Last night was a little unusual. The kitchen at Triune Mercy Center was going through some type of remodeling. Therefore, we could not use the kitchen for cooking our hot meal like most Tuesday nights. However, Paul owns a catering business so hot food is still on the menu. A meal of Sloppy Joes, chips, potato salad, and slaw was catered in by Streetside and served just like we were any other customer. Thanks to our wonderful staff of employees who prepared the food, we were fortunate to serve 45 friends with the help of 11 volunteers.
Tonight Paul continued to teach from Romans 12 concerning the body of Christ. He referred to 1 Peter 2:1-17 that states we are living stones. He used that in an illusion of a wall and how each stone is necessary and important for its construction. In the same way, each child of God is necessary in the body to use their gifts to work together to glorify God. He further stated that this is why it is important to attend church. If a Christian did not, they would only be a finger. The individual finger could not glorify God like the whole body. Therefore, it is necessary that each of us become a part of that body for God’s glory.
This was one of those nights that the Mission was not open because the temperature had not reached that magic number of 40 degrees. The chill factor was much lower. I wondered if anyone takes into consideration what the temperature will be at midnight, when it will be much colder. I am not sure how this works, but someone still has decided there is no room at the Inn tonight. We encountered one man who had recently become homeless. He definitely was not prepared for a cold and windy night on the street. He requested a blanket but we did not have one on hand. Usually blankets go quick so it is difficult to maintain a good supply. We decided to make a trip to the store and purchase a blanket, small pillow, and a coat for him. He was very grateful and left that night looking for shelter. Many others were doing the same thing, but they had already decided where to find a "cat hole" (abandoned building) or building doorway to break the wind. On the way home, I happened see one individual huddled up against a dumpster. That is a scene you won’t soon forget.
If anyone can donate blankets and/or large or extra large men’s coats, we would be grateful. We need a supply almost every Tuesday night during the winter.
~Marc
