While talking with RF one day, a young lady, J, walked by and I initially thought she was about 9 months pregnant. I could only imagine how hard it would be to be pregnant and homeless. While talking, I noticed that the whites of her eyes were yellow and she had a hospital band on. Knowing the assumptions we had due to her large stomach, she informed us that she was not pregnant, but had cirrhosis of the liver. She was so young! How could this happen? One of the other men there noticed bruising on her neck and shoulders and started asking her questions, which she deflected and then ended up walking away. I found out afterwards that she was being physically abused by her boyfriend. I wanted to take her home with me, take care of her, and just surround her with love. It was hard to go home to the comfort of my home and family knowing the situation she was going through – and having to sleep out in the woods!
Someone from church pulled me aside the next day and asked me if I would like three blow up mattresses with pillows for the individuals we meet as part of the Outreach. We put them in my trunk, along with 2 bags she made up that had items specifically for females. She had no idea about J.
The next Saturday, I asked about J when we were talking with RF. He thought she was back in the hospital. Another person we have gotten to know, AJ, walked up and overhead the conversation. I asked him if he would like one of the blow up mattresses and he got very excited! We exchanged phone numbers and within 30 minutes, contacted me asking me if I would bring the other 2 mattresses to the camp he stays out. J was there and really wanted one.
J called me and met with me the next day to get the mattress. She saw the bag in my trunk that was made for females and asked if she could have it. She was excited and told me that it was very hard being homeless as a female. I found out that she is in her 30’s. I looked at her eyes. They looked much better! Still a little yellow around the edges, but I could see the white part of her eyes much better! She told me that when she drinks, it gets worse. She has been trying to stop drinking and for the last few days, and has not had any alcohol, which is why her eyes looked better. We talked about her relationship, the abuse, drinking and finding assistance to get her in a home where she can be safe and heal. She is open to this, and has been working with a case manager to get on disability so she can get into a much safer place. She said the mattress would help as someone gave her a cot and she has a hard time with her stomach, getting up and off the ground floor. The mattress would make it much easier when put on top of the cot.
J mentioned how hard it is to stop drinking when all the others in the camp are men and drink throughout the day. She wants to get in a home so that she is not around alcohol all the time, which will help her to stop drinking and heal. We look forward to helping J out as we can, and have been praying for her health!