Anybody want to learn about the homeless?

[Forge3]

I have served them for 13 years as a professional. Ask away

 

[Tigger45]

What's ur history behind getting involved in this so honorable ministry?

 

[stormdancer0]

I know many are ministering to the homeless in our area - a lot of food and clothing and other such things. But a lot of the homeless in this area are young people who have chosen to live on the streets. They will take the food, but are very resistant to anything that sounds "preachy" or that urges them to come to God. Yet the very reason they are on the road is because they are searching for something.

Do you have any ideas how we can get through to these searching youth?

 

[Tigger45]

I love the fact that you have a heart for the homeless. My experience is most of the time you are planting seeds and they need time to germinate. I've heard testimonies including my own of memories of acts of love from a church that later drew the person back to find out more about this love. Sometimes a youth will come along and they will recongize that this love is what they have been searching for all along and are fed up with the life style and are ready to embrace true love. God bless,,,

I know many are ministering to the homeless in our area - a lot of food and clothing and other such things. But a lot of the homeless in this area are young people who have chosen to live on the streets. They will take the food, but are very resistant to anything that sounds "preachy" or that urges them to come to God. Yet the very reason they are on the road is because they are searching for something.

Do you have any ideas how we can get through to these searching youth?

 

[Forge3]

What's ur history behind getting involved in this so honorable ministry?

I know many are ministering to the homeless in our area - a lot of food and clothing and other such things. But a lot of the homeless in this area are young people who have chosen to live on the streets. They will take the food, but are very resistant to anything that sounds "preachy" or that urges them to come to God. Yet the very reason they are on the road is because they are searching for something.

Do you have any ideas how we can get through to these searching youth?

I love the fact that you have a heart for the homeless. My experience is most of the time you are planting seeds and they need time to germinate. I've heard testimonies including my own of memories of acts of love from a church that later drew the person back to find out more about this love. Sometimes a youth will come along and they will recongize that this love is what they have been searching for all along and are fed up with the life style and are ready to embrace true love. God bless,,,

I studied social work after being a Franciscan and took an interest in this population. It includes people with addictions, mental health, disabilities so have many ministries all packed into one. As far as preaching God to them some may think you are preaching about God because lack of faith is the reason that they homeless. Like they are judged in some way. Some people that are homeless do have God in their lives. And others though do feel that God has abandoned them and are angry at God.

I would just honor their needs like a pair of gloves for winter, a cheeseburger or cup of hot coffee. Talk with them where and what they want to talk with you about so that some sort of bond is formed. You can insert God later on. Show charity first and insert God later into things.

 

[Girder of Loins]

Me and my friend want to bless the local homeless, and we want to take them to dinner someplace. Should we get pizza and bring it to them and eat with them there, or take them to the place? Which would be more impacting/beneficial to them. I would say taking them(it would be only like one or two, maybe), but I want your advice.

 

[Forge3]

Me and my friend want to bless the local homeless, and we want to take them to dinner someplace. Should we get pizza and bring it to them and eat with them there, or take them to the place? Which would be more impacting/beneficial to them. I would say taking them(it would be only like one or two, maybe), but I want your advice.

One of the only obstacles is that taken them into a restaurant if they have nopt bathed in months would be hard. But to have sup with them in such a way brings joy to my heart. For although the body needs food the heart needs fellowship. We are entering winter and food as well as a scarf and winter gloves are good gifts. A listening ear, the smile of non-judgment are welcome. I have taken the homeless into my own house. Some have urinated in their pants and the smell of not washing for a long time. But to be honest this is like a sacred perfume to my nose to endure this and give them new clotheses and even give them a place to bathe so that my clothes are fresh with them. For chartity is not always supposed to be an easy thing.

We do have to be realistic. Some whom I have helped are drug addicts and they are 'currently' lost and in spiritual darkness. I have helped some that tried to break into my house. And all that I have will not help them until they address their addiction. If it would they could have all my material things and I would be glad of it sincerely. If they are not barred from the shelter i serve in it would be my work to get them there out of the cold so that may have a place to shower and three meals/day. The resources are there from the Canadian government. Some do not avail themselves of such means.

 

[Willie T]

I like the point of not pushing God. My particular denomination often never even mentions the word, God, when bringing some food or clothes. Someone may ask, "Why are you doing this?", and we might answer, "Just to show God's love in a way that counts." or something to that effect.

Of course they can, and will, hear all they want, but usually only if they express an interest. We flatly don't believe in someone having to "pay" for the kindness by enduring our preaching.

 

[Forge3]

I like the point of not pushing God. My particular denomination often never even mentions the word, God, when bringing some food or clothes. Someone may ask, "Why are you doing this?", and we might answer, "Just to show God's love in a way that counts." or something to that effect.

Of course they can, and will, hear all they want, but usually only if they express an interest. We flatly don't believe in someone having to "pay" for the kindness by enduring our preaching.

This last part is how I see it.

St. Francis said:

Go out and preach and if neccessary use words.

 

[razzelflabben]

We have been homeless several times over now, one such experience was when we lived in camp grounds in the Wash. state area (no more details to protect those still there) we lived there with 3 young boys. One thing that people seldom realize is how much they help and care for one another. If there is wood or food or jobs to be found, the word spreads quickly. Sometimes I get really frustrated at people who stereo type the homeless as being lazy, without God, etc. They aren't like that at all...they are people just like everyone else, even those in your very churches, and in fact, we ended up homeless that time, because we followed Christ no matter the cost, and the cost was homelessness for a season. I guess my point is this, we try to label people, when in reality, they are just like the rest of us, no different, same worries, same struggles, same pains, same joys, they just do it without the comforts of money and secure homes and clothes, etc.

