Serving the homeless

How many times have you passed a homeless person on the side of the street and kept going or thinking they've done it to themselves? I  WAS one of them. Everyone of their stories are unique in there own way but we don't want to take the time to even acknowledge them. God tell us to make His word known. He also tells us to serve the homeless.

In the early stages of serving with Mission U-Too I had a hard time even engaging in a conversation with a homeless person let alone telling them about Jesus. As time went on and I began to listen and serve, I am now trusted by our homeless community. They just want a little tender loving care and an ear to listen. 

The stories of these two men pictured are different in there own way. You see, they both had families and one of them is a recovering alcoholic who thought alcohol was more important. The other his house was taken from him and had no place to go. Neither of them drink or do drugs currently, however we are first to judge if we saw them standing on the street corner. 

These men were brought up in loving homes and then released to society. One made a wrong choice and the other mentally ill. Because of poor choices they became homeless. That's all it takes is for you and for me to become homeless. Our community is against pan handling so its forbidden here. These men are not getting money from city people. They are just simply living a life without a home and because of a few people getting together and wanting to serve the poor in their community we now have several homeless men and women that serve with us daily. Their hearts are being changed from filth to peace and love. From betrayal to joy. From death to salvation. 

The bible tells us to Love our neighbors and that's exactly what we do. It doesn't specify the color of your skin or what you look like, it's all neighbors. I am still guilty of this sin because I am one to judge quickly and I have to remind myself that I was one of those people before my life was changed by Christ. No one is perfect and without Christ's love flowing through us, our homeless men and women wouldn't even step a foot into church. Now a few are attending. Their hearts are being changed, their wrongdoings have been forgotten and we to continue to love them and guide them.

Lives are being changed by just a simple hug, prayer, and smile. Because of Mission U-Too we are making a difference in other peoples lives and we are showing and sharing  the love of Christ. Never in a million years I thought I would be feeding homeless people and now we are inviting homeless people into our home and feeding them yet another hot meal. They are so thankful for so little and in return they give back by allowing others to eat before them, and by sharing joy and love. All it takes is faith of a mustard seed to be planted in ones heart and watch God do the rest!

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