Homeless Advice

We usually always have volunteers that are more than happy to work in the kitchen. The only exception may be washing dishes. But last Tuesday, these ladies were exceptionally happy working in the dish pit. It takes everyone working together to get the job done. Every job is special. Last Tuesday we served 82 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers.

If you talk to enough homeless, you can get some unusual advice. For instance, one of our volunteers, Bo, was talking to Frenchie who gave him some love advice, he said “tell them they’re beautiful, but don’t stalk them”. I guess he had learned that from experience. Frenchie has been attending Food for Life off and on for about 6 years. He always comes in with small roses that he gives to the female volunteers.

Also, another homeless who sleeps in a tent had given us some advice on the dos and don’ts on a cruise. His advice was "not to hang over the rail of the ship late at night if you have had a few drinks". We told him that was good advice but we probably would not be having any night caps on our cruise.

Last week, homeless Eric showed up after being absent for over a year. We had heard that he had returned to his home town to live with his cousins. But the only explanation he gave us for his absence was that he had been on a sabbatical. I wondered, can a homeless person be on a sabbatical, regardless, we were glad to see his smiling face.
~Marc

Hope for the Hopeless

Ministering to the homeless and poor can be rewarding and at the same time can be discouraging. It is rewarding when we see individuals get off the street and lead a productive life. Usually these kinds of folks are the ones we provide assistance on a weekly basis in the form of medication refills, gas for their car, phone cards, or a hot meal on Tuesday night. This takes care of some of their problems for that particular day. Other days they may rely on other ministries for their necessities. Many of these individuals are living in temporary shelters and some times are families with small children. They have hope.

Ministering can be discouraging when you see the over whelming abuse of alcohol. Last Tuesday we had a number of individuals who had been drinking and were either totally drunk, or in between drinks and just had the shakes. One individual told me that alcohol had stole his life. He said that alcohol is the first thing he thinks about when he wakes up on the street. It seems to be their medication for dealing with their situation and it just consumes them. Sure there are some who may use illegal drugs, but by far alcohol is the number one drug of choice for the homeless because it is cheap and legal. I always wonder what road these folks took to get where they are now. I am sure it was slowly one day at a time. Just having few drinks then over time finding out they could not do without a drink every day. Then from there to losing their jobs and then their families which mean they have no support. To climb out of that hole it must be done slowly through intensive therapy which many are not willing to do. Most just give up and accept their situation. We know that the Gospel can transform their lives through His Spirit. So that is our and their only hope. That is why we come down town every Tuesday night.

Tuesday night we served 95 hot meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. We had some first time volunteers from Springwell Church in Greenville. As always, we had many of our faithful volunteers show up and work in the kitchens and spend time with the homeless. It definitely is their Ministry too.
~Marc

The Have & Have Not's

When we arrived last Tuesday there was a crowd of first time volunteers in the parking lot and an equal number of homeless at the side door waiting to get in out of the heat. I could not help to think that it appears that the volunteers are trying to keep their distance from the homeless. It is like the "the have" and "the have not's". I understand how they feel. When Paul started his ministry over 7 years ago, I felt very uncomfortable around the less fortunate. I didn't know if they would be violent or obnoxious, so I kept by distance. But over the years I have found that you are more likely to have a problem with some volunteers than the homeless. Most of them are grateful for what we provide and would not jeopardize that by acting up.

We did have a good group in the parking lot that eagerly attacked the responsibilities for preparing and serving the food. Without this group it would be impossible for other volunteers to devote their time ministering to the homeless. We had a first-time group from the Summitt Church in Greenville and a good representation from GE. As always, we can depend on a core group of faithful volunteers who come each week to specifically minister to the homeless. They spend the entire time talking, praying, and sharing the Gospel. They understand that this is our mission for coming to Triune Mercy Center each Tuesday night. This group was included in the 28 volunteers that ministered and served 110 folks last Tuesday. This is the largest crowd of homeless and volunteers we have had in a long time.
~Marc

Temptation Has a Name

When we left the house it was raining cats and dogs. It was one of those summer thunder storms that most of the homeless hate because they can not get out of the rain. Who wants a homeless person coming into their retail establishment just to avoid rain? I prayed that it would stop until we got to Triune Mercy Center so I could get the door open for everyone.

