Chris Andres of First Methodist Church said, "God bless you with the foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in the world."
I've been doing "Homeless Ministry" for over a year now and sometimes wonder if it makes a difference and then immediately remember how it blesses me.
Today, however, I feel God has been working overtime with answered prayers. Marlene has been sober for 3 weeks and has a room, Bobbie is going into rehab, Leslie is going to Rochester, NY in the next week and is a completely different person from last week, and Corena is in jail where she'll dry-out rather than die.
Thank you, Jesus and please continue your work in our dear friends.
Tecca
Friday, August 28, 2009
Another Lesson From the Homeless
Yesterday we had the opportunity to witness the hearts of the homeless. While roaming down by the levee we met Josh. We were introduced to Josh by Larry one of the guys we know. After introducing us, Larry tells us how he met Josh.
A few days ago while he slept under an elevated walkway downtown he felt something being pushed under his head, it was a pillow. That was followed by being covered with a sheet. Larry's a little older and Josh took it upon himself to look out for Larry and be sure no one messed with him. In turn, Larry finds a way each day to be sure he can give Josh a dollar for bus fare to get to work.
Josh was incarcerated for 5 years. He's been out for a couple of weeks now and has found a job at a fast food restaurant. He's a clean cut young man in his upper 20's and is trying to get his life together. Every evening he washes his work pants in one of the fountains downtown. His goal is to save as fast as he can so that he can get into an apartment closer to his job. One of his biggest fears is that his job will find out he doesn't have a home and he'll lose his job before he can get into an apartment.
To hear Larry talk about Josh is like listening to any father talk about his son. You can hear the pride in his voice when he speaks about him.
Every time I am blessed with the opportunity to help with this outreach I learn something new. Yesterday I learned one more way someone becomes homeless. I also learned another lesson on love from the homeless.
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. Lev 19:32
Please keep our homeless friends in your prayers. We pray that the issues that keep them on the street are washed away by the blood of Jesus, that they are safe and ultimately that they know the love of Jesus and accept him as their Lord and Savior.
A few days ago while he slept under an elevated walkway downtown he felt something being pushed under his head, it was a pillow. That was followed by being covered with a sheet. Larry's a little older and Josh took it upon himself to look out for Larry and be sure no one messed with him. In turn, Larry finds a way each day to be sure he can give Josh a dollar for bus fare to get to work.
Josh was incarcerated for 5 years. He's been out for a couple of weeks now and has found a job at a fast food restaurant. He's a clean cut young man in his upper 20's and is trying to get his life together. Every evening he washes his work pants in one of the fountains downtown. His goal is to save as fast as he can so that he can get into an apartment closer to his job. One of his biggest fears is that his job will find out he doesn't have a home and he'll lose his job before he can get into an apartment.
To hear Larry talk about Josh is like listening to any father talk about his son. You can hear the pride in his voice when he speaks about him.
Every time I am blessed with the opportunity to help with this outreach I learn something new. Yesterday I learned one more way someone becomes homeless. I also learned another lesson on love from the homeless.
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. Lev 19:32
Please keep our homeless friends in your prayers. We pray that the issues that keep them on the street are washed away by the blood of Jesus, that they are safe and ultimately that they know the love of Jesus and accept him as their Lord and Savior.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Meet Hammer
Frank, Hammer, Barbara & SheilaToday we had the opportunity to spend some time with Hammer. He's a new friend we've had the pleasure of meeting and sharing breakfast with. We consider it our priviledge to share the love of Jesus with the homeless folks we meet. Today Hammer fed our souls as he shared his faith with us and showed his appreciation by singing for us.
Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImkZi81MXvk
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Memories that stay bright...
I will never forget a cold rainy night in December. I had been getting nudges from FATHER to go out and serve the homeless for several weeks. I had decided several days earlier that this Thursday I would go. But now it was Wednesday night and it was cold and rainy. Who would possibly be out feeding the homeless on such a cold day? How could you even keep the food dry and warm? Surely this would be canceled on this inclement day. So I went to bed thinking, not tomorrow – at least not unless it quits raining – BRRR. I don’t even see a point in setting the alarm for 4AM.
