Cold and Wet

Last Tuesday night was miserable. It was cold and raining “cats and dogs” which means the homeless and volunteers were all soaked after hauling the food from the parking lot to the kitchen. Although it was uncomfortable, the volunteers could not complain because they can go home later and take a hot shower and get into dry clothes. No such luck for the homeless. Fortunately, Truine Mercy Center has a clothes dryer and many homeless put on a change of clothes while their wet clothes were in the dryer. This place can be a real oasis for not only for food and shelter, but also where they can meet simple needs like drying their wet clothes.

On a night like this many needed coats and blankets. Volunteers from North Greenville University came through again by providing these items for the homeless. Also, students from the Evangelical Institute came in force to assist. Lincoln, who is one of the students, led the Bible study that night for Paul. With their assistance, we served 65 hot meals.
~Marc

Tuesday Ministry

Homeless William always takes a snooze before dinner. During the night he sleeps on a side walk next to a building ( I have seen his spot) close to Truine and during the day he just walks around Greenville. He usually has a golf club or some type of walking stick which may be used for his protection. When we open the doors each Tuesday night, he heads for the most comfortable seat in the house. When Paul arrived, he commented that he hoped his message would wake him up. Unfortunately, he continued to sleep until the food was served. Last Tuesday, William and 68 other downtown friends received a hot meal with the assistance of 24 volunteers.

Tonight Paul continued to teach from the book of James. In chapter 3, he focused on the power of the tongue. He emphasized that the tongue may be used in a negative or positive way. Our tendency is to use the tongue in a sinful way to inflict pain on others. However, the tongue can be used in a positive manner to provide a word of encouragement that will help others in need. Humility is necessary to use it wisely.

Usually after the meal, we minister to many of the homeless that have specific needs. Paul and others spend their time talking and praying with them. This is certainly a positive use of our tongue emphasized in the message tonight. Also, this week we provided a good supply of winter clothes for distribution. Every year as winter approaches there is a definite need for warmer clothes and blankets. One individual just asked for a piece of cardboard to sleep on. The only thing I could find was cake boxes which seemed to make him happy. When we received those types of requests, it is very clear how difficult it is to live on the street. Many get tired of the street life and request bus transportation out of town. We were happy last Tuesday to provide one individual with transportation to Florida where there are friends to help him. We try to help if we determine there is a genuine desire to get off the street. Sometimes this requires traveling to another city.

~Marc

Mercy

Last Tuesday I saw many of the homeless licking their lips after eating wedding cake and drinking punch left over from a wedding function. Oh sure, we had plenty of good food but dessert was the highlight. Actually they attended a wedding reception in an indirect way. For most, this will be about as close as they will ever get to attending a fine function where family and friends get together to celebrate. Their family, in most cases, never had many happy occasions to celebrate. But tonight, we were all enjoying each other and celebrating a bride and groom we did not know.

Dan Peterson filled in for Paul tonight. His theme was God's Mercy. Of course, God's mercy primarily is His Son who died for our sins. We all recognize that is the most important mercy extended by God to a lost world. But he reminded everyone that God's mercy extends to every day circumstances. The building we occupy each Tuesday is Triune "Mercy" Center. A person on the street may be given a couple of dollars that allows them to buy a hamburger at McDonalds and rest in a cool or warm environment. That is mercy. Someone may get a room for the night at the Salvation Army or the Mission instead of sleeping on the street. That is mercy. Some may receive clothes or a blanket from many of the organizations that minister to the homeless. That is mercy too. We all receive mercy when we have received food, shelter, or clothes. If a homeless get a day job with Labor Finders, that again is God's mercy. Dan read from many Psalms that speak to God's mercy extended during trials and tribulations. In addition, he reminded us that in Matthew 5:7 that Jesus said "Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy". Even a homeless person can extend mercy by helping each other on the street and so doing they will receive mercy.

The numbers were up last Tuesday. We served 70 hot meals with the assistance of 24 volunteers.

~Marc