God's Concrete Angels
He will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45
"Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life."
Proverbs 22:22-23
Before we begin some of our 2018, 2019, and 2020 journey with some of God's Concrete Angels I would like to address one of the most asked questions of some of our beautiful Angels and that question is, "why don't they just stay in a shelter instead of outside?"
Unfortunately their are far to many of our beautiful Angels and not enough spaces in the few shelters that do exist to accommodate everyone that truly need shelter. And sadly this number just continues to increase. A recent Dallas Morning News article stated that there has been a 23% increase in the unsheltered, these are the ones we work with and do our best to help.
So we first met some of God's Concrete Angels on a hot summer Saturday in June of 2018. This was our first Outreach with God's Concrete Angels and we soon found out how large a need their was in the homeless community. Pictured above are just a few of God's Concrete Angels.
Shortly after meeting Rick, (aka Papa), he lost one of his good friends to the streets, by the name of Bobby Brown. This was a Memorial that Rick put together for his friend. Those are Bobby's boots.
It wasn't long after our first meeting with some of God's Concrete Angels that they were forced to move from where they were staying. The property was sold and the new owners are looking at building an art museum. This would be the first of many times that God's Concrete Angels would be forced to move, in a very short span of time.
This picture was taken with Rick, (aka Papa), right before some of God's Concrete Angels were forced to move.
This was the second tent city that some of God's Concrete Angels set up, after having to vacate their previous location.
This is what God's Concrete Angels tent city looked like after a rainstorm, alot of their things were ruined and they had to start all over.
Once again some of God's Concrete Angels were forced to move, with no permanent solutions available.
Some of God's Concrete Angels setup next under one of the many bridges that alot of God's Concrete Angels call home.
It didn't take long before God's Concrete Angels were shut out of the area and a fence was put up to keep them out.
Some of God's Concrete Angels landed next around the corner from their previous location, but with no overhead bridge to keep them dry in case of rain.
And then the rain came.
Along with the rain one of our Angels tent was completely torched and everything burned up. Thank goodness they were not in the tent when it was torched, but they did end up losing everything and had to start all over again. Not long after this incident our Angels were forced to move again or face arrest.
Some of God's Concrete Angels don't even have a tent, (something of a luxury when your homeless and living on the streets),they just have a blanket and the concrete.
A few of God's Concrete Angels next moved to the side of the highway, towards the back, away from the major streets, hoping not to be detected or pushed out again. Unfortunately this spot would not be occupied long.
Some of God's Concrete Angels were once again forced to move by the city of Dallas. This time some of them landed underneath another nearby bridge, that would keep them dry from rain, but not from their reality and their America.
These are pictures of some of God's Concrete Angels belongings, shortly after moving to their new location. Because they are constantly being forced to move, with no permanent solutions, they are always at the ready with their belongings, never fully unpacked of all of their things. They do this because of fear of having their things thrown away by the city, never quite knowing when the city will show up and force them to move, which wouldn't be long before this took place once again for some of God's Concrete Angels.
Even in the bleakest of situations God's Concrete Angels find some sliver of hope. This was found under one of the bridges where some of God's Concrete Angels were staying.
These were more words of encouragement that were found underneath a few more of the many bridges that alot of God's Concrete Angels call home.
But Then Encouragement Turned To Discouragement. Moving Day, Once Again!!
This area that some of God's Concrete Angels moved to next was a place they had been to before, as the city just keeps pushing them out of one place and then another.
These are just a few more of the many places that some of God's Concrete Angels find to lay their head and get out of the bad weather that can strike at anytime. Inside a concrete pillar, underneath a disabled 18 wheeler, on a board on the ground underneath a bridge, or a makeshift cardboard box underneath a bridge. This is what they call home, this is their reality.
One of the latest notices given out by the Office of Homeless Solutions to some of God's Concrete Angels actually had the wrong address on the notice. And without knowing this and without any time frame on the notice of when the city would be out to reportedly cleanup, (just a date on the notice of when the notice was given out), our Angels quickly removed what they could before the rain came in order to move elsewhere. Only later did they find out that it was not their area that was to be cleaned, but then it was too late. These are some pictures of their stuff that got soaked and ruined in their haste to move.
