Mission trip to the Los Angeles Dream Center - PART1 - SKID ROW

Statistics from www.csm.org:

There are at least 91,000 homeless people each night in Los Angeles County. About 15-20,000 homeless people live on “Skid Row”. This is a ten square block area at the center of downtown Los Angeles. At any given time at least half the homeless population literally sleeps on the streets. The average age of homeless person is around 40 years old. One third to one half of the homeless population is women and girls.

Causes of homelessness shown in research tend to include the following:

• Lack of affordable housing
• Poverty
• Low-paying jobs and labor market changes
• Unemployment
• Mental illness
• Substance abuse
• Changes and cuts in public assistance
• Domestic violence
• Changes in family structure
• Prison release
• Chronic health problems
• Lack of access to affordable health care

Heading to the LA Dream Center, I expected to learn a lot of "facts" and information about budgets, help with establishing a non-profit organization, securing funding, etc., to help our church establish a Dream Center here in Collinsville, VA.  While I did learn a lot about these things, I am SO grateful for the life-experiences that I was not expecting - like the time our group spent ministering to the people who call Skid Row "home".

Trying to describe Skid Row is like trying to describe labor pains to someone who has never experienced childbirth.  Words cannot fully describe the intensity of the sights, sounds and smells that make up Skid Row - amongst which, people are existing - not living, existing.  Stray animals live in better conditions.....

I felt a little desperation come over me when I realized that the cookies and water our group was distributing was gone within a matter of minutes - leaving me looking into the eyes of three dear souls who were waiting for their portion.   Telling them that we had no more, was heartbreaking.  I was quickly aware that I had nothing to offer except a few moments of my time, the offer of a prayer and a hug.  It wasn't until after our group was back at the Dream Center that I realized that those things were, in fact, the best things any of us had to offer.  NO ONE turned down my offer of prayer; NO ONE turned down my offer of a hug.  They accepted those gifts as quickly as others had taken water and cookies from me.

Holding filthy hands in prayer, hugging someone who smells of old body waste, urine or alcohol becomes a precious experience when you realize that you are an extension of Christ's love to that person.  It was truly a privilege to spend time with these precious people who God loves as much as you and me.

We may not have a Skid Row here in Henry County, VA but pain, loneliness, hunger and despair are universal languages which are spoken as clearly here as in Los Angeles.  As Christians, we are called to address these issues.  James 2:14-17 says, "What good is it my brothers if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?"  Can such faith save him?  Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food?  If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well fed." but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead."

God has called us to action - to build a Dream Center here in Henry County in order to demonstrate His love; to meet  people at the point of their needs, to rebuild lives and offer hope that is only found with a relationship with Him through Christ.  Visiting the LA Dream Center - seeing their ministries in action and hearing testimonies of lives changed - allowed me to clearly understand the impact that a Dream Center can have in our community.

To learn more about the (original) LA Dream Center and it's 200+ outreach ministries, please click this link:  www.dreamcenter.org/  

I AM my brother's keeper.

By the time a man reaches the age of 57, he's most likely looking forward to retirement or at least easing back a bit on his workload.  But, what happens when this man finds himself laid off from his job, lost within a sea of others who comprise a (now) 30% unemployment rate in our community?  He becomes a statistic within the new generation of homeless in our country.  A generation that is growing at such a rapid rate that government agencies, faith-based and benevolent groups cannot keep up with.

Meet James.  He is not an alcoholic, not an addict, not a felon and does not suffer from mental illness.  If he fit into one of these "categories" it might be easier to understand his current situation.  James has worked hard his entire life, beginning as a child picking tobacco at the farm where he grew up.  As an adult, he worked at one of our local furniture manufacturers, ultimately becoming a supervisor.  When that company relocated overseas, James went to work for another manufacturer which, ultimately swept him out with dozens of other workers in one of its many layoffs.  That was a year and a half ago. 

When his unemployment compensation could no longer keep up with rent, utilities and other basic expenses, James found himself with barely more than the clothes on his back.  A local church paid for several nights in one of our low-cost motels which, is where I first met James.  The motel manager called my pastor because it was obvious to her that James was in need of assistance.  He was not expecting me, so when I met him sitting with his Bible open and TV tuned to a church service, I knew he was not setting a stage for my sake.  Rather, he was clinging to his faith while trying to wrap his mind around the circumstances that had now become his life.  A life that no longer supports a once hard-working man's basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. 

So what does the future hold for James?  The answer to that monumental question is not clear right now.  What is clear though - I AM my brother's keeper and so are you if we are followers of Christ.  

When you meet (a) James, and chances are you will, what will you do? 

1 John 3:17 "But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees a brother in need, and won't help him--how can God's love be within him?"

