I was talking to a friend the other day about being ‘cool’. Of course we all know that I am cool, ya know I’m down wit dat! Well, whatever. I decided to look the word up in the dictionary. Found the following slang definitions: great, fine, excellent; characterized by great facility, highly skilled or clever; socially adept. We came to the conclusion that anything cool about me & my friend comes from the ultimate Joe Cool himself, Jesus! Which brings me to the point of this blog today: I am blessed to be a part of one of the coolest ministries ever!
I help cook breakfast as often as possible. Mr. Randall always has coffee made for us when we get there @ 5 a.m. We bake 4 big trays of biscuits, cook a gazillion eggs, make gallons of Tang and a gumbo pot full of special recipe grits that will make you slap yo mama. After it’s cooked it gets put in to-go containers and loaded on the truck. Let’s not forget about washing the dishes and packing the boxes with jelly, sugar, cream, plates, forks, etc. Lot’s to do and an awesome group of people that work as a team to get it all done.
There’s a core group there every week and then others who come when they can. When I do show up, I’m always amazed at how happy everyone is. Come on, can you really be happy getting up at 4 in the morning (or earlier) to cook for people you don’t even know? These people can because they know the poor matter to God. They know that they are not just stirring grits or making tang, they are touching the heart of a hungry man, woman and child.
It really hits home for me when I do get the humbling opportunity to meet the people we cook for. Most that I’ve met have a good attitude despite their living conditions and are truly thankful not only for the food, but for the friends they have made. They see people who serve them every week. Not just a ‘one-time to make my conscious feel better’ kinda thing, but an on-going relationship where people go extra miles to help them.
From the people that cook, clean, serve or roam, No Place Outreach is one part of God’s team that is truly reaching the world one person at a time. I really do feel privileged to be a part of this great, fine, excellent, characterized by great facility, highly skilled, clever, and socially adept, all because of Jesus, outreach!
Thanks Jesus!
miss bernie
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Learning to Serve
So one day you carve time out of your “busy” schedule to help cook breakfast for the homeless in Baton Rouge. It’s a pretty easy thing to do, doesn’t disrupt your schedule, you can still make it to work on time. It’s nice to be able to help the less fortunate you think and a good opportunity to fellowship with other Christians.
Then there’s the day you have the opportunity to go and help serve the food you’ve been cooking. And you’re never the same again….
You see, until you meet these people you don’t understand. These are God’s children just like you and I. “Homeless” can be a very general term until you really understand…. These are people from all walks of life, each one has his or her own story and each one has a face and a name. They all have a mother and a father, some are mothers and fathers, and they are sisters, brothers, husbands and wives.
Some struggle with addictions that are so dark they don’t think there’s any hope for them. Some struggle from mental illness. Some are on the streets from a variety of bad choices or a set of unfortunate circumstances. Some came for work that didn’t pan out and they are left with no way to get home.
You start to wonder, why them and not me? And you know it’s only the grace of God that separates you.
Then there are the little things you never thought about before meeting them. Why do they need socks, underwear and clothes each week? Duh, there’s no washer & dryer on the streets.
So now you’re the one with the addiction, but it’s a God given addiction to help the homeless. You pray that he gives you the opportunity to serve each week and the resources to help out financially. You pray for words of wisdom to share with these people, that it’s Jesus’ words not yours that they hear.
You pray for Janet, Marlene, Peter, Victor, Chris, Jo Bob, Sandra, JD, William, Richard, Rufus, Mr. Charles, Adolf, Annie, Billy, Scott, Mr. Alvin and all the others that you meet. You pray that the bus ticket, glasses, shoes, jackets, blankets, ride to the detox clinic and medical care that these people receive show the love of Christ.
You pray for the volunteers that they have the strength they need to keep giving when sometimes it seems hopeless, you pray that they are blessed & protected by God.
Proverbs 21:13 says:
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
I am so glad God opened my ears, eyes and heart to these people.
It is so humbling to have the chance to serve for his kingdom. I hope those I have the privilege to serve see Jesus through me.
Julie B.
Then there’s the day you have the opportunity to go and help serve the food you’ve been cooking. And you’re never the same again….
You see, until you meet these people you don’t understand. These are God’s children just like you and I. “Homeless” can be a very general term until you really understand…. These are people from all walks of life, each one has his or her own story and each one has a face and a name. They all have a mother and a father, some are mothers and fathers, and they are sisters, brothers, husbands and wives.
Some struggle with addictions that are so dark they don’t think there’s any hope for them. Some struggle from mental illness. Some are on the streets from a variety of bad choices or a set of unfortunate circumstances. Some came for work that didn’t pan out and they are left with no way to get home.
You start to wonder, why them and not me? And you know it’s only the grace of God that separates you.
Then there are the little things you never thought about before meeting them. Why do they need socks, underwear and clothes each week? Duh, there’s no washer & dryer on the streets.
So now you’re the one with the addiction, but it’s a God given addiction to help the homeless. You pray that he gives you the opportunity to serve each week and the resources to help out financially. You pray for words of wisdom to share with these people, that it’s Jesus’ words not yours that they hear.
You pray for Janet, Marlene, Peter, Victor, Chris, Jo Bob, Sandra, JD, William, Richard, Rufus, Mr. Charles, Adolf, Annie, Billy, Scott, Mr. Alvin and all the others that you meet. You pray that the bus ticket, glasses, shoes, jackets, blankets, ride to the detox clinic and medical care that these people receive show the love of Christ.
