Lawlessness

I could talk about the constant verbal and physical abuse that some experienced last Tuesday night. But that could lead to the conclusion that this type of lawlessness was representative of the homeless community, which it is not. Sure we have times when there are disagreements between individuals, but it is not something that can not be resolved. I am reminded that this lawlessness is every where. My next door neighbor was robbed in her garage when she got home from work. I did not need to go downtown. I could have looked out the window for a lesson in lawlessness. Just watch the news on TV for another look at our society. The homeless are constantly on guard but we are not. They know for a fact that some resolve their differences with violence. We think everyone is basically a good person and we think it will never happen to us. But it does. The Bible teaches us that we are not good but bad. It is our nature so why would anyone be surprised that some would act up downtown. They act up everywhere. Laws can not change people’s hearts, only God can. That is why we go downtown. Not to feel good after feeding the homeless in a sterile environment. But to go downtown and preach the gospel which is only thing that will change a heart of a homeless person or a volunteer.
~Marc

Problems with Working

It is very difficult for most of the homeless to obtain any type of employment. Too many prospective employers want an address and home phone number which none have. So some of the choices available is working as a day laborer, usually through a company downtown, or looking for homes that they can do some yard work. Since most are not covered by any labor laws many are cheated out of their wages one way or another. At least, that is what I hear from most, although, I know there are two sides to every story.

Paul helps many out by hiring some to wash dishes at Streetside. This helps some to move up to a motel room, at least temporarily, but some will work and continue to stay on the street by choice. It is a real challenge to hire a homeless person because none have transportation which means providing a taxi service, which usually falls on one of the Streetside employees. Many don’t mind for a short period of time but it can be difficult if they are really busy. But if someone doesn’t provide that service, then you can be sure they can not be dependable even on good day.

Last Tuesday night a couple of the homeless had come up with a good idea to make some money. They decided to be street entertainers. According to them they had even acquired the proper permit from the city. So they started their enterprise by providing entertainment with the meal. They were very good, but at first the audience seemed to only focus on eating. But after playing a few songs, many did give them an ovation, although it was not standing.

So if you see them performing on the street maybe you could give them a couple of dollars. It is still work and they are providing a service that deserves some reward.
~Marc

Hungry Folks

We served 133 meals last Tuesday. I can’t remember serving this many meals in the past, other than Thanksgiving two years ago. It seems more and more people are in need. Fortunately, we continue to receive support from some wonderful volunteers. Not only those who show up, but some who prepare food in advance for us. One of our volunteers recently prepared meat loaf for over 100 meals. We added some chicken and vegetables with ice cream for dessert for a meal. Everyone said it was great. One individual told me, as he was leaving, that he had never had this much food at one time. He said that it was especially good for him because he had been hungry all day. We use food to make connections with people. If we can show some compassion for a hungry person then we have the opportunity to present the Gospel to all who have ears to hear.
~Marc

Change of Clothes

What do you do when your clothes are dirty? He is a black man who looks like he just stepped out of a time machine from the sixties. He has a large afro with an equally large and long beard. I saw him many times in college either debating politics or demonstrating against the establishment. It was not actually him but maybe a clone that could have ended up on the street and never changed or probably more likely would have ended up in suburbia with a wife and nice clean children. But that was not him.

I would like to take his picture but he does’t want me to. So I don’t. I know his pant and shirt size by heart because every week he wants a change of clothes. Washing is out of the question on the street but changing into clean clothes works. Usually he asks for a hygiene kit which is not always available. Last week we looked around and did find some deodorant, hand lotion which had good smell, toothbrush and toothpaste. He was set for another week. He is not the only one who comes in each week asking for clothes, but he is the most consistent. He does not come for the preaching or the food. He stays by himself and only appears when you got the goods. I wonder what kind of stories he could tell. I know he appreciates the help but he wants to be left along.