1 John 3:18 "Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions." 

1 John 3:19 "Then we will know for sure, by our actions, that we are on God's side, and our consciences will be clear, even when we stand before the Lord."

My Brother’s Keeper Prayer

Lord . . .

When I have food, Help me to remember the hungry.

When I lie in my bed, Help me to remember those who sleep on the floor.

When I have a warm home, Help me to remember the homeless.

When I have work, Help me to remember those without jobs.

When I experience the joy of giving to my children, Help me to remember the agony of those who must watch their children go without.

By remembering, Help me to destroy my indifference and arouse my compassion.

Make me concerned enough to act in your name, to help those who cry out to you for that which I so often take for granted.

Amen  

(Prayer from www.mybrotherskeeper.org)


A portion of proceeds from every purchase you make from one of my Websites goes to help someone who is hungry, hurting or homeless.

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com

www.InLovingMemoryGifts.com

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com

Friendship Blankets for the homeless

Matthew 25: 35-40

Too often, I think that most of us (myself included) feel that we can't possibly do anything to make a difference with situations as overwhelming as homelessness, so we choose to do nothing. We divert our eyes, avoiding personal contact with the homeless. After all, it is much easier for us that way. If we allow ourselves to look into their eyes, the image of the homeless may be etched in our minds so deeply that we are compelled to do something. And, that requires us to move out of our comfort zone. Are we really so selfish that we can continue to do nothing? God forgive me, because I have been.

If each of us did something for the homeless, our collective efforts could have a huge impact on their lives. God gives each of us different talents or gifts and if we could just realize that each of those talents fit together like puzzle pieces, we may catch a glimpse of God's plan.

Recently, God placed in my heart a very clear direction to buy blankets for the homeless. He pointed me to a wonderful American blanket manufacturer, Northwest Woolen Mills in RI, that has a program in place that allows the general public and advocates to purchase blankets for the homeless. I am excited to now partner with the program, Friendship Blankets, by selling the blankets on my websites. For a very modest fee of just $7.95 - $12.66, you can purchase one or more blankets and offer hope and warmth to someone who lacks in so many of life's basic comforts that we take for granted. I make no monetary profit on these blankets but the profit in my heart, knowing that you and I can make a difference, is priceless.

Please, follow the links to one of my websites, open your heart and purchase a blanket.
www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com







www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Taking Blessings For Granted

Yesterday was "one of those days". Evidence of this is the fact that there are 3 pair of shoes sitting behind my bathroom vanity chair. A pair of sneakers, boots and clogs never made it to the closet yesterday. A cozy sweater hangs on the back of the vanity chair. I sit wrapped in a beautiful robe that my husband gave me a few years back, while another robe hangs on a hook on the back of the bathroom door. It hit me this morning, that I am so very blessed to have an excess of clothing and shoes. I own enough shoes that I can have 3 pair sitting outside of the closet. I have an extra robe, and more than one sweater. I am blessed and yet take so very much for granted. There are thousands of people, hundreds in my own community, who don't have an extra sweater or pair of shoes. They don't own a single robe...because, there is no need for one when you don't have a bathroom door or closet to hang one in. Here I am with an excess while so many people don't have the basic comforts of life - food, clothing and shelter. God forgive me for taking your blessings for granted. Open my eyes and my heart, Lord, to the opportunities to share the abundance you have given me.
Amen.
"...If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21
"Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you."
Deuteronomy 16:17




BLANKETS FOR THE HOMELESS - 100% OF ALL PROFIT FROM THE SALE OF ANY CROSS NECKLACE ON OUR WEBSITES GO TO PURCHASE BLANKETS FOR THE HOMELESS IN OUR AREA.
PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN IN YOUR AREA!

COUPONS! USE CODE, CHRISTMAS09, DURING CHECKOUT ON LITTLE CHERUBS BOUTIQUE AND USE CODE, CHRISTMAS, ON INSPIRATIONAL GIFTS AND DECOR - SAVE 20% ON YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE! YOU MAY USE EACH COUPON 4 TIMES BETWEEN NOW AND MID-DECEMBER.

TEN PERCENT OF ALL PROFIT MADE ON MY WEBSITES (LISTED BELOW) GOES TO HELP FEED THOSE IN NEED IN OUR AREA. PLEASE, do what you
can to serve the hungry and homeless in your community.

www.LittleCherubsBoutique.com
"Quality clothing & gifts for your little cherubs!"

www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

The HHH people.

For far too many years, there have been Homeless, Hungry and Hurting people living among us. The numbers of these precious HHH (Homeless, Hungry and Hurting) people is now staggering! Except by the grace of God, you and I could find ourselves among the HHH. If you think otherwise, then you need a reality check.

