I went to the downtown Mission today, which is located in the worst part of Portland, the very heart of human desperation. I walk two blocks from my car to the mission doors midst the most distressing sights of human degradation. The sun was shining and the weather was crisp on this beautiful fall day; such a contrast, skies clear radiating hope, a day for a daydream, but the streets lined with the wages of sin.   

I meet weekly with a man in the program and we had a productive visit, the Lord had me help him dodge a bullet with a woman of evil intentions. 

As I left he walked me to my car and as we rounded the corner, there was a woman sitting on her haunches, skin of dark ebony, clothes worn for many days with a shawl covering her head and face. It was just a moment, a few seconds passing her by, but something struck my soul so deeply, my heart said stop and do, but my steps continued past as our conversation distracted me. We said our good-byes and as I pulled out I looked for that woman where I saw her, but she was gone. 

My emotions were so strong for this faceless stranger. She looked so helpless, so lost, and I was so full of the Holy Spirit, but.....

I learned a lesson today, be prepared. The very least I could have done, even with just a moment, is to have given her a pamphlet on the Mission's brand new women's shelter where she could get free help, loving counsel, spiritual encouragement and support, three nutritious meals a day, a warm room and a soft bed with ongoing care to help her meet all the challenges of easing back into life clean and sober.   But I was not prepared.....

Photo of random person on the Internet.