Babies on the Streets

I wrote recently about our trip out to the streets to feed and minister to those in need. I had many ask “how I can do that?” or “why do I do what I do?” You can read posts about our ministry and vision HERE, as well as read our ministry leaders post about it HERE.

But for today I want to take you back in time.

Our church had recently partnered with the Salvation Army and a few people had been going out monthly taking food to those on the streets of Corpus Christi. I really didn’t feel a need to go UNTIL I met a few people who lived on the streets at church. It was then that God began nudging me to go. I don’t know about you, but usually when God nudges me to GO it’s to somewhere foreign that I’ve never been, thus out of my comfort zone.

The nudging got stronger, so I volunteered to help the next month.

We got the food ready. Check.
We packed it all just right. Check.
We put together hygiene bags. Check.
We bagged fruit. Check.
We got extra clothes ready to take. Check.
We all met at 6:30 to head out. Check.
I was ready to help others. Check.

One mile down the street, at the corner of the three crosses, my life was forever changed. I didn’t realize God wanted me to GO to change me, I thought I was going to help others.

We pulled up and got our food, clothes, hygiene products, and children’s games out. We visited. We prayed. Then out of nowhere some young moms walked up to get something to eat with babies in their arms. Both of these moms had two-month old babies! TWO MONTH OLD babies on the streets. It was a cool night. The babies had wet diapers. TWO MONTH OLD BABIES!

As I backed off in the distance to catch my breath and dry my tears, my heart broke. I had a gazillion questions running through my mind. How were the babies going to survive? What were the moms going to do? Did they have a chance? Where were their families? How can this baby get some formula? Can we get some dry diapers?  on and on . . . 

After collecting my emotions, I visited with the moms. They were such sweet young girls. I looked around and watched a few of the other old moms with children. I watched our youth play games with the elementary age kids. I saw the children hanging on to their prized toys. Yes, I took every moment in.

So you ask, why or how can I go out there, because my life was forever changed the night I saw BABIES ON THE STREETS at the corner of the three crosses.