A Christmas Shoe Story
David needed shoes badly; unfortunately, his feet were a size 16. He looked through the bin of used shoes and shook his head. "You don't happen to have a size 16 anywhere, do ya?" He asked. Size 16 isn't usually found in our donations. My wife Linda would have to order David's shoes.
David and his wife live in a homeless shelter, many people do. They end up homeless for many reasons. Some will eventually leave the shelter and begin life on more solid ground. Some will always be homeless.
Almost half of the shelter residents are women, they make up 40% of the homeless population and 98% of those women have suffered domestic abuse or sexual violence. When the shoes came to our house in the mail, I smiled – picturing David smiling as he opened the box with his new shoes.
Christmas at the Shelter comes at least once a month for our team of volunteers. We serve dinner and give out clothing. Whatever the Shelter might be low on, toilet paper, water, sanitary items, etc. We serve the need.
I remember when I yelled David's name as almost 160 people gathered in the back yard of the shelter for dinner. "David! My wife found you a pair of new size 16 shoes!" David didn't smile as he opened the shoebox. He examined the shoes, closed the lid, and turned to walk away without a word.
At first, I was kind of shocked until I realized the "overwhelm" of the moment. Thinking back on the scene now, I can almost see a tear in his eye as he turned to go. People who are homeless often feel unworthy of receiving anything. They don't think they deserve a gift. I knew in my heart David was grateful, I didn't need a thank you.
Fast forward two years later. A woman came up to me as I stood in the dinner serving line pouring hot chocolate. She asked for prayer for her husband. Her prayer request was that her husband would continue striving to be a better man and husband as had begun a Bible study. She then added, "You may remember him, his name is David. You gave him size 16 shoes two years ago and that's when he started to change."
Tears welled up in my eyes. It was proof of what patient love without expectation can do. Only God knows what He will do when we trust Him with what we do. In January Youth With A Purpose will celebrate 25 years of ministry that began in Buffalo, NY. We build relationships with homeless people and children in a Navajo safe home called NAOMI House.
Thank you everyone whose supported this ministry for over a quarter of a century. You've touched the lives of people you don't know and made them feel valued and worthy of love. What you do means a lot. We appreciate you. Merry Christmas! If you would like more information or we can pray for you, please let us know. Jesus loves you and so do we.
Bob & Linda Kuebler
4565 N. Lazy Lariat Ln. Rimrock AZ 86335 716-830-8240 ywapbuffalo@yahoo.com
