Another night in Portland

Gus and I decided to stay another day in Portland, because we were waiting to hear back from a Craig's list dude who was travelling all the way out to Philly and willing to take riders! We are debating how much longer we are willing to wait around for him, and will leave tomorrow morning if we don't hear back from him (if he says yes, we'll leave here on the 2nd of Dec.)

Last night we decided to try to procure shelter instead of sleeping outside again in the cold, so after Road Warriors we walked up to a place that was offering emergency beds (and if they were full, then vouchers for motel rooms). Thankfully, we were able to get a room (although it was pretty far away--77th street, when we were around 6th!). So he gave us bus passes to get there (unfortunately not for the way back) As we were waiting around the bus stop at about 10:30 pm, we met this guy who was carrying a duffel bag that he claimed had soup in it! That he was taking back to give to his friend who was sick. He was an interesting guy--worried that something would happen on the bus, such as someone throwing up, or a gang fight erupting on the bus (he called it "fucklihood"--as in the likelihood of something bad happening). Then another guy showed up--"C" (he had come down from Washington on a greyhound)--he was cool and we started talking to him as well--it was a little bus stop party! But one more person came by--a girl who was exhausted from her train ride up from Mount Shasta (my fav. mountain so far in California). She was gonna miss her bus if she didn't go to another bus stop which was a ways away, so we offered to walk with her over there. I was pleased at the level of trust she exhibited to us as complete strangers, but she got on the next bus that came (cause it could take her by the real bus stop she needed) and we were gonna get on, but decided not to (knowing she would be fine). Anyway, it ended up being Gus, C, and me who were together, getting on the next bus--the number 9. At one point, he offered us some mushrooms (not the kind your mom puts in soup) and we declined, but he started opening up as somehow we got to talking about Jesus. C started sharing his heart--turns out he is a brother in Christ who had fallen--gotten into some trouble at home and gave up on his girlfriend and two year old son and started fleeing his old happiness through drugs and alcohol. He was going south to stay with his alcoholic mother that night, but wasn't too excited about it, so we offered to let him stay with us in our hotel room. He gladly accepted, and was amazed at our hospitality (though I don't think he should have been, nor do I think we were doing anything really out of the ordinary as followers of Jesus, and it was no sacrifice to us, just a joy). So we finally arrived a little before midnight at the motel and had a wonderful time of prayer and encouragement in the room (after sneaking him in). I stayed up with him till 3 am! another really late night, but it was a joy and pleasure to share with eachother and pray for one eachother. I'm sure C (not his real name) would appreciate your prayers as well during this time of transition for him. He really felt God's love last night reaching out to him, but he needs help with the practicalities of what to do next.