Just my two cents

 

[spitoutthekoolaid]

Kind of along the lines of what others have said, I try not to judge and categorize those who are homeless. They are people, who need food/shelter/etc. Some may be desperate, and making some bad choices ... but everyone makes bad choices. We who have food/shelter, have been blessed with it, despite our bad choices.

It always pains me when someone thinks they need to tell you their story in order to justify being helped, or given money/resources, etc. "I spent a lifetime doing drugs," or "I hope to one day get a good job, and give back," or, "Make sure you don't go buy alcohol with this, okay ?" etc. To me, this is demoralizing, and trivializes a person's *life*. People don't need to give good reasons why they need food and clothes and aide. They are *people*. And even if one of them chooses to waste what you give on an addiction, or some other bad choice ... tomorrow they might not make the same choice. Respecting a person's freedom to choose as they wish ... I try to keep this in mind when I give or help. My giving doesn't "purchase them" and give me the right to demand some kind of moral obligation, or expectation from them. That's even further demoralizing.

I think honoring people, and keeping their integrity intact, and teaching them to value life, love, and freedom, is easily revealed when helping out the "homeless", or the outcast, etc. Helping them by giving freely, without demands or expectations as though you "purchased them" and lord it over them, and respecting their choices even if you don't agree with them, being honest as well ... can go a long way.

 

[weariedsoul]

Seems like giving someone something they need is how the Gospel should be shared, it can be accompanied by a short testimony about how God loves them and how its he who helps them, that would be a good thing. If the church were like the church of acts and trusted God completely and shared all things and shared testimony with a homeless person they might want to learn about Him more. They may end up leading the church actually because they might love Him more than those seeking worldly things.


uk 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
Luk 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Luk 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Luk 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

 

[Forge3]

We have been homeless several times over now, one such experience was when we lived in camp grounds in the Wash. state area (no more details to protect those still there) we lived there with 3 young boys. One thing that people seldom realize is how much they help and care for one another. If there is wood or food or jobs to be found, the word spreads quickly. Sometimes I get really frustrated at people who stereo type the homeless as being lazy, without God, etc. They aren't like that at all...they are people just like everyone else, even those in your very churches, and in fact, we ended up homeless that time, because we followed Christ no matter the cost, and the cost was homelessness for a season. I guess my point is this, we try to label people, when in reality, they are just like the rest of us, no different, same worries, same struggles, same pains, same joys, they just do it without the comforts of money and secure homes and clothes, etc.

Just my two cents

Worth more than two cents to me.

Kind of along the lines of what others have said, I try not to judge and categorize those who are homeless. They are people, who need food/shelter/etc. Some may be desperate, and making some bad choices ... but everyone makes bad choices. We who have food/shelter, have been blessed with it, despite our bad choices.

It always pains me when someone thinks they need to tell you their story in order to justify being helped, or given money/resources, etc. "I spent a lifetime doing drugs," or "I hope to one day get a good job, and give back," or, "Make sure you don't go buy alcohol with this, okay ?" etc. To me, this is demoralizing, and trivializes a person's *life*. People don't need to give good reasons why they need food and clothes and aide. They are *people*. And even if one of them chooses to waste what you give on an addiction, or some other bad choice ... tomorrow they might not make the same choice. Respecting a person's freedom to choose as they wish ... I try to keep this in mind when I give or help. My giving doesn't "purchase them" and give me the right to demand some kind of moral obligation, or expectation from them. That's even further demoralizing.

I think honoring people, and keeping their integrity intact, and teaching them to value life, love, and freedom, is easily revealed when helping out the "homeless", or the outcast, etc. Helping them by giving freely, without demands or expectations as though you "purchased them" and lord it over them, and respecting their choices even if you don't agree with them, being honest as well ... can go a long way.

Seems like giving someone something they need is how the Gospel should be shared, it can be accompanied by a short testimony about how God loves them and how its he who helps them, that would be a good thing. If the church were like the church of acts and trusted God completely and shared all things and shared testimony with a homeless person they might want to learn about Him more. They may end up leading the church actually because they might love Him more than those seeking worldly things.


uk 14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.
Luk 14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:
Luk 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Luk 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

When we serve the poor we serve Christ.

 

[weariedsoul]

Worth more than two cents to me.





When we serve the poor we serve Christ.

When they come into the kingdom of Christ they shouldn't be poor any longer because no one owns anything, it all belongs to God.

 

[weariedsoul]

Thats the best sales pitch i can think of

 

[Forge3]

Thats the best sales pitch i can think of

Even the poor in spirit shall be rich.

 

[weariedsoul]

Im not saying we should sell all we own necessarily but we shouldn't be covetous because its idolatry, those with more should live with less and use the excess to glorify the Kingdom. Radical i know yet its true.

 

[weariedsoul]

It would take faith, but where is our faith? In this world, or the kingdom which is here and now?

 

[Forge3]

Im not saying we should sell all we own necessarily but we shouldn't be covetous because its idolatry, those with more should live live less and use the excess to glorify the Kingdom. Radical i know yet its true.

Jesus was radical lol.

 

[weariedsoul]

Everyone says where is God? I ask where is the kingdom? Are we seeking it? Its glorious.

We dont teach that works are profitable, but they are, yes indeed that is where the kingdom is found, not in the future but now.