In the thread, "Word Association Challenge," we have had a few words dealing with homeless folks. Because I have the privilege of singing to the homeless on a regular basis, I thought I would share my experience with them. I've been associated with Wayside Christian Mission, Lost Sheep Ministries and Helping Hands Ministry for about 12 years, and have seen every aspect of the homeless community. Alcohol and drugs are probably the things that contribute the most to folks being homeless, but bad decisions and choices are the real reasons.
You would be surprised if you knew who they are. You walk by homeless folks every day and don't realize they are homeless. Sure, some fit the homeless "expected" description. Dirty, smelly, dressed in awful looking clothes, but most are clean and fairly well dressed. There are a few that are homeless by choice. They want to live out in the woods, in a tent or a structure they build of whatever material they can find, but most live there because of bad choices. I have come to realize, me and all of us are a couple of bad decisions or choices, from being right there with them.
When we go to a homeless community, we usually feed the folks in a lot close to their dwellings, but I had the privilege of being invited back to "Tent City." This is the community that was forced to move, and was on TV. There were about 20 tents, set up right next to each other and backed up to a concrete wall. They had a fire pit out front, and always asked us for batteries for their lamps. They had a leader named "Chief" and he kept order in the community. Chief and John got a job before they were moved, To get to work, they got up at 4 AM, walked an hour and a half to work 8-10 hours for minimum wage, then walked back. They were so happy to be working and beginning to make their way back to living "Inside" again.
Some are hiding from the law for various reasons, and if I knew their names, it was only their first name and maybe not their real name. Most are law abiding folks who are actually trying their best to make it out. One young lady I remember was about 20 or younger, very pretty girl and pregnant. She was a joy to be around, she seemed so happy and carefree. Then there's the guy in the woods in Jeffersonville, who is a bully, and wants everybody to know how tough and smart he is.
If you want to receive a Blessing, I go to Wayside the first Sunday of every month. The Service starts at 10 AM. I go to Lost Sheep Ministeries the second Thursday of every month. They feed folks in the gym of Cable Baptist Church on Wenzel Street. I go with Helping Hands to Portland, Jeffersonville and The Healing Place on Market Street on Mondays, when I can. You are welcome at each spot. Just show up or message me and we'll get together. Be Blessed!!
You would be surprised if you knew who they are. You walk by homeless folks every day and don't realize they are homeless. Sure, some fit the homeless "expected" description. Dirty, smelly, dressed in awful looking clothes, but most are clean and fairly well dressed. There are a few that are homeless by choice. They want to live out in the woods, in a tent or a structure they build of whatever material they can find, but most live there because of bad choices. I have come to realize, me and all of us are a couple of bad decisions or choices, from being right there with them.
When we go to a homeless community, we usually feed the folks in a lot close to their dwellings, but I had the privilege of being invited back to "Tent City." This is the community that was forced to move, and was on TV. There were about 20 tents, set up right next to each other and backed up to a concrete wall. They had a fire pit out front, and always asked us for batteries for their lamps. They had a leader named "Chief" and he kept order in the community. Chief and John got a job before they were moved, To get to work, they got up at 4 AM, walked an hour and a half to work 8-10 hours for minimum wage, then walked back. They were so happy to be working and beginning to make their way back to living "Inside" again.
Some are hiding from the law for various reasons, and if I knew their names, it was only their first name and maybe not their real name. Most are law abiding folks who are actually trying their best to make it out. One young lady I remember was about 20 or younger, very pretty girl and pregnant. She was a joy to be around, she seemed so happy and carefree. Then there's the guy in the woods in Jeffersonville, who is a bully, and wants everybody to know how tough and smart he is.
If you want to receive a Blessing, I go to Wayside the first Sunday of every month. The Service starts at 10 AM. I go to Lost Sheep Ministeries the second Thursday of every month. They feed folks in the gym of Cable Baptist Church on Wenzel Street. I go with Helping Hands to Portland, Jeffersonville and The Healing Place on Market Street on Mondays, when I can. You are welcome at each spot. Just show up or message me and we'll get together. Be Blessed!!
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