Another Night in the Shelter....

I am delighted to be part of a church that lives its mission!  In particular that takes seriously Jesus' command to love the least of these...that's what our shelter experience is about.  It is about welcoming our brothers who need  the warmth of a place to sleep and a meal.   And even more, it is about helping us not become caloused or hard hearted toward the needs of other humans in our community.

A HUGE shout out to all who give so generously of their time to staff our shelter!  It wouldn't happen with out the countless hours of servants who are willing to be present.  Our Coordinator takes a weeks vacation during the two week stay so that she can get it off to a good start.  Our cook gives countless hours in preparing phenominal meals.  And a host of other people give generously of their time to welcome guests as they come in, to hang out during the early evening hours and even the overnight hours.  There are folks that bake things at home, others who buy things at the store, even folks who pray for this event... it takes all of us.   We couldn't do it without each and every person making a contribution!   Awesome to see it happen!

And even more awesome in my book is that it is a cooperative effort of 4 churches working together to pull it off.  We couldn't do it without each one... we house the guys in our facility, but because we don't have a kitchen or fellowship hall, we cook and feed them at Bethany Lutheran Church (our neighboring church) and a church that meets in their facility on Saturday's - Beacon of Light- contributes as well and Greenhill Church of the Brethren also helps out!   It wouldn't be possible if we didn't have the cooperation of all!

This morning (it's now 3 a.m.) I have enjoyed being here with one of our young adults as we have been the overnight staff.  And we have enjoyed chatting with several of the guests.  It was good to hear their stories and to hear of their struggles.  I pray that this time in here might cause them to think about the love of God and draw closer to him.  I pray that this experience might get the attention of one or more of these guys and be a catalyst out of this lifestyle and into a new way of life!