Peter

Living Grace, a ministry for the homeless and destitute in the Cape Town suburb of Muizenberg, has a partnership with the town business district to employ six “clients” as street cleaners. It’s a win-win situation: The downtown area is swept clean every day and a half-dozen men have jobs (and in turn, proper homes, so they don’t have to live on those same streets).

Supervising the street-cleaning crew is Peter, a man who brings considerable life and character to Living Grace. He’s there for breakfast every morning, and for lunch at noon, and he always sits in the same chair. If a newcomer happens to beat him to it, he’ll give a gentle nudge and nod for them to find another seat. He has an infectious laugh and he sings boldly, if a bit off-key. Whenever I give the breakfast or lunchtime devotional, Peter is always good for a few hearty proclamations of “amen,” which is a tremendous encouragement to me.

Peter doesn’t have much in the way of material possessions, but he’s got a strong relationship with God, a big heart and a loving spirit. That, in my view, makes him rich beyond measure.