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Even with COVID-19 running rampant in the world and unrest the order of the day, hope springs eternal

“People will keep on hoping, no matter what,” said Adam Carlee, pastor of the Lighthouse Assembly of God at Stills Crossroads.

Carlee has witnessed the rising hope in a homeless man because of the caring shown to him at a time when he had no hope.

Carlee and his wife, Bridget, were driving home when she happened  to see a post on Facebook about a homeless man who wanted a Bible. Immediately, they turned around, “followed  the spirit of God” to Troy and located the man under a breezeway just off busy Highway 231.

Carlee approached the man and introduce himself.

The man, who called himself only Bobby, was soft spoken and humble.

“I asked him how long it had been since he had a shower and a soft bed to sleep on,” Carlee said. “He didn’t know.”

Carlee began, mentally, making arrangements for a motel room for Bobby and the comfort items he would need. As he did, cars began to circle the nearby parking lot bringing food, money clothing and Bibles to the homeless man whose real desire was for a Bible. Many took time to share their testimonies with him.

“It was overwhelming— the caring spirit of the people of all colors,” Carlee said. “And, it didn’t matter to them what color Bobby was or his circumstances or his place in society. They just wanted to give him something tangible and most importantly to give him a spirit of hope.”

Bobby had been staying under the nearby breezeway for a week perhaps longer. He had Gator Ade in an old ice chest and a bath cloth hanging in the brush. Rain was his running water.

“It was humbling to see him living like that,” Carlee said.

Arrangements were made for Bobby to spend the night at a local motel. The next night, was paid for by a nameless someone. Caring people donated funds for extra nights and more, making it possible for Bobby to be comfortable through July 3.

He attended church on Sunday and his whereabouts have been made known to a relative.

The story is about Bobby and the plight of too many in similar situations.

However, there is more to the story than those who are homeless and exist in dire circumstances. It’s also about hope and those who give hope through caring and sharing spirits.

“There are many who want to see good in people and to have hope in something,” Carlee said. “Too often, the church has failed in that response. We need to see more churches back in the role of caring and loving people from all walks of life.”

Carlee said Bobby, and others like him, need to be lifted up. People still need to love and care for one another.

“We need something to believe in and people need to believe in each other,” he said. “And, we need to have hope and to instill hope in others.”

The world is not as bad as some might believe, Carlee said. Goodness was evident in the caring expressed by the many who came to the aid of a man in need, a man called Bobby. And, for that time, Bobby’s life mattered.