Humility

We were again blessed to have Josh Bradley and the student ministry from Brookwood Church this Tuesday night. We always welcome their participation along with 22 other faithful volunteers who helped Food for Life serve 98 hot meals. Many of these volunteers assisted in the preparation and serving of the food and tea. Others just visited with folks and shared the love of Christ.

Paul’s message tonight for homeless and the volunteers was on humility. Humility is the act of preferring others above yourself. It is the bedrock of the Christian life. In 2 Corinthians 10:12, it states the danger of comparing ourselves among ourselves. Our natural tendency is to compare ourselves constantly with others that have less statue in order to elevate ourselves in our own eyes. We seek power and authority. But the problem is that we fail to compare ourselves by the real standard, which is God’s righteousness. When we do that, it results in real humility. Paul’s message tonight included individuals in Scripture who displayed real humility. King David was an example of humility. He was held in high esteem among the Jewish nation but realized that he was totally dependent on God and not himself. The ultimate example of humility can be found in Christ. He spoke the world into existence and was all powerful but took a posture of humility in dying for the sins of the whole world. People hated and cursed Him but He was willing to humble himself for us all. What about us? Do our lives display humility? It is not a decision we can make. We must come to the end of ourselves and realize humility does not depend on our desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. We all prayed that God would change us.

Later that night as I lay in my bed, I heard the rain outside and wondered about our friends on the street. Since it was not cold enough for them to find shelter in the gym at the mission, there would be many seeking other types of shelter. I prayed that God would help them.

~Marc

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Warming Hearts on a Cold Night

We were blessed to have the youth from Word of Life Church in Simpsonville this week. They performed a skit that presented visually how sin progressively gets worse in our lives even to the point of our own destruction but how Christ will reach out to us when we turn to him for our salvation. Many said it had a big impact on them. One individual named Donnie said the Gospel and the impact of sin seemed to click in his mind after seeing this presentation. He spent some time with Paul praying and ultimately stated.that he had received Christ as his Savior. Praise the Lord!

This Tuesday night was very cold so we had a very large crowd of homeless looking for some relief from the weather. We provided 85 hot meals and coffee for everyone with the help of 19 volunteers. Fortunately, the members of North Hills Community Church donated a large supple of new coats, gloves, and stocking hats to take care of the needs of our street friends. After eating our meal, the volunteers helped everyone select the appropriate clothes for each individual. This provided a good opportunity for our volunteers to interact with our friends and show them that we cared about them.

This week my grandchildren came downtown to volunteer. I am thankful that my son, Jason, feels the need to show his children, at an early age, the importance of ministry. Most children grow up thinking everyone lives in brick ranch house, and may never develop compassion for those who are in need of the basic necessities of life. Rachel is 9 years old and helped pour tea and Mary is 7 years old and assisted her sister by providing cups of ice for the tea. During the meal, Jason and Mary went around to everyone and provided tea refills. They met Harry and Ruby who were in between homes (that is how they described their situation). Harry said he had returned from serving in Iraq 8 months ago and was thankful for our ministry. My son told him he was thankful for his service to our country which allowed others to stay home with their family.

After our volunteers finished cleaning the facilities and washing all the pots and pans, we provided a ride for two friends to the Rescue Mission to find shelter in the gym on a very cold night. We are grateful for that facility which is provided for everyone when the weather is bad. We always pray for lives to be changed. We hope we brought some warmth, physically and spiritually, into their hearts and lives.

~Marc

An Answer to Prayer

It is truly amazing to see someone change right before our eyes. A few weeks ago, we mentioned on this blog, a lady who was living on the street and seemed to be in the clutches of alcoholism. We all prayed and cried out to God to not only change her heart but also to end her suffering. We prayed that she could find shelter, a job, and self respect that will give her some hope for her future. We asked God to provide a miracle for Irene. We are happy to report that God did answer our prayers. This same lady that we saw return to the streets for two weeks in a row now has shelter and a job.

Irene is from Spartanburg but has lived in Greenville most of her adult life. The only family she has is a sister who is homeless and uses drugs and alcohol. Her husband is at the Salvation Army in the men’s shelter. At one time she did have a job at Triune Mercy Center church in the kitchen but lost that job because of drinking. For some months she continued to live on the streets but she always returned each Tuesday night. Many of our volunteer ladies would pray with her and encourage her to seek help. She finally responded to their pleas. She went to the Salvation Army ladies shelter and sought help. Even though there were no vacancies at the Salvation Army Shelter, a lady there made an exception for her and provided a room. She was able to correct her most obvious problem, which is a roof over her head. Many in this condition usually can not progress unless they have some place to stay. She immediately looked for and received employment in order to pay the required $50.00 a week rent and now is on the road to recovery.

Irene knows that there is a long way to go but she has stated that God has taken away the desire to drink alcohol. We are grateful that she has shelter and food and is working toward a better future. But most important, she says that now she is trusting in God.

We are thankful for 18 volunteers that provided 68 meals for the homeless and the less fortunate last Tuesday night.

~Marc

Living on the Edge

We see many people each Tuesday night living on the edge. That edge represents either eating or not eating, finding some place to sleep or sleeping on the street, receiving health care when sick or slowly becoming susceptible to all kinds of diseases. But more importantly, many are living on the edge of eternity. We don’t know what happens too many who attend on Tuesday nights and then seem to disappear. Some probably move on to another location while others are picked up by the authorities for different crimes. We are aware of few who have died due to altercations on the street, but we know that they heard the Gospel before it was too late.

