Another encounter, what's in a name?

There seems to be a certain spot in Vancouver where God directs me to have divine encounters, on the corner of Burrard and Georgia. Today was no different, let me tell you what happened.

I walked up Burrard and saw someone sitting on the side of the curb. I knelt down to talk with "Romey". Romey was trying to earn a few dollars by panhandling, in order to be able to have a few extra dollars because her mom is coming to Vancouver to visit her. She wants to make sure she looks like she is doing ok, so her mom won't be sad.

We talked about lots of things and eventually we talked about God. I asked her if she ever had any kinds of experiences with church or God. She told me that her adopted mom had taken her to church when she was younger and that her mom was a Christian but that she wasn't. She said she was kind of mad at God.

I asked her why and she told me that her biological mom had died a few years ago and that she had always wanted to have a relationship with her real mom but that was no longer possible. It made her both sad and mad. I told her that I understood that she might feel this way. We talked about the pain this has caused her.

I asked if I could go and buy her something warm to eat. All she wanted was a filet of fish from McDonalds, so in I went to buy. As I was walking in I turned and asked her if she liked to read. She said, "I was just thinking today that I wished I had something to read". I gave her a copy of a booklet we have here about the testimonies of some of the athletes. As I stood in MCD's I looked out and saw Romey reading the magazine.

When I came outside with the meal, I wish you could have seen her smile. It was from ear to ear. She was so blessed. we had a great conversation as we shared filet of fishes on the side of the street. I asked her if I could have her email to keep in contact and she said yes. Then she said, "do you want my street name or my real name?" This was a very important question because most street people do not want anyone to know there names. But Barbara was different, she said "my real name is Barbara"!!

I think for once Barbara was treated like a real person. I can tell you when I write to her I am going to call her Barbara and not Romey.

I had the opportunity to pray with her and to give her a new testament, and to give her a book written by Billy Graham concerning hurt and pain. I am believing for a miracle in Barbara's life.

Barbara represents many hurting people in the world. She is someones daughter, someones sister, and she is God's special creation. Her name is Barbara!!!