It seems that every time I go to NOAH, I meet God.

Today a man came in who spoke only Spanish. I could find no one who could converse with him so I used my inadequate Spanish to try to find out what it was he needed.

William Vincent David Montada is a 62 year old man (his bday was Nov 19th) here on a 6 month work Visa. Arrived Nov 26th and was heading from Honduras through Florida through Detroit to Philadelphia where his 'amigo' lives. His friend has work for him. Sitting in the bus station last night, the $150 he had for his ticket to Philly was stolen.

He walked to NOAH and, well, just wanted help.  Willing to wait for a social worker. Willing to sit and sit and sit. Willing to stay in a shelter.  Willing to do whatever. Had references,Visa; his 'story' was true. I just KNEW it.

AND, gratitude and Grace (I use those words a lot for NOAH, don't I?) were evident within him.

His story...

...made my heart hurt.

Because I had no idea how to help him.  Not really.

So, the director helped me hook him up to the Latino Agency and on speaker, I listened as he retold the story to someone who spoke his native language.

She verified the story as I had understood it so we brainstormed what to do.

The director said they would pay half his bus ticket to Philly but it would be 3 transfers. I worried about that and told him. He said he had 5 transfers coming from Florida and he would be ok.

Joe and I took him to the station and got his ticket. He will leave at 9:15 PM tonight. He took a brown bag from NOAH and I gave him the $5 I had in my wallet. I never give cash but something told me he would use it wisely.

FIVE frickin' dollars doesn't take THAT much wisdom, does it?

He had a cross and a crucifix on his neck as well as this sun/moon symbol which he took off and gave to me.  

I resisted, of course, but he INSISTED I take it.

He said I was his 'amiga'.

His friend.

I had nothing worthy of the label 'friend' to give him.  Instead, I hugged him, 

prayed that he "VAYA con Dios" and tried not to cry.

With his half English and my half Spanish, we met in the middle and found each other and what we found was a fast friendship that I shall never forget.

I am pretty sure God was our interpreter.

I PRAY Vincent David makes it to his amigo in Philly. I pray no one steals his $5. I pray he gets work and returns to his home on May 26th with something more than he left with.

I pray he knows he left me with a better understanding of the language of Honduras and the language of God.

Thank you, William Vincent David Montada.

I will not forget you.

Vaya con Dios.