Our Volunteers

Last Tuesday Paul began by praying with the volunteers in the kitchen. Paul reminded them that our purpose is not to just feed people but to proclaim the Gospel. Every thing we do should be done with an attitude of prayer to reach the lost and this should start in the kitchen. We are all ministers of the Gospel.

Many of our volunteers come every week and not only volunteer their time but also contribute financially to the ministry. They put not only their heart and soul into reaching the homeless but also their finances. We are grateful for their donations which provide for the needs each Tuesday night. For instance, this Tuesday there was a need for medication. Bonnie went to the drug store during the preaching to purchase cream and pain medication for a burn. Also, a couple with a baby needed gas for their car. They are currently living at Miracle Hill and needed gas to get to work. Another individual needed funds to get in a program at the Donaldson Center that provides shelter and transportation to work. In addition, each week we have to purchase food to serve each Tuesday night. It is amazing that we seem to have just enough funds each week to meet the current needs. It would not be possible without the generous support from our volunteers and regular monthly supporters.

There was a big crowd this week. We served 95 hot meals including drink and dessert with the assistance of 24 volunteers. Many of the volunteers come from various churches and as always we had a good representation from General Electric.

~Marc

Wayne's Story

Wayne's story is not unlike many who live in Greenville. He lived in a Christian home until he was a teenager but then there was a turn for the worse. His parents died and he just seemed to drift toward a life that eventually ended him in jail. After he did his time, he gave in to the lure of crack cocaine. By this time he was married and had a good job but lived in a crack house. He had everything that most most would desire; money in the bank, a house and cars. But one thing he did not have was peace. He started hearing voices that told him to kill himself. He tried to ignore them but the voices seemed to control his thoughts. Then he realized that he could get help because his company provided good health insurance. Naturally the psychiatrist prescribed medication for his problem. But the medication proved to be more of a problem than his mental issues. The side effects of the medicine made him sick every time he ate and he seemed to no longer care about his family. His life continued down that road of destruction when his wife left him and he became homeless. He was now at the bottom. He continued to try to turn life around without much success. During this time he never forgot the faith of his parents. He thought about trying to turn to that faith but he never could leave his life of sin. But one night he had a dream. In that dream, God told him that He would heal his mind. He said it was so real that it made a major impact on his thoughts. He knew that his life would change and it did. He eventually trusted in Christ for his relationship with God. He started reading the Bible and attending church. He life totally changed. He was still homeless but he had that peace that he never experienced during his life. Now he is trusting totally in God's provision for his life whether he remains homeless or has an opportunity to one day regain his job and home. Wayne is a grateful person.

Wayne and others enjoyed hamburgers, french fries, and cold slaw last Tuesday night. We served 65 meals with the assistance of 14 volunteers. We continued have requests for blankets and clothes because of the cool nights. We would appreciate anyone who could donate blankets for our friends down town.

The Bull Rider

Last Tuesday was the first night for our time change. Paul had decided to start an hour earlier by preaching at 6:00pm and serving the meal at 7:00pm. Judging from the crowd it looked like many were not aware of the time change, although, we did have a respectable crowd. We were privileged to serve 55 meals with the assistance of 12 volunteers.

Every week we are fortunate to see old and new faces. I am always surprised to see someone who used to attend our meetings at the Carpenter's Cellar on Tuesday nights. One was named Paris. He said he was named after the city in France. Another was from South Africa who I had to admit that I had forgotten his name. One of the new faces that came in had the biggest belt buckle I had ever seen. He told me that he had won it bull riding. He did not look like a bull rider but who knows. One individual went into the men's bathroom and took off his clothes and started washing them in the sink. We had to remind him that this was not the appropriate place for doing this. At least he was not using the sink in the kitchen.

This Tuesday, we were fortunate to have blankets because many were still in need because of the cool nights. I guess it is difficult to keep up with your bedding when you don't know when or where you will sleep each night. As usual, Paul tried to helped the ones most in need. He provided a room for the night for one individual and gave another a ride home. We try to meet as many needs as we can each Tuesday night. We are very grateful for those who provide support and prayers for Food for Life Ministries.
~Marc