Eva and her husband Allen have been in my life for an eternity. On the streets that translates to about eight months.
There are a lot of things I love about Eva, but probably right at the top is that she is a loving grandmother AND she's tatted up -- two things I previously thought to be mutually exclusive.
The truth is, Eva is a dear and true friend. She has been a fixture in our Bible Study and also in our little neighborhood. Eva's "clean" -- meaning she doesn't drink or do drugs. My child knows her; together, Eva and I have watched my baby change into a little girl.
Read MoreOn cold days, this is how people look, buried underneath piles of blankets to stay warm.
It was the first bitterly cold day of the year. The wind howled off the interstate, galloping full force down the lonely road. With only abandoned lots and few buildings, nothing broke its strength.
As prepared as I was for the frigid temperature -- wearing hat, gloves, and multiple layers -- I still felt a bone chill.
A homeless woman, one of my friends, was buried underneath a pile of blankets. She barely showed her face to talk.
Read MoreWhen I first learned I was pregnant, I felt terrified. I learned I was pregnant on a Monday in early November, and the next morning I was to go out onto the streets. Like normal.
In addition to this fear, I immediately did not feel well and learned that your immune system gets suppressed very early in pregnancy so that your body does not reject the baby as a foreign object. I therefore became afraid of being on the streets with people more likely to carry untreated illnesses. Some have the flu. Some have AIDS. Some just have the common cold.
But I wanted to run and hide
Read MoreCan you imagine never getting to dress up nice? Never getting to take two hours getting ready, putting on your best, and heading out for a night of indulgence and fun?
What if, in order to stay warm in winter, you had to daily layer on your thickest clothes? Unfortunately, your warmest clothes, socks, and shoes are also your most casual. You are outside every day in the elements for eight to ten hours, beginning at the coldest time of day, 6 a.m. So practicality is all that comes into your mind when, before dawn you are awoken and shuffled out the doors while it is dark, most often without getting anything to eat or drink.
Read MorePeople getting warm clothes last December!
We are delivering the 170 Coats to the Streets this coming Saturday, December 13.
We are so excited to have raised over $1,000 already! Thank you, thank you to every person who has already given to this cause. We are so grateful!
We have $610 left to go, and our goal is to be fully funded by this Friday, December 12 so that we are able to pay for the coats by the time we deliver them!
Read MoreHomeless people spend all day outside. Some homeless people spend all day AND all night outside. What does this mean?
There are A LOT of cold men and women in South Dallas right now.
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