It was December 2016 when For The Bride Ministries embarked on her maiden voyage to Anchorage, Alaska. Only when our feet hit the ground did we understand our true purpose in being sent. Much like Abraham and Sarah…we were simply called to obey the heart-command God had given us. As we walked the streets of Anchorage, we began to witness the enormity of needs among the homeless. It did not take long to find large numbers of homeless throughout the city who needed a meal, hot cup of coffee, pair of gloves, a word of hope and encouragement.
During the initial trip… we met a homeless gentleman, Virgil. Upon our first encounter with this kind, charismatic man we were able to assess his most immediate physical need… shoes. We first encountered this native, shoeless veteran in his wheel chair in front of Historic Town Hall. Prior to meeting Virgil… FTBM had been serving bagged lunches and coffee to the homeless. However, Virgil’s immediate need was a pair of shoes. For our mission team… meeting this simple need was Christ-like and mandatory. Virgil accepted our offer to purchase, for him, a pair of boots. We agreed to meet Virgil at the same time and place the following day. The next day came…no Virgil. Day after day we returned to that place…no Virgil. We drove the city looking for Virgil with no success. Soon a week had passed… no Virgil. After much prayer… the day before our return flight, we finally found him! He was as happy to see us as we were to see him. I exclaimed, “Virgil, where have you been?” He had been hospitalized due to burns on his feet. During Alaska’s brutal winter months… fire is a necessity for warmth. Though unspoken… it was understood Virgil’s sock-covered feet had gotten too close to the fire. As a result… he sustained significant burns to the top of his feet which required hospitalization. Virgil was overwhelmed with thanksgiving when receiving the boots! In response to his gratitude, he lifted his hands high in the air, saying, “God is good! Praise the Lord!” Seeing Virgil had no gloves… I removed mine and handed them to him. Thus are the needs of the homeless!
During FTBM’s subsequent trips to Anchorage, we encountered Virgil. It was a delight to deliver daily bagged lunches and hot coffee to him and his family. In addition… we were able to provide blankets, hats, and gloves. The need was visible, simple, and met Praise be to God! The initial, God-ordained encounter with Virgil in December 2016 allowed us to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus which established a special relationship between FTBM, Virgil, and his street family. It was always our delight to serve and fellowship with him. After a week’s search for Virgil during our fall 2018 trip to Anchorage… we were sad to learn Virgil had passed away during Spring of that year. Although our hearts were saddened, we knew through conversation with Virgil that he had accepted Jesus as his Savior, which is the ultimate purpose for our travel to Alaska. One day we will see him again! Virgil became the ministry’s model, the representation of the multitude of needs facing the homeless in Alaska. Thus, helping to meet the practical needs of the homeless in Alaska would become For The Bride Ministries’ Alaska Mission.