Why it Matters, What Ifs & Are You Always Listening For God?

Yesterday’s outreach started like most Thursdays, cooking at the shed, serving at Roselawn then out roaming. We arrive at the levee, start handing out breakfast and a couple of the regular folks we serve point down the levee back toward town & tell me the person I see is a 15 year old kid. The boy is walking away from where we are.

I go to the guy handing out the breakfast, he’s a runner, & half- jokingly say you’re a runner, why don’t you run down there catch the kid and bring him a breakfast. He didn’t take me serious, I didn’t know that I was serious, the kid was steadily walking away putting distance between us.

That’s when God took over. I grabbed a breakfast and had this overwhelming need to get to this boy. The runner looked at me and said wait, I’ll go with you, but he was still busy handing out breakfast. I couldn’t wait. I started hurrying to catch up with this boy. He says to be careful and not get out of sight, I joke and tell him not to worry. You see, I still don’t realize what’s going on, but I know I have to get to this kid. I scurry sideways down the levee instead of taking the paved ramp, I rush to cross the road and before I get across I’m yelling to get his attention. By this time I’m jogging into the field as the boy reaches the railroad tracks. I hear a train and try to get his attention between the train whistle blowing. He sees/hears me and turns before the train passes.

I offer him breakfast or something to drink, he doesn’t want anything. His name is Dustin, he’s aloof and distant, said he had stopped by to see someone he met a while back that serves with us, but didn’t see them on the levee. I ask him to go back with me, saying not everyone had arrived yet and we’d see if we could figure out who he was looking for.

I don’t know why, but I needed to really connect with this kid, I start asking where he’s from, what’s he doing out there, etc. As we make our way back to the levee he starts to open up and share his story with me. He lived in Houma from age 5 -12 somehow ended up in Baton Rouge, lives in a group home, is skipping school, doesn’t like it here. He shared where he goes to school, but not what group home he’s at. Once he started talking it all just starts pouring out, details of his life and the trouble he’s in.

He tells me that when he didn’t see the person he was looking for at the levee, he started walking away. He said he didn’t know where he was going. When he reached the train tracks and heard the train he was thinking about laying across the tracks and ending it all because things were so bad.

I’m dumbfounded, praying, God, give me your words to talk to this child, let him know You love him and he’s worth it and he matters. We continue to talk, he tells me his family was split up all except he and his twin brother Devin. He started getting into trouble and the family that took his brother in was supposed to come back for him but they didn’t. He feels like he’s all bad and his twin is all good. He says he wants to do better but getting in trouble is a habit, he does it without even thinking about it. We talk about God, he tells me he’s not sure if he’s saved. He had accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior but now doesn’t think he is saved because he keeps getting into trouble.

The words come, they aren’t mine they are God’s, now I’m the one pouring out to him that he matters to God, that we are all sinners that we all need forgiveness. I share how God has answered my prayers and that I still have to pray every day for his help and guidance. I tell him that God doesn’t give up on us when we mess up, He always loves us. He lets me pray for him.

With the help of another volunteer, we had figured out that the person he was looking for was Charla, one of the dedicated homeless volunteers. He had come by to thank her for giving him a card to a youth shelter program a few weeks before. We assure him we’ll pass on the message to her. I ask if there’s a number she can reach him at. He knows he’ll be in trouble when he returns to the group home and won’t have phone privileges for a while. We give him a card with the number for the 24hr hotline telling him he can reach us that way.

It’s time for us to go but I’m afraid, I don’t want to lose contact with this boy. I hug him tell him I love him and encourage him to pray. That’s when he decides to take me up on the offer for something to drink. The truck that has the food in it is already headed down the levee ramp. I’m hollering for them to stop, they don’t hear me. Dustin says it’s ok he doesn’t need it. But you see, I’m not in control, God is. So I’m running down the levee again and catch them just as they are pulling out. They back up and are giving Dustin something to drink. I don’t know why, but I knew my part was finished so I headed back up the levee to my ride.

