never take anything for granted.

many people were partying this past saturday night but i wasn't at all. instead of participating in the cliche aspect of halloween, i rode down to columbus with part of my youth group to Fruit of the Vine Ministries to help out the homeless.i was extremely nervous the whole way down there. It was because i was scared of the homeless people, but i was afraid of my reaction. i've ever been exposed to stuff like that. i've never seen a homeless people, let alone speak to them.i got down there, we unloaded our donations of clothing and suplies, and we were given instructions on how to go about with the night. after a circle of prayer, we left.our first stop was pretty awkward. i didn't really talk that much because of my nerves. but thank God someone introduced me to one of the men who was there. His name is Dan and he is amazing. he was so sick, and yet extremely joyful. he has nothing, and yet he was so happy to see us and to speak with us. he has merca. he has no way to take care of himself due to the fact that he has no health insurance. i hate america.the second stop was at someone's house. they have a home, but they have a hard time affording food. so we gave them food.the third stop, i met a man named darryl. he came and got all of the things that he needed, but the main thing that he was wanting was a bible. he went on to tell a friend and i about how he loved God and wasn't afraid to say it. that amazes me. someone who is homeless, and basically has nothing, still loves God so much. it's truly amazing. i don't even know if i'd be able to do that. i'd probably lose hope and give up. but he didn't. i admire him greatly for that.only one person showed up to the third stop, but that one person was great. he asked for some food and clothing and we gave it to him. some of us proceeded to pray with him and it was great to see that.the last stop was probably where i really saw what was happening. there was a man named "forty." he was apparently a vietnam war veteran. he had to sell his house so he was able to bury his wife after her passing. and now he's on the street.it was hard talking to him.it was hard to see the bottle of liquor on the ground at that place.it was hard seeing a 17 month old girl pushing a shopping cart.i'm not writing all of this to exploit these peoples lives or myself for being a part of this. i'm writing this because we need to start caring.we have sooo much and some people have absolutely nothing. i cannot tell you how much i learned because i learned so much. these people aren't the stereotypical homeless people that are portrayed in movies. they are great people. they are wise people. they are loving people.before i went to this i was under the impression that all homeless people were dirty, disguting, mean drunks, but that isn't the case. i can learn a great deal from these people and i did. if you're a christian then please pray for these people.these people are amazing and i am very honored to call them my friends.