Thanksgiving is a time to ponder all of the blessings in our lives with grateful hearts, but it is also a time to think of ways that we can be a blessing to others. Last night we were surprised to have many volunteers that had never come to Food for Life before, along with many volunteers from our very own church, North Hills Community Church. Our volunteers numbered 40 in all.
It was interesting to hear how some of last night's volunteers came to hear about Food for Life's ministry. Two ladies whom I met are taking a class on understanding poverty, and a fellow classmate of theirs, a lady I recently met, had told them about Food for Life. These two ladies came for the very first time to lend a helping hand. We also had a variety of people from North Hills, including some of the members of the youth group, who volunteered to provide some special music and share a couple of testimonies. In addition, Paul's aunt and uncle came and participated, and it was lovely having them, as we are always thankful to share the experience with our family members.
The kitchen volunteers prepared a lovely, Thanksgiving meal. We had a turkey dinner, complete with all the trimmings and dessert. In all we were able to serve 120 meals. Many volunteers were able to grab a turkey dinner and share the meal with the homeless and impoverished partakers.
It is sometimes stunning when the strength of addiction and unhealthy relationships is realized. A woman with tears in her eyes and a worn out appearance came to hear the Bible study and partake in the Thanksgiving meal. She has been to Food for Life many times before. At one time she actually worked at the Triune Mercy Center and had a place to live off of the street. However, because of reasons that I am not currently aware of, she lost her job, and consequently, her home. As it turns out, when she was doing so well, her husband was in prison. When he got out and she was reunited with him, she became influenced negatively. Upon losing her job, she turned to alcohol for comfort.
As she sat and shared her story, she could hardly hold back the tears. She shared that she has recently been sick and that staying on the street has been making her weary. She seemed to desperately desire to have a dry, warm place to stay, and her story and sad eyes tugged at the heartstrings of those who listened. Paul and I discussed what we could do for her and decided that we would offer to put her up for the night in a hotel. When I shared this news with her, she could hardly speak, the tears filled her eyes and words could not be found.
Paul decided to try to find out a little bit about her situation, and after asking some questions became very convicted that she is being badly influenced and possibly even placed in dangerous situations because of her husband and her brother, who apparently are addicts as well. He felt the need to warn her of the the dangers of these detrimental influences before he took her to the hotel. She stood and listened to everything that he said, admitting that his statements were true. Denial was not a part of her response, but instead she was in agreement that she was placing herself in some unhealthy and dangerous situations.
After his talk with her, he left her standing outside, where he thought she would continue waiting for us to finish cleaning up so that he could take her to the hotel. To our surprise, when we walked outside ready to take her, she was gone. Without a word, she had disappeared with those two men, her family members, who somehow drew her into the darkness to chase the cravings of their souls, cravings that will one day destroy their lives if the light of Christ does not lift them from the abyss in which they choose to dwell.
Please pray for a miracle, one that only God can do.
We would like to say a special word of thanks to all those who helped to make last night special. Most importantly, thanks be to God for saving all of us from darkness and shining His light into our lives.
~Charity
It was interesting to hear how some of last night's volunteers came to hear about Food for Life's ministry. Two ladies whom I met are taking a class on understanding poverty, and a fellow classmate of theirs, a lady I recently met, had told them about Food for Life. These two ladies came for the very first time to lend a helping hand. We also had a variety of people from North Hills, including some of the members of the youth group, who volunteered to provide some special music and share a couple of testimonies. In addition, Paul's aunt and uncle came and participated, and it was lovely having them, as we are always thankful to share the experience with our family members.
The kitchen volunteers prepared a lovely, Thanksgiving meal. We had a turkey dinner, complete with all the trimmings and dessert. In all we were able to serve 120 meals. Many volunteers were able to grab a turkey dinner and share the meal with the homeless and impoverished partakers.
It is sometimes stunning when the strength of addiction and unhealthy relationships is realized. A woman with tears in her eyes and a worn out appearance came to hear the Bible study and partake in the Thanksgiving meal. She has been to Food for Life many times before. At one time she actually worked at the Triune Mercy Center and had a place to live off of the street. However, because of reasons that I am not currently aware of, she lost her job, and consequently, her home. As it turns out, when she was doing so well, her husband was in prison. When he got out and she was reunited with him, she became influenced negatively. Upon losing her job, she turned to alcohol for comfort.
As she sat and shared her story, she could hardly hold back the tears. She shared that she has recently been sick and that staying on the street has been making her weary. She seemed to desperately desire to have a dry, warm place to stay, and her story and sad eyes tugged at the heartstrings of those who listened. Paul and I discussed what we could do for her and decided that we would offer to put her up for the night in a hotel. When I shared this news with her, she could hardly speak, the tears filled her eyes and words could not be found.
Paul decided to try to find out a little bit about her situation, and after asking some questions became very convicted that she is being badly influenced and possibly even placed in dangerous situations because of her husband and her brother, who apparently are addicts as well. He felt the need to warn her of the the dangers of these detrimental influences before he took her to the hotel. She stood and listened to everything that he said, admitting that his statements were true. Denial was not a part of her response, but instead she was in agreement that she was placing herself in some unhealthy and dangerous situations.
After his talk with her, he left her standing outside, where he thought she would continue waiting for us to finish cleaning up so that he could take her to the hotel. To our surprise, when we walked outside ready to take her, she was gone. Without a word, she had disappeared with those two men, her family members, who somehow drew her into the darkness to chase the cravings of their souls, cravings that will one day destroy their lives if the light of Christ does not lift them from the abyss in which they choose to dwell.
Please pray for a miracle, one that only God can do.
We would like to say a special word of thanks to all those who helped to make last night special. Most importantly, thanks be to God for saving all of us from darkness and shining His light into our lives.
~Charity
