Most wonder what happens at a Homeless Ministry; so this week I thought I would give the sequence of events for each Tuesday night.
The volunteers arrive about 7:00pm. They park in the back of Triune Mercy Center and walk up the sidewalk and enter at the side of the building. Our services are conducted in what would be the fellowship hall for the church next to the kitchen. Many of the homeless come in as soon as the doors are opened. We prepare ice water for them to drink while we prepare the food. Paul usually coordinates with the kitchen on the time the food will be ready because the meal is served at the conclusion of the services. Each week we have music and Paul continues with the study of Romans. Everyone usually attends the services except for those who are preparing the meal in the kitchen. The following two short video clips will give you an idea how the services are conducted. The music video is a little dark because we had the lights off to read the overhead screen. At the conclusion, everyone gets in line for the serving of the meal.
The Music
The Preaching
Last Tuesday, we served 65 individual meals and prepared an additional 25 take outs. We had 18 volunteers of which 10 worked in the kitchen and the remaining spent their time talking and counseling the homeless during and after the meal. Later, all of the volunteers and some of the homeless help clean up before we leave. Also, during this time Paul and other volunteers are evaluating many of the homeless needs. Some one usually goes to the store to purchase various items for distribution. Last Tuesday we distributed blankets and a pair of shoes for a gentleman who was in flip flops.
We usually finish about 9:30pm. We encourage anyone who would like to volunteer to just show up each Tuesday night.
~Marc