This week we would like to inform the reader of the various ministries that Food for Life Ministries makes available for the homeless and impoverished community in Greenville. Even though Paul and his parents have been committed to this ministry for several years, God has grown the ministry slowly but surely, and now there are a variety of ministry opportunities that are available at various times throughout the year.
Every Tuesday night a Bible study is offered and a meal is served. For the last couple of years Paul has slowly been working his way through the book of Romans. Verse by verse Paul has been teaching the message of Romans, integrating the gospel as often as he can, and continuously challenging the listeners to demonstrate their faith by a walk with Christ that the world can see. Many of those who regularly attend the Bible study know much about the teachings of Scripture and can engage actively in conversations about biblical teachings, but often they struggle with the same repetitive sins, and do not understand that the faith that is prompted by the workings of the Holy Spirit should be alive and at work in the heart of a true believer. Paul's desire is that they would understand the message of saving faith during this study of the book of Romans.
Following the Bible study an average of about 10 - 15 volunteers serve a hot meal that everyone present can enjoy. This week we had 15 volunteers and served 90 meals. Usually volunteers start preparing the meal in the kitchen around 6:30 and make sure that everything is hot and ready when Paul has finished the Bible study. A variety of foods are served each week, usually including a meat, pasta or rice, fruit, bread, and dessert.
Most weeks, Deborah receives her tutoring lesson from 6:45 to 7:30, and slowly but surely she is learning to read.
During the winter months a ministry called Coats and Covers takes place. The purpose of Coats and Covers is to get individuals from local churches to donate coats, blankets, and sleeping bags that can be given out during the cold, winter months. It is especially fun to have these types of gifts to distribute during the Christmas holiday season.
One of the most important ministry opportunities, is the ministry of Encouragement. Often when volunteers first start coming to FFLM, they are ready and willing to cook, serve, and clean, but experience some discomfort in the area of sharing their lives with the homeless people. It often takes time for them to feel at ease letting the homeless people into their comfort zone while sitting and talking over a meal about their personal lives. The greatest need that these individuals have is to talk to someone who genuinely cares about the things that are happening in their lives, and to share a relationship with a Christian who is walking according to the teachings of Scripture. There is much those who are trapped by addiction or poverty have not seen, such as what it is like to have a successful marriage, how a husband and wife should treat each other, how Christians handle discouragement, how to budget and pay bills, and how to be dependable men and women of their word. These are things that can only be learned through the experience of ongoing relationships.
This week my mom, Angie Gould, had a unique opportunity to bless Deborah with a haircut. Deborah spoke of wanting to get a haircut, and when she heard that my mom knew how to do it and would be willing, she was quite pleased.
In the future, we would love to be able to distribute large print Bibles and toiletries to those who are in need. This may be a ministry opportunity in which small groups from local churches would enjoy contributing in addition to the coats and covers that will be donated. We are thankful for the ministry opportunities that are currently available, and we patiently anticipate the ministries that will be birthed in the future.
Every Tuesday night a Bible study is offered and a meal is served. For the last couple of years Paul has slowly been working his way through the book of Romans. Verse by verse Paul has been teaching the message of Romans, integrating the gospel as often as he can, and continuously challenging the listeners to demonstrate their faith by a walk with Christ that the world can see. Many of those who regularly attend the Bible study know much about the teachings of Scripture and can engage actively in conversations about biblical teachings, but often they struggle with the same repetitive sins, and do not understand that the faith that is prompted by the workings of the Holy Spirit should be alive and at work in the heart of a true believer. Paul's desire is that they would understand the message of saving faith during this study of the book of Romans.
Following the Bible study an average of about 10 - 15 volunteers serve a hot meal that everyone present can enjoy. This week we had 15 volunteers and served 90 meals. Usually volunteers start preparing the meal in the kitchen around 6:30 and make sure that everything is hot and ready when Paul has finished the Bible study. A variety of foods are served each week, usually including a meat, pasta or rice, fruit, bread, and dessert.
Most weeks, Deborah receives her tutoring lesson from 6:45 to 7:30, and slowly but surely she is learning to read.
During the winter months a ministry called Coats and Covers takes place. The purpose of Coats and Covers is to get individuals from local churches to donate coats, blankets, and sleeping bags that can be given out during the cold, winter months. It is especially fun to have these types of gifts to distribute during the Christmas holiday season.
One of the most important ministry opportunities, is the ministry of Encouragement. Often when volunteers first start coming to FFLM, they are ready and willing to cook, serve, and clean, but experience some discomfort in the area of sharing their lives with the homeless people. It often takes time for them to feel at ease letting the homeless people into their comfort zone while sitting and talking over a meal about their personal lives. The greatest need that these individuals have is to talk to someone who genuinely cares about the things that are happening in their lives, and to share a relationship with a Christian who is walking according to the teachings of Scripture. There is much those who are trapped by addiction or poverty have not seen, such as what it is like to have a successful marriage, how a husband and wife should treat each other, how Christians handle discouragement, how to budget and pay bills, and how to be dependable men and women of their word. These are things that can only be learned through the experience of ongoing relationships.
This week my mom, Angie Gould, had a unique opportunity to bless Deborah with a haircut. Deborah spoke of wanting to get a haircut, and when she heard that my mom knew how to do it and would be willing, she was quite pleased.
In the future, we would love to be able to distribute large print Bibles and toiletries to those who are in need. This may be a ministry opportunity in which small groups from local churches would enjoy contributing in addition to the coats and covers that will be donated. We are thankful for the ministry opportunities that are currently available, and we patiently anticipate the ministries that will be birthed in the future.
~Charity
