A Real Angel Visits The Relief Bus

Steve Pastor, Relief Bus Outreach Director, met Angel at our outreach location in Harlem. Angel is a man who was born with a learning disability and lives in the projects. When he was only 14, his brother who was a crack addict, hit him in the head. He was so badly injured that he ended up in the hospital for 3 months and his mental abililities were slowed down even more. He ended up with a speech disability and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Angel came to The Relief Bus for soup, and at first would only stand at a distance and watch. Steve felt led by God to go and connect with him. He soon learned that Angel was very lonely and had no friends. During the first couple of months, Angel would cry each time the bus left for the day. Now he knows that we are coming back.

Angel wasnt able to take care of himself well, so Steve jumped right in and had volunteers do his laundry every Thursday. According to Steve, the clothes were really filthy. Sometimes they would wash them four times and they still would be smelly. A friend of Steves heard about Angel and bought him a new wardrobe. Steve would make sandwiches for Angel and his mother who has diabetes and is disabled, so that they wouldnt go hungry. Volunteers cut Angels hair and manicured his nails that were 1 1/2 inches long. Each week Steve would pray with Angel, and slowly trust was built.

Steve began to do lots of fun stuff with Angel like take him to the movies, a pizza party and even a Yankees game. Steve had Angel sleep over at his apartment one night let him have the couch while Steve took the floor. Angel wet the bed and his clothes so Steve bought him a new outfit. The next day at church Angel kept apologizing. Steve said, He taught me a lot about grace. My friendship with Angel has changed my life. I used to be so selfish. God uses him to work patience in me because he cant be rushed. I truly have to serve him, even when he doesnt smell good. Sometimes he asks me the same question a dozen times, like Are we still going to the Yankees game?, because so many have let him down in the past. Angel has an incredible smile that brightens up the room even though hes missing a couple of teeth. Every time Angel meets someone, he touches their life and they cant forget him.

Angel decided to give his life to Christ and today he meets Steve at the bus ever week on Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the different outreach locations in The Bronx and Harlem. He pitches in to help set up and even serves beverages sometimes. The Relief Bus staff has become his family. Just one more story of how The Relief Bus is bringing help and hope to the poorest of the poor. Not only that, its another example of how God uses the poor as a portal to His heart and keeps changing us to become more like Him.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• new york city relief
• the relief bus
• nycr
• homeless
• volunteer
• urban ministry
• urban missions

[BioBlue666]

@DeadMovieStarYo You look a whole lot smarter than him with that spelling and grammar.

[froggyheatherk]

I have had the opportunity to meet Angel & spend time with him & he is indeed a kind and gentle man. It is foolish to say things like 'what a dumb sped fool' and pass judgement. God loves each of us where we are and He meets us where we are...especially those who are down. We are supposed to reflect His image & love people like Angel. I only wish you could all be blessed by knowing him.

[DeadMovieStarYo]

what a dumb sped fool

[globehunter2]

He is very kind spirited and gentle personality):the name Angel fits him perfectly. May God keep him safe out there

on the street.