It did stop raining and when we arrived most everyone was sitting on the brick ledge at the side of the building smoking or congregating around the door. I used the combination lock to open the door and you would not believe how fast some of these guys can move. It was like they were waiting all day for this to happen. As they poured into the cool auditorium, I noticed them taking chairs down off the tables and placing the plastic forks on the table for the meal. It seemed that they just wanted to do some thing to be productive by performing these small tasks. Most of these always try to assist us; the others usually don’t show up until the end of the preaching so they can get their meal. I quickly went into the kitchen and prepared a container of ice water to quench their thirst. Also, the tea would be prepared now, but would be served later with the meal.

I went to the back of the room to talk to some of the homeless before the preaching. One individual who spoke to me wanted some money. Most usually ask for $1.50 to $2.00 for bus fare. Some times I wonder if maybe it is for a can of beer. Many that have had the same request, I could smell beer on their breath. I always suspect some of their stories are not true, but I do feel sorry for them and give in some times. Tonight though, I told him I did not have any money. He suggested I ask around for him which I promptly declined. I was not in the mood for panhandling for someone else.

I talked to another couple of obvious friends. They told me they were Christians and had to stick together because there is so much temptation on the street. I thought to myself that there is too much temptation every where. They kept talking about the Pharaoh and how he keeps talking to them, but they have been ignoring him. One said to the other “do you remember when the Pharaoh showed up on the Haney Street”. The other responded, “yes, but I told him he was wasting his time”. It was obvious that the Pharaoh is the one they fight against every day. It seems to be helpful to identify this tempter with a personal name so they can tell him “to get lost”. I told them that I did not expect the Pharaoh to show up tonight and they both agreed. Paul continued preaching on the book of James which has a lot to say about temptation. If you are a Christian, temptation can make you stronger but if you are not, it will just “tick you off”.

We continue to have about the same number of folks each Tuesday. We served 67 meals with 12 volunteers. We finished about 8:30 pm and as I was leaving, I saw Paul following a couple with a baby to the gas station. They needed fuel for their car so he could continue looking for a job on Wednesday. You don’t have to be homeless to be in need. You can just be an innocent child with parents who have no means of support.
~Marc

Providing Shelter

Last Tuesday night we served 65 hot meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. We had many of our regulars including another good turn out from General Electric.

Paul continued his study of James and later we provided assistance to some ladies that were on the street. We provided a room for one lady who was going Shepard's Gate the following day. Another volunteer on Wednesday, provided transportation for a husband and wife to United Ministries in Spartanburg where shelter was available.

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We always are concerned for anyone on the street but especially for women. Unfortunately, there are not as many short-term shelters for them as there are for the men.

~Marc

Serving Volunteers

Last Tuesday Jerry, who is one of our volunteers, preached for Paul. He and his wife were celebrating their anniversary that night but were happy to minister to our friends downtown on this special occasion. He continued the study of James and accurately presented the Gospel for all in attendance. “Thanks Jerry” for filling in for Paul and for your faithfulness each Tuesday night. We are grateful for volunteers who not only serve but also minister to the needy each Tuesday night.

We continue to have many different folks who come each Tuesday night to serve. This Tuesday we had the Greenville Derby Dames show up to volunteer. They are a women’s Roller Derby team who raise money for charities. These gals had no trouble mingling with the homeless who at time can be rough around the edges. If you are interested in seeing them in action check out the video below.

Our numbers were down some this Tuesday. We served 77 meals with the assistance of 24 volunteers. One of our volunteers provided the dessert which was muffins and water melon. Hmmm Good.
~Marc

Our Volunteers

Last Tuesday Paul began by praying with the volunteers in the kitchen. Paul reminded them that our purpose is not to just feed people but to proclaim the Gospel. Every thing we do should be done with an attitude of prayer to reach the lost and this should start in the kitchen. We are all ministers of the Gospel.

