Meet my Friend, Benjamin

This is Benjamin. Benjamin is a beautiful soul, and so full of joy. Benjamin's story is a little different from the other stories because the community helped to tell it. Benjamin suffers from a large tumor on the side of his face that makes everyday tasks difficult for him. He is a little slower, but despite all of that he is always smiling. Benjamin was born in Africa (country unknown) and brought to America when he was little. Benjamin lived in Little Rock, Arkansas for the early years of his life. When he was in his late teenage years, his parents brought him to Houston, Texas. Benjamin's parents could not support him any longer, so they left him on a street corner in front of a soup kitchen. Benjamin has been living on the streets ever since. Benjamin's prize possession is the long coat he wears. It is covered in years of dust, but he proudly takes it with him wherever he goes. The community is so kind to him and always seems to take care of him. Today, I greeted him while he was getting his food. He was so excited, and showed me over to where he sits to eat. We squeezed in on a bench together. He was excited to show me what he had for lunch, and ask me where I was from. I watched as he struggled to eat, but when I asked how lunch was, he happily responded it was very good.  Although Benjamin struggles to eat, he never turns down seconds- haha! He is always in the best of spirits and you can feel the presence of God moving through this man!! Spending time with Benjamin always leaves me wondering if maybe there are angels among us.