| Some Good Advice from Charles Traveling the streets of Albuquerque on Joy Junction's Lifeline of Hope meal wagon is an adventure I wouldn't miss. It provides an opportunity to share the spiritual and physical love of Jesus with people whom the Lord chooses to being our way. It's such a blessing to share chili, soup, sack lunches, coffee, juice, hygiene kits and other supplies with many times worried and discouraged people.Earlier today Joy Junction's Kathy Sotelo and I were in the Lifeline of Hope on the way to feed some folk who had been involuntarily displaced from an apartment complex which had been closed down by the city, and charged with being substandard. We passed a man with a sign sitting on the corner of Menaul and Carlisle. Kathy and I both felt he had eyes of heartfelt desperation. It was as if they bore into our respective souls and compelled us to stop. We pulled into a parking lot, introduced ourselves and asked the man if he was hungry. He said he was, so we gave him a sack lunch and a bottle of vitamin water. He asked for another lunch and water for his friend, which we happily gave. Later on we gave another sack lunch to a man who asked for an extra meal for his friend "who can't get up and come over here." We were happy to oblige. We've found it a common occurrence that many of the homeless are very concerned for their friends, and that there is an intense camaraderie between those in need. How awful to be hungry in our land of plenty, for whatever reason; but how wonderful that we can brighten their day. Then there's Charles, whom we met at another location where we feed people. He told me that the Lifeline helps a lot. "Because when I don't got nothing, they always come help me right here. Always," he said.Charles told me a bit of his story, and he had some pretty good advice about the perils of drinking. He said, "I used to drink hard liquor every day; vodka, whiskey, anything I could get. It almost caused me to lose my family and everything ... my wife told me to choose the alcohol or choose my family. I choose my family ... I still drink a bit every now and then, but it's nothing like being an alcoholic. At least I'm doing better. I'm getting better at it, and I'm still with my wife for 30 years." I asked Charles how he had gotten through all the trials in his life. He was quick to respond. "Faith. Faith in my Lord Jesus Christ, and my wife is on my side. She keeps my best part of me. She makes a difference in me doing better." It was evident that Charles had experienced some tough love from the wife of whom he spoke so admiringly. He told me she had said, "'You either want me and the kids, or you want to live by yourself and be homeless.' I didn't want to be homeless; I love my wife and my kids." As a result, Charles said, he decided to put his wife and family ahead of alcohol. He continued, "I put them first from now on in my life because God blessed me ... and gave me the strength to (do so)." I asked Charles what he would say to people who are thinking of experimenting with alcohol or drugs. He said, "That ain't a good thing; that's not a good thing. You need to recognize, it's okay to drink a little bit occasionally, but not to be a drunk. Never be a drunk." I asked Charles what he sees ahead for 2010. He said, "God blessing everybody (through) my Lord Jesus Christ ... Keep your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you'll be alright." My Take Charles, I couldn't say it better. Thanks for brightening our day when we see you in your part of Albuquerque. I pray you keep serving the Lord and grow in His grace and love.
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