A 10 Year Transient, Alvin Carries His Blanket Each Day Like A Cross in Nob Hill San Francisco

Alvin gets my attention each day because God is with him.

Try to imagine what it would be like living for 10 long years in San Francisco without shelter sleeping on its streets inside doorways with only a blanket and a few pieces of clothing. Imagine what it would do to some one's spirit to do nothing but walk up and down the steep hills of San Francisco each day without a dime to your name, no bank account or identification?

For at least the past 10 years, a man who refers to himself as aka Alvin Steifel*, has survived a long hiatus into a transient lifestyle that few survive. For several years in Nob Hill where Alvin visits daily after a very steep walk from downtown's Chinatown, many such as myself ignored him being too busy with our own lives.  I even recall commenting over his condition with a neighbor who refuted my concern stating Alvin might be happy living that way free as he was. I really doubted it at the time and still do.

Identity of 10 year transient of Nob Hill disclosed  thru prayer

I recently prayed to God about the identity and situation of Alvin that made no sense of his predicament all this time. I'm certain the cold rainy, windy nights living on the streets of San Francisco have been difficult for Alvin I'm sure. When the weather's bad there are fewer handouts so Alvin's gone hungry many a night, no doubt. Yet Alvin carried on with significant grace and faith in spite of his misfortune, few have the will to live as this man has!

In a few conversations I've had with him, Alvin's always been respectful and kind to me, not like many of the other foul mouthed filthy men we all encounter each day.  He's intelligent and doesn't beg always thanking me for provisions God provides. He takes whatever is offered to him and doesn't ask for money.

I've since learned Alvin really enjoys alcohol having been hospitalized from collapsing in front of a bar in 2015.  After returning from the hospital I noted Alvin looked cleaned up and a lot better.  Apparently people have occasionally provided him with the bottle a little much, I won't do that. Instead I provide a bagged meal whenever I see Alvin in our area and he doesn't care if it's always apple cinnamon oatmeal. Others also provide danish and offers of clothing. Alvin was convicted of a crime in 1999, was released in 2001, who apparently couldn't find a way out of his name being harmed as such preferring to live on the streets incognito.

Alvin enjoying a lunch bag meal I provided across the street.

These are quite nicer clothes than Alvin's been used to, his faith and desire to live has been duly noted by all who witness his plight each day.

At least 18 years ago, Alvin's face wasn't burnt and blistered from UV rays of the sun
after spending day in and day out outside. His fingernails are now long, yellow and filthy.

Only Intelius's public records had any records on him,
all others showed no one exists in the U.S. under this name. He came from Indiana.

Well, I think 10 years of suffering homeless after a brief two year incarceration wasn't at all necessary and God wants very much to forgive Alvin who sent His beloved Son Jesus to die for his sins to and set him free.  I'm aware of the nature of crime Alvin was convicted of, he shouldn't have to wander the streets and bring unnecessary punishment upon himself because Jesus came to forgive the sinners and set us free from this kind of misery and torment through our faith in what God did. 

We are all sinners, God wants us to repent and ask Jesus into our hearts to heal us.
No need to punish ourselves needlessly when God extends an olive branch through what His Son did for all of us at the cross.

I hope other members of Christian faith in our area join in prayers for Alvin's salvation through Christ Jesus, the only one who can set him free and restore his life.

*Alvin Steifel's an a/k/a his real name is Donald. I learned of the name Alvin from a hospital wristband he wore after recovering in a hospital from fainting from too much alcohol.