Many of our volunteers come every week and not only volunteer their time but also contribute financially to the ministry. They put not only their heart and soul into reaching the homeless but also their finances. We are grateful for their donations which provide for the needs each Tuesday night. For instance, this Tuesday there was a need for medication. Bonnie went to the drug store during the preaching to purchase cream and pain medication for a burn. Also, a couple with a baby needed gas for their car. They are currently living at Miracle Hill and needed gas to get to work. Another individual needed funds to get in a program at the Donaldson Center that provides shelter and transportation to work. In addition, each week we have to purchase food to serve each Tuesday night. It is amazing that we seem to have just enough funds each week to meet the current needs. It would not be possible without the generous support from our volunteers and regular monthly supporters.

There was a big crowd this week. We served 95 hot meals including drink and dessert with the assistance of 24 volunteers. Many of the volunteers come from various churches and as always we had a good representation from General Electric.

~Marc

Wayne's Story

Wayne's story is not unlike many who live in Greenville. He lived in a Christian home until he was a teenager but then there was a turn for the worse. His parents died and he just seemed to drift toward a life that eventually ended him in jail. After he did his time, he gave in to the lure of crack cocaine. By this time he was married and had a good job but lived in a crack house. He had everything that most most would desire; money in the bank, a house and cars. But one thing he did not have was peace. He started hearing voices that told him to kill himself. He tried to ignore them but the voices seemed to control his thoughts. Then he realized that he could get help because his company provided good health insurance. Naturally the psychiatrist prescribed medication for his problem. But the medication proved to be more of a problem than his mental issues. The side effects of the medicine made him sick every time he ate and he seemed to no longer care about his family. His life continued down that road of destruction when his wife left him and he became homeless. He was now at the bottom. He continued to try to turn life around without much success. During this time he never forgot the faith of his parents. He thought about trying to turn to that faith but he never could leave his life of sin. But one night he had a dream. In that dream, God told him that He would heal his mind. He said it was so real that it made a major impact on his thoughts. He knew that his life would change and it did. He eventually trusted in Christ for his relationship with God. He started reading the Bible and attending church. He life totally changed. He was still homeless but he had that peace that he never experienced during his life. Now he is trusting totally in God's provision for his life whether he remains homeless or has an opportunity to one day regain his job and home. Wayne is a grateful person.

Wayne and others enjoyed hamburgers, french fries, and cold slaw last Tuesday night. We served 65 meals with the assistance of 14 volunteers. We continued have requests for blankets and clothes because of the cool nights. We would appreciate anyone who could donate blankets for our friends down town.

The Bull Rider

Last Tuesday was the first night for our time change. Paul had decided to start an hour earlier by preaching at 6:00pm and serving the meal at 7:00pm. Judging from the crowd it looked like many were not aware of the time change, although, we did have a respectable crowd. We were privileged to serve 55 meals with the assistance of 12 volunteers.

Every week we are fortunate to see old and new faces. I am always surprised to see someone who used to attend our meetings at the Carpenter's Cellar on Tuesday nights. One was named Paris. He said he was named after the city in France. Another was from South Africa who I had to admit that I had forgotten his name. One of the new faces that came in had the biggest belt buckle I had ever seen. He told me that he had won it bull riding. He did not look like a bull rider but who knows. One individual went into the men's bathroom and took off his clothes and started washing them in the sink. We had to remind him that this was not the appropriate place for doing this. At least he was not using the sink in the kitchen.

