“This place was fixed up real nice at one time,” Richard told me as I look at what appeared to be a war zone. Five minutes earlier he was sound asleep on an old mattress in the middle of the woods. The tent had been sliced to pieces; clothing was cut up and everything had been wet at one point or another. A dirty blanket lay across a rope tied between two trees.

I handed out some gloves and socks from a backpack. I opened a bag that had canned food. I asked if he needed food. I could tell Richard was hungry. “No I don’t want to leave you short,” he replied. I unloaded some food and left it beside him. I asked what else he needed: long johns, a coat, some hot food? “I need a job,” he said. He wants a job. He is sober, drug free, and an experienced construction worker. “I need a job.” That kept ringing in my head. I think I would have asked for more blankets or clothes to stay warm. He just wants a job.

Today I also met with Pastor Bryan Pumphrey. He is so concerned for the homeless. His church purchased many new sleeping bags and donated them for me to give out. He will also start coming out into the field with me and eventually forming his own team to go out. Father Bill has made several trips out and the homeless community is very impressed. I am seeing great support in this area. After this we have to deal with the rest of the country.

12.01.09 DJ McCoy