Responding to human needs with loving service

Working right now with people who are homeless is becoming so much more than I ever knew it could be. So many touching stories and touching faces looking back at me. Its so endearing and moving and it feels like a sacrament of sorts in that when we go out there, my team and I meet Jesus in the least of these....

We cant preach Jesus at them by law, as we receive federal funds, but we can say simple things like god bless you.

There is so much gratitude in the faces and so many thank yous and hugs. Most are so moved that there are ppl out there who care.

The hard part is dealing with the hateful remarks from others who hear about this ministry and are not homeless, yet profess to be Christians.

But a seed gets planted, one of the goodness of god, anyways, in the ppl we serve, and I'm sure they will never forget us.

If they are the ones to first mention belief in god, then its ok for us to pray or mention bible verses, otherwise we are praying for them in our hearts.

Its a very rewarding thing, to give back this way.

Anyone else doing service work in social justice ministry?

I took reassurance from this scripture I read today:

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

31When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.

34Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, 36I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

37Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’

40And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

41Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

44And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’

45Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’

46And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

The funding comes from the United States Federal Government grant monies and programs and also from private donations.

The Feds have regulations regarding preaching to others in order for them to receive goods and services that we must comply with.

On my own however, I do give prayers, bibles and answer questions about God.

Its best to meet people where they are at and provide stability as far as food and water and basic warmth and clothing is important to address first.

this is the place to share ideas and resources, and to encourage and inspire one another.....

Yes, there are church drives and fund raising done all year long. Food, toiletries and clothing donations are collected as well as monies. Prayer requests are made and many church members volunteer in various areas to give back.

Many churches work all together to help, no matter the denomination.

Many ladies like to knit together to chit chat and fellowship while knitting.

They make caps and mittens as well as scarves to give out to all who have need, and some work on making quilts.