This Tuesday, we were fortunate to have blankets because many were still in need because of the cool nights. I guess it is difficult to keep up with your bedding when you don't know when or where you will sleep each night. As usual, Paul tried to helped the ones most in need. He provided a room for the night for one individual and gave another a ride home. We try to meet as many needs as we can each Tuesday night. We are very grateful for those who provide support and prayers for Food for Life Ministries.
~Marc

The Mean Streets

Life on the street can be dangerous, especially if you are sound asleep in your “cat hole” and someone attacks you. That is what happened to Chris. He said that someone who had just been released from jail woke him up in the middle of the night and told him to get out. Now Chris did not take this lying down but there were consequences. The man who roused him from a deep sleep was about 250 pounds and Chris is tall with about half the weight. But Chris knows how to take care of himself. A fight was necessary to retain his place to sleep that night. Last Tuesday, Chris asked us for some Advil for the pain and antibiotic medication cream for his back. He was banged up pretty bad and told us he is tired. He is tired of living this kind of life. He comes downtown to Food for Life for inspiration and prayer. Also, he is fighting an addiction that controls his life. But this is exactly the people we are looking for. These are the down and out and those individuals who are tired and searching for a way out. Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). We provide the answer each week for those who are hurting and desperately need a change in their life.

This week we served 75 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. As is the past, the GE workers were serving in the kitchen and passing our clothes that they had accumulated at work. Also, there are many volunteers like Dan whose purpose is to reach people on an individual level. They are Paul’s support so that we can reach as many people as possible. We are especially grateful for their ministry support.
~Marc

Late-Comer

Every week walking into FFL proves to be a new experience. Today I was running late, so I came after things had picked up momentum. I have a new responsibility every night. Tonight i walked and was promptly handed gloves and around 15 bags of bananas to unbag. As i donned the metaphorical 'what can i tackle next' apron, i was presented with chopping the ham to put in grits. I progressed through these tasks and the worship started in the next room. As Atsen played through the songs, we shredded and demolished our way through the ham with the extremely dull chef knives procured from the left-hand drawer of the stainless steel island.

After the message, we brought the food out to the serving line. The food tonight was superb: grits 'n ham, chicken celery rice, brownie bites, cheese bread, peach cobbler, and of course the fruit of the week: bananas. My favorite job at FFL is serving food; that way i get to at least communitcate with each person individually. I have come to know people both by name and by habitual food preferences. For instance, Three Helpings customarily declined the banana, as did Chicken Hawk (as he referred to himself a couple weeks back upon receiving a fourth helping of chicken wings). But Jolly Man accepted his fruit-of-the-day with a wide smile and a 'thank you very much young lady!'

I love serving these people. I love listening to their bantering when they pass my food item of the night. I love to tease them for not eating enough fruit or vegetables. These people are such a joy to serve and I hope that I may continue in this ministry for a long time to come!
~Leslie (Guest Blogger)

Locked Out

One of the difficulties we face on Tuesday nights is locked doors. It is not because Triune Mercy Center does not provide keys, but that the key holder may not attend that night. Usually it is the room that has the ice machine that is locked. When this happens we make a trip to the local Hardees across the street and beg for some ice. Since we brew tea, it is essential that we have ice to serve the tea cold. But last Tuesday, it was the kitchen that was locked. Now that is a problem. Here we were with about 40 homeless and 14 volunteers staring at the locked door. All telephone calls for help resulted only in voice mail. So naturally we turned to some skills by some of the homeless for help. With the help of a credit card and a small knife, we had the door open within minutes. I did not feel too comfortable doing that but it was essential for our ministry. Proclaiming Gospel is the center piece of our ministry, but the meals are the means to accomplish that.

We celebrated this Holy Week by reading through the Gospel of John describing the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We reflected on the implication of those events for our lives today. Because He lives, we can also live too. Lee Headly was kind enough to lead us through the reading of theses powerful scriptures.

After serving 67 meals with the assistance of 14 volunteers, we had a drawing for sleeping bags. I was pleased to see one of the homeless who had asked for a blanket win a sleeping bag. The above picture is one who was fortunate enough to receive one. Even though it is spring, some of the nights are very cold and there are still needs for blankets and sleeping bags. We always welcome any who donate these items for our friends downtown.

Happy Easter.

~Marc