Youth Night

Even though Food for Life is primarily a homeless ministry, we do encourage anyone who desires to study God’s Word to attend each Tuesday night. Many come as volunteers and others, who are less fortunate, come for fellowship and a hot meal. Many of these folks have a home and some live at the Salvation Army which is within walking distance from Triune Mercy Center.

Some of our visitors are youth groups whose leaders want to expose their youth to the less fortunate to instill in them a desire for helping the poor and developing a sense of gratefulness for what they have. Many do not have any concept of what the less fortunate are like or what they go through each day. Last Tuesday night we had to the privilege of having approximately 60 youth from Brookwood and Word of Life Church. Add that number to the 54 homeless we served and you have a big crowd.

Our good friend, Lee Headley, brought the message titled “Counterfeit Christian”. Using scripture, he discussed the characteristics of a counterfeit verses true Christian. It was a very thought provoking message since in this area everyone claims to be a Christian but there seems to be very little fruit. A special thanks to Lee for substituting for Paul. Next week Paul will continue teaching from the book of James. I can’t wait.

As always, there are many needs each Tuesday night. Fortunately, the youth brought coats and blankets for distribution. These are necessary almost every week during the winter. One lady had a special request for dental grip for her teeth. Bonnie went to the store to purchase the much needed item and received a kiss on the forehead from a very grateful lady. It was a small item by most standards but it meant everything to the one in need. We can not meet every need but we desire to help as much as we can each Tuesday night.
~Marc

Cold Cold Cold

Last Tuesday night it was cold, cold, and cold. It was more than cold, it was freezing. The temperature on the sign across the street from Triune registered 23 degrees. With the wind chill factor, I am sure it was probably in the teens. With a night like this there is no doubt there will be many coming in to get warm but I always wonder if we will have enough volunteers. However, I was surprised to have a small group from our church to show up to volunteer. Along with the regulars, we had 20 volunteers to help make one very large pot and two small pots of coffee, and serve 90 hot meals.

Paul continued teaching in the book of James. He focused on verse 5 that states that if you lack wisdom ask God and He will give it to us liberally. That should appeal to everyone because we all desire wisdom. But Paul pointed out that this wisdom is not of this world He defined wisdom in I Corinthians 1:30 that Christ Jesus is the wisdom from God. And God gave that wisdom liberally to the world by giving up his Son to die and take the punishment for our sins.

During Paul’s teaching, there was some distraction from a few who were not interested in his message but were interested settling an argument that probably started before they arrived. Paul immediately asks them to leave. It was amazing that even these guys are respectful enough to leave. Most are very respectful and listen but there are always a few that will distract the message because of their own agenda.
~Marc

Trials and Tribulations

The more I go downtown, the more I realize that problems of the homeless are no different than others in society. They struggle with unemployment, lost loves, drugs, and mental illness just like other people. The only difference is that they are homeless while the rest of us have a home. It might be a home with a mortgage payment way over due or a home of a relative or a parent. During this current economy everyone is affected by inadequate housing. Because of this situation, I wonder if the ranks of the homeless may increase in the future causing a shortage of funds for agencies that try to help the unfortunate. I know that a small percentage of homeless chose this as a life style. But most don’t. Most wonder, as one individual I talked to last night, how they got there. This individual said his father died and no one in his family loved him so he just took off and ended up in Greenville. He had adapted to homelessness. He works like everyone else but he lives in abandoned building. He developed a relationship with a “significant other” who cared about him and for what ever reason was willing to live on the street too. So he had sort of a family. He had someone who cared about him. Unfortunately for him last week she left him. He came in drunk and crying. He felt like no one loved him. We talked at length about his family. I suggested he try to contact them. He was reluctant to do this because he said they did not love him. I suggested that the worse that could happen is that he would be right. But the best that could happen, he could be wrong. And if he was wrong it could change his life. He decided to contact his sister that has not heard from him since 1992. I thought to myself that his family probably would be shocked to hear from him after all this time.

Paul continued to teach from the book of James. In verses 2 through 6 of chapter 1, there is an understanding that everyone will experience trials and tribulations, not just the homeless. It does not say “if” but “when” you experience. Of course, this is the result of our bad choices and/or because we live in a sinful world. But we will experience those trials regardless. God does not create those things but He does expect difficult reactions for Christians. First of all, these difficulties can produce patience. Also, it allows us to evaluate our faith. One aspect of saving faith is perseverance. Is our reaction to trials and tribulations result in turning to God or do we turn from God and sin? This is a real opportunity for us to peak into our own heart.

This Tuesday, we served 80 meals with the assistance of 21 volunteers. I want to thank John Hatfield, one of our volunteers, for the photograph of a poster in the room where we serve the homeless.
~Marc

Count It All Joy

Last Tuesday night I had a headache and considered not making it downtown. Then I thought, many of the homeless probably have a headache too and would rather be some where else. So I went any way. During the night, I had two individuals request something for a headache. We don't always have every thing requested but tonight I was prepared for a headache.

Tonight Paul started teaching in the book of James. He gave all of us some background on who wrote the book (no, that is not a trick question) and it's context. He spent some time on chapter 1 verses 2 and 3 which states there is joy in trials and tribulations for a Christian. For a non-Christian trials brings bitterness and discontent. But for a Christian these same trials will result in patience. God is interested in our trusting Him regardless of the circumstances and He desires use difficult times to produce spiritual fruit in our lives.

Our numbers were off from previous weeks. We served 55 meals with the assistance of 14 volunteers. Some of the homeless receive some type of federal assistance which usually runs out the middle of the month. Later on in the month when funds are low, many more show up for a meal. For what ever reason, we look forward to seeing all who come in each Tuesday night.
~Marc