That’s when David, our volunteer who transports the food, meets Dustin. He recognizes him, you see David mentors another boy that stays in the same group home as Dustin. Praise God! He had already tried to reach out to Dustin when he was there to see the other boy. Dustin recognizes him too, now we have a connection!

For a long time I wondered what it was like for God to speak to someone. For a while now I’ve known when He’s telling me something, but wow when He uses us all together and we all hear & listen.

You see, Charla was disappointed she couldn’t go roaming with us yesterday, but God had already used her for His purpose weeks before.

I wasn’t supposed to be there yesterday, I was bummed, I wouldn’t get to spend time with Valerie a volunteer that was in town from Florida. Then the client I had an appointment with had to reschedule. Yeah, I could hang with Valerie. In my narrow vision I thought that was all that was going on.

David tried to reach out to Dustin at the group home before, but didn’t reach him. It wasn’t God’s timing, but yesterday was.

Thank you God for taking over, thank You for using us for Your purpose.

J

IN THOSE EYES

It is all new to me, serving the Homeless at a weekly breakfast downtown in Baton Rouge. I have always had the heart to serve, but had no connection, and was much too timid to appear there alone. I served with one of my Connect Groups as a pre-Servolution effort to relieve the Cooking for Christ group that cooks faithfully every week. It was such a blessing that morning, I decided since I work nights as a Caregiver for an Alzheimer patient and am able to get some sleep, I could serve weekly, then go home afterwards.

This past Thursday, I went to Roselawn Dream Center after work, and put my gloves on to help serve at the breakfast. There is something about teamwork that really appeals to me, so I was in my element serving eggs on the line with two others. I found I was rarely looking up as I worked at first, concentrating on my job. I noticed others who are regulars had big smiles, warm hugs and were on a first name basis as they saw the people come in. I found that so engaging. I found it inspiring. I’m a rookie on the scene, and would need to spend time in that environment to develop those kind of relationships, I reasoned within myself… then, I saw those eyes.

They appeared sad. They looked tired. I got the feeling as I looked into them, that they had been hurt over and over again in his lifetime. Those eyes had served as windows of the soul to that man. I got the sense that he was embarrassed and ashamed to be in that position, needing someone to feed him. I found compassion stir in my heart for him. I was scooping eggs over and over again, but I was there as a representative of Jesus to serve him. I looked back into his eyes and smiled. Those tired eyes crinkled at the corners and softened as he responded.

I realized I have had those eyes at times in my lifetime as well. Fortunately I have not had the circumstances he has had, however, in recent months, I have had three times I was out of work and really scared over my financial situation. Last summer I had double hand surgeries and was out of work for two months. It was tough then, but one of my sons sent money regularly during that time. I returned to work only to be laid off a month later. When I have work, the money goes priority-wise to basic bills which has kept me behind overall, but has kept my head above water.

I have had security in my life and I have had real scares. It has been a test of my trust in the Lord during these times. At Christmas, a family at Healing Place Church anonymously gave me a monetary gift which was so incredibly generous, and which God used deeply in my life to enable me, in faith to trust that He is my Provider and sees my need. I am still struggling, and what I saw last Thursday, is that I am two steps away from being homeless myself. Reality hits hard sometimes and causes us to evaluate truthfully our true position of need. I see that I am no different than that man who was hurting…I’m just still able to be independent. God forbid I think I am any better and have had a better, more wonderful life. It is all His grace.

I want to continue serving weekly, Lord Willing, and I hope I will never lose sight of what the Lord showed me through those eyes. Truly, Christ has compassion on our souls and enables us to love others...that is if we allow ourselves to see others with His Eyes.

Colleen Morgan-Hobbs

Fruits of Our Labor

If anyone is wondering "where is the fruit of our labor?" here is some:

1. Brenda-a prostitute God put in our path. When we found her beat to a pulp, we sent her home with Georgia from Revelation House. She is now no longer wanting to be on the streets, she goes to church & has a job cleaning apartments.