Last Tuesday we served 85 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. Dan preached the message which was well received by everyone. Most come for the meal but there is a core group that wants to hear the Word. That is why we are downtown. To provide not only physical but more importantly spiritual help in the lives of those who are poor in spirit.
~Marc

Moving

Moving can create a lot of stress. There are so many problems to deal with such as giving up a place that you have become used to, as well, as the people that you have bonded with over the years. Then there is the problem of finding a new place. Of course, you look for location, location, and location. Other things matter, but that is primary what you would look for. Then there is the stress trying to find out where things are located and how to get around. I have experienced this more times than I would have liked in my life. But there is some satisfaction and relief when you find the right place. You usually want to show it to someone. It is no different for the homeless. They experience all the same emotions changing locations.

We had an opportunity to talk to a homeless who had not been in Greenville for years. This person had moved on to better things only to return. Things don’t always work out like you expect them. Finding a safe place to sleep in Greenville had been the first priority, but it had taken longer than expected. The stress was evident each week as this person looked around for a safe place to sleep and finding out how to get around in Greenville again. Things had changed. Then last week we were informed that the perfect place had been found. In fact, we just had to go with this person that night to look it over. It was downtown next to a highway but it did seem secluded. There were very thick trees with an opening in the middle. From the outside, you would not even notice there was an open space in the middle and it was downtown which met the location requirement. This person explained that in the morning there were birds in the trees to sing and it just seems so peaceful. Never mind that there is a lot of noise from the traffic. It was the perfect place. I felt like I was attending a house warming party. So naturally we presented a small gift for the new home.
~Marc

Big Crowd

None of us are sure of the numbers that will turn out on each Tuesday night. That means we come downtown not knowing how many homeless or volunteers will show up. Sometimes we get more than we can handle and other times we wonder where everyone has gone. Is there something happening on the street that is more appealing or is there something on the tube tonight? But this Tuesday everyone showed up. We had a capacity crowd from the street and local volunteers. There were so many volunteers that Paul had to conduct the volunteer prayer, before the service, in the hallway instead of the kitchen which is a much smaller area. But we consider this a blessing because many had the opportunity to minister to folks who are in need.

The total count for the night was close to 150 individuals. There were over a 100 plates served and many more prepared for take out. Many of the volunteers came from North Greenville University, Evangelical Institute, and East North Street Baptist along with our regular volunteers that show up every week. These numbers give everyone many opportunities to share the Gospel.
~Marc

Hope

A riddle. You can’t see me. You choose where to put me. You need me as much or more than food. Without me you would die. What am I?

That was Dan’s riddle for us last Tuesday night who was filling in for Paul. The answer is hope. He said that hope is for the soul like oxygen is for the body. It sustains us through difficult times. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 15:13 that “now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”. True hope is putting the full weight of your trust in Jesus Alone. Only then will you have hope. This message was for all of us.

It was apparent that the homeless appreciated his message. One decided to give Dan a dollar. That is very unusual since most only will ask for a dollar. Dan tried to give it someone else he thought was in need, but that person declined. He told Dan “you got that dollar for preaching” Later he did find someone to bless with his wages. Thanks Dan for your serve to Food for Life.

We served 75 meals with the assistance of 22 volunteers. Everyone was fairly calm, with one exception. One individual, sporting a golf club, threatened to tee off on another homeless person in the food line. Fortunately, he left before there was any serious confrontation.
~Marc

Observation

Last week on Tuesday, I was talking with a volunteer that has not been downtown in a couple of years. That thing that really surprised him was the change in the demographices of the poor and homeless. Now the group is much younger which includes women (some even pregnant). He commented that when he was volunteering a few years ago that most of the homeless were middle age men. They consistently showed up every week and for the most part listened attentively to the preaching and were calm while eating their food. Now some become angry easily when being served regardless how patient the volunteers are. Usually they want specific food or two plates instead of one and can not understand why they can’t get what they want. We try to set some rules to make sure everyone gets something to eat. It is a different group to some degree and some are definitely not happy.