Last night I talked with one individual who had burses all over his face. He said he had an altercation with the police and he added that he probably deserved it. Also, he shared that he had lost everything including his family and was living on the street. I shared with him God’s grace through Jesus but he did not seem interested. He just wanted some food. Later he left the building and I saw him meet someone across the street that appeared to be trying to give him something in a brown paper bag. They walked up the street together. He is living on the edge.

Each week another homeless person has a meal, then spends the remaining time singing and playing a piano in the back of room. Most are familiar with him performing each week so normally he does not draw much attention. Before leaving, he shared with us that both of his parents were pastors. He said his mother could “preach up a storm” but his father was just plain mean. He did not have much respect for him. He admits that he is not a Christian but is always willing to listen to different volunteers who share the Gospel with him. But he left in unbelief. He is living on the edge.

During the meal, a few men got into an argument and starting calling each other names and making threats. When this happens, we immediately intervene and do what ever it takes to maintain some order. It gives us an opportunity to pray a lot as we step in to defuse the situation. I tried to change the subject and divert one individual from the others who had insulted him. I introduced him to another volunteer and explained that he had a wonderful talent carving walking sticks. His eyes lit up as he explained his carving technique. Even though he lives on the street, he desires to receive some respect as a human being and he is willing to fight for it. He is living on the edge.

At the end of the night, I was watching many of the young volunteers talking and praying with our street friends. Some are older children that come with their parents and others are students from different schools in the area. We had a group from the Beta Club at Wren High School, students from North Greenville University and the Evangelical Institute. It is so encouraging to see their desire to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. When I was their age, my concern was more about making money and climbing the ladder of success. Their concern gives me hope for our future generation. They were among the 28 volunteers who assisted the ministry to serve 76 meals to those who are living on the edge.

~Marc

A Book Review - Under the Overpass

I think everyone interested in the plight of the homeless should read Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski. Darby Innerst, who is a faithful volunteer, wrote a review of this book on her facebook account that I wanted to share with our readers.

~Marc

As written by Darby,

This book rocked my world! Here are some little bits of a wonderful book called Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski! Wow, it's really given me more of a burden to LOVE the homeless. I want to quit my job and go work in a food kitchen or drug rehab or whatever!! This gives me MORE of a reason to hope for their redemption!!!

Basically this book is about these two guys who live on the streets with the homeless for five months in Denver, Washington DC, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego. There purpose was to:

1. Understand the homeless and see how the church is responding to their needs.
2. Encourage others to do whatever God is asking them to do.
3. Learn personally what it means to depend on Christ for their daily needs and experience contentment and confidence in Christ.

p. 23- Talking about the author's experiences with the homeless: "We decided to go past the edge with God...when you do, I think that you'll find...a bigger world, and more reason to care for it, more forgotten, ruined, beautiful people than we ever imagined existed, and more reason to hope in their redemption. A greater God and more reason to journey with Him anywhere."

p. 31- I suddenly felt entirely weak, unable, and inadequate to bridge the gap between myself and these people. Then I realized I didn't have to bridge that chasm. That wasn't my responsibility. My responsibility was simply to be there, and to trust that the Lord would use me, that He would bridge the distance. 2 (Tim.1:7)

p. 33- "All that suffering and brokenness in one place was difficult to watch at first...'Come all you who are weary...’ said Jesus. It was moving to watch the weary man come, even more to see his desperation give way to peace, if only for a little while."

p. 38 "Peter's question continued to haunt me. Where should he go? rehab is a good start. A recovering addict has to get clean, then try to build a new life out of rubble....Wondering what Christ had to do with all this. Christ offers us real freedom, eternal freedom in Him. Luke 4 'To proclaim liberty for the prisoners.' I sat there feeling a weighty, yet wonderful truth: some bonds in this life can only be broken by Christ!"

p. 42- "This world was so completely different than the one I had known. Where I had known excess, I now saw only need. In my ear, I sensed attitudes of entitlement being replaced by thankfulness. My understanding of my world was being transformed, and so was I."

p. 46- "If we are the body of Christ- and Christ came not for the healthy but the sick- we need to be fully present in the places where people are most broken. It has to be more than just financial presence. That helps. But too often money is insulation- it conveniently keeps us form ever having to come face-to face with one whose life is in tatters. When we are willing to get down to eating together, listening and telling the truth together, cleaning together, pealing potatoes together, the Gospel comes alive."

p. 48- Mike's response after attending 27 chapel services which 20 were focused on hell and eternal suffering: "Jesus did thunder warning s of suffering and condemnation, but primarily to those who were convinced they were healthy and in no need of Him. To the weak, diseased, hungry, and sin-bound, He had another message. 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened. (Matt 11:28)...Telling someone who is suffering deeply that he's going to suffer more is probably a waste of breath. It's like warning someone who is starving that they are about to get really hungry.... I thought of Christ's words, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17) Weren't these well- intentioned speakers condemning the broken for being broken?"

p. 65- "When you are sitting on the sidewalk you are at eye level with babies and kids...They haven't yet learned to ignore what they see, so they can actually take in the world as it is. While kids might pretend people who don't exist do, it's the parents who pretend that unwanted people who do exist don't."

p. 71- "A hungry man can be a fast learner. When you come to a table with nothing but need, you are grateful for things you might have pushed aside before. And when you kneel, hungry and broken at His table, you receive a grace from Him you might, as some other time, have completely missed. You'll know this grace when you take it. It goes deeper, quicker, and it burns all the way down. "

A LOT TO THINK ABOUT!

~Darby