Another set of notices given out by the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions to some of God's Concrete Angels, just recently, also had the wrong address on them. Not once but twice the wrong address was given out. And not only was the wrong address given on the notices to those handed out to some of God's Concrete Angels,but Homeless Solutions never even showed up to purportedly cleanup. This again not known by some of God's Concrete Angels. So expecting Homeless Solutions to come out some of God's Concrete Angels rush to secure their belongings and quickly move from one place to another. This reality just continues to playout over and over again for some of God's Concrete Angels.
This is the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions. It's own mission statement on the City of Dallas website states:
Office of Homeless Solutions
Mission
• To prevent and intervene in homelessness in the
City of Dallas and address its impact on the public's
health and safety by providing leadership, resources,
coordination, and community mobilization.
Unfortunately this is not what we have encountered with God's Concrete Angels. Instead of providing the needed leadership and resources, the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions continuously goes out to where our beautiful Angels are and threatens them with throwing away their belongings if they do not move fast enough and get their belongings, while the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions purportedly cleans the area. The City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions then comes back out, and with threat of arrest if they do not move out, they have all of our beautiful Angels move.
On one recent occasion our Angel Rick (Papa), who had lost his beautiful Angel, Brenda, earlier in the morning, (she had passed away overnight), that same day in the early morning hour the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions came out and again threatened our beautiful Angels, telling them they could call anyone they wanted, to try and help them, but it would be of no use because they, the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions was giving them 72 hours to vacate the area. Thankfully Metro Relief stepped in and was able to prevent this from happening.
When this does happen, (more frequently then not for our beautiful Angels), and with nowhere to go permanently our beautiful Angels move elsewhere, either under another bridge, on the sidewalk, in an abandoned building, etc. wherever they can find a place to lay their head until time comes when the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions moves them again. The notices listed above are just a few of the many, many, notices God's Concrete Angels have received and the time frames for God's Concrete Angels to move from one area to another is becoming shorter and shorter.
*Please notice that some of the notices do not have a date and time when the areas will be cleaned up and or closed, just the date when the notices were handed out, leading to the chance of the City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions showing up at any given date and time*.
This is one of the latest's notices from the city of Dallas, in regards to cleanup of a homeless encampment. Notice that the city of Dallas doesn't even take the time to print out any new notice's, but just takes an old notice and marks through it, just another day, but not for God's Concrete Angels. For them it's another day of constant turmoil and never-ending heartache, with still no permanent solutions in sight.
These are just some of the latest City of Dallas postings to discourage and intimidate God's Concrete Angels. All the postings and notices have God's Concrete Angels to always be at the ready, not knowing exactly when and where the City of Dallas will hit next. This "always at the ready" mindset, for God's Concrete Angels, causes those with jobs to miss work, for fear of having all their belongings thrown away and having to start all over again, which has sadly happened more than once. Please continue to pray for God's Concrete Angels as we continue to do what we can to make their lives less discouraging and more ENCOURAGING.
When some of God's Concrete Angels are forced to move out of an area they have been in they try and find another area that is as remote as possible. Even if that area can present another set of dangers, such as being under a bridge that has a steep incline and can have the potential of one accidentally rolling down into oncoming traffic.
On May 17, 2019 many of God's Concrete Angels were forced out from underneath the bridges by Homeless Solutions, (where they at least had cover from bad weather), and on May 18, 2019 bad weather came. These are pictures of one of the new areas some of God's Concrete Angels moved to, with no overhead covering, just before the storm came through.
AND THEN THE RAIN CAME ON MAY 18, 2019!!
With no overhead coverage from the storm, (that the bridges could provide), came the ruin of many of God's Concrete Angels items, such as whole tents, blankets, food, clothing, and other valuable items that now have to be replaced, causing alot of God's Concrete Angels to start all over again.
With the city of Dallas constantly pushing God's Concrete Angels out from underneath the bridges, (where they at least have cover and shade from the heat of the summer), there is little space left for any type of shade.
As shown by the pictures above the area for shade is somewhat limited and this forces some of God's Concrete Angels to be directly in the path of the sun and its scorching heat. We came across some of God's Concrete Angels living this reality just recently on one of our outreaches.
