From Dave Kiley: 11/18/07

I felt compelled to give you a Brother Ray story. Approximately 3-4 years ago I ran across or more appropriately was compelled to turn my truck around on East Blvd. when I caught a glimpse of Brother Ray out of the corner of my eye. I was late to a meeting and did not want to stop but I am often guided by God to give to homeless people which I have done more times than I can count (unimportant). I pulled back around in front of Freedom Park and did not get out of my truck as I use a wheelchair. I summoned Brother Ray to my passenger window. At that time he had dreadlocks and a poncho on (which hid his disability not intentional on his part) and was pushing his cart.

I only had a $50.00 dollar bill on me at the time and it did not matter as I knew the spirit was telling me to give it to him. He was a little reluctant and I said “God has laid it on my heart to give it to you” he took it and said “just a minute”. He went back to his cart and began to reach inside. Now I was saying “Hey I don’t want any of his trash from that cart” I just want to obey and leave. I am sure you know what happened next. I remember it as clear as it was yesterday. The sun shining through the oak trees in the front of the park like a flood light shining on the center of his cart. He then pulled a beautiful vase out with the sun glistening through its many vibrant colors and it was then I noticed his disability and actually thought his one hand was also impaired. He approached my truck again and handed it to me. He said “I am an artist with a disability and I have painted this for you”. I took it and said “what is your name” and he replied “My name is Brother Ray” and I said “My name is brother Dave” (note I do not capitalize the b in brother for my name. Brother Ray deserves much more respect than I do. He then said to me and it took my breath away. He said “When you and your family see this vase in your house please say a prayer for me”. It was at that time I knew I had been touched by an angel. My wife and I said consistent prayers for Brother Ray that focused in on his safety and that he may be warm where ever he was at that time.

I also had learned a vital lesson about judging people which you would think being a man with a disability myself I would not need to learn. When that little voice goes off in our heads and we judge everyone we come into contact with we should stop and think about an angel like Brother Ray and his life.

I went back time and time in the area that we met and never saw Brother Ray again. I so wanted more of him and am not totally sure why.

I am a motivational/inspirational speaker. I have spoke all over the world and have relayed this story of Brother Ray which I called ‘Treasure and Trash’ on each and every occasion as it related to judging people and how we should not look at the surface but instead what’s inside. After a year or so of telling this story in my travels as a speaker I began to take the vase with me to really have people feel this happening in my life and to show the capability and example set of a man (angel) with a disability. I hate to say and was even more devastated when I read of his death yesterday that in my travel to Helsinki, Finland the vase was crushed in my luggage. I am left with the memory of the encounter but I so wish I had that piece of himself he gave me. I know it is a selfish thought but hey it’s my thought and I am human. I am blessed to have his spirit in my life now and forever. I will go to his exhibit on Friday in the hopes meeting any others whom Brother Ray touched and to see what he physically left behind.

I was in my kitchen yesterday morning when the headline of “Artist touched many hearts” and a picture, a chill came over my body as I knew it was Brother Ray with out reading a line. I immediately called my wife and told her and it gave her chills as well as it did the first time I recanted my experience with the Angel 3-4 years ago. I hung up the phone and went outside and cried my eyes out for some time. To say I am saddened by his death would not even begin to describe my emotion. One thing my wife said when I said I was angry at the way BR died (driver under the influence) “You know Dave, Brother Ray has already forgiven the driver……

When I went to Ray’s memorial they had all his art works up that he had given to so many other people than myself and I met so many others who encountered this angel of Christ. We all shared stories and it was 100% confirmed to me that Christ dwelled fully alive in this homeless man.

DK