I was awakened this morning at 6:30 a.m. by a collect call. The person on the other end of the phone was desperate. He mentioned the fact that Rev. Barry Templeton introduced him to me a few weeks ago when he visited our church. He had now been through West Virginia with his wife and children for a family funeral when his car broke down (likely story, but I just got through spending close to $5,000 on car repairs in the past few months, so I know it can happen with a used car).
He indicated that he was stuck in a tiny little town, Roseville, WV where a man, Mr. White, repaired his car. He needed less than $100 for repair fees that were over and beyond what had been estimated and Mr. White wouldn't accept payment by credit or debit cards (little mom & pop shop). This man, I'll call him the "traveler," indicated that from the beginning he and his family were called "colored people." Very soon thereafter, they were being called, "niggers." Finally, as he was trying to secure his car and get his family on the road he had supposedly been surrounded by 40 to 50 people calling them the "n" word and he had called the sheriff's department for protection. I supposedly talked to a sheriff this morning and wired the man $90 (cost me a bit more). The story gets a bit more bizarre, but here's my reflection and question:
Legitimate or not, the traveler sounded sober and desperate. I have only heard that kind of desperation a few times. He sure sold me (or scammed me). Whether or not it was 100% legitimate I don't know, but I know he was desperate for money for something.
Question: Should I have helped this man, that I don't know?
Does it matter what his desperation was, or just that he was INCREDIBLY desperate to call and go through what he went through trying to get less than $100 for assistance?
What is the most desperate you have ever been?
Desperation for what? Money? Housing? Grades? Job? Love? Friendship?
Could there be any greater desperation than that shared by my two acquaintances who were unbelievers, died, and then had hell-like experiences with pain beyond belief & they cried out to God -- and God rescued them, delivered them, answered their prayers. Could I have done otherwise? What do you think?
3 comments:
It was a scam. I found out Monday morning that this was a lcoal man who had actually been to our church for assistance in the past with a virtually identical story. May God deal with him in whatever way will help this man the most where he needs the greatest help!
Dr. Fitz
It's happened and will continue to happen to compassionate souls who simply wish to be used by God as conduits that connects the gift to the recipient. Your are right. This "scammer" has a much greater need than the money you gave him. I pray the experience will make you even more willing to be an instrument of love and compassion for those in need.
I actually pity those people who have to resort to these kinds of scams just to have some money. I hope they could find a legitimate job soon.
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