VISITING JESUS

The kombi screeched to a halt. A young girl jumped from the passenger door, running frantically to safety.

"Oh Lord, I wish he'd leave me alone!" Finding shelter in an opening between two shops, her tears flowed uncontrollably. She could feel the rage of her angry boyfriend as he sped up and down the street, trying to find her.

"Leave me alone!" She cried.

"Hey, little lady...?" She looked up through her tears. Standing in front of her was a man, his clothes smelly and worn.
 .
"Why are you crying? Life can't be that bad?" He seemed to be sincerely concerned. She looked into his warm and friendly eyes and found herself relaxing.

"Don't worry about it..." She turned her head to avoid more conversation.

"I feel like a cup of coffee." he scratched his head, "Would you like a cup?"
Clarece looked back at him in confusion, was he serious?

"Come on, a friend of mine owns a coffee shop up the road and he'll gladly give us a cup or two... Anyway your friend is long gone." He glanced up and down the road as to confirm his remark. She had nothing better to do and a cup of coffee would take her mind off Patrick, at least for a while.

"Sure... As long as I'm not in the way?"

"Of course not," he laughed

The coffee shop was warm and bustling with people. Nobody took notice of her, nor the vagrant. They sat down at a table and two aromatic coffees were set down in front of them.

"So, my name's Peter... What's your name?

"Clarece."

"Do you often jump from cars and cry hysterically in the street?"

"My boyfriend, Patrick and I had a fight. Before he had a chance to hit me, I jumped from the car... I'm sorry; I actually hate talking about this."

Peter glanced over at Clarece; he could feel her sadness and sensitivity.

"Hey, I have some work to do just now, wanna join me?" "There's something I'd like to show you."

"Sure, at least I'll have something to do." Clarece felt strange. It was out of the ordinary, for her to trust a complete stranger, not to mention one from the street. Curiosity tugged at her and she agreed to it.

"Let me show you something." Peter handed Clarece an A4 sheet of paper. She glanced at the page. Looked back up at him, Shocked.

"What's this? You're a doctor?"
He handed her a photograph. She stared into the face of an attractive women and a beautiful young girl.

"This is my wife and daughter. They're at home, safe in my upmarket suburban home."
He reminisced over the memory fondly.

"Would you believe? His remark, showing his own inner disbelief.

"What happened. alcohol?"

Peter laughed.

"No. not alcohol!"

"Let me put it this way. About nine months ago, I felt the urge to experience what it would be like to live out on the streets. I decided to make it my quest."

"What about your family?" Clarece was now spellbound.

"Of course my wife was surprised and it took some time, to warm her to the idea."
He smiled.

"She loves me and with that she is content, and with that I am content."

"Are you going to go back to your family?"

"Yes. in a few months"

He placed his empty cup on the table, lightening up the conversation.

"Come, let's go."

The evening air was cool and crisp. Clarece kept the pace as Peter headed on, down the road into the city centre.

"So Clarece, what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a store holder; I sell sandals, boots, shirts and little odds and ends."

Clarece felt sadness tug at her heart. For a moment she had forgotten about the turmoil in her life. She wondered what life, had in store for her. Would she have to give up her job and move back to her parents' home? Or, would she remain in the same cycle, until something really bad happens.

"Are you planning to go back to your friend?"
Clarece felt embarrassed by the thought of telling him that it was probable, but knew deep in her heart, it was inevitable.

"It's difficult to explain, why I place myself in this situation, I do love him. So yes, if he is calmer, the next time I see him, I'll go back to him."

"What are you afraid of?" Peter had caught her off guard and she wasn't quite sure what he meant.
"Why don't you leave him. start afresh?"

"I figure starting all over again would be useless, better the devil you know than the devil you don't know."

Peter looked at her strangely.

"What if you miss meeting an angel?"

"I doubt that!" Clarece laughed. So far in her life, she had only come across failure and with a little effort; she felt she'd be able to work on her relationship with Patrick.

"Here we are." They were standing outside a pizzeria. Clarece didn't feel hungry and wondered what Peter was up to.

"This won't take long. would you like to come in with me, or wait out here?"

"What exactly, are we doing here?"

"I have an agreement with the managers; they allow me to collect left over food."

"Is this how you feed yourself?"

"Come on, they're about to close."

Clarece followed Peter inside. The manager greeted him fondly and handed him a parcel.
"Thank you; it's much appreciated as you well know." The manager smiled and knowingly nodded.

"Anytime." He remarked, as he went back to his business.

The streets were filling up with all the party goers. Clarece wondered why Patrick hadn't called her on her cell. She gathered he was either still angry or had gone out.
As they made their way down the main road of the city center, Peter stopped by another three restaurants, to collect more food.

Clarece wondered why he needed so much. Maybe he stored it, for a week or so, but where? They were now walking under the city bypass. For the first time since meeting Peter, Clarece became aware of how vulnerable she was. For all she knew, she was been led into a trap. They reached a dead end.

"Just stay close to me." Peter insisted.

"Hey guys. you all asleep?"

Out of the darkness a few street children emerged, Clarece recognized them. They owned a dog by the name of Rooius and they frequented the market just about everyday. As Clarece looked around, she noticed street children, about 20 or so, lying on the cold cement, mottled together like rats. Under normal circumstances she would have been afraid, but somehow she felt very relaxed.
One of the children recognized Peter and began to express his delight.

"What took you so long? Look everyone, it's Jesus, and he has food for us!" 
 The children became excited and began chanting.

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." Peter laughed as he handed the food over to the eldest boy.

"Enjoy. and don't forget, Jesus lives inside you all."

"Hey lady. It's you. From the market." The street child seemed happy to see that Clarece was connected to Jesus.

"Hi. Where is Rooius?"

"Oh lady. Rooius is with my brother, he was shot in the leg the other day, so I told him to keep Rooius, to protect him." Clarece was horrified.

"Who was shot, Rooius or your brother?"

"My brother. Lady." "Other boys, lady."
"Well I'm sorry to hear that. I pray he is ok?"

"Yes lady, he is lucky."

"Clarece. It's time for us to go." Peter turned towards the children and promised them that he'd be back again, same time tomorrow. An over whelming feeling of empathy arose in Clarece, she felt sad saying goodbye. Peter took her by the arm and guided her from under the bridge, back up onto the main road.

"Did you ever imagine the possibility of the journey we just took?"

"What? That we went into the most dangerous area in the city and came out heroes. nahh!!!" Clarece caught herself laughing and feeling elevated. She couldn't think of a time when she had ever felt this good.

"Don't you see the lesson to be learn through all this?" Peter waited for her reaction.

"Lesson, what lesson?"

"Basically. Because of the good you give out, no matter where you land up in life, you will always be safe!"

Lynette Mullins

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Name	Comment	Date
Cathie Mullins	EXCELLENT!! EXCELLENT!! EXCELLENT!! EXCELLENT!!	2007.04.07
Dhesh Gunpath	This is such an uplifting story! I enjoyed it and was impressed by the quality of the dialogue.	2007.06.08