Well the next morning at 4AM I was shook awake by FATHER. I found my eyes wide open - Suddenly fully conscious, but cozy in my warm dry bed. And I could hear the rain outside – and feel the cold through the walls. But the voice kept pushing me to get up. I got up complaining inwardly, and slowly got dressed – but knowing I must keep my promise to JESUS- and go out to the homeless breakfast.
I was not disappointed – when I arrived at HPC cooking shed – there were people there – lights on and breakfast was already in the pot being stirred – at 5:15AM. I immediately felt in step and was handed a spoon and asked to help stir. Meanwhile, GOD turned the rain into snow – and rewarded us with a beautiful white snow covered day I will always remember.
At “NO PLACE” there are many different ways you can serve – and many different time schedules each Thursday. Cooking and packing runs from 5AM to 6:30AM and includes lots of great fellowship with some very fine and happy people. From 7AM to around 8:30AM you can serve breakfast to the homeless at Roselawn Ave Dream center. You can also attend or participate in a Bible study segment from around 8am to 8:30am. Still another option is to “roam” with part of the group that takes food out to the levee and other parts of town finding and serving those who for whatever reason don’t come to the Roselawn breakfast. Some people find themselves filling plates and pouring coffee – others helping folks find a clean change of clothes in our “street shop”. Still others mingle with the crowd of homeless people – lending an ear, listening to their story. Many of these people have “no place” and “no one”. Most have no place and no spouse to come home to.
This past Thursday (8/13/09) I talked to several men – one from Kansas, another from Mississippi and of course several from Baton Rouge. They were so happy to get a solid meal – and I think just as happy to see that someone cared enough to cook, serve, and listen to their story. Although most of the day was good, I think the two things I remember most would be:
· Standing on the levee with a group of 20 or so people. A man who calls himself “Hammer” and who hails from Arkansas walked up to me and asked if he could sing and pray with us. We all joined hands and Hammer sang a brief and beautiful song about Jesus and then lifted up an inspiring prayer for all to hear. Hammer was so happy to be able to share his spirit with us – and when you see a man like this thank the LORD with all his heart for blessing him in so many ways it really melts your heart.
· Later that morning while roaming the streets we noticed a person huddled under an umbrella under the interstate. We stopped to feed several other men a block or so away. I took a bottle of cold water and a plate of grits down to the person who was alone a block or so away. When I offered the breakfast – there was surprise and maybe even a brief moment of fear? She at first rejected the breakfast – but apparently saw/heard something that moved her heart, because she began to smile, accepted the breakfast and a few words about Jesus. When I left, she was hungrily enjoying her hot grits and cold water. Her battery was recharged by such a simple jester.
Psalm 34:10 “Even strong lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.”
I think some of us sometimes get “needs and wants” mixed up. I think seeing the homeless and downtrodden enjoy even the simplest of meals helps us keep things in the right perspective. It can inspire us to be thankful for what we have and more and more anxious to share with the world.
David V.
8/19/09
Well the next morning at 4AM I was shook awake by FATHER. I found my eyes wide open - Suddenly fully conscious, but cozy in my warm dry bed. And I could hear the rain outside – and feel the cold through the walls. But the voice kept pushing me to get up. I got up complaining inwardly, and slowly got dressed – but knowing I must keep my promise to JESUS- and go out to the homeless breakfast.
I was not disappointed – when I arrived at HPC cooking shed – there were people there – lights on and breakfast was already in the pot being stirred – at 5:15AM. I immediately felt in step and was handed a spoon and asked to help stir. Meanwhile, GOD turned the rain into snow – and rewarded us with a beautiful white snow covered day I will always remember.
At “NO PLACE” there are many different ways you can serve – and many different time schedules each Thursday. Cooking and packing runs from 5AM to 6:30AM and includes lots of great fellowship with some very fine and happy people. From 7AM to around 8:30AM you can serve breakfast to the homeless at Roselawn Ave Dream center. You can also attend or participate in a Bible study segment from around 8am to 8:30am. Still another option is to “roam” with part of the group that takes food out to the levee and other parts of town finding and serving those who for whatever reason don’t come to the Roselawn breakfast. Some people find themselves filling plates and pouring coffee – others helping folks find a clean change of clothes in our “street shop”. Still others mingle with the crowd of homeless people – lending an ear, listening to their story. Many of these people have “no place” and “no one”. Most have no place and no spouse to come home to.
