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Saturday January 3, 2010
It is Saturday January 3, 2010 and we delivered baggies, sweaters, mens dress shirts
water, coffee, and soda to the homeless on the streets of Phoenix.
It was a quiet day. People loved the coffee I brought in a carafe. That was everyone's
favorite, outside of soda. These are things we take for granted but the homeless don't get
very often.
Something I did was ask them if they wanted sugar or sweetner in their coffee that already
had cream in it. Surprisingly, they loved the fact that I asked them their preference.
Then when I finished putting sugar in their coffee, I would stir it for them, as I was
sitting in the car doing this for them. I told them Jesus came to serve and that is
what I am doing. Their faces lit up.
We drove over to Margaret Park and gave baggies and drinks to homeless laying on the
grass. We met a family of six and what a delight this was. A mom with six kids, so I asked
her would you like some socks and hygiene products, she was reluctant to answer. The funny
thing about this was, when I had gone in the restroom earlier and was washing my hands, she
had asked me if I wanted hand sanitizer that she had. Later this same lady I am asking
if she wanted socks etc. She didnt say but one of her daughters shook her head yes.
Earl and I said we would be right back that we would go to the car and get the stuff.
But close on our heels was pitter patter of little feet. Here they come all six girls
following us. Very cute indeed. So we passed out seven baggies, a litre of root beer which
the girls quickly grabbed and off they went.
Each event doesn't seem like that big a deal. But it is, it does impact and bring hope
and a little joy in a very difficult life for the homeless. Plus, they can't understand
why we take our money and time and do this. So spreading God's love in this way does make
a difference.
*** Founder's note: You hear on TV do an act of kindness. The Bible is all about acts of kindness
and all about loving your neighbor. Who is your neighbor? Anyone who you come in contact with
who needs help. Acts of Kindness is not a new buzz word. It was a way of life for those
who believe in the Bible and what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.
*** It strikes me as funny that we have to be told and be intentional in our actions, to
do acts of kindness every once in awhile. We have to be told to care for the hurting,
feed the poor, help the helpless. In all of our knowledge, we have become cold, numb,
bitter, selfish, callus, so every so often if someone reminds us to be loving or caring
we say ok I can do this once a year or so.
*** Coming home after our delivery to the homeless that day, I felt a little disallusioned.
I didn't lead anyone to Christ, that was my goal, I had the script ready. But later that
day, the Holy Spirit reminded me that it is up to God. I planted the seed. God will make it
grow. It is not my job to save anybody, just to obey the task God gives me.
I may be number one in planting, and that person will not accept Christ until the forty fourth
person invites them to believe and trust in Christ for their life now and eternally.
***Remember this, every person is one paycheck away from being homeless.
I am so happy we went out Saturday December 10, 2006. We focused just on Margaret T. Deck Park. It is in between 3rd st and 1st Street off Culver street. We got to spend about an hour or more with each person. We prayed for four people in particular: Linda, John, David, and Bear ( A Cheyenne Native American who loves Jesus.) There stories were tragic, heartfelt and truthful. One was an author, another a 72 yr old senior citizen;three weeks away from collecting Social Security. Then he already has a place picked out to live in. He is very excited. He has been on the streets for four years. He doesn't like to stay in the shelters as he saw the leaders shooting up drugs, Wow! That is disturbing. He has been robbed while sleeping 40 to 50 times. Another couldn't get any money for a room from a big organization for that she worked for (for two days). She begged and begged. She lives in a Hostel. It is only $20 a night. We helped her a little. She had a lawyer in India charge her $2000 for copyrights and didn't deliver anything. She had to get another lawyer who at least printed her 300 books she wrote. She barely made it back to America. She is searching spiritual learning. We explained the only way to spiritual enlightment is through Jesus Christ. David was ashamed that he wasn't a good father and is embarrassed to contact his grown children. We told him that I had broken the ten commandments more than once. He said no, that cannot be, he said you didn't murder someone did you? I said what do you think abortion is? His eyebrows lifted. I said also the Bible says if you hate someone in your heart of mind you have committed murder. He thought about that for awhile. So I said see David, whatever you have done is not that bad that Jesus will forgive you. I told him to call his kids. We gave him a earphone radio he really enjoyed that. We give gifts at Christmas, backpacks, hats, coats and this time radios. Bear is a Cheyenne Native American who misses his Grandparents as they died not to long ago. They were 116 years old and loved God. He was so sad to talk about them. He says I have no family left. So I have Bible studies in the library on the four floor and invite the homeless. I also find ways to feed them by getting different churches in downtown Phoenix to donate. Bear is really a great coordinator. He knows how to get what he wants and get others to offer help. He recently had open heart surgery and has a scar that runs the length of his chest vertically. He used to be a Marine. He loves Jesus and has a dream to someday have a building and outreach for the homeless and be a minister. He really liked what we were doing and wanted to join us some time. I have a burning passion to show the less fortunate God's merciful love. All those people felt that what they had done was so bad that they were ashamed and that maybe they were not worthy of God's love or forgiveness. My goal is to encourage them and let them know God forgives anything and everything if you truly want to change your ways and submit and surrender to God's will and ask forgiveness. If I had a million dollars I would have my own building mission to help and minister to less fortunate. I do what I can with my extra monies. I have walked so many paths that I get the fact that if I were in their shoes I might do the same as they do. I always want to be humble as Jesus said, "The humble shall inherit the earth and the Kingdom of God". December 17, 2005 we out to the streets of Phoenix, Arizona and gave many gifts all wrapped so that the homeless could enjoy a real Christmas present. Thanks to Karen at Lane Bryant we had many beautiful new coats that really made the homeless happy and kept them warm. We gave coffee mugs with lids and some change to people. We had a line behind out van waiting for sandwiches that my mother was scurrying to make. We handed out at least 100 baggies, sleeping bags, coats, sweaters, t-shirts and umbrellas. I was able to pray for two people who wanted me to say a prayer for them. We talked about the end times and how Jesus will be returning soon. I had some people who were reluctant but I told them to just think about it they had nothing to lose by accepting Jesus into their life. I watch "The Way of the Master" TV show and pick up tips on how to minister on the streets. All and all it was great to give.
January 4th, 2004 we
went out in the streets of Phoenix on 7th Ave. |
