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It is Saturday May 12,2007, it is the day before Mother's Day. My mother died March 13th, 2007, just two months prior. This is a sad day for me. But I said to The Lord it would be good to serve and help the homeless, they have mother's too that they have lost. It was very hot that day and we passed out 100 baggies and cases of water. The homeless on 9th st. by Madison Jail is where most hang out. The Cass shelter is there. They were so grateful as they said the usual people who drop off water didn't show up that day. I passed out clothes too. One homeless man John was going to a wedding on Sunday and needed a dress shirt and pants. He was grateful. He was riding a bike with a trash bag full of cans that he was going to turn in for some cash. I made him a sandwich and asked if he had any prayer requests. John said yes, that he couldn't keep a job because of his temper. He also struggled with pornography. He knew the Bible well too as he stated to me various scriptures. He was discouraged and I explained through the Grace of God he could over come his weaknesses and be an minister to the homeless. He agreed and he mentioned his mom had taught him about God and she had died. When I told him my mom had just died he really opened up to me. We talked for over an hour and he said that our approach Earl and I was so humble and friendly and we didn't make him feel beneath us. I laid hands on him and prayed for victory over his temper and pornography and that God would use him on the streets. Next we met Julia. She was in her fifties I would guess. She had a part-time job housecleaning, but lost it recently. She was trying to get another job. It is hard when you live on the streets and have no phone or address to get a job. I gave her some of my mom's shoes. I gave her a Bible that Phoenix Rescue had given me. I saw her reading the tracts I gave her later that day when we went back to that area. I laid hands on her and prayed that God would give her favor and give her a job so she could get off the streets. That area by the jail is very dangerous, especially for women. We bring hope and God's love to the homeless. We don't judge them, we come in under the radar. So they feel free to express their real weaknesses and to realize that God loves them no matter what they have done. IT'S COLD IN ARIZONA...THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE FREEZING. THEY GET THERE STUFF STOLEN EVERY NIGHT, SO THEY BURY THEIR STUFF UNDER GROUND AND ONLY CARRY ENOUGH STUFF TO PUT IN SMALL BACK PACK. I REALLY NEED Gloves, Coats, Blankets, Thermals, Sleeping Bags, Bibles, SOCKS, MENS NEW, 9-13 AND UNDERWEAR (ALL SIZES) MENS PANTS AND WOMENS PANTS TOO!!! ***Remember this, every person is one paycheck away from being homeless. One catastrophe can make you homeless! ***I have heard the same excuse when I talk to people about the homeless. They will waste it on drugs and alcohol. That isn't what the Bible tells us to worry about. He commands us to feed the poor and share one another's burdens. Help the lost sheep........................
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.
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