There are benches throughout the downtown Dallas area that purposely have dividers built into them to prevent anyone from sleeping on them. In addition to benches, God's Concrete Angels are also continuously prevented from resting on public sidewalks, under bridges, and anywhere else in public, as well as sometimes even standing in certain areas in public. So with little options available to lay ones head God's Concrete Angels continue to be moved around without any real solutions, only continued struggles.
Alot of God's Concrete Angels are limited to washing their items by hand and then hanging them out to dry, a task that is repeated over and over again for some of God's Concrete Angels.
On a recent stormy evening one of God's Concrete Angels was underneath this tree and just got away before lighting struck the tree and toppled it over. Just another part of being homeless and trying to stay out of the bad weather.
This is the home for one of God's Concrete Angels, a 62 year old homeless woman who has trouble walking, so most of her day is spent lying down in her tent. We try and always check in on her to see what we can do to be of help. She was staying in the Austin Street Shelter until she became sick and was hospitalized and when she returned to Austin Street Shelter they said they were not in a position to care for her and that if she was not able to self-care then she would not be able to stay at the shelter and so she had to leave.
When we first met her she was sleeping in a chair outside and had a blanket for cover. Several people put out the word for a tent for her and one of her fellow homeless Angels ended up buying her this tent. This picture was taken on October 24, 2019 when it had been raining for quite awhile. We checked in on her and made sure she received food from ACTZ Ministries that comes out on Thursday night to share food and worship for the homeless. Their is an effort to get her out of her situation as soon as possible. We will keep you up to date on her progress.
This is another home for one of God's Concrete Angels, a 72 year old homeless man who used to be a professional boxer in his younger years. This Angel is the one who bought the tent for our 62 year old Angel. They have their tents next to each other and they try and watch out for each other as much as possible. He too was staying at Austin Street Shelter at one point.
This picture was also taken on October 24, 2019 after alot of rain. We are also constantly checking in on him and hope for him as we hope for our 62 year old and all of God's Concrete Angels to hopefully soon have them in permanent homes.
Why is Austin Street Shelter throwing the homeless things away? We witnessed this on multiple visits while checking on some of God's Concrete Angels outside in tents beside Austin Street Shelter. These are trash cans used by Austin Street Shelter. So why are the homeless things being thrown away by Austin Street Shelter?
On one recent cold night in a desperate attempt to stay warm, one of God's Concrete Angels took a chance and scaled this iron gate, that surrounds the Austin Street Shelters trash cans, in order to retrieve blankets that they knew had been thrown in the trash by Austin Street Shelter and were desperately needed by some of God's Concrete Angels. These are pictures of some of those blankets that were retrieved. Once they were retrieved they were given out by one of God's Concrete Angels to those who needed them the most. Why is Austin Street Shelter throwing away desperately needed blankets?
Where did you lay your head last night? For some of God's Concrete Angels they lay their head on the hard concrete, bundled up as best as possible in the cold weather. The above picture was taken on October 30, 2019 when the temperature had dropped to 40 degrees and the wind chill factor made it feel like 30 degrees. Even in the bleakest of situations many of God's Concrete Angels still hold fast to their faith, notice the Cross on the fence above the two of these beautiful Angels.
These are some more pictures of the cold night of October 30, 2019 and some of God's Concrete Angels and where they had to lay their head that night. This is what they have to call home. The above picture is the home of a 71 year old homeless man. Next to him is all that he owns. He told us he just keeps his head down and keeps to himself so as to stay safe and secure. As always we ask that you keep all of God's Concrete Angels in your hearts and prayers as we do what we can to help, One Angel at a Time!
On Monday, November 11, 2019, with the temperature down in the 30's and windy, (one of the coldest days thus far in Dallas Texas), Code Compliance with the City of Dallas, along with the Dallas Police, came out, and without any prior warning, threw several of God's Concrete Angels tents, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, etc. away.
They pleaded with Code Compliance and the Dallas Police to please allow them to be able to take some of their possessions, especially their tents and blankets, but they were not allowed. This picture is a picture of the tracks of the bulldozier that bulldozed their belongings earlier in the day as they were made to watch. THIS IS BEYOND CRUEL!
