Lost and Found

Allen is a unique individual. He may be down on his luck and live in the Sally (Salvation Army), but he hasn’t stop trying. He related to Lee, one our volunteers, that he has continued to look for work where there seems to be no work. Every conversation these days downtown is how difficult it is for the homeless to find any type of work. It seems to be nonexistent. But Allen kept trying. He applied at one company who told him "they did not need anyone but to come back later". He did and they continued to tell him the same thing over and over until finally he got the job. Persistence does pay off.

In addition to a new job, Lee Headley presented Allen with a new Bible last Tuesday night. Not just any Bible, but a large print study Bible. Lee has been mentoring Allen each Tuesday night so he wanted to give him something special. After writing his name in the Bible and that it was presented by Food for Life on the inside, Lee took it to have his name printed in gold on the outside. Allen was so happy. Thanks Lee for caring for the less fortunate.

On a sad note, I talked with a homeless man who was very distraught. His bicycle had been stolen and he was looking for the person who stole it. He told me that he had a “shank’ in his pocket and was prepared to use it. We talked at great length about the consequences of him following through with his plan. I tried to be logical to someone who was emotional and was not having much success. I realize that a bike is much more important to a homeless person than to me. At the end of our conversation we prayed about the situation and he left. I continued to pray that he would find his bike but not one who stole it.

Allen found a job but another lost a bicycle. The problems of the homeless really are not much different from ours. Many in this economy will lose jobs, homes, spouses, children, and a way of life. The only difference is that most of us have families to provide some support. Most of the homeless have lost that long ago.
~Marc

Guest Blogger

Dear readers,

My perceptions from attending Food For Life are in the paragraphs and possibly the entries to follow. What I've seen at FFL are people who may not be used to serving serve, and those who aren't used to being served sitting and enjoying a meal prepared especially for them. The love that these people receive from the people with FFL is unrivaled.

I'm sorry that i must ask you to forgive the late post. I have many excuses that I could use, but none of which would be satisfactory or the whole truth (as the whole truth is that I am basically just a failure at doing things on time). The following is my journal entry from last Tuesday night after attending FFL.

'I walked in the United Ministries kitchen at 6:41pm, and already the place was buzzing with activity. People were chopping and washing and peeling and unbagging and unwrapping and, in short, creating culinary masterpieces.....ok.....maybe not MASTERPIECES, but when assembled with love, the simplest dish can become a true work of art. As I began to search out an area that needed assistance, conversations and light banter whirled back and forth over my head. The chef at the stove let out a loud, deep, belly-laugh at the comment made by the young man chopping zucchini in the far corner. Smiles lit the faces of all in earshot. I decided that the workers had everything under control in the kitchen, and moved to the cafeteria to see if i could be of more assistance there. Already the room was filling up with people, both workers and homeless. Walking into this room filled with hungry, hurting, lonely, mistreated, and unloved people made me realize what an awesome God we serve; He would take the least assuming of us and make us heirs with his own Son, the Maker of heaven and earth. It's absolutely incredible.

The realization that sometimes we consciously or subconsciously think we are better than those who have no home or are addicted to drugs or alcohol made me sick. I am such a selfish, undeserving person to even hint at thinking I am better than anyone in that room. I am here to glorify my Savior, and for that reason alone. Who am I to think that God, who by HIS mercy and grace alone decided to create me to live for Him, would love these people any less than He loves me?

Later that evening during the worship service, all the songs were about grace. Once again I was pointed to how inept I am versus how capable and loving God is. A man two seats down from me shushed another man when he spoke too loudly during the message. He then turned back to face Paul with wrapped attention. He followed along in a borrowed bible the whole message, then quietly closed it and returned it to it's shelf after the message was over.

The rest of the night went smoothly with joking between servers and those waiting in line, serious conversations over hot meals, and the worship team jammin out on the small stage. The workers are few, but the harvest is many. As the night ended, that sentence reverberated through my brain. We are the workers. May I never forget that I have been called to harvest right where I've been placed.'