2. Shirley-was living under the overpass with no place to go when we befriended her. Now she has someone who is paying for her a place to stay until she gets her cancer surgery & then is paying for her rent until she recovers & can go to work.

3. Michael- has been to the breakfast for over a year, is now living under the overpass. We introduced him to Georgia & her husband Devin found him a job. He also has been given a house to live in & will be moving from the overpass to the house this Friday.

4. Robert-has been under the overpass for a few weeks. We brought him to church & he went to the altar. The following week he was back with a totally different countenance about him. When I dropped him off under the overpass after church a lady came & offered him a job as handyman at her hotel where he gets his own room.

I'm sure I am forgetting someone & I know there will be people we have reached out to that we will never know what kind of difference we made in their lives until we get to heaven.God is leading us & guiding our steps. Everyone we come in contact with is ordained by God. Our steps are ordered of the Lord-Prov. 20:24

I am so grateful that God allows me to serve with such an awesome team that has the heart of compassion for the homeless that God has. We do not fear what man can do to us because we are obedient to God. We know that these precious people sometimes just need someone to listen to them, give them a kind smile & hug, or treat them with respect because most people they come in contact with look down on them as scum of the earth. I think God is getting ready to do something so big we will shake our heads in amazement.

Love ya all,

Charla

Being Thankful

When ministering to the homeless, cold weather makes me start thinking. How in the world do they do this? When it’s so cold outside how do they stay warm? I almost feel guilty when I light my fireplace. No Place Outreach has been having a drive to collect coats & blankets. A co-worker of mine brought me some blankets, a coat & some thermal underwear on Wednesday. Another friend of mine has been telling her co-workers about this ministry and has collected needed items in the past. Yesterday (Wednesday) one of her co-workers came back from lunch with several sweat shirts, gloves, underwear, socks & blankets that she purchased. She called me and brought the items to me. Another friend of mine (amazing that I have more than one friend!) called me Tuesday night to let me know the business she works for was getting rid of several boxes of long-sleeve shirts, did I want them for the homeless. I said yes and picked them up Wednesday night too.

I love how God brings things together. God placed a burden on their heart. They wanted to help some homeless people to stay warm. Even though some of the people that gave didn’t know the breakfast is on Thursdays, God always knows where you are and what you need. Wednesday night my car was full of blankets, clothes & gloves to be given out Thursday morning!

Since I only had one coat I thought it should be given to the one who needed it the most. What if there were more than one that really needed a coat? Just so happens out of the 20 or so people we served at Roselawn, one man stood out. His coat was about 2 sizes too small for him and didn’t even go down to his waist. He was very thankful for his new coat!

Made it to the overpass where a group of people live in their own community. We passed out socks to everyone. You would have thought we were passing out $5 bills. Very appreciative. We had a few thick gloves and some that were thinner. I thought we had given all the gloves out when a man approached me asking for some. I told him I’d go check and I found one more pair of the thick gloves. When I gave them to him, his face lit up! He was expecting some of the thinner ones evidently because he couldn’t believe that he got such a nice pair of gloves. He was almost laughing as he repeatedly thanked me for the gloves. I quickly shared how we got the stuff from different people and how it all came together the night before. And how it shows how much God cares about him. He said to please tell the person that bought the gloves thank you! So to all of you who have ever donated items for the homeless, THANK YOU! I want to add my personal thanks to you too. It was so awesome & humbling for me to see the joy on this man's face, an incredible experience! It could not have been done without you! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who contributes in any way to the homeless!

Matthew 25:35-40 ...for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Bernie D.