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone that came through for God's Concrete Angels that day with blankets, coats, food, toiletries, etc. These were all distributed to them that same day, GOD BLESS YOU ALL!! As always we ask that everyone please continue to keep all of God's Concrete Angels in your hearts and prayers and THANK YOU!
On that same cold, cold, night of November 11, 2019 we came across some of God's Concrete Angels underneath this bridge with just blankets and the concrete. We checked on them and gave out more coats and blankets for them.
These are some of our beautiful volunteers with some of God's Concrete Angels on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2019. A HUGE THANK YOU AND SHOUT OUT to our volunteers for providing homemade soup, cornbread, coffee, and most importantly SINCERE LOVE AND CARE TO GOD'S CONCRETE ANGELS!!
These pictures were taken on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2019. These are the trash cans of Austin Street Shelter and these are more pictures of the homeless belongings being thrown away into the trashcans of Austin Street Shelter. Why does Austin Street Shelter continue to throw away the belongings of the homeless?
These pictures were taken on Sunday December 1st, 2019. These are more pictures of more of the homeless belongings being thrown into the trash by Austin Street Shelter. Why is this happening?
These are more photos that were taken on Sunday, December 29, 2019 of more of some of God's Concrete Angels belongings being thrown away by Austin Street Shelter. Why do the belongings of some of God's Concrete Angels continue to be thrown away by Austin Street Shelter, and are some of these belongings, that are being thrown away, also donations given to some of God's Concrete Angels by caring donors? And if this is the case shouldn't those donors know where some of their donations are ending up at?
Austin Street Shelter continues to throw some of God's Concrete Angels belongings away in the trash. These pictures were taken on January 5, 2020. Why does Austin Street Shelter continue to do this and do the people who donate know that some of their donations are being thrown in the trash by Austin Street Shelter?
The above pictures are of more bulldozer tracks. On Monday, December the 9th, 2019 at approximately 8:15am Dallas Code Compliance and the Dallas Police came out and posted a paper notice to a pole adjacent to one of God's Concrete Angels tent area, entitled "AFFIDAVIT FOR A SEARCH, SEIZURE AND DISPOSE WARRANT BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF DALLAS", (shown above), and then 10 minutes after this posting the Dallas Code Compliance began to bulldoze all of the belongings of God's Concrete Angels.
Several of God's Concrete Angels belongings were completely destroyed and thrown away. These belongings included tents, clothing, blankets, etc. This same destroying of some of God's Concrete Angels belongings played out in several tent areas around the downtown Dallas area. In one instance, in a desperate attempt to retrieve their belongings, one of God's Concrete Angels was almost run down by the bulldozer.
If this is what the city of Dallas sees as a solution to the homeless problem then we should all be appalled. By destroying what little a homeless person has to begin with just puts them back even further in trying to get back on their feet. All hope is lost.
I found it interesting as I was just recently looking at some past paperwork on God's Concrete Angels, in regards to notices given out to them, I found some similar paperwork, also dated in December, of 2018. It's not bad enough that the city of Dallas finds this approach an appropriate solution to the homeless problem, but to perform it right at Christmas time, two years in a row, is unacceptable. Truly anytime is unacceptable, but at Christmas time is so heart-wrenching.
If there can be a small light at the end of the tunnel we were able to, with the help of some wonderful donors, to get blankets, food, and clothing, to God's Concrete Angels after this happened, just hoping and praying that it doesn't get taken away by the city of Dallas and thrown away. As always we ask everyone to keep God's Concrete Angels in your hearts and prayers, thank you.
On January 16, 2020 it rained for most of the day and most of God's Concrete Angels belongings were ruined by the rain, even though they did their best to save what they could. With the city not allowing any of God's Concrete Angels any shelter from the storms, (by allowing them to stay under the bridges), they are then forced to face this struggle every time it storms, and that struggle being, starting all over again.
