61 ~ Rose and the Homeless Mission

By Kay Heitsch

It was amazing watching God work in this store while we waited for our house to sell.

Bill asked if anyone did community service. Rose spoke up and said her church provided clothes and help for the needy and homeless. Bill told her he thought I would like to help her.

I certainly did! I contacted churches and other organizations, and once a week, I stopped by each church to pick up any items they had. People also dropped off bags of items at our home.

Bill would take these things to the store, and Rose's husband would take them to the mission.

Rose and I became friends even though I seldom drove to the store. We both prayed for Bill's safety and for the store. Rose gave me a video of the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir with testimonies. I loved it and still have it.

Rose had worked in this store for quite a while. She expressed to me how things seemed more peaceful since Bill was the manager. I think we both thought that if it was God's will, Bill would turn this mess around.

Bill's old store was finally closed. They were getting rid of clothes racks. We rented a truck. I rode along, and we drove to the mission. Rose's husband came too.

I had been saving a snowmobile suit that Todd had outgrown. It was like new. I had saved it for Brandon for years, but decided to send it up to the mission.

Much to my surprise, when we pulled up to the mission on a cold, winter afternoon, a small, toothless guy ran over to help with the biggest smile.

Lo and behold, he was wearing Todd's snowmobile suit. My eyes filled with tears.

I felt God was letting me know that I thought I was saving this snowmobile suit for Brandon, but He had me keeping it for another one of His precious children.

Rose came to Bill's office the following day. She told Bill there was a story about that snowmobile suit. She said this suit fell out of the bag at the homeless man's feet. He asked if he could have it because he had always wanted one.

As you can see, God was bringing more good out of Todd's death and this unfair situation.