| Raymond's Story - Don't Judge a Book by its Cover Grateful for a food box, a sack lunch, blankets and coffee, Raymond's eyes were moist as he told me his story of ending up homeless on Albuquerque's West Mesa.  | | Raymond | Raymond said he used to drive a truck, until the fateful day about three years ago when he received a call and learned that his wife and son had been killed by a drunk driver.He said, "I went home. My wife was dead on the scene. My son died two hours later. I couldn't sit home - too many memories." After traveling around devastated for about two-and-a-half years, Raymond settled on Albuquerque. He had been through the city in his driving days and liked it. However, looking at his eyes as he spoke, I realized his inner pain is always ever-present. He's still hurting-badly. I can't even imagine what he experiences as the dawning of each cold day brings another slue of tear-wracked memories. Raymond's story reminded me of my friend Randy Stonehill's song "Christmas at Denny's." It's the story of a man whose daughter was killed. Just like Raymond, this man couldn't stay home either and he started traveling. One Christmas he ends up at a Denny's restaurant. The song reads in part, "And I'm dreaming about a silent night - Holy Night - when things were alright. And I'm dreaming about how my life could have been if only, if only, if only. But somewhere down the road I gave up that fight. Merry Christmas. It's Christmas at Denny's tonight." Raymond recalled the day he came to Albuquerque. He said his friend who used to help him load and unload trucks when he was driving told him about a makeshift camp site, and that they could camp together.
I asked Raymond what life had been like for him the last six months, and whether he was ever jumped or hassled. He said no; it was just hard being able to weather the cold living conditions I wondered what Raymond would say to people who have a small house or an apartment, but are perhaps upset they don't have more. He told me he would tell them, "Come and try to live the way I've been having to live." Raymond said he gets through life by taking it one day at a time. I asked him how Albuquerque residents he's encountered have been treating him. He said they've been okay, but he's been eking out a living by loading and unloading trucks. He added, "It's hard, the way people look at you, but I try to stay clean. I mind my own business. I don't mess with nobody. I go to work; come back; go to bed (and) stay to myself." I asked Raymond if he had a message for people who judge him. He responded thoughtfully, "Don't judge a book by its cover. Everybody's out here for a certain reason. All of them have different reasons. I don't do drugs; I don't drink. I try to work (and) just get by." Raymond said he's optimistic about the upcoming new year, and he'd like to get a house or an apartment. He hopes people will pray for him. Raymond said his faith has helped him weather the last three years. He added that without Jesus he couldn't have made it during this terrible time. He said, "I never lost faith. I read the Bible every day. I pray every day." There are so many people like Raymond all around Albuquerque, across America and worldwide, who have experienced emotionally debilitating tragedies in their life. As a result, some decide to travel to be as far away as they can from their place of pain, while others in an attempt to numb their anguish become addicted to alcohol and drugs. Like the individual in "Christmas at Denny's" they have perhaps come to believe, "Life's made of cruel circumstance. Fate plays the tune and we dance - dance til we drop in the dust and we're gone and the world just goes on." However, if we don't judge these precious folk and take the time to pray for and befriend them, with the Lord's help we can see them move from despair, hopelessness and addiction to a new life in Jesus. That is the best Christmas gift for anyone! Every day at Joy Junction and around Albuquerque, with your help we are reaching out to the broken, hurting, hungry and homeless with a warm place to stay, meals, hygiene kits, blankets, sleeping bags, blankets, underwear and Bibles. If you are one of our prayer or financial partners, thank you for helping us continue this ministry of compassion. If you are not yet involved, will you prayerfully consider helping us? The lives of many are depending on your generosity. | 
