New York: Homeless but blessed

Elijah Artis (back row, second from right) with fellow missions interns in New York City.

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While walking around just outside Penn Station, my teammate, Tonya and I found Fu, a 53-year-old homeless man. 

elijah artis130Elijah ArtisFu told us he has been asking for change, food or clothing for five months, but he was still in good spirits. Why? His son was offered a full-ride scholarship to a local college, and his daughter graduated high school in the top 10 percent of her class. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of them,” he said. “Making a future for themselves and forging a path all their own. How good is God to bless them like this? Now, I know I’ve made my fair share of mistakes in my life. Look at me. I ain’t got no home. But I know that Lord gives and takes away.” 

Even though his situation is bad, he still has faith in God to deliver him from his hardships. Hebrews 11 says: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.” 

Fu’s faith is what this verse and the rest of this chapter look like in the world we live in today. Although the world may put you down, battle against you and trip you up, we must not lose our faith in Christ, because he has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matt 28:18). 

So, why would we ever believe our current situation is out of God’s control?  

Elijah Artis, a student at West Texas A&M University, is serving with Go Now Missions in New York City.


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