My first client this morning was a man who has been my client for a number of months. He has Glaucoma (which will eventually blind him), as well as other physical ailments together with psychological issues. In addition to the General Assistance and Medical Care he receives, he works part-time at Target Field to supplement his income. In addition, he does multiple volunteer jobs at Central Lutheran Church and for the consortium of downtown churches dedicated to ending homelessness in Minneapolis.
Because of an error that was not his fault, his GA and GAMC were suspended for July and August. He was unable to pay his modest rent for these two months. After he was recertified as a GA and GAMC recipient, he will again receive those benefits in September. He arranged with his landlord to pay the rent he was unable to pay in installments. He asked for assistance (six Metro Transit tokens) to keep his verified medical appointments as well as a voucher to obtain food from the Food Bank appropriate for his diabetes until his GA check arrives.
Toward the end of his appointment with me, he asked for spiritual counsel concerning the vindictive feelings he has toward a person who had done him wrong. How might he deal with these feelings in a Christian manner, he asked. Upon the conclusion of that discussion, we prayed together.
He made an appointment to see me again at the beginning of September, and I saw the next person on my schedule.
Rev. Jim