What James Taught Me...

When James was brought into Trinity Church, he had been found by a policeman while lying along side of the road. At first the policeman thought James was on drugs, or had a criminal record; he was surprised to find that neither was true. James got so weak physically as he was trying to walk to the church 1-2 miles away, that he fainted from exhaustion. He was malnourished from living in the woods with nothing to eat or drink for several days. James later told us that someone had appeared to him in the woods and told him, “Go to Trinity Church. They will help you.” James did not know who this messenger was; I think that perhaps he was an angel sent by the Lord in James’ time of need to minister to him. James had not taken a shower (other than in the rain) for months, nor had he had any clean clothes. James had many unmet needs with nothing to eat, drink, no shelter or safety, no social network or support, no income and his health condition was poor.

At the church, James was able to get a hot meal and clean up. He was able to take a shower and get fresh clothes. He was introduced to a body of believers who cared for him, prayed for and encouraged him. Fortunately, a doctor was nearby and gave James medical attention. He was then taken to two emergency rooms in hopes to receive medical care. It was very disheartening to care for James, see the intensive needs that he had, then after triage and some medical help, return him back to sleep next to a tree in the woods.

I lay in my bed that first night wondering why God had chosen to take care of me by giving me a bed, shelter, food, good friends, family and resources that I needed. What more could I do to help James? What more could I sacrifice to help him? How selfish am I with what I possess and how I spend my time? I reviewed Matthew 25 where Jesus tells his sheep to inherit His Kingdom. He said that we are to give drink to those who are thirsty, food to those hungry, clothing to those in need of clothes, care for others and take them in. We are to do so to even “the least of these”. As I thought of all that was done for James, the one thing that stood out was that he had not been taken in. He was dropped off in the woods in his sickly condition to sleep next to a tree wrapping a tarp over himself as a shield from the rain.

Emergency response can be built around individual and family crises as well as to a community disaster. In the case of James, his crisis started in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He was living on a boat in Slidell, LA, which was completely washed away in Katrina. He lived on the boat with his twin brother, who had evacuated to Tennessee. James decided to stay in Slidell during Katrina. He ended up surviving although losing all of his personal belongings and the shelter of his brother’s boat.

James' emergency state lasted for 2½ years post Katrina - I can only imagine how exhausted he must be. His story only snowballed after the storm. He received emergency assistance from FEMA and he was able to live off that temporarily. However, James did not have any help long-term – to connect with resources, another place to live, and get his basic needs met. After Katrina, he found out that his brother, whom he was close to, died while in Tennessee. At that point, James became depressed and less motivated.

For several days after James was brought to Trinity Church, contacts were made to work towards finding a solution and shelter; to find someone to “take him in.” Other ministries, organizations, nonprofits, and national programs were contacted as a resource for James. It was difficult because James didn’t have presenting drug or mental health issues. In that case, many resources are available. Because James had medical issues that was another limitation. Through much filtering and linking to community resources, a program was found that would take James in. They immediately responded and offered to pick him up. God had it figured out the whole time – I believe that He wanted to use James’ situation to do a work in my heart as well as others connected to his case. He taught me and others a valuable lesson in compassion and grattitude for what we have. God also affirmed the power of prayer and that miracles happen so often around us!

James remains under a doctor’s care and he is in the process of getting help applying for disability and Medicaid services. He still has a ways to go, but James now has his basic needs met and spiritually he is being cared for and fed. He attends three bible studies a day in this program where they are determined to help James turn his life and situation around.
PRAISE GOD – for answered prayer and sending people to minister to James! Please continue to pray for his his process of recovery, especially his medical and spiritual condition to be strengthened.