Surrounded On All Sides-Please Help

[rebornfree]

@rebornfree thank you so much for your support and kind words.

You ask some very good questions.

Mainly, I think that its made clear that no one can possibly "just get a job," if they have zero sleep from keeping guard all night so no one takes their stuff, or assaults them when sleeping either in a shelter or in the park or in some ones yard for example.

Without anywhere to take a shower or bath, no place nor money for laundry, how can anyone present themselves for a job interview?

Some who appear rough are escorted out or given very stern looks by church security

I think that from what I'm seeing its a need for housing first, so that then a person can focus and concentrate on recovery

I think that they cannot come to services because they are exhausted, seeking counseling for trauma, going to court cases, probation, obtaining food and trying to find hygiene products among examples

Often trying to obtain basic needs requires going all over town and this requires bus fare too and so there's pan handling often

People are most likely open to conversation when being kind and welcoming and just talking with them and finding out how they are doing

Mercy and love are soothing

It's such a vicious circle and so sad. I agree that housing is the first issue. In Bristol, here in the UK, they converted shipping containers into starter homes for the homeless. They could still apply for more permanent housing but it gave them somewhere to sleep, wash and do their laundry until they could get a more permanent home. Also it gave them an address, which is important to potential employers. I wish other councils would do something similar.

I think one of the problems with the homeless coming to church is feeling awkward being unwashed, when everyone else has showered or bathed. How sad that they are escorted out, but I must admit that it is not easy to be around someone who.is unkempt. Could the church go to them: i.e. have an outdoor service relevant to their needs?

Another problem, I gather, is mental illness
and I've heard that this can cause them to behave anti-socially, which can make living in hostels difficult. I have wondered if Christians could provide temporary housing but it would require a manager, cleaner, social workers and medical care. It would be a massive project. Also I've found that some of the homeless, whom I've talked to, had relatives who could put them up but for some reason they didn't want to go there. I think it's a complex issue with no 'one size fits all' solution.

It's not too big a problem for God though. I hope they accept the gospel and can find a church which will support them as they look for a home and a job and get the care (medical, social and spiritual) which they need. What you are doing is helping them experience the love of God. In due course I hope that they accept Him as their Saviour.

 

[joymercy]

Yes, evangelism can be challenging. But it makes for great work stories. For instance, three times Paul was beaten with rods, once he was pelted with stones, three times he was shipwrecked. He also spent a night and a day in the open sea. Awesome work stories

Thanks so much for sharing this with me. I can see all manner of attacks in a different light than before.

 

[joymercy]

People do respond well, when they are given love

I think that we especially need to listen and to listen well with all humility

Attending services is not enough if you do not let people know that you love and care about them

Reflection on ourselves and our lives as faithful Christians can help to show us how and where we need to step up

 

[CoreyD]

Anyone else in urban missions?

Is there anyone else who is finding themselves surrounded on all sides by the enemy?

In particular, in the cities while evangelizing?

Its so hard some times to see the good that we might be possibly doing

Amidst the constant threats of crime, homelessness, gangs, hustling, prostitution and so on.

It's good that you have mustered the courage to go out there and evangelize.
It's not going to be easy, and you are right... we are surrounded on every side.

I think of the people that are in the midst of it... surrounded on every side, and worst than us, "fainting with fear" or "faint from fear and anxiety", or "terrified at what they see" - Luke 21:26.

How much does our heart "bleed" for them?
A fireman will go through an environment - whether a building, or a field, surrounded on every side... by fire.
It's more than a job for him. It's a life saving work. People's lives and livelihood are at stake.

The disciples of Christ had a similar focus... even more so. So that Paul said...
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
‘For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

 

[joymercy]

It's good that you have mustered the courage to go out there and evangelize.
It's not going to be easy, and you are right... we are surrounded on every side.

I think of the people that are in the midst of it... surrounded on every side, and worst than us, "fainting with fear" or "faint from fear and anxiety", or "terrified at what they see" - Luke 21:26.

How much does our heart "bleed" for them?
A fireman will go through an environment - whether a building, or a field, surrounded on every side... by fire.
It's more than a job for him. It's a life saving work. People's lives and livelihood are at stake.

The disciples of Christ had a similar focus... even more so. So that Paul said...
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
‘For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’[j]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

@CoreyD thank you Corey. that is an excellent example of the fireman, being surrounded on all sides by fire!

But going through it to save lives. Powerful!

 

[CoreyD]

@CoreyD thank you Corey. that is an excellent example of the fireman, being surrounded on all sides by fire!

But going through it to save lives. Powerful!

Thank you.
There is another good example, in the faithful man Noah.
Noah went to families whose family head were about three feet taller than he was.
That's not the end of it. Not one man, woman, or child, budged. Not a soul responded.

 

[1Tonne]

People do respond well, when they are given love

I think that we especially need to listen and to listen well with all humility

Attending services is not enough if you do not let people know that you love and care about them

Reflection on ourselves and our lives as faithful Christians can help to show us how and where we need to step up

This post is not directed at you Joymercy, it is just a post to make people reflect.

The question could be asked: How do we show true love?
Is love simply doing good deeds and being a friend? Certainly, kindness and friendship can reflect love. But when it comes to eternity, there is an even greater way to love: by addressing sin directly, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Jesus Himself is our example. To the Samaritan woman, He said, “Go, call your husband”, knowing she had many and was living in adultery. To the rich young ruler, who declared his willingness to follow, He replied, “Sell everything you have”, exposing his love of money. To the self-righteous Pharisees, who claimed Abraham as their father, Jesus declared, “You are of your father the devil”, revealing their slavery to sin.
Jesus consistently confronted sin. Why? Because He loved people and did not want them to perish.
Yet, He also warned that such love would not always be well received. He said the world hated Him because He testified that its deeds were evil. If we follow His example, the world will hate us too.
But still, we are called to love our neighbour. And true love sometimes means “pushing the hot button”: showing people their sin, even at our own expense.