Nathan

I wasn't really surprised to see him on the street. He always seemed very comfortable among "street people". And street people always seemed comfortable around him.

But actually, it wasn't by sight that I first recognized him today. I left work a little early to go to a new hairdresser to get my hair done - coloured high-lighted and cut, thank you very much. It has been too long since the last "do" and the frumpy look had to go. So, I made my way to the Epcor Building downtown and had a little visit with Dino -- my new best friend today! I was there for about 3 hours, which was well worth it! My hair looks fabulous!

I left with two muffins in hand and my wallet very much intact (great prices there), and made my way to the City Centre bus stop. Just as I was about to cross 102 Avenue to get to the stop, the light turned against me, and as luck would have it today, my St. Albert bus chose then to make its stop for passengers. With hope in my eyes, I ran across the street anyways (against the light), but to no avail. And so began the wait for the next bus -- I figured it would be about a half an hour IF I hadn't just missed the last bus.

There were alot of lame, hungry, drunk, drugged, smoking, yelling, cursing and begging street people at this stop today. I wondered if I would get to hang on to my muffins. I gave one away early on in my wait to a woman who asked me for change. As I listened to the chatter around me, I heard a familiar voice but couldnt quite place it. Looking around there were no familiar faces. A few seconds later, I heard it again.

That familiar voice was coming from a young man with a shaved head. His face was clean-shaven and he wore a nice suit. He carried a grey with orange trim knapsack and wore headphones connected to a CD player that was also gray and orange. It looked new. He wore sneakers as do many downtown workers around North America. All in all, a very attractive young man.

But wait, the last time I saw him, he had a head full of moppy dark red curls, held aloft from his head by a blue bandana. He sported a beard and wore very casual clothes -- jeans and t-shirts. He worked as a custodian at my church. Nathan.

I marveled as he either did not see me or he did not recognize me -- not sure which. I watched as he made a move to board the #9 bus to Northgate. At the last minute, he changed his mind, came and sat on the bench near me and made a call to someone to come meet him at Tim Horton's. He retied his shoes and started down 101 Street towards 104 Avenue. I watched and listened as he stopped a few feet away from me and spoke to a young black man that he obviously had not met previously.

As I listened, I thought "Ah yes, I know THIS Nathan." And as I listened, he told the young man about Jesus Christ. He spent ten minutes or so with the young man and invited him to a camp (Shiloh Camp or something like that). He gave the young man a business size card. And then I watched as he continued on his way. A block further, I saw him stop and do the same thing again.

Nathan. Good to see you!