Guest Blogger

This week Homeless Eric has agreed to be our guest blogger. He has been a part of this ministry from the very beginning and we all enjoy seeing him every week. I thought it would be interesting to get his view what is important to him. Thanks Eric for your willingness to share your thoughts.
~Marc

How easy it is for us to live just for me and mine and forget that there are others in need around us; even in the same city. Luke 6:38 says give and it shall be given. This is one of my favorite verses because this is the example Jesus gave everyone that would follow and believe in Him later. He gave His life for everyone that whosoever would trust in Him shall be saved. Apostle John said you'll know them by their love, if you have love for each other. The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. And the second is to love your neighbor.

If you want to survive in this world trust in yourself and those who you have "connections" with. But if you really want to live in the destiny and abundant purposes and plans He already had for you before the foundations of the earth then seek His kingdom. Go and read Matthew 6:33 and follow it out everyday.

Thank you all for your time and selfless service on Tuesday including everyone that is a part of Food For Life!! Amen! Amen!

Seeking Him and His righteousness,
Eric

Serving

Rain, rain, and rain last night while unloading the food from the van. Most of the homeless are thankful for a dry place to settle in on a night like this. They spread out among the tables and watch us volunteers scurry around getting ready for the night. In and out of the room looking for stuff is the first order of business. Are the doors unlocked to supplies and ice machine? Do we have plates, forks coffee, tea, and do we have enough food even though we don’t know how many will show up. After sizing up the situation usually Bonnie will drive to the store for the needed supplies.

As the new volunteers show up we get a lot of questions like “what do I do”. Fortunately, we have a core group of volunteers that help every week and they know what to do. Basically it is shopping, chopping, washing, and mopping in addition to serving. Another group of volunteers minister to the homeless. They serve by spending time talking to them on an individual basis. Everyone has a story and a problem and some just need council, encouragement, and prayer.

After Paul shared the message, there were about 55 individuals lined up for the meal but by the night was over, we served 98 meals. Many go back for seconds and some get a plate to go. We served chicken and rice, beef and noodles, macaroni and cheese, bananas, topped off with chocolate peanut butter squares. Of course we had sweet tea to drink. Then most of the homeless are out the door for a smoke and then they head for their “cat hole” for the night.
~Marc

So Many Needs

I don’t know how the body can take so much abuse. One lady with her significant other showed up last night. They have been living in the woods for as long as we have been ministering downtown. She smokes and has bone cancer. Both are in and out of the hospital because they drink way too much, more than a normal body can stand. They wanted a change of clothes. But what they both need is a heart change because eternity seems real close.

There were so many other needs. Many needed gas, money for their utilities, medication, socks, shoes, rides to the bus station, and rides to where they are staying. Of course, there are many who ask for money although we very seldom give cash. Our ministry is limited in time and money but we try to meet as many needs as possible but sometimes we just tell them we can’t do anything tonight. That does not make them very happy because that person thinks his need is more important than anyone else.

One need we do provide for everyone is a hot meal. Tonight we served 89 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. We were fortunate because we just had enough food for everyone. We never want anyone to be turned away hungry.
~Marc

Homeless Family Life

Last night I had two separate homeless individuals describe their home life growing up and how it affected them. One believed that it is the reason he is homeless and leaving in an abandoned building with no education and no job. He believes that if he had had better parents things would have turned out better for him. He explained that in any family situation a child needs love and understanding. He did receive the love but he never received understanding. His father was not educated enough to take the time to give him an understanding or teaching him how to buy his first car, balance a checkbook, explain sex, or giving him proper direction. He said that his father would not even walk off the field with him, like the other Dads, after a football game. And his mother would’t even go to see him play. So to him understanding is the act of passing knowledge and spending quality time with your child. This he did not receive. Now he spends his time reading and writing about theology and talking with anyone who will listen to him about his latest revelation from God. He seems very bitter about his situation.

The other individual told me about listening to a talk show about the book of Revelation and he heard his real father call in with a question. He said he knew his voice immediately before he identified himself. He really did not know him growing up because he was not claimed as his child for many years. It seems that his mother had got involved with him even though she was already married and tried to pass him off as the child of her current husband. Things came out when his real father’s sisters convinced him to acknowledge own son. But he never spent any time with him until he was around 14 years old. I would say that his family was more dysfunctional than the other one but this individual did not think it caused him to be homeless. I am sure your family situation has a lot to do with how you turn out but many rise above difficult situations and others seem never get over how they were treated as a young child. So is it heredity or environment or a combination of the two that shapes our lives? I am sure both play a part.
~Marc