Words From a First Time Volunteer

I have worked downtown for the last 15 years and have been running on the levee for the last 6-7 years. I started talking to Phil and Marlene (the king and queen of the homeless community downtown) and got to know them and others (Sandra) pretty well. I followed their ups and downs, what they feared, their good times and their way of life. It never failed to break my heart after talking to them. I tried to help, but, how do you help someone who has decided that living in an abandoned septic tank is what they want? I recently went thru a very trying and negative professional experience. Shortly after, I was down on the levee and went to visit with Phil and Marlene. They had heard about my problems and asked if I was ok. Can you imagine? I told them that I had my wife, kids, health and faith and that things could certainly be worse, I could be living on the river. I said it before I thought about who I was talking to, a very insensitive comment. Well, Marlene, said "What are you talking about Tommy, we aren't the ones who were in the newspaper?". In any event, they will tell you that they like their lifestyle, but, I think they really can’t if truth be told, but, have convinced themselves it is a hassle free life.

Marlene told me that the best thing that anyone does for them is the breakfast program from Healing Place Church. I had tried giving them jobs, food, coupons, clothes etc., but they really dig the breakfast. I mentioned the church to my friend Chad Dudley, who referred me to his friend Kiva who gave me Pastor Craig's info. I met Craig at coffee and he and I hit it off pretty quickly, I had just cut all my hair off and he being a former hairdresser seemed perplexed by that, plus he likes to fish. He told me to be there at 7 on Thursday.

I showed up at Roselawn at 7 last Thursday, the first person I met was Jerry who has a great sense of humor. Then I met Jordan, Julie and then Frank and then Pastor Craig showed up to join us. We fed between 40-50 folks there at Roselawn and I had the opportunity to talk to several of them. Interesting people, some nice, some gruff, but all very appreciative of a good breakfast and a kind word. After a short Bible study, we loaded up and I rode with Frank to do the "roaming". We fed folks at the levee, where Phil and Marlene were surprised to see me, Sandra near Govt. St. and approximately 25 folks under the new North Blvd. overpass.

The most heartbreaking experience of the day was seeing a lady who had obviously been severely beaten and who was probably being pimped out. Some folks in our group succeeded in getting her to come with us and hopefully she got better medical care. It is a very thin line between helping these people and actively getting involved in their situations. It also appears to be a very thin line between being homeless and having a job, house, kids, wife and picket fence. There but for the grace of God goes me.

See you Thursday.

Tommy

November 12, 2009 - Awesome Outreach

Yesterday’s outreach was filled with many happenings. At Roselawn we fed the peeps, hung out and listened to their stories and loved on them. We found out that one of our regular ladies that had shown up without shoes and very odd clothing last week had been assaulted but insisted on coming to the breakfast anyway. What a privilege we had to have provided her with new clothes & shoes. We hadn’t known what she’d been through but she came to the outreach and we were able to show her Jesus.

We went roaming and were able to see most of our regular folks. At the overpass where the people had been told last week they’d have to leave. They were still there! They are up to around 20 people staying there, the number of homeless is growing. We found out that after they were featured on a local news cast they were being allowed to stay there until somewhere for them to go is found. Top that off by finding out the police actually brought them pizza!

We went to our last stop where we’ve been trying to help ladies who are prostitutes, we’ve seen several that have been beaten. That’s when our great God showed up in a big way. We had two special volunteers from Revelation House, Georgia and her daughter. While at this location one of the ladies Laura who Carole bonded with by complimenting her on her shoes helped another lady Brenda get out. Brenda was beaten severely, her eyes were so swollen she could hardly see, her jaw may be broken and she could barely stand. Georgia took her to stay with them. Please pray for Brenda that she heals physically, mentally and especially spiritually, pray that this is a turning point in her life. Also, keep Laura in your prayers, pray for her protection that she doesn’t get hurt for helping us.

It is amazing that when two or more are gathered in His name you never know what awesome things He will do. All the glory to God!

Sunday Outreach

This Sunday we were blessed by a Married Life Connect group from HPC. They provided food at a Cooking for Christ meeting (very cool for the cooks to be cooked for). All the extra food was boxed up to do a “spur of the moment” homeless outreach.