I was born in Washington, DC and spent the first 14+ years of my life in the Alexandria, VA area. I clearly remember the first time I saw a homeless man - literally laying in the gutter of a side street in DC. My mother's explanation of this man's situation seemed reasonable and acceptable to me as a young teen.

Gone are the days of seeing an occasional alcoholic laying in an alley or street gutter. Gone are the days in which any halfway intelligent person can steriotype the HHH as "bums" or "alcoholics". (Reality check here: "Homelessness in suburbs, rural areas increases" Read: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-07-09-homeless_N.htm And, GONE are the days of there being ANY 'reasonable and acceptable' explanation that makes sense to me. There is NOTHING acceptable about anyone being Homeless, Hungry or Hurting in America.

Gone also are the days of sitting back and waiting for our government to solve the problems of the HHH. It is time for the collective church to roll up their sleeves, dig their heels in and commit to helping the HHH in our communities for the long haul. It is wonderful to feed the HHH on holidays, but we need to feed their bellies and their souls every day.

I am grateful beyond words that God has recently led my husband and me to The Community Fellowship in Collinsville, VA. *Pastor Michael, TCF's leadership and the congregation have true hearts to serve the HHH in our community and beyond. They may be a relatively small congregation but there is nothing small about their vision and there is nothing small about the impact that these precious people have already made in our community (and beyond).

One of the members of The Community Fellowship who has a God-driven passion for helping the HHH in our community is Vicky English. You can read as Vicky shares her heart and vision on her blog, Serving With All My Heart: http://vickysheart.blogspot.com/

If every church in America put faith into action to help the HHH in their communities, the impact would be a tidal wave of hope for the Hurting, housing for the Homeless and food for the Hungry across our country.
In a matter of days, we could be reading of the "staggering" drop in the number of the HHH instead of the "staggering" acceleration we now have!

Matthew 25:40 "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
* Follow Pastor Michael Harrison's blog: http://e-devotion.blogspot.com/





www.InspirationalGiftsAndDecor.com
"Meaningful gifts that warm the heart, encourage
the spirit and add a little inspiration to life."

Inspiration for the week

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." ~Mother Teresa

Before you can love others, you must receive God's love for yourself, because you cannot give away something you don't have.

John 15:12 "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

Our church was a big ball of wonderful chaos yesterday. Partnering with www.SamaritansFeet.org we were able to provide socks and shoes for local children. The Samaritan's servants who came to our church are a young, newlywed couple, Patrick & Kessid (forgive me because I know I'm not spelling Patrick's wife's name correctly). These precious young people have been married less than 3 months and are working as a team to present the story of the founder of Samaritan's Feet, Manny, to the children (and adults who accompany them) who come to receive new shoes. (I encourage you to go to www.SamaritansFeet.org to learn about Manny's story!) I am grateful for Patrick & Kessid for selflessly giving of themselves, pouring the love of Jesus into so many hearts. I know that God will continue to bless them. I look forward to seeing them next year and watching God work through them and Samaritan's Feet.

Many lives were touched yesterday, some changed, because of yesterday's experience. I know that I will never be the same.

I volunteered as one of the "foot washers" and WHAT a blessing! We washed the children's feet, put lotion on, all while talking to them about their goals in life, etc., put new socks on them, and new shoes. To see these precious children who so greatly needed the items...just a blessing. I wasn't sure what to expect when washing the kids' feet...not sure how they would react. The little ones exploded with joy at the sight of their new shoes and when they were on their feet, they just danced around. Let me tell you, some of these precious children will stay in my heart forever. One particular 16 year old girl (her friend was also there in the chair next to hers) has really made an impact on me. She looked like a tough street kid.....tatoos all over her arms, legs - skulls, etc., Ring in her bottom lip....well, you get the picture. She didn't want her feet washed....well, through a bit of talking with her (I ADORE teens) she allowed me to wash her feet. I was able to "love on her a bit" with words, and she brightened up and we shared a few laughs, then I asked if I could say a quick prayer with her. She said, "Sure." Her friend was finished at about the same time, and the gal who had cared for her led us all in prayer. A quick hug and this young girl was on her way. A brief encounter that has left a permanent mark on my heart.

I wonder how many hugs or words of encouragement and kindness this girl has had in her life? How many people would look at this child with disgust instead of compassion? I'm sure I've been guilty of such thoughts in the past; judging someone's appearance rather than their heart. Looking at the external through my own eyes rather than looking at their soul through Christ's eyes.

God wants us to love the unlovely, to show compassion and love to everyone, not just the "pretty people" of this world.

Today, start becoming aware of the unlovely people you encounter. Offer them a smile, a touch, a compassionate hug. I promise that not only will the recipient be changed, so will you.