You pray for the volunteers that they have the strength they need to keep giving when sometimes it seems hopeless, you pray that they are blessed & protected by God.
Proverbs 21:13 says:
If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
I am so glad God opened my ears, eyes and heart to these people.
It is so humbling to have the chance to serve for his kingdom. I hope those I have the privilege to serve see Jesus through me.
Julie B.
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Grand Weaver
From the jumbled mind of Chris L.:
Okay so last Thursday after an amazing breakfast down at Roselawn when I was heading home and exiting at Siegen Lane, there was a homeless man with a sign that read: Homeless, Hungry, and Broke. I felt as though I should buy him breakfast, and as he was walking towards my car for me to tell him to meet me at McDonalds someone else called to him and gave him money. The light turned green and I just started driving thinking "Oh well, maybe next time", then out of nowhere I felt a prompting that could only be from God and I suddenly felt that this man needed this breakfast he was in danger. I turned around and told him to meet me for breakfast.
So halfway through the breakfast I asked if he went to church anywhere. He said "No but some guy and two kids gave me their card and some pizza and said they could help me. He then pulls out a red Dreamcenter card. Turns out it was Nathan, Eric, and Derrick. He then tells me he is a raging alchoholic, he was hit by a car last week, and then told by the nurse that he was very close to serosis of the liver. At this point it was obvious this was the Lord aligning our paths. So after calling detox places, and realizing there is nowhere for this man to go I was told to try a local hospital. There he was admitted, I gave him my number, and we parted ways. Later I get a call from him saying they couldnt do a medical detox there. I missed the call, and knowing that he would eventually try to get back to Siegen Lane, I drove out looking for him. I told myself I would drive to Tom Drive and back, if I didnt see him I would try the next day. So of course, he just happens to be standing at the intersection at Tom drive.
So I contacted Vince and we were told to just bring him to a detox place because they dont turn down people. So we picked this guy (Timothy) up today and brought him down there thinking they would not turn us away if we just showed up. So we called the place a couple minutes before we got there and they said we dont have any beds available. So since we were already down there we decided to try and talk to them anyway. When we get there she said we can help but we have no beds available right now, but I'll call back there anyway. By the Great and Mighty hand of God a bed had opened up in the minutes that we had been there. So by the Grace of God Timothy is in detox right now, hopefully the first step to a new life. He has me and Vince's numbers, and we have his consent to call there and get updates on him throughout the detox. We plan to stay in touch with him and continue to be there for him in whatever he needs. Throughtout this five day period when we would talk he would tell me that he would pray for a break from God, and then we show up. God will set up our paths with people in ways that can only be explained by Him. I thank God that he allowed us to be a part of someones answered prayer. I pray that I am always Spirit led and obedient, because when I am I get to be a part of the great power and wonder that is the God we serve. Also through this we were able to help and minister to another man who had lost his daughter recently and was hitchiking back to New Mexico. So everyone be in prayer for him (Brian).
Chris L.
Okay so last Thursday after an amazing breakfast down at Roselawn when I was heading home and exiting at Siegen Lane, there was a homeless man with a sign that read: Homeless, Hungry, and Broke. I felt as though I should buy him breakfast, and as he was walking towards my car for me to tell him to meet me at McDonalds someone else called to him and gave him money. The light turned green and I just started driving thinking "Oh well, maybe next time", then out of nowhere I felt a prompting that could only be from God and I suddenly felt that this man needed this breakfast he was in danger. I turned around and told him to meet me for breakfast.
So halfway through the breakfast I asked if he went to church anywhere. He said "No but some guy and two kids gave me their card and some pizza and said they could help me. He then pulls out a red Dreamcenter card. Turns out it was Nathan, Eric, and Derrick. He then tells me he is a raging alchoholic, he was hit by a car last week, and then told by the nurse that he was very close to serosis of the liver. At this point it was obvious this was the Lord aligning our paths. So after calling detox places, and realizing there is nowhere for this man to go I was told to try a local hospital. There he was admitted, I gave him my number, and we parted ways. Later I get a call from him saying they couldnt do a medical detox there. I missed the call, and knowing that he would eventually try to get back to Siegen Lane, I drove out looking for him. I told myself I would drive to Tom Drive and back, if I didnt see him I would try the next day. So of course, he just happens to be standing at the intersection at Tom drive.
So I contacted Vince and we were told to just bring him to a detox place because they dont turn down people. So we picked this guy (Timothy) up today and brought him down there thinking they would not turn us away if we just showed up. So we called the place a couple minutes before we got there and they said we dont have any beds available. So since we were already down there we decided to try and talk to them anyway. When we get there she said we can help but we have no beds available right now, but I'll call back there anyway. By the Great and Mighty hand of God a bed had opened up in the minutes that we had been there. So by the Grace of God Timothy is in detox right now, hopefully the first step to a new life. He has me and Vince's numbers, and we have his consent to call there and get updates on him throughout the detox. We plan to stay in touch with him and continue to be there for him in whatever he needs. Throughtout this five day period when we would talk he would tell me that he would pray for a break from God, and then we show up. God will set up our paths with people in ways that can only be explained by Him. I thank God that he allowed us to be a part of someones answered prayer. I pray that I am always Spirit led and obedient, because when I am I get to be a part of the great power and wonder that is the God we serve. Also through this we were able to help and minister to another man who had lost his daughter recently and was hitchiking back to New Mexico. So everyone be in prayer for him (Brian).
Chris L.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Serving it up for Jesus at the Roselawn Dream Center. Volunteer peeps hanging with those we serve.
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