Melissa

We were on our way home from Women of Faith in Portland, Oregon, when it all happened...a moment that would change four hearts forever.

We had pulled over to get gas and use the ladies room, in The Dalles. We split back up into the two separate vehicles (I was driving my friend's Denali) and once again made our way back toward Interstate 84. As we came around a corner, there at the intersection of Cherry Heights Rd. and West 2nd Street, stood a young girl with a sign that read,

"Pregnant and hungry. Even 1.00 would help."

I see signs and "homeless" people like this all the time. I know that in our society, there are fakes and posers out there. I know that most of these people take any money they are given and buy alcohol or drugs with it. I know all of that....but this one was different for me. It made me feel like someone had stabbed me in the abdomen, and I felt physically sick.
Maybe it's because the sign said, "Pregnant and hungry"? Maybe because my job involves being with pregnant women, a lot? Maybe because none of my pregnant clients are ever hungry...well, for very long?

Whatever it was, I knew I had to stop...but I didn't. I had 3 other friends in the car with me, and no one was saying anything. As I followed the rest of our group in the other vehicle, we made a wrong turn and ended up going through the heart of The Dalles. I kept thinking, "Sheila, go back!" But I kept going.

As the entrance to the Interstate came into view, God spoke, "Sheila, go back!" So, I said to my very quiet passengers, "I can't let this one go. I have to go back to where that pregnant girl is!" They all replied, "Yes, we have to!!" I called the other group and told them our intentions, and made a U-turn in the road.

As we backtracked our mistaken route, my friends, without hesitation began digging into their purses for cash, and gathering any good food we had with us...Oranges, granola bars, Sun-chips, water....even a napkin.

As we made our way back to that intersection, I heard whispers of prayer in the seats behind me.

We parked up the road a little way, and then the four of us, clean and abundantly blessed women, walked toward this young girl, who was announcing with her sign, that she had a baby inside, and she was hungry.

As we walked up, she gave us a look of despair. I said to her that we had some things we wanted to give her, and individually began to hand her money. She choked up, and let her face fall. Then one of my friends said as she handed the bag of food to her, "We want to tell you that Jesus loves you." She shook her head in silence. I asked her if she knew Jesus, and she shook her head yes, again.

We began to talk to her and asking if she was alone in this world, to which she replied, that she wasn't. She said, "My husband comes around once in awhile, but I never know when he will be back."

She told us that she was a month and a half along. That is 6 weeks. Her baby already has a heartbeat, arms, legs, and nostrils. Her baby's birth should come sometime around next June.

I asked her if she would be willing to share her first name with us, so that we could pray for her, and she said, "Melissa".

Having asked her if I could pray with her right there, I laid my hand on her back, and prayed for God to come very near Melissa, and wrap His arms around her. I asked for protection and peace over her. I asked for God to bring people into her life, that could guide her and help her. I thanked God for letting us see Melissa. I asked Him to show her how much He loves her.

She thanked us, and we hugged her goodbye.

We walked silently back to our car, and drove towards I-84.

This wasn't about what will be done or bought with the money. This isn't about if she was faking it. This isn't about what society or Christians are doing right or wrong.

What this is about...

GOD! And I know that He told me to go back. I know that He told all four of us, that we needed to help. I know that we gave from our hearts. I know that those were the emptiest eyes I've ever seen--completely void of all hope. I know that her body is used and abused. And, I am confident that she has a baby inside.

I haven't been able to forget those eyes. I saw them in my sleep last night, and I did what I can do. I asked God to stay very close to her. I asked Him to be her Shepherd and come to her rescue.

And, I named her baby, "Dot"....another story.