As I write this observation, I wonder how I would act if I was in their circumstances. I probably would be worse. We all expect things to go right for us and when they don’t we look for someone to blame. However, if the truth be known, we are responsible for many things that happen to us and it is hard to accept responsibility. So what is the answer? The same as it has always been. We need to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. That is what fuels us to go down every Tuesday and fellowship with the poor and homeless regardless of their behavior.

Last week we served 100 meals with the assistance of 24 volunteers.
~Marc

Lesson Learned?

We get many requests from the homeless each week. I know there are a lot of needs if you are living on the street but cash is usually at the top of the agenda. The reasons given are mostly for a bus ticket or for some breakfast for the next day. Obviously some of the requests are legitimate and some are not. The key is making that determination which is difficult. Lately I have been thinking that if the requests are every week then you know something else is going on. Finally I decided that I would follow the house rules and not give out any money for any reason. If someone needed something, I would purchase it for them then there would be no question in my mind whether it was a legitimate or not.

If you spend any time downtown with the homeless, you can expect to run into them at other times during the week. I was going in to a store the other day and sure enough there was a homeless guy out front that I had seen downtown. It appeared that the manager of the store was having a few words with him about loitering. I knew he would recognize me so I waved at him as I entered the store. I kept thinking while shopping that I probably would see him later. Sure enough he was there when I left the store and wanted to talk to me. It seems he needed something to eat and wondered if I had a few dollars to spare. My new rule was not to give money but to purchase what was needed to make sure the request was legitimate. However, I broke my own rule and gave him all the money I had, which was not much. I really wanted to go home.

The next Tuesday night I saw this individual and asked him what he used the money for that I had given him. His answer was “I have to be honest; I bought a can of beer”. That was not what I wanted to hear. Obviously, rules should not be broken if I really want to help someone. In this case I only contributed to his addiction and I hurt him.
~Marc

Is It the Church's Job to Alleviate Poverty?

We recently began a book study with the volunteers from Food for Life in which we are studying the book, "When Helping Hurts, How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself," by Corbett and Fikkert. We will be continuing the study through the end of September. During this time that we are reading the book and considering its teachings, we are asking ourselves the age old question, "Is it the church's job to alleviate poverty?"

Well, such a question can cause all kinds of thoughts to rattle around in the mind of a Christian. Ultimately, we all know that God alone is equipped and able to truly alleviate poverty. So the answer to that question ultimately is, "No, it is God's job." However, did God not call believers over and over again to submit themselves to be the instruments through which He cares for the poor? The echoing answer to that question is, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Those who have traveled throughout the world know that poverty in the U.S. looks very different than poverty in many other countries. However, Scripture is clear that God calls believers to be involved in ministering in the community in which they live, specifically to the poor, widows, and orphans. Well, there is a growing ferver for taking care of the orphans. Adoptions are taking place all around our communities. As well, in most cases widows are taken care of by their own families. However there seems to be a lack of passion in many cases when it comes to taking care of the poor. Or could it be that there is a lack of understanding as to what that will have to look like here in the "Land of Opportunity"?

Most believers understand the story of the Good Samaritan, and would gladly do the same, if by some random chance they saw a person beat, wounded, and in need of clothes on the side of the road, they would not pass him by but would lend a helping hand. However, most of the poor among us are not going to be in such obvious need before our very eyes and in so directly in our path that we trip over them.
So to the church here in the U.S., what does helping those who are living in poverty really look like? One might be tempted to even say or at least think, there is opportunity everywhere, if they are poor, it is their own fault. So then we must ask ourselves the question, is it the job of the believer to pick and choose who they should help? Do we have the privelege of making judgements about who "deserves" our help and who doesn't?

