By Adam Van Der Stoep

Read in 6 minutes

Published October 14, 2024

ADVENTURES IN COMPASSION: MY DAY TRIP WITH A STRANGER

The dashboard in my vehicle said the temperature outside was -11 degrees (and that was without factoring in the wind-chill). I couldn’t believe my eyes. I looked again and, about a mile up the road, there he was; trudging through snowdrifts on the side of the highway bucking a westerly wind every step of the way.

This just isn’t something we find in northwest Iowa at anytime of the year, let alone during the fiercest storms of our frigid winters. But there he was. All alone. What was he doing? Where was he going? Had his car broken down and he was walking for help? Who was he?

The closer I came, the more I grew concerned. I hadn’t seen a single vehicle in the ditch and this man was walking away from the nearest town and farm place where he could likely find some help. I slowed up and rolled my window rolled down shouting across the wind.

“Do you need a lift?” I asked.

No reply. He just kept walking.

I could tell he was hispanic and so I tried again in Spanish.

“Neccesitas ayuda?” 

No reply again. But this time he stopped dead in his tracks. He looked at me, reached for the door handle, and climbed on in.

“Now what am I supposed to do?” I thought to myself. Picking blizzard-beaten hitchhikers wasn’t on my list of things to do that morning. But there I was. And there he was. The two of us paired together for an unexpected adventure in the day ahead.

“My name is Adam, what is your name?”

No reply.

So I tried again, this time in Spanish. “Me Llamo Adam, Como Te Llamas?”

No reply.

“Well, now I really don’t know what to do.” I thought to myself. We sat in silence until he finally spoke up.

“Jose. Me llamo Jose.”

Alright.

Jose.

I can work with that.

I decided bring Jose to a nearby town that might have resources he could benefit from. Vouchers for food. Lodging for people in crisis. Some kind of community for ongoing care. From what I could tell, this man needed so much more than a warm car ride and small talk from a white dude with broken Spanish.

So we headed for Sioux Center, just a few miles down the road. After spending nearly an hour calling everyone I could think of, we ended up at the police station. I explained to Jose that they would be our last hope for more information and support. 

We exited my vehicle and the two of us walked into the station together. A deputy came out and spoke with us, sharing the bad news.

The city had very little resources to help someone like Jose. Barely anything for food vouchers. No place for a long or short-term stay. No community to take him and and nurture him along life's weary way.

I began explaining all of this to Jose as best I could when he blurted out in English, “WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?”

Frustration had boiled over and despair had gripped his soul.

What was I going to do now?

Had I done enough for him?

Should I leave him at the station and let him figure it out?

Why was his problem my problem?

I wrestled with my thoughts and prayers, jamming them into a few moments. Something told me that the kind of action that pleases God is to take on the sufferings of others; even when it is inconvenient, and especially when you have the power to do something for someone in need. This, after all, is the story behind the story of Jesus' dying on the cross.

My compassion led me to make a day trip with Jose. I brought him to the nearest large city, Sioux Falls, that had more resources and support for him.

Before bringing him to the Gospel mission I stopped by a deli where we grabbed lunch. I wasn't sure when he had last eaten and I didn't know when he would eat again. So we both ordered a nice, thick pork chop with sides of green beans and mashed potatoes.

And just before we began to eat, I prayed for Jose, with the best semi-good Spanish I could. And when I opened my eyes all I could see were tears rolling down his face. We shared our meal together and he didn't say another word to me again the rest of the day.

Questions For Reflection: How do you see the world?

• Have you ever helped someone in need? What motivated you to act?
• How might a worldview shaped by the gospel influence how people care for others?
• Without the gospel, what are other ways that people ground their ethical behaviors?
• What is missing from secular ethical theories that a gospel-centered worldview offers?