06 Feb 2023
I meet this man in a McDonald’s on the west side this morning. I’m working, writing and he sits beside me preparing his panhandling sign for the day. I immediately ask, “Are you hungry?” He replies, “Yes,” so we go to get him something to eat. We sit back down and I just listen. This man smells like alcohol and terrible body odor. I’m not saying a thing (for some of you, that might be unbelievable) and he’s telling me about himself, his history. Then he begins to give me the gospel of Jesus Christ. My insides perk up and all the sudden, I’m listening to him intently and begin to think “Angels unaware?”
Suddenly, out of left field, he says this, “You’ve suffered a lot. You’re a lion, a warrior. Soldiers wait for their orders, but you don’t wait” and he compares me to the story of Troy and the Trojan Horse. He says, “The men in that horse were warriors. That’s you.” Then he said something about “angels unaware” and freaks me out, because that’s what I was thinking! He gets on his knees and prays for me and my ministry – which he knows nothing about BTW. After this, he goes back to talking about what drunk people talk about and I’m left thinking, “Did an angel just visit me?”
Apr 2022
“Hollywood” approaches me and tells me about an amazing opportunity I could have in the military. He smells terrible, but I’m intrigued. He claims to be prior military and offers to “hook me up” with some machine guns and a Humvee. I tell him, “I’m not interested in either,” Lol. I am asking – in my head – “What do I do for this guy Jesus?” Jesus replies, “Get him something to eat.” I ask Hollywood, “Do you want something to eat?” He says “Yes,” so we get him a double cheeseburger. That’s all he wants. He tells me he hears “messages” through the airways. I ask, “What can I do for you?” He replies, “Nothing.” I ask, “Do you want me to pray over that burger for you?” He says, “No” but doesn’t start eating for like two minutes. After this he asks, “Hey, can you pray for my burger?” I say “Of course,” so I pray for the food and his life. He eats the burger, doesn’t say thank you, goodbye, or anything. He just gets up and leaves. Sometimes that’s all we can do. We meet the immediate needs of the least of these.
March 2022
“Uncle” is a man in his early thirties (he’s in the top photo, centered at the top), who lives in the woods in a “Large Tent” with his wife “Badu.” My relationship to Uncle is much closer than Badu; she doesn’t talk to me about real stuff, only superficial things. They have children who stay with the mother during the day, either in school or at a fast-food restaurant, and at relatives during the evening. This is so CPS doesn’t take the children away.
Uncle confides in me – in the past – about demonic attacks at their tent and fearful supernatural dark activity. I have always presented the gospel of Jesus Christ to Uncle and offered to go to their tent and pray away their demons. Uncle never commits to Jesus and hasn’t taken me up on the offer about the tent.
Uncle has a definite drinking problem and I know about substance abuse, just not sure which one he’s abusing; until today, I run into his wife. I ask Badu, “How have you been?” She answers, “I’ve been going through it. You know my husband died?” I’m in shock. She tells me “Overdose.” I ask, “Heroin?” to which she replies, “Yes.” I ask about the living conditions and she tells me her and the children have moved into an apartment.
I asked Badu for some time, to ask if the demonic attacks have traveled to the new apartment with her and her babies – because that’s how the demonic works – and lead into her salvation. Unfortunately, just like her deceased husband, she wasn’t interested in talking about these things.
So, we have another dead homeless drug addict. I really liked Uncle and he never accepted my presentation of Jesus Christ.
February 2022
I engaged this man to see what Jesus wanted me to do. I knew I was supposed to give him some money for food, but Jesus had more in store for him. He walked into the fast-food restaurant I was studying in and I engaged. I asked about his leg (his limp). He told me about an injury to his knee and foot. I asked if I could pray. When I did, I felt his knee shift 45 degrees and back. Wild! I looked up at him and asked, “Did you feel that?” He said firmly, “Yea, I felt that!” I told him to walk around. He started jumping and laughing. “No pain” he said.
January 2022
I’m driving through the middle of town, see homeless possessions, and Jesus tells me to pull over. As I pull in, I notice a man walking away looking back continuously. I figure, “This stuff belongs to him” and I feel as if Jesus is telling me to wait. I think, “He’ll be right back,” but he didn’t. I stay twenty minutes waiting for the man to return to his stuff, but nothing.
I hear talking and start looking around my car to see who it’s coming from. I’m in the middle of the city, people are walking all around, but I see no one close to my car. Finally, a pile of blankets is pushed over, a head pops out of the pile of homeless belongings, and he is talking to himself. I got out of my car and introduce my self to Cortes Vagabundo [not his real name of course]. It turns out Jesus wanted me to hang around until Cortes could wake-up!
