of the faces of the streets of the Laredo, visit the Picasa album Streets of Laredo.