THE HEART OF THE
HOMELESS
Written By: Freya Pruitt
Not long after our last issue was released, I received
a call from a crying woman who could hardly speak.
She had read “Search the Back Streets of Your Soul,”
which was a heartfelt article, about how we, as a society, do not really understand or want to deal with
the homeless issue in this country. Most people react
with the same rhetoric: “Why don’t they just get a
job?”
Well, let me address that statement. National statistics support the fact that approximately 80% of the
homeless population, are suffering from a mental
illness, and are obviously, not under medical care,
or are taking medication. These people begin to treat
their symptoms by using drugs and alcohol. That are
readily available, in the streets. Quite frankly, if I
was hearing voices, I might turn to alcohol also!
If you think about it, how is a person who has not
taken a bath in two weeks, has no proper clothing,
has no phone, address, or transportation, and is mentally ill, go get a job? The quandary is preposterous.
With the economy like it is, we will begin to see
many more men, women and children lose their
homes and jobs. More than any other time in American history, we cannot afford to be biased. The hard
realization is that this can happen to just about anybody: and we are not prepared as a community, or
as a country.
Well, my friends, somebody in our community IS
doing something about it. Let me introduce you to Lori Seeley,
CEO of Hill Country Transitional Residency Council, in Kerrville
Texas. Lori was the woman who called on the phone, crying about
the homeless article. Her exact words were: “I never could put into
words how I felt about the homeless. But the words in the article,
came right out of my heart.” God does work in mysterious ways. I
find it fascinating, how He puts people together for the better good
of all.
ful inside—I want to know they are safe. I want them to know that
God loves His precious children. Why is it such a task for us to love
people who are so unlovable? People are amazed at my own personal story: they are amazed I am still alive. I was given hope through
Jesus: He is my best friend. I do believe I was given a plan by God
to help these people. I am merely His vessel. I love The Lord with
all my heart. I feel, because I love Him so much, He has filled me
with this amazing love for others. Gods’ greatest commandment is
to love one another. I wish all people could reach into my heart, and
feel what I feel. They would want to help too. I want my homeless
When I interviewed Lori, she was very forthright in sharing her feelfriends to know, I do this for The Lord and for