God is alive and well in the inner city of Greenville, SC. We would be sadly mistaken to believe otherwise. Prayer is essential to FFL's success though. Continue to partner with us in prayer to our great God that He would soften hearts, release those in darkness, and free those in bondage.

- Leslie Dye

Our Inheritance

How many of us dream of receiving an inheritance from a rich relative? We all have heard stories of those that receive such a windfall, but a year later they are no better off. The inheritance just seemed to evaporate. Tonight Lee Headley preached a message from 1st Peter about an inheritance that will not fade away. In fact, it is incorruptible. Every thing in this life will perish one way or another. Even the food we served Tuesday night, if not eaten, will spoil. But this inheritance will not spoil. Also, this inheritance is undefiled. Unlike us it is without sin. And finally, this inheritance will not fade away. Everything is this life will fade away but this inheritance of eternal life will never fade away. In fact, it is eternal. Even though most of us will never receive an inheritance from a rich uncle, this inheritance promised in 1st Peter is available for everyone who believes. This was a powerful message that gives hope for everyone, including those who live on the street struggling with their day to day problems. I had one homeless tell me that this message was a real encouragement to him. Thanks Lee for sharing this message of hope which is available for all of us.

I would like to ask everyone to pray for Chris who I wrote about in my last post. He had expressed a desire to quit drinking. This week he came in stone sober. He said he had not drunk any alcohol during the week. He said that he had spent time in the library and staying away from those that stick it in his face. There was a real change in his demeanor. He expressed concern for others that we don’t usually see in the homeless community. It was a real pleasure talking with him.

Tonight we served 72 meals with the assistance of 12 volunteers. We had the normal requests for over-the-counter medicine and one individual, named Bobby, who we provided a bus ticket back home. We all like to see those that want to reunite with their families. Other requests were for blankets and sleeping bags. Even though the weather is getting warmer, the nights are still cool. Thanks to all who support Food for Life so we can provide some temporary relief for those who are on the street.
~Marc

A Testimony

Last night we were blessed to hear a powerful testimony of how Lynn Irby went from the street on drugs to the church teaching others about the saving faith in Jesus Christ. A testimony is a powerful example of how God can change a person’s life. Many people may not agree whether God exists or not, and some may disagree with certain points of theology but when someone stands before a room full of hurting people testifies to God’s grace there is no denying the truth of the Gospel. There were two major responses to this testimony. One man was brought literally to his knees and he accepted Christ as his Savior and others seem to get mad at the obvious change in her life. This was evidenced by a couple of incidents between some of the homeless. Fortunately, all of these were defused before someone got hurt.

But there was another response too. Some wanted the same changed life without them changing. They wanted to stop drinking and spending most of their time in jail but they did not believe they could change their habits. Chris had a bottle in his pocket to help him relieve the shakes in the morning. He told us that he was going to quit drinking because it was killing him. Of course, he said he was not making any promises because he did not want to lie. Tony suggested that he pour out his whiskey if he was serious. He said he could not do that. Paul suggested that he quit trying stop drinking and focus on accepting Christ as his Savior. He suggested to Chris that the real problem was sin. Until he recognized that he was just as bad as others on the street and everyone else in the world, he could not stop acting in response to his sin. Chris responded that he could never be a “Jesus Crispy”, no offense to us. We told him we took no offense but that was his only hope. Finally after talking, we all prayed for Chris and asked God to do the work in Chris’s heart for the change he desired. Then Chris left and headed for the mission.

We had a big crowd Tuesday night. We served 85 hot meals and lots of coffee with the assistance of 18 volunteers. As every week, we had many requests for blankets, aspirin, and clothing. There are so many needs. Some never ask for anything and others ask for something every week. As I looked in the crowd, I was surprised to see Rufus. I had not seen him in years. I remember when Paul first started his ministry; he bought Rufus a pair of shoes. He is a quiet man and but very respectful. It is good to see some of the folks that came each Tuesday night over 6 years ago.
~Marc