I approached Cortes Vagabundo and he is extremely courteous. We introduce ourselves and I ask, “Who are you talking to?” Cortes responds, “You.” I respond, “No, when you were waking-up.” He says, “Me.” Funny! He wasn’t talking to someone in his head. I tell Cortes that Jesus told me to come over and give him something and he seems excited. I give Cortes Vagabundo a care pack and a $10 gift certificate to Wawa which was only two blocks away. Cortes accepted my gifts graciously and told me to drive carefully as I left. I asked, “Can I do anything for you?” He responds, “Check on me in couple days.” So, I guess I’ll be checking back with Cortes Vagabundo in a couple days.
December 2021
Yesterday I was speaking to a Salisbury City trash truck worker. Somehow the topic of homeless people came up and he told me a story of how a stabbing or murder caused the police to raid a “Tent City” in Salisbury. I asked questions and he told me how the city had contacted the sanitation department to “clean” the area. Upon inspection of the area the Sanitation Department found a stockpile of used needles in the area and deemed the area a biohazard. This problem caused the city to create a space for the displaced homeless population of that particular “Tent City.” The city moved them to Billy Gene Jackson Sr. Park on Lake Street where they were fed, medically attended to, and given the materials to temporarily rebuild their community.
Since Covid 19 I have only seen a couple of the homeless people from the past two years and I haven’t understood where they went. It seems that this is the reason. Unfortunately, the city has suspended the site on Lake Street, so I expect to see them all resurfacing again real soon.
April 2021
Today I left the house and asked Jesus “What do you want me to do today?” He reminded me of newly received “care packs” in my trunk, so I decided to search out my homeless friends and bless them. First, I arrived Under the Bridge and found six homeless people: five men and one female. I passed out some “care packs” and began conversation. The man I know as “Black” was pointing out my knee brace. He used to be a basketball star (according to him) and we shared injury stories. There was a man there I’ve never seen before. He was of Spanish origin, we’ll call him Diego. Diego is a 50 years old man and began to share a story of his knee problems. I felt as if Jesus wanted me to pray for him. I asked, he accepted, so we did. I didn’t feel anything, and he didn’t indicate any change, but we asked Jesus to heal his knee. I asked him to give me a report the next time we see each other.
Second, I drove around town praying and looking. I noticed a man I’ve never seen before. I want to introduce you to Achilles. Achilles has a problem with drugs and alcohol since his mother died several years ago. He’s homeless and has no hope. I gave him a homeless care pack and I asked, “If Jesus was standing in front of you right now, what would you ask him?” Achilles answered, “A new start.” I asked, “Is anything holding you back?” He replied, “I am sure there isn’t,” but that wasn’t a good enough answer for me, so I asked, “Are there any drugs or alcohol involved?” He responded “Yes, both,” so we agreed that addiction is holding Him back. I then ask Achilles, “Do you really want to stop?” He said, “Yes, but I can’t get free of it.” So, today I prayed for Achilles’ freedom. The rest is up to both him and Jesus.
February 2021
“Big Country” gave me permission to share this pic with my Project Family. I’ve spoken to Big Country before and he’s been out here for at least a couple years. Big Country lives in the woods, in a tent and says he’s waiting for his disability to be approved. I pull over to give him a “Care Pack” and a conversation ensues. Big Country’s told me he’s a Christian for at least a year…and I believe him. However, today I learned that Big Country used to practice Satanism. I ask him, “Has anyone prayed for you concerning Satanism?” He says, “Yes. My uncle’s, aunt’s, cousin’s, niece’s, brother is a pastor and prays for me” (lol) or something like that.
I reply, “No, I mean to cancel contracts and agreements you’ve made with those demons you came into agreement with while in Satanism. You gave demons legal rites and access to you during that time. They don’t just go away.” He says, “No, nothing like that” as I could see him thinking. He’s going to think about it. Perhaps he’s homeless because of the demons who have legal access to his life as a result of his former relationship to Satanism.
January 2021
Today I was able to give away the first of 15, $5 McDonald’s gift cards donated by my Project Partners. More than that, I gave this gentleman a “Care Pack” to include a face mask, soap, toothbrush, tooth paste and other personal hygiene items. About 7-10 months ago I developed a relationship with Mrs. Donna Clark, Founder of H.O.P.E. Inc., who donated the masks. It was hard to understand this gentleman, but we spoke about Jesus and he accepted prayer.