This past Thursday (8/13/09) I talked to several men – one from Kansas, another from Mississippi and of course several from Baton Rouge. They were so happy to get a solid meal – and I think just as happy to see that someone cared enough to cook, serve, and listen to their story. Although most of the day was good, I think the two things I remember most would be:
· Standing on the levee with a group of 20 or so people. A man who calls himself “Hammer” and who hails from Arkansas walked up to me and asked if he could sing and pray with us. We all joined hands and Hammer sang a brief and beautiful song about Jesus and then lifted up an inspiring prayer for all to hear. Hammer was so happy to be able to share his spirit with us – and when you see a man like this thank the LORD with all his heart for blessing him in so many ways it really melts your heart.
· Later that morning while roaming the streets we noticed a person huddled under an umbrella under the interstate. We stopped to feed several other men a block or so away. I took a bottle of cold water and a plate of grits down to the person who was alone a block or so away. When I offered the breakfast – there was surprise and maybe even a brief moment of fear? She at first rejected the breakfast – but apparently saw/heard something that moved her heart, because she began to smile, accepted the breakfast and a few words about Jesus. When I left, she was hungrily enjoying her hot grits and cold water. Her battery was recharged by such a simple jester.
Psalm 34:10 “Even strong lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.”
I think some of us sometimes get “needs and wants” mixed up. I think seeing the homeless and downtrodden enjoy even the simplest of meals helps us keep things in the right perspective. It can inspire us to be thankful for what we have and more and more anxious to share with the world.
David V.
8/19/09
Monday, August 3, 2009
Words from those we serve..
This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the guys we serve, Brian W. He was kind enough to share his story.
One of the first things you notice about Brian is his faith in God. He was raised by his grandmother in Plaquemine, LA (who he says also raised many others). She made sure he grew up in church and learned the Bible. He says he found God at 13.
When he was a young man he strayed away from God. He quit listening to his grandmother and his family. He dropped out of high school and got involved with the wrong people and wrong things.
In 1989 he went to Job Corp in Arkansas where he got his GED. He returned to Baton Rouge but was still doing his own thing. He got into using and selling drugs. He lost the trust of his family. Although he tried rehab several times at other peoples suggestion, it always failed.
That was until 17 months ago when he checked himself into a 30 day rehab program in Morgan City, LA. It was at that time he was ready to admit that he had a problem. Brian realized rehab wouldn’t work if others wanted him to go, only if he took that first step for himself. I asked him what made it different, what made him want to go? He said he was reading his Bible one day and the wind blew the pages to the book of Matthew. He was drawn to the scripture and what he read convicted him. He was ready to take steps to get help for himself. In rehab he prayed and reconnected with God.
Although he has been clean for 17 months, Brian says that each day is a struggle. I ask that we all pray for him so he will have the strength to continue winning the battle against his addiction.
For Brian, one of the best things about being clean is having the love and respect back from his family and friends. He says they no longer worry about leaving their things out around him, they know their stuff will be safe.
I asked him how he found out about the No Place Outreach. He said one day he was on the bus and this lady got on with a plate of breakfast. He asked her where she got it and she told him about the outreach. He hopped off the bus right there at the UPT (where we used to serve) and had breakfast with us. That was over 1 ½ years ago. When I asked Brian to share what the No Place Outreach means to him, he only had one word to say, “Love.”.
He says he has been places before where he could feel the presence of evil, but when he’s at the outreach he knows he feels the presence of God.
He attends a local church on Gardere where he also attends Bible study. He enjoys reading the Bible and connects with David & Joseph, he says he relates to them and can put himself in their place where they struggled.
Each week there is a Bible study at Roselawn during the Thursday morning outreach. Mr. Parnell, who facilitates that part of the outreach, has asked Brian to take part in sharing the Bible.
Brian told me his grandmother before she passed away told him he would be a preacher. He had a doubtful look on his face as he said it. Who knows, maybe grandmother knew more than he gave her credit for.
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