Feeding the Homeless

"There are thousands of people dying for a piece of bread. There are thousands upon thousands who die for a little bit of love, for a little bit of acknowledgment."

Mother Teresa

Last night was our monthly trek downtown with the college kids to Horizon Urban Ministries where we serve and minister to the homeless. This was our fourth time down and each time gets better and better, and I think as a group we are continually growing. There's not as much apprehension, even though you never know what will happen or who you'll meet or what they'll say.

We are more eager to get out and have conversations with people rather than simply serve them. All in all, we're becoming involved in their lives. Getting to know them by name, their stories, their families, their likes and dislikes--after all, they're not just homeless, they're people too.

(L-R: Coy, Bryan, Pastor Joe, Jace)

Our ministry has expanded over the last few months. We originally started off fixing a meal and inviting people in the park to come. Now, our time downtown includes preparing a meal, decorating: set-up tables/drinks/cutlery, going out to the park praying for and inviting people to come for dinner, foot washing and handing out new socks (homeless people love clean socks), praying for them, worship, and we even have a chiropractor come down and do adjustments for people!

This was probably my last trip downtown for at least a couple of months. I'd like to continue going after Joey is born, but we'll have to see how that will pan out. I wanted to take some pictures to show you guys, they're not the best (due to lighting and I didn't want to just snap pictures of unsuspecting people).


I'll miss going down seeing the people and serving them. Coming home last night what it felt like, for me, was when Jesus sent his disciples to go get lunch and he ended up talking with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). When the disciples returned Jesus said,

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work."

That phrase kept going through my mind and even though I was tired and a little bit hungry, I felt satisfied.