We headed downtown and stopped under the overpass where Annie lives. We’re seeing more and more people, they have their own neighborhood going on there. It’s a diverse group of people, some have mental conditions that may be the reason they’re on the streets, some have drug/alcohol problems, some look like they just fell on hard times and are trying to climb their way out of the situation they’re in. There’s this one young girl, around 18, spending time around her, you can tell she’s not new to the street. What’s she doing out there??? .

We stopped to see Sandra. She’s been out here longer than I’ve been helping with the outreach. She’s had chances to get off the street, but always returns. She’s a loner. I worry about her safety and how she’ll keep warm when it’s cold out. We’ve already given her two coats and a couple of blankets this year. They get stolen, lost or dirty. When we visited her Sunday she had soiled herself, the evidence was on her and the sidewalk where she sits. She didn’t even seem to notice. How do you reach someone who would rather be on the street alone than in a shelter where she could be clean and warm?




At the levee, we ran into Phil and Marlene. She was so excited to tell us about her weekend. Saturday they were sitting around drinking and this guy showed up and offered them two tickets to the LSU game in exchange for a beer.

Her next words took a while to sink in, but when they did, wow. She told us the porta potties there were soooo nice they spent the night in them. It sounded like she was describing a night at the Marriott. Imagine her world, most of us would just about explode before using the porta potty and she thinks it’s a great place to spend the night. When they woke up the next morning, they were thirsty and their beer was gone so they checked out the DPW (took a minute to get that one, she was talking about the trash cans). She was ecstatic, they found a new book sack for Phil and a gallon of something to drink. They were still working on the gallon when we arrived.

Sometimes you have to look for the humor, because it’s so heartbreaking. A short time ago, she was sober, she almost died from drinking. After getting out of the hospital she said she was scared and was trying hard to stay sober. Phil was in jail at the time, so he was sober too. About a month later, he got out of jail and went right back to drinking. She only stayed sober a week or two more.

From there we headed to the house where J.D. & Billy are staying. We asked J.D. how Janet was doing he told us she was staying with her family and started going to AA (Praise God!). Janet was raped in an attack where she and three other homeless guys were severely beaten. J.D. is eaten up with rage/guilt (he was in jail and wasn’t there to protect her). She told him to go on with his life without her. Maybe, just maybe, through this awful event their lives can change and they’ll find the love of Jesus.

In the last several weeks, we’ve been stopping at a place where we’ve been unsure of the situation. There are women there that have been beaten and/or been in fights. They have at times appeared to be drunk or drugged. It looks like they are being prostituted. We aren’t sure if they are there of their own free will or not. One of the ladies has come to the breakfast at Roselawn and said she wants to go to the Café at the Dream Center, but we saw her being dropped off back there Sunday.

I know this is overload for a lot of people, and hard to grasp. It was and is sometimes for me too. What kind of world do we live in when there is so much hopelessness, lack of empathy, despair and evil?

For me, it’s a world where Jesus has called me to do the best I can to show his love to the lost, forgotten and hurting. If we only reach one after all our efforts, it will be worth it. It’s something that HPC really teaches, “it’s all for the one”.

Please pray for the people out there. Above all else, that’s something they can never have too much of.

J

From the Heart of a Volunteer

I kept my granddaughters Friday & Saturday & we watched a Christmas movie called Timmy's Gift. In it God showed me something about those of us in the homeless ministry. It was about an angel named Timmy coming to earth to give baby Jesus his most loved possession.When Timmy fell from heaven he landed in a pig pen. The pig was surprised that Timmy wanted to have anything to do with him because he felt like "no one wanted to mingle with common swine". He said it made him feel like he was somebody!

