Monica's Birthday

Last evening I walked the streets. We had three birthday presents with us. One was for Monica, a friendly, pleasant native woman in her early thirties. Monica is five months pregnant, a prostitute and drug-addict. We were at the harshest part of Hastings, talking to a young working girl when out of the corner of my eye I spied Monica, behind a dumpster in the alley, shooting heroin into her thigh. I averted my eyes from Monica and focused on the young girl with us. Monica walked up to us and said, “Hey, you guys forgot my birthday!” “No we haven’t, Monica”, I said, taking the present from Gary and handing it to her. She was so surprised, and opening the present, I could see how touched she was with the little gifts inside. Opening a small gift of beaded earrings, tears came to her eyes as she said, “Nobody, not even my husband, remembered my birthday. Just you guys.” She hugged me so hard and wouldn’t let go. I hugged her for about two minutes, and soothed her as she cried. I reminded her that Jesus loved her so much, that she was precious in His eyes. As she left me to hug Gary and Vida, I could see the truth of my words finally hit her and she finally understood. It showed in her face. She was especially glad to get the book “The Key” (The gospel of John) I pointed out John 3:16 to her. Monica left us, with a look of awe on her face. I knew that at that moment, the truth of her love and our Lord’s presence in her life is hitting her square in the face. May she have the courage to accept the gift of Faith that the Lord is offering her.

Update: Monica had a little baby boy. She reconciled with her husband, and together they worked on staying straight. Monica is no longer in the Hastings area working, so we prayer that she continues to stay “clean” and continues in her faith journey.