5/17/22 Andy in Santa Barbara

5/17/22
In Santa Barbara after a beautiful day.  Looking and praying for a place to park the van for the night, we found a quiet neighborhood side street for the night. At breakfast we shared testimonies and the gospel with Mondel, the cafe guy at the health food restaurant we were so excited to try.  After our time with Mondel, we were preparing for a bike ride when we met Andy, a 52 yr old man with traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a car accident. He had damage to his vocal chords so he was hard to understand. He just got off of a bus the night before from LA and didn’t know where he was going to stay. He didn’t appear to be an alcoholic or drug addict.  He seemed helpless and innocent and he loved ❤️ God! He lost all of his toes to frostbite 10 years ago so he was  using a cane and had balancing issues. We let him sit down in one of our chairs, gave him water and offered him some food.  We prayed for him for healing in his feet and brain.  We spent an hour on the phone trying to find a shelter for him, then decided to walk to a local mission with him 6/10 of a mile at a very snails pace with our bikes. (We only have a two seater van).

When we got there Kevin the manager was very helpful and understood completely the issues that Andy was experiencing and told him Jesus must have a plan for his life and that he is in good hands. We also met Chris and Stephanie, Holy Spirit filled believers who prayed together with us and were encouraged by the lifestyle we are living and following Jesus. They both are doing the same, living for the kingdom and not caught up in the things of this world.  They have been involved in all kinds of ministry, including much to the homeless and are traveling all around the country, visiting homeless shelters, sharing their vast experience working with homeless and..... of course, sharing the gospel. I LOVE THIS LIFE!  We've since talked to Kevin and they are working on getting Andy into a group home for those that have TBI.