Timmy took him to some water & cleaned both of them up. The pig said to Timmy, (my favorite part) "Nobody has ever taken the trouble to see who I was under the dirt. Imagine that!"God showed me that we, as the homeless ministry, care enough about homeless people to see through the dirt on & in people to help them find the person God created them to be & that they are special to God. This is why we have such a passion to help them. God put it in us when He created us & I'm praying that we don't let anyone or anything keep us from doing what God has called us to do.

I love ya all!

Charla

Valerie Vidal - An Awesome Volunteer's Thoughts

I am from Coast Community Church in Gulf Breeze, FL. I had the pleasure of working with some of God’s mighty warriors there from Healing Place Church.

My experience began on October 15 at 5:00 a.m. Yes, they start reeeally early there! We cooked enough breakfast for about 150 people. We hit the street… first stop… Baton Rouge Dream Center on Roselawn. What a blessing to see everyone just pitching in to do what we were all called to do! After that it was off to the levee and the streets, where we I experienced everything from a serenade to a quiet moment with one of many of the homeless there. On October 17, we were all at it again! Started at Roselawn with chili, boots and socks! The guys as well as gals were thrilled as well as touched to have a warm meal and new socks and shoes for their feet. We didn’t stop there, we continued on to the levee and the streets, where more lives were moved. It was an awesome God day!

Coming from someone who has never experienced working with the homeless, I must say that it was an eye opening experience as well as a heart wrenching… We have all been called to take care of the less fortunate and to spread the Good News while doing so… this has definitely put a fire in me that I can only hope and pray becomes so warm, that everyone in my community will want to get closer to feel the warmth.

I thank God for his timing on this and thank Him for these wonderful people who are doing exactly what God has instructed us to do.

Valerie Vidal
Outreach Coordinator
Coast Community Church
Gulf Breeze, FL

Under the Bridge

Billy, Janet, JD, Tecca, Hammer, Phil & Barbara

Thursday, September 10, 2009, spending some time with the homeless peeps that hang out downtown. We saw some familiar faces that hadn't been with us for a while. Phil was there and Janet too, Hammer was there after not seeing him last week.



We haven't seen Chris for a while now and Josh wasn't there either.



Each of these people have become like family and we worry, care and pray for them because they are family. Please pray for Marleen's sobriety, she's been sober for about 4 weeks now. Pray for Janet who recently was a victim of a horrible crime. Pray for Hammer, each week, he seems to sink a little lower as he spends his life on the street. Pray that Chris and Josh are safe.



Over the last several weeks there seems to be a growning number of folks that we are serving, we pray that all these peoples needs are met, that they see Jesus through this outreach and find the strength to reach out for help and take steps in the right direction.

Thursday Aug 27, What a great day I had serving it up with you all in downtown BR. God's hand was all over it. If anyone lacks the desire to serve, just read our story "SERVOLUTION". This will get you pumped and motivated. The staff of HPC and it's volunteers are awesome. The blessing and opportunity afforded me this day has opened my eyes to a whole new world. A place where people must surely feel forgotten, marginalized, downtrodden.... While standing below the interstate bridge serving the homeless, the constant noise of the overhead traffic easily gives one the sense that life is passing by without a thought that this world exists underneath. I've crossed this bridge many times throughout my lifetime and never once did I consider the possibility, Lord forgive me! Addictions, mental illness, bad choices... Some have names, some are just faces, but all are somebody and are loved by God.

One particular guy, Josh, is trying to return to society after five years in prison. He was released two weeks ago and landed a job at a nearby fast-food place within the first week of getting out. The only acceptable pair of pants he can use for work were the ones he had on. He washes them every few days at a nearby fountain. The same fountain serves as his bathing facility. He did say that in prison he could at least practice good hygiene. After eating breakfast, he indicated that he had to walk several miles and start work by 10:00. A follow-up contact was made later in the day at his place of employment and some of his clothing needs were met. Because of his desire to be off the street, with a little help and encouragement, Josh will make it.

My prayer is that I'll allow God to use me whenever and wherever.

Yours in Christ, Bruce

Keeping the Faith... Seeing the Results...

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

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.