Author:  Maggie, serving on staff with Kaleo in New Orleans, LA.

I am fortunate to be a Kaleo intern for many different reasons.  One of my main reasons is that I’ve gotten to build relationships with so many people; people I would never have had an opportunity to otherwise.  I’ve built relationships with the other interns, the congregation, the mission teams and with the homeless.  But most importantly, I’m growing in my relationship with God.  I sit in awe watching how God is working in every single person’s life.  I couldn’t be happier to tell the world about one particular man that I have come to have a relationship with.  His nickname is Bald Head.

Bald Head was born and raised in New Orleans.  After being in prison four times, he is now homeless on Jackson Square.  It has been my fortune getting to know him since arriving in New Orleans a month ago.  One night another intern and I decided to take a walk with no intention but to get some fresh air.  We saw Bald Head sitting on a park bench, alone.  This was odd to me because he is always smiling and with other people.  We walked up to him and asked if he was okay.  But it was clear he was not.  Adam and I sat down and talked with him.  He told us someone stole everything he owned, including his wallet.  It contained all his identification and $300.  He had saved the money so that he could get off the streets and find a job.  Bald Head told us about how he was done with the streets and just wanted to be happy.  He desperately wanted to start making something of his life.  I knew Bald Head had not accepted the Lord in his life.  He told us he wanted to talk to Tom, our Pastor, about getting into a rehab and off the streets.  We prayed together.  Adam and I prayed that he truly meant the promise he had made about coming for church the upcoming Sunday.  We hugged and said our good nights.  The next Sunday morning Tom walked up the stairs to tell me that Bald Head just accepted Jesus as his Savior.   I went to the sanctuary and all I saw was Bald Head smiling from ear to ear.  AMEN

Kaleo has given me so many wonderful opportunities to see that I serve a God who is so patient, so loving and so forgiving.  I couldn’t have asked for a better summer and a better way to grow in my faith.  I will never forget the many relationships I’ve made here in New Orleans.