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Ebad, a somewhat shy but always irrepressible gentleman from the midwest,
sent this account of one of his recent adventures...

As I walked down the busy sidewalk with my wife, knowing I was late for church,
my eye fell upon one of those unfortunate, ragged vagabonds that are found in
every city these days.

Some people turned to stare. Others quickly looked away as if the sight would
somehow contaminate them.

Recalling my old pastor, Brother James, who always admonished me to: "care
for the sick, feed the hungry and clothe the naked," I was moved by some powerful
inner urge to reach out to this unfortunate, ragged person.

Wearing what can only be described as rags, carrying her treasured worldly
possessions in two plastic bags, my heart was touched by this person's condition.

Yes, where some people saw only rags, I saw a true, hidden beauty.

A small voice inside my head called out, "Reach out! Reach out and touch this person!"

So I did. And...