August 2020
Jesus for the Jail Bird
While in the Downtown area I ran into “El Ray Forte” from the January 2020 Project Happenings titled A Blanket for the Trouble Maker. Mr. Forte’s real nickname is “Bird” (lol), everybody has a nickname down here. Bird is also the disrupter from the November 2019 entry on the Burgers & Jesus page, as well as the one who assulted a Salisbury City Police Officer in the January 2020 entry below titled “Bird.” We recognized each other from way off and as we approached each other we shook hands and hugged. I gave Bird and “Black” (another homeless heavy drinker) personal hygiene packs from my trunk and a conversation followed. Bird told me, “Pastor, there’s a lot of God in jail. A lot of people talking about God in there. You were right about everything. You were right.” This is huge to me. Bird positioned himself to argue with me in front of everyone about “religion” at one of my Burgers & Jesus homeless church gatherings last year. I asked you guys to pray for him and Jesus worked something out. This doesn’t mean he’s a Christian, but your prayers obviously did something and seeds rained down from heaven onto Bird…in jail. Keep praying for his salvation.
August 2020
Back Pain & Blood Flow Issues
I haven’t visited my homeless friends very often over the last several months: Covid 19 and it’s been hard to find them. I drove by the spot and noticed around ten people there so I stopped. Many new faces and some I already knew. One asked me for prayer, but the coolest thing that happened was, while I was leaving, one I have never seen approached me for prayer for him and his girlfriend. We will call them Que and Tee. Que’s back is in great pain because of an accident and Tee experiences interrupted blood flow and numbness in her right leg – for absolutely no reason (doctors cannot identify the problem)! He was telling me about needing money for housing so they can get their two children back, but Jesus was setting off fireworks inside me about their physical condition. I asked if I could pray, Que accepted, called Tee to “Put down [her] MD 20/20 and come get prayed for.” Que’s pain left immediately. I don’t think he knew what to do with that and he didn’t get too excited. Tee wasn’t currently in pain so she had no measuring stick, but seemed really happy I prayed for her. I pray they received real healing today. We will see. They have my cell number and are going to contact me soon. Pray for them to get their kids back.
January 2020
Under the Bridge
I followed-up with Gorgeous at the soup kitchen she volunteers at. I met the other volunteers and those being served. I learned about meetings where all involved in serving the homeless meet and discuss issues. I was invited to go to the next one and intend to. One of the volunteers said, “What is your name again.” I told him and he said, “I know you. I’ve heard about the work you do under the bridge.” I have heard this term before, “Under the Bridge.” I believe it’s a term those who hang out in a certain area use to describe their group – because there are “pockets” of homelessness here. So, from this day forward I will change the identifier “Homeless” to “Under the Bridge” as my ministry has been verbally connected to these people. It has a good ring to it, don’t you think?
January 2020
Gorgeous
“Gorgeous” used to be a professional chef making good money. A quick survey of her youth includes rape, incest and her family’s history with black magic. Gorgeous has rage issues which have led to her fighting like a man, with men. She told me that she never wanted alcohol because the men who laid on top of her, raping her (mostly family members), smelled like alcohol and she hated it. Later, however, she was introduced to crack and developed addictions to it and heroin. Her heterosexual relationships led to a daughter – who is a cutter and lives homeless with her – and a son – who is a gang member and is in and out of jail. Drugs, homosexuality and other issues resulted in loss of career and, ultimately, homelessness. Still homeless, she volunteers as a cook at one of the soup kitchens in town and has a passion for meeting the needs of her homeless brothers and sisters. She emphatically makes these points to me: “Homelessness is not an epidemic.” and “Most of us choose to be homeless Pastor Troy!” Speaking of programs run by churches and organizations in the area she began to tell me about a meeting she attended on the issue and how my name came up at this meeting. She told me my name was used to defend how programs should be run; to know the people from ground level, listen to their stories, spend time with them, and care for them, etc., as if to imply that this ministry is doing it right! I was astonished, but didn’t show my emotion. She then told me “These Christians feel their mission is to get us off the street, but that’s not the problem.” I understand these programs are doing what they can. Unfortunately, most homeless people are not going to understand the political and socioeconomic problems their situation poses on a municipality in our culture. Our civilization is not set-up to cater homelessness. There’s no money in it! What is astonishing to me – and more importantly to this ministry – is how positively “The Project” and “The Work” is viewed at the street level. I had no idea! Only after one year! This is truly encouraging and makes me want to go harder at it. Jesus has given me a vision of how The Truth Project would have a “Congregational Aspect” and a “Feeding Ministry.” Gorgeous could be a key to the beginning of these things.
January 2020
Bird
Bird went to jail as some of my homeless friends do. Some go in to get out of the cold. The ones with drug and alcohol addiction would rather not, to continue their habits. I’m not sure why, he is a heavy drinker, and the others did tell me he was a troublemaker. He went in for a reason unknown to me, got back out after a month or so, and then assaulted a police officer by punching him in the face. I don’t think the judicial system is going to look at this infraction with much sympathy considering his reputation and previous record.
