Who is your neighbor?

Hello friends and family of Food for life,

I want to start off this week by saying thank you. It has been quite a journey, but so many people have stepped up and given their support of Russell and his family. Only a people who realize God's kindness in their own life could give on this level. Many times people fail to remember their own state of depravity. When we forget what God has done for us, we fall into a pit of judgement. This is a picture of the kids you are supporting.

In the parable of " The Good Samaritan " a lawyer stood up and tested Jesus by asking a question. "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the Law?" The lawyer quoted scripture from Deuteronomy & Leviticus, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10: 25). In the parable of the good Samaritan Jesus told a story of a man that had fallen pray to robbers. The Scriptures stated that the man came down from Jerusalem. He didn't give any other details other than the basics. Jesus didn't speak of the man's past, his state of mind, whether the man was a good man or bad man, or whether the man brought this upon himself. In the parable He gave three scenarios, a priest, a Levite (both community leaders), and a Samaritan. In His parable Jesus said this certain Samaritan had compassion. Then He asked the Lawyer, "So which of these do you think was a neighbor?" The lawyer replied, "The one who showed mercy." Jesus said, "Go and do likewise."

So many people have a deep issue with showing mercy on others. Mercy should be shown according to whether mercy is deserved or not. Jesus said, "Go and do likewise." What a joy it is to be free from judging others and their situations. God has treated us with such kindness. Food for Life desires to be a good neighbor. We want to show mercy. We believe mercy has been given to us.

This week one of our faithful volunteers was talking with a man. The man told him he had been trapped in Greenville for days. His home is in Tennessee, yet he had been walking the streets for about three days without clothing or food. He told a story about coming here for work, and then through a series of circumstances, became homeless on Tuesday. When I told the man we were sending him home, his face dropped and the only thing he could say was, "Tonight!" What a joy. We do this in the name of Jesus, who is one day sending us home.

This week Food for life had the pleasure of feeding 72 people with the help of 14 volunteers. Thank you to all who give their time and money to help us show mercy.

Chef Paul

Helping Each Other

Last Tuesday night Lee Headley, Charity’s cousin, did a great job breaking down Luke 9:23-26 describing what Jesus meant when He said “to take up your cross and follow Me”. It is amazing how God always provides what we need each Tuesday night. Paul was sick that night and there was no one prepared to bring the Word to our group. Lee walked in and asked “how can I help” and Bonnie said “you can preach”. He spent about 30 minutes in preparation and brought a convicting message to everyone. Praise God.

Our ministry is not only to the homeless, but also to the less fortunate in Greenville. Probably about 50% of the individuals we serve have jobs but are poor. Most work at minimum wage and have a difficult time financially. They come each Tuesday night and share a meal with the homeless. They can identify with them because many are one pay check away from being in the same situation. In the past we have helped some financially when they were on the verge of losing their utilities or facing eviction. One such couple was so appreciative that they started assisting us by providing transportation for others in need. This week we had a battered lady who needed a ride to a Spartanburg hospital. She had already made the necessary arrangements for admission but just needed the transportation. This couple that we had helped in the past volunteered to drive to her to Spartanburg. It is such a blessing when we see individuals, we serve, start to help each other.

Please continue to pray for the family that Charity described in the previous post. Since they have now moved from a motel room into an apartment, they are not living in one room for the first time in many months. This is especially important for the little girl. The father is working and we are thankful for the assistance we have received from our ministry supporters and North Hills Community Church. This family will continue to have financial needs as the children prepare to start school. If anyone would like to donate to our ministry for this family, please use the donate button on the blog or contact Paul or Charity.

We continue to be pleased to serve a hot meal each week to our friends in downtown Greenville. This week we served 60 meals with the assistance of 14 volunteers.

~Marc

A Special Situation

Recently Marc mentioned a special situation in which Food for Life has gotten involved. A few months ago, a man started coming to Food for Life for the Bible study. He started getting to know Paul and made a profession of faith. About a month ago he called Paul and confessed that he was in a desperate situation. Because of a series of circumstances that appeared to be beyond his control, he was being kicked out of the place in which he lived along with his three children.

Food for Life jumped on the opportunity to help him and his children, knowing that it was certainly going to be a situation bigger than us, but one that we would trust God to work out. Within a matter of days, Paul was able to help the guy find part time work, and Food for Life was able to financially support him for the following three weeks. Just days before this took place, one of my single, female friends had mentioned that she would like to do some babysitting for the summer. She has been providentially available to take care of the children on most of the days that their father has had to work, which has been a huge blessing. She really has a heart for the Lord and ministry and is using the opportunity to minister to the children, which have been completely unchurched and are learning for the first time about the Lord Jesus and what it means to be a Christian.

It appears that things are coming together for us to be able to assist the father and his children this coming week in getting into their own apartment. We have had various friends and church members offer to give pieces of furniture, and we are praying that the rest of their material needs will be met over the course of the next few days. There are so many needs that Paul and I see that we would like to be able to meet. We are simply praying for God's provision, as the needs are great, and it will take many helpers in order to provide to all of them.

Two things that we ask our friends to pray about are as follows:

1) We need women or families who would be willing to help with babysitting, especially after the summer is over and our current babysitter is unavailable. One of the children really struggles with reading, and we are hoping to get him some help with tutoring, or at least get volunteers who are willing to work with the children after school for a couple of hours that could help them with their homework. Babysitting is really our greatest current need. Paul and I are currently helping with the babysitting, but our baby is due in 7 weeks, so our availability is soon to be quite limited.
2) We are also in need of material donations for his apartment. The current needs are as follows: a couch, living room chairs, end tables, a bedroom dresser, curtains, plastic containers for food, pots and pans, wall hangings, small bath and kitchen towels and rags, shower curtain and rod, shower mat, and trash cans for the kitchen and bathrooms. Also, basic items are needed, such as trash bags, dish detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, soap, shampoo, clothes washing detergent, vacuum cleaner, and broom.

We of course covet the prayers of believers for wisdom on our behalf and continued spiritual growth on behalf of this special family.

We were pleased to serve 55 meals this week with the help of about 15 volunteers.

~Charity

Weekly Needs

Last Thursday Lincoln shared the Word with our down town friends. He and many of his friends from the Evangelical Institute have been coming each week to volunteer their time. We are grateful for their support in the kitchen, and for ministry on a personal level. The above picture shows that his message provoked further discussion with an older gentleman that has been coming each week.

A woman came into the kitchen as we arrived and asked for something to eat. We advised her of the meal time and then she wanted to talk to someone concerning her problem. She had apparently been abused and battered and was looking for some assistance. Her boyfriend had been arrested and was in jail and she was concerned for her safety. After some discussion, she decided that she wanted to return to another city and see her young children who were staying with a brother. Bonnie took her to a trailer in a bad part of town to get some of her clothes and then to the bus station to purchase a ticket. The bus did not arrive for a couple of hours so everyone retuned so she could get something to eat. After the meal, Bonnie returned the lady to the bus station at the appointed time.

This week our friend, Eric, informed us that he found a place to stay. For weeks we have been concerned about him living on the street. It seems that he has some temporary shelter by helping an older gentleman in town in exchange for some free rent. I always am amazed at how resourceful Eric can be to meet his needs.

Next week, we will be Homeless on Tuesday again. Paul and Charity have finished their classes and we will return to our traditional night of Tuesday. Thanks to everyone who have been flexible during this time. We have the best volunteers (Christian friends) in the world. May God bless them all.

~Marc