She briefly acknowledged me, and picked up a copy of my latest book "Now You See Me." She leafed through the book, put it down, shook her head and before walking off quickly said, "It's awful, isn't it?" I didn't have time to say anything before she was gone.

Her behavior and quick departure baffled me. I wondered what was, or had been going, through her head. Was the thought of the homeless troubling to her? Had she once been homeless and wanted to put every memory of the experience out of her mind?

I would never know so I couldn't say for sure. However, I wondered whether outside a quick glimpse at our booth, if she ever thought of the plight of those who for whatever reason would spend days, nights, weeks, months and possibly years on the streets of Albuquerque?

The thought continued to revisit me throughout the day.

This woman's short lived visit to our booth was in sharp contrast to the scores of other visitors who stopped by with a smile, some cash or a check. Their prayers and financial support are the reason we are able to continue with this ongoing ministry of compassion, and meet at least some of the ever increasing need in our city.

Sitting with Joy Junction Outreach Coordinator Kathy Sotelo at our booth, I was present physically but not mentally.

My mind went back 24 hours to our most recent outreach on the Lifeline of Hope and some of those whom the Lord had caused to cross our path.

He'd allowed us to pray a prayer of rededication with a self confessed backslider on an impoverished section of Albuquerque's West Side. In the same location we had been able to give small blankets (as well as food) to excited but needy parents, for whom life is never easy.

Can you imagine having to choose between rent and food, staying warm or buying gasoline for a car which is always breaking down? Repairs for such a vehicle (if you even have the funds) sap the money you planned to spend on the groceries or perhaps baby formula.

For precious souls like this, every day is an ongoing challenge-so much so that sometimes they could be overwhelmed just by the simple act of getting out of bed and wondering what the day holds. Most of us have no idea of the trauma these folk face.

At another location on Albuquerque's East Central we gave more chili and soup, provided so many sack lunches that we had to call back to Joy Junction kitchen staff to meet us at our next location with more, and prayed with people for the simple desires of their hearts. We marveled at the faith and cheerful demeanor of some, despite facing what to many of us would be overwhelming obstacles and discouragement.

During much of our outreach Friday, we were also assisted by two members of Albuquerque's COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team). We love these folk, and are great admirers of the difficult and mostly unnoticed work they do. At this East Central location, also helping the needy were Healthcare for the Homeless and a local church providing much needed clothing and prayerful encouragement.

We moved on to a hotel, where for weeks we have been feeding and praying with people on the periphery of homelessness. Some of these folk don't know from one day to the next whether or not they are going to have the funds to pay for their next day's stay. If they don't come up with the necessary money, they'll either have to call a local mission or start coping with life on the streets of Albuquerque.

We talked to one man there whose stay at the hotel is only paid through the middle of this week. He asked if we had a blanket or a sleeping bag, as he believes he'll end up sleeping in his car. We offered him a place to stay at Joy Junction, but he said his mental health stops him from being around a lot of people. We referred him to a social worker at a local agency. Just before he returned to his room, he told us how much reading God's Word encourages him.

Our last stop was in downtown Albuquerque where we received a ready welcome from many homeless people. For some of them, the sack lunch and water - the only items we had remaining by then - may have been the only food they received that day. They were all so grateful.

The Lord allowed us to, I believe, cast a ray of His sunshine on a day that for some of those we fed and prayed with would have been just a time of ongoing sameness and depression.