A Tenfold Miracle and A Homeless Success Story

Proverbs 19:17, He who has pity upon the poor, lends to the Lord.”

Following the death of his mother and grandmother, Arturo Godoy, found himself homeless and living on the streets of Dallas. Originally from Colorado, Arturo set out on a course to visit his daughter in another state when he received notification that his mother had become very ill. Knowing this, he headed toward Arkansas to tend to his mother’s needs. Once there, he decided to move her to Dallas to be closer to family, namely her mother. Within days of his arrival, Arturo’s grandmother passed unexpectedly followed by his mother’s passing a month later. The funeral expenses depleted all of Arturo’s assets, with exception of his truck, and landed him at Union Gospel Mission, a Dallas homeless shelter. It was there on the evening of August 20, 2011 that I met Arturo. He needed help with gas money to go back home to Colorado where he had a job waiting for him.

Within days, Arturo called me and stated he was ready to go back home. He was able to find a small job for three days that paid him $150.00. While grateful for the work, it would not be enough to cover the minimal travel expenses required from Texas to Colorado. Feeling led to assist him, I met with him later that afternoon, and he followed me in his truck to a gas station where I filled his gas tank, gave him groceries and fried chicken. He was very thankful.

During our time together, Arturo shared with me how he had witnessed a homeless man shoot himself near a dumpster in another state. Immediately after the shot rang out, Arturo rushed over to the man and began performing CPR but ultimately was unsuccessful in reviving him. I could see the lasting devastation felt by Arturo as tears welled up in his eyes as he shared his heart.

I prayed with him and we bade farewell. Upon departing, God reminded me that I neglected to give him the $100.00 I had set aside for him. So I drove back to the parking lot where Arturo was and gave him the money. He was so joyful and appreciative.

Less than 24 hours after Arturo left, I received a visit from a missionary friend who came to my house. The previous year, I had given some money to this friend to assist with an urgent personal need. As he was getting ready to leave that afternoon, he turned toward me and asked if that money was a loan or a gift from Operation Care. I explained to him that I had used my personal finances to extend the offering to him. He then shared with me how God had blessed him and his ministry, and he wanted to repay me for my kindness with $1,000.00. WOW! I could not believe it! The $100.00 I gave returned to me tenfold. I was overjoyed for the unexpected blessing and delighted in God’s miracles.

The story does not end there. Few days ago, I called Arturo inColorado. He was so happy to hear from me. He stated he was at Home Depot buying materials he needed for his business. Yes! Arturo went from being homeless to becoming a business owner. That doubled the gift that God had given me knowing that Operation Care made a difference in the life of Arturo.

Isn’t the Lord a great God of miracles? He specializes in that business!

Kindness is a language that a deaf man can hear and a blind man can see.