On Thursday, January 23, 2020, the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance led the Annual Homeless Count for Dallas and Collin counties. According to the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance the number of homeless in Dallas is on the rise. God's Concrete Angels teamed up with Metro Relief to participate in the count. This Annual Count of the Homeless gives nonprofits a better idea of the true needs of the homeless population in order to better serve them. These are some of the pictures taken throughout Metro Relief and God's Concrete Angels count. As seen from the pictures above there are several of God's Concrete Angels that find shelter from the elements on any given night in the Dallas Fort Worth airport.
No Rest for the Weary.
Beauty Among the Pain.
On September 21, 2019 two of God's Concrete Angels, Angel Joe and Angel A.J., were married out in tent city. It was a beautiful event and hopefully a start to a whole new life for Joe, A.J., and Oreo. Please enjoy the video above of some of the event, as well as pictures below of the event.
God Bless The Harvest House for putting all of this together for Joe, A.J., and Oreo, from the rings, to the cake, the food, to the music, and the beautiful dress for A.J. Thanks also goes out to Tracey with God's Concrete Angels, as well as Sherry and A.J. for the wonderful video and pictures of the event. God Bless you all and God Bless all of God's Concrete Angels! CONGRATULATIONS JOE, A.J., AND OREO!!
Angel Joe and Angel A.J. On Their Beautiful Wedding Day. September 21, 2019.
Angel A.J., the beautiful God's Concrete Angel Bride, right before she walks down the aisle.
Rachel, with The Harvest House, praying with God's Concrete Angels Dino, the best man, and A.J. right before the beginning of the wedding.
God's Concrete Angels Dino and A.J., as they prepare to walk down the aisle.
The Pastor with The Harvest House officiating over the marriage ceremony of Angel Joe and Angel A.J.
Together As One!
We now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss your Angel Bride!!
God's Concrete Angels, Angel Groom Joe, Angel Bride A.J., and Angel Oreo with their Angel Groomsmen and Angel Bridesmaids, as Angel Oreo lovingly looks on and gives God's Concrete Angels, Angel Groom Joe and Angel Bride A.J. his approval! CONGRATULATIONS JOE, A.J., AND OREO!!!
ACTZ STREET MINSTRY, with Pathway of Life Church, have been showing up on Thursday evenings for Praise, Worship, and Food for God's Concrete Angels for many years now, come rain, sun, or snow, they are there for them. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
On Thursday, December 19, 2019, ACTZ STREET MINSTRY, with Pathway of Life Church, came out and shared worship, praise, and beautiful Christmas gifts for God's Concrete Angels. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE AT ACTZ STREET MINSTRY AND PATHWAY OF LIFE CHURCH FROM ALL OF GOD'S CONCRETE ANGELS!
On Wednesday, December 25, 2019, Christmas Day, we went out to deliver love, joy, and gifts for God's Concrete Angels. The above video's are video's of some of God's Concrete Angels wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
A BIG THANK YOU GOES OUT TO TRACEY, JILL, CHRIS, AND ALL OF TOYOTA FOR THE AWESOME CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR GOD'S CONCRETE ANGELS! MERRY, MERRY, CHRISTMAS AND THANK YOU FROM ALL OF GOD'S CONCRETE ANGELS!
Another wonderful group that also has been showing up on Thursday evenings for God's Concrete Angels for many years, to feed and share a loving word, is the Parkway Hills Baptist Church out of Plano, Texas. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
This is one of the beautiful Churches, called Breath of Life Missions, (run by Pastor Raul), that some of God's Concrete Angels attend on a weekly basis. As you can see this is a beautiful Church in the style of the tent revival Churches back in the day. One of the most important things this Church brings for God's Concrete Angels is a genuine love of God and his beautiful Angels by Pastor Raul.
Pastor Raul also has a small room adjacent to his Church with donated clothing for God's Concrete Angels and he also provides a barbecue dinner every Friday for God's Concrete Angels. Pastor Raul does all of these beautiful things for God's Concrete Angels, all while working full-time at his regular job, truly a man of God. Pastor Raul God Bless You for all that you do for God's Concrete Angels.
On August 17, 2019 some beautiful people from Harvest House came out and shared Praise, Worship, and food for some of God's Concrete Angels. They are pictured above with some of God's Concrete Angels. Thank all of you all from Harvest House, it was a great day with Praise, Worship, and a huge barbecue!