December 2019
Dallas
I was on the other side of town at a Royal Farms and was approached by “Dallas,” a homeless man who wanted money. I told him no but ask him what he needed it for. He gave me a story and I didn’t buy it. I told him I would buy him what he needed, but I wouldn’t give him any money. Finally, he said “Okay, I’ll take a chicken breast.” So, I smiled for the first time during our meeting, and expressed my happiness to purchase him a chicken breast. I asked him to come in with me – so I could initiate a conversation. He quickly replied “No. They will know I’m pan handling out here and make me leave the property.” I went in on my own and purchased him a fried chicken breast. But I don’t want to just give or do the bare minimum so I got him potatoes wedges, salt pepper, napkins, hot sauce, and ketchup. I found Dallas outside, greeted him with a smile, and gave him the bag of food followed by a hug. I asked him where he was going when he died. I’m not going to give you his random, endless discourse, but the short answer is hell (my words, not his). I asked Dallas if he had a kid. He said yes. I told him in the Bible, Jesus says there is no greater love than for a man to die for another. God came to earth in flesh, put His spirit in a bio suit, and died for you! He is your father, and gave His life so you didn’t have to die in your sins when you are judged. He told me he never heard it put that way before, but still did not accept Jesus’ offer of eternal life. I will probably never see Dallas again, I am not responsible for Dallas’ soul, but We Meet the Immediate Need of the Least of These with long lasting, life results. Mission accomplished.
September 2019
Blessings
We started blessing homeless people with packages of hygiene related products a couple times a month. These packages include short-term, really compact items which allow homeless people to keep fresh and portable. With these gifts we hit meeting needs in the bullseye; because, We Free, Feed, and Meet the Immediate Need of the Least of These.
April 2019
A Despirate Mother
“Despirate Mother” showed up on the scene today at one of the pan handling spots. Her sign said “Help. Trying to feed my children.” I timed the light so I would be the next car to pull up next to her. I rolled down the window and asked her story. She has two children and no money to feed them. I gave her three $5 McDonald’s gift cards and a Jesus tract. I asked her if she knew Jesus. She said she knew of Him. So I asked her if she wanted to meet Him and that I could introduce her to Him. She said yes, the light changed, so I told her I would be right back. When I returned I asked her to call me to set-up a time. She called me twenty minutes later and text me a place to meet her. Jesus told me to take her some money, so I took her $100 out of the Truth Project funds and went over. I spent about 30 minutes with her, she received the full gospel message, but I was disappointed that there was no conversion. The only outward sign of contrition I could notice is when she realized that Jesus died for her, to which she said to have “empathy.” I quoted John 15:13, there is no greater love than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. She fully understood the wages of sin and the penalty for not knowing Christ Jesus personally, and believed in heaven and hell but didn’t seem outwardly concerned. I was very disappointed to say the least. It breaks my heart, but seeds were planted and she has my phone number.
July 2019
Bleach
“Bleach” is a homeless female who describes herself as schizophrenic, depressive, bipolar, a cutter, PTSD from seeing her brother’s head gets shot off by shotgun, and raped multiple times among other things. I asked her what is going to happen to her after this life; “Where do you go.” She said “I don’t know.” I asked “Do you believe in Jesus?” She said, “I’m spiritual.” We talked about her relationship (or lack thereof) with Jesus, I explained the gospel of salvation to her, and she said nonchalantly, “I did that last month.” I was listening for Jesus to speak to me about her, but I heard nothing, so we continued to speak until she wanted to go. The further we got into the message of Jesus the more she wanted to get away – the demon running her wanted her out of there. She left me with a smile and told me how some of the other men had been talking about me.
January 2019
‘Lil’ Mama
I met the sweetest 90 pound, 58 year old black homeless woman called Lil’ Mama. She lives in a box and hangs out on the west side, searching through dumpsters for clothes as she only has the clothes on her back and says she knows Jesus. YOU WOULD LOVE HER!!! She said she has asked Jesus why she has to live like this and He answered her. The answer belongs to her and will not be published here, but she gave me her story. I know she told me what she had to, to survive and who knows if all of it was true or not, but I sensed an honesty with this woman and fell in love with her – that rarely happens BTW. She hadn’t eaten for four days. I gave her a man’s jacket, some socks I had in the trunk, and fed her. She said that people are nasty to her, take her box and things and throw them into the river. I wish I had the resources to put her up, out of the cold, and out of her neighborhood right now, but Jesus has assured me that “it’s coming.” In time, I will be able to take care of some of these people. Not all of them want to be helped. They just want what they think they need to get to the next day. I went back to find Lil’ Mama a couple days later with some clothing my wife put together, but I couldn’t find her anywhere. It’s dangerous for anyone living on the street, especially a tiny 58 year old woman. A homeless person has no protection, no locks, and no guarantees for tomorrow. She moves around to protect herself from people who would harm her. I will see her again.
The Truth Project of Salisbury Md. 