He sheltered in a Porta-Potty . . . Then two blankets changed his life!

The roots of Kyle’s homelessness really go back to his childhood. He was one of 10 children growing up in desperate poverty. Most of the places he remembers living in had no power, running water or heat. On the worst nights, temperatures in the house dropped into the teens.

It’s hard to believe this could happen to children here in America, but the truth is, it still does.

And then these innocents grow up without the life and job skills they need to get by. Through the grace of God, they find Everett Gospel Mission. And that’s when their life changes!

In Kyle’s case, he became homeless when the house he was renting went into foreclosure. He was out on the streets of Everett in January!

He was so desperate to get out of the cold by the second night, that he huddled in a Porta-Potty.

He suffered a long time before he encountered the love of Christ unexpectedly just a few feet away from our building on Smith Avenue. He said:

“I wasn’t dressed for the elements. I just had a light coat. It was the middle of the night. I prayed silently, ‘I’m tired of this. I need help.’ At that moment, two blankets came flying out the window!”

To this day, we still don’t know who happened to be awake and notice Kyle’s suffering just at that perfect time. But we do know that this small act of kindness gave Kyle hope that God had not forgotten him. He came into the Mission the next day for a meal, and enrolled in our Genesis recovery program!

Today, Kyle attends church each week. He is grateful for every breath he takes and the ground he walks on! And he is so proud to have saved up enough money for first and last for an apartment.

Your kindness has that kind of impact at Everett Gospel Mission. Whether you come down personally or send generous gifts through the mail, your love is felt here. And God is getting the glory, so people’s lives can change – for good! Thank you!