Andrea and Timothy Hymer
This morning by chance I met an amazing couple with deep roots in Wayne County. As I drove by their Yard Sale sign on Peacock Road, across from Dennis Middle School, I read the words, “Help Feed the Homeless.”
I’d like to say that it was the sign that drew me there, and in a way it was. But it was also some of the old pictures and furniture I saw sitting out in the yard. It was a great decision because I was able to hear the story of Timothy and Andrea Hymer—two selfless people selling all their possessions to go help others.
Andrea was the first one to relay their mission to me as I came up the walk. She said the sale was to help fund their way back to the town in Florida where they first came in contact with a large group of people who were homeless.
On a trip for their one year anniversary they had traveled to St. Augustine. What they discovered there they could not have planned for. One evening as they were walking they saw people trying to find a place to bed down for the night—a park bench or whatever they could find. There were 75-100 people near the Lions Gate Bridge, all looking for temporary shelter.
Timothy Hymer shared that this vision lay on their hearts very strongly. Through the rest of their visit they tried to gather information about the homeless and were told that the city really didn’t know what to do with them.
So Timothy, who has worked in outreach all his life, got the initial idea to try to help the people there. As they
continued through their “vacation” they were given many signs that lead them to believe they were on the right track.
For instance, once they walked into a coffee bar and the manager said they were looking for a Barista, and Timothy had past experience so employment fell into place. As they were camping and didn’t have a home, a friend Daphney offered a beach house. Later a woman named Lois offered her home as a temporary place to stay. Then when she learned of their Mission, “Most High Ministries” for the homeless, Lois was lead to offer her home to them on a permanent basis.
And stories like this one kept happening to them along the way that made them realize they were going in the right direction.
Homeless Children in Florida
Timothy said the greatest influences on his life that lead him to help others were the stories of both his father, who died when he was young and was himself in mission work, and his Aunt Alice Shafer a Quaker woman who graduated from Earlham College and went to work for UNICEF in the mission field. He also has a sister, living in Richmond, who would like to start an orphanage one day.
His own past experiences, traveling to other countries and playing music for orphans and prisoners changed his life forever. Seeing prisoners, with feet chained, all stand to receive prayer was an emotional experience for him. Timothy said he would like to see us get back to a place in society “where you love and help people.”
Homeless Youth
While back in Richmond living in his childhood home, Timothy and Andrea have reached out to the hungry on an individual basis as much as they have been able.
Timothy shared that while in Florida he wants to be able to talk to homeless people, make eye contact and get to know them, as they work to provide food and shelter.
The couple plans to return one day to Timothy’s childhood home in Richmond do start a community outreach program. But for now their hearts are pulling them to the many homeless people in St Augustine, the oldest city in America which will celebrate its 500th year in 2013. Florida itself has the largest growing number of homeless children in America.
If you would like to help support their mission work, you can send donations to: Most High Ministries, 12 20th Road, Palm Coast Florida, 32137. Their yard sale continues through today if you would like to support them in that way.