I propose to you that there are two chategories into which most people living in poverty in the U.S. will fall. One chategory includes the individual that is poor due to no fault of their own, for example the widow, the orphan, or the abused spouse that has been abandoned with little financial resources. The second chategory includes those who are experiencing poverty due to the results of their own sin, for example those who are lazy, irresponsible, trapped by additctions, etc. Is it the church's job to be instruments of mercy to both chategories of poverty, or do we get to differientiate which chategory each poor person falls into and then decide who deserves our help? And then when that determination has been made, is it going to be as easy as helping the Good Samaritan, a sacrifice that only involved about one day or so of service and financial assistance. Wouldn't it be easy if we could do random acts of kindness that only took one day of our time, energy, emotion, and financial resources and feel that our job was done...we had accomplished helping the poor as the Scripture says.

I propose that the answer to the question, should we be willing to help the poor in both chategories according to Scripture is most assuredly, "Yes!" The difference will be in how we help. There are individuals out there that only need a little financial assistiance, a job, or a home and their lives will be improved forever. However, those who are poor due to their own sin need help as well, but that help must come in the form of relationship. The sacrifice is much greater when a Christian answers the call to help the poor individual in this situation, because it is not just a one-time act of sacrifice, it is a lifetime of building a relationship that with God's power will change that person's life and alleviate poverty. That is the call that God delivers to the believer through Scripture, "Come and share your life, Christian, to be an instrument of mercy to the poor?" Will you answer the call?
~Charity

Reconciliation

He can be a little intimating, especially if he is under the influence. I always have to remind myself that God loves him and we should too. To have a private conversation is difficult but tonight he wanted to talk to me about his situation. He said he was tired of living this way. Last month he was fined for a nusiance charge which took about half of his disability check and now he was here trying to get some food. He said alcohol had him by the throat and demonstrated it by grabbing his throat. He said he knows he should trust in Jesus and I reminded him that he would also have to repent. I explained that it was more than just going a different direction but it was a change in desires. And the only way to accomplish that is by the Holy Spirit. Then you will have different desires and different friends. I told him how God has changed Paul in so many ways and immediately tears started rolling down his cheek and he said “I can’t let anyone see me like this”. As he wiped the tears away, another homeless showed up and started talking to him and his demeanor changed and he regained control of emotions. Something happened in that moment that turned his attention away from the spirit to the world. It was time to eat.

Paul is currently teaching a Bible study for the volunteers based on a book titled When Helping Hurts (short title) by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. This discusses homelessness and poverty and how to alleviate them. To understand how to do that we have to understand what the universal problem is for them and us. The bottom line is reconciliation. Since the fall we are all separated from God. Reconciliation means to put things back into the right relationship again. That can only be accomplished through Jesus Christ. “The goal is to restore people (homeless or not) to a full expression of humanness to being what God created us all to be, people who glorify God by living in right relationship with God, with self, with others, and with the rest of creation” (page 78). This is a necessary first step to help others come out of poverty and addiction.

I would like to give a special thanks to all the GE employees who held a fund raiser last Friday night at Star Lanes Bowling. The money raised will be donated to Food for Life and another worthy charity. I was surprised how many people showed up for this event and it looked like everyone had a good time. Their goal was to raise $1,500.of which some of the funds will be used to purchase kitchen equipment for Triune Mercy Center. We are grateful for all of the volunteers who support Food for Life.
~Marc

Packed House

When Paul assembled all the volunteers in the kitchen for prayer, it was packed. There were so many volunteers that they flowed out into the hall. Closing the door for privacy was not an option tonight. Most were youth and adults from Simpsonville First Baptist Church and East North Street Baptist Church. It is always a pleasure to have local youth come out and assist us in ministering to the homeless

After the preaching, many of the youth set up a table of pictures as a way of sharing the gospel with the homeless. For instance, they asked them to pick out photographs that reflected their current situation and their interpretation of God. These questions lead to further discussions to consider. Even though many of the youth were very young, they were not intimidated dealing with the homeless.

In addition to unusual amount of volunteers, we had a packed house of homeless who had come to get out of the heat. We served 110 meals with the assistance of 32 volunteers.
~Marc