Bob's Story

I was volunteering at Northside Forsyth Hospital in 2022 in the Wound Center. Most of the patients are elderly, have diabetes, are very quiet, depressed, and try to fade into the waiting room chairs.  

One day Charles appeared. He was hard to miss. He is a very large person, younger, and he appeared to be angry and full of anxiety. As I greeted him, he stayed in front of me and began talking about his medical condition and lack of meds. I uttered occasionally with an uh-huh, oh, ok, etcetera.  

The following week, as he checked in and began talking, I interrupted him and said, "Charles, I have four or five scripture cards I brought from home:' He took them, read each one, and said, "Thank you". He went to his chair and watched me while I was doing other tasks.  

The third week he said, "I was wondering if you have time time to talk with me, like another day of the week." I gave him my cell number, and he called the following day.  

Soon after I decided to invite him to my home. He accepted.  

His visits were usually for three or four hours. The first hour was usually him discussing how awful his life has been from a young teenager to the present. He talked about mental as well as physical problems, such as being hospitalized often for panic attacks, and his diabetes causing problems with wounds, and pain in his back, spine, knee and feet. He was missing a big toe and a pinky. That caused a balance problem. All of this caused him to require a wheelchair, walker, or a cane to travel.  

Economics was also causing him not to have enough money for gasoline, food, and meds. He didn't have much support from former friends or his family. After some thought and consideration, I began giving him some financial help for his needs. He was very embarrassed, humiliated, but reluctantly accepted help. I would simply explain to Charles, "This is God's money, not mine."  

God, Jesus, and Scripture were in much of our discussions. My purpose was to get Charles to begin using his heart and the Holy Spirit to replace anxiety and worry. I mentioned to Charles constantly that he could not continue to be in control of everything, and to let God be more involved with his daily life.  

We have met a lot of Sunday afternoons for the past three years. I supplied food and gasoline money so he could see and feel God's work. We have spent numerous visits about his family, and how to have some friends. Charles had no employment for about three years. He is very knowledgeable in Informational Technology {IT).  

Three months ago, Charles began to have some hope. He became employed. He accepted a job for much less than he was being paid five or six years ago.  

Together we made a financial plan: The plan was to save as much as possible for future needs. Charles was a little hesitant but finally accepted a plan. He has been saving 25% of his pay by putting it in the company's 401 plan. Every two weeks, he shows me his savings and has found out that having less money in his pocket is not a bad thing.  

He also is not an angry person anymore, and with his new demeanor, his family is spending more time with him, and old friends that befriended him five years ago are now calling him.  

His faith in God has increased, and he listens to Mount Pisgah online quite often. Also, his need for meds has decreased and his blood sugar has dropped.  

We have agreed to become friends instead of the weekly mentoring. We still meet every week for a lunch. He has a large smile on his face and is full of happiness.  

God had a plan. I did not realize this three years ago. Today, I look at what God has done through me. It is a nice feeling to see someone who had had no hope doing so well today.  

-Bob Fleek.