UNDER THE BRIDGE: The Last Sunday of the Month!

Since this blog is being read in about 30 countries, we are greeting one country every time a post is written.  This week we say, “Hello, Germany, and may God bless you richly.” 

“Hallo nach Deutschland und Gott segne Sie reich.”

 Sleeping in the warm sunshine is like heaven! (Chris and his dog Mouse)

  

  Sunday, October 26, 2014

     “Chris.”

     “Yea, Jean-Luc.”

     “What bothers you the most when sleeping in the street at night, nowadays?”

     “My fingers…yea…my fingers and my toes get cold.”

     Winter’s cold tentacles are reaching further down into the South at this time of the year.  I know this is Florida, but Pensacola is situated in the very northwest part of this otherwise warm state.  When the homeless are used to ninety degrees (F) day in and day out – with eighty percent humidity – anything below eighty becomes cold!  The night temperatures are now creeping into the low fifties.  Next week it is forecast to be in the mid-forties.  By the time winter will be upon us, we will see nighttime temperatures dipping into the thirties and even twenties.  Last year, it went down to a rare six degrees (F) above zero – a killer temperature for us!

     To the homeless, the cold night weather means wrapping themselves up in all the clothing they own and squeezing themselves into a sleeping bag or wrapping themselves up in all the blankets and plastic tarps they may have.  If they live in a camp, a tent may help, along with a campfire. Sleeping alongside their dog (for those that have them) will probably help both of them stay warmer.

     However, it is not that cold, yet.  What is happening now is that they are sleeping less at night and more during the day.  After a cold night that numbs fingers and toes, sleeping in the warm sunshine is like heaven!  Sometimes, we have to wake them up to feed them.  What a life! 

     Don’t kid yourself, though, it’s still basic survival; and it’s painful either way you look at it.

     We are preparing for this time of the year by acquiring warmer clothing – long sleeve shirts, coats, pants, socks, gloves, hats, etc. – along with blankets, sleeping bags and maybe tents, if we can afford them.  We ask everyone we know to contribute these lifesaving items or money to buy them.

Ben in far left; Jonathan, Heather and Taylor, Abby (Jonathan's daughter)

       Today, we were again pleasantly surprised by Heather and Jonathan; saints of God who also minister to the homeless children of God.  We first saw them last week with Jonathan bringing his daughter Abby, and Heather bringing Taylor.  We happen to be feeding the homeless when they came to minister to them, also.   It was a great joy to see the love they have for the “least of these!”

Jonathan is an answer to prayers!

     When Jonathan pulled out his guitar, I was ecstatic!  The homeless love their worship music.  Just this past Friday, we had a home meeting where we prayed for the Lord to send us two people to this ministry; a musician and a prayer warrior - an intercessor.    Today, we are having a service where I will be preaching the word of God.  How appropriate that God would send us a man of God who would worship the Lord with his music.  The homeless were very thankful for a gifted musician like Jonathan (though I heard Heather sing and she has a beautiful voice, also!).

Jonathan in forefront, Heather in yellow

     The homeless were also very thankful for the big box of men’s clothing Heather brought under the pavilion, after the meal.  The men gathered politely around it to pick out items they needed that were their size.  There was plenty for all of them.

     I must explain, at this point how the crowd comes to our Last-Sunday-of-the-Month service.  Some come early and stay the whole time.  A few come for the service (preaching of the Word) and leave.  Some skip the service but arrive just in time for the meal.  Some leave right after the meal, and some linger on, fellowshipping with us and each other.  It’s “come and go” and a very dynamic, busy situation.  We thrive on it.
     We get here at 10:30-11:00 in the morning on the last Sunday of the month when we have a service and a hot meal.  Normally, we come to this camp (the Bay Side Camp) at about two in the afternoon on the other Sundays of the month when we feed them cheeseburgers, and otherwise minister to them.

Guys shopping!

     So, Heather tactfully brought the big box of clothing at the appropriate time after the meal when the people that were left were those interested in being together and fellowshipping.  She also takes pictures of the men wearing some of the clothing for the folks back home who gave so generously.  Heather says it puts a face to their giving.    

     The homeless men and women felt very comfortable with Heather as she ministered to them.  They all agreed that she has the glow of the Holy Spirit upon her, as does Jonathan.  I understand they are considering starting a ministry to the homeless in the town of Milton, about 45 minutes away.  I pray that they will at least be able to come to our services on the last Sunday of each month, as they are such a blessing to all of us.

Paul in foreground giving out fruit pies, Bill dishing out meat balls and sauce,
Jonathan handling the spaghetti, and Heather in back handing out slices of French bread.

  

Everyone finding a place to sit; except Natalie (pink) - she never sits!

     

Servants of the Lord; Heather (L), Jonathan (R). Hot meal comin'.

     We had a large crowd to feed, today; young and old, men and women, and children.  We were all busy dishing out the spaghetti as fast as we could.  We had plenty for seconds and thirds available, if that’s what they wanted.  What the homeless love the most about this meal is that it is HOT.  Most of what they eat during the week are things like cold beans out of the can, cold sandwiches, cold snacks, cold drinks, etc.  So a hot meal becomes a special treat – even during the summer.

"Cricket's" dinner prayer was soooooo sweet!

     While everyone was gathered waiting to eat, Bill asked who would say the blessing.  That’s when “Cricket” excitedly raised her hand and unashamedly came up to pray.  “Cricket” is perhaps not over 10-11 years old, and yet prayed the sweetest blessing straight from the heart.  It touched all of us. Her dad, who also plays the guitar, and played a song on Jonathan’s guitar, is nick-named “Kicker;” because he kicked so much before he was born.  Lex is the wife and the mama.

Lex, the mama (L), Cricket (center), Kicker (L).  Precious saints of  God.

     

(L to R) Jonathan, Cricket, Heather and Kicker playing a song!

    

Even Jason played the guitar, today.  All who played, today,
played like professional musicians!  God is so good!

     This is the last day Natalie will be with us (check out October 13 post).  Her grandma and grandpa, who take loving care of her, are now going to be able to move into a permanent home with her and her seven year old brother.  Praise the Lord!  Natalie, who has boundless energy, is four years old and has been homeless for about three months.  She definitely was the life of the camp and kept everyone in line – I hadn’t heard anyone cuss the whole time she was here! 

Natalie last week, "Who wants one of these?"

Natalie being Natalie!

    

Natalie, grandpa, grandma; all in line for a HOT meal!

   

Grandma and Natalie!

    

      I thank the Lord that we were able to bless her and her grand-parents.  However, I must tell you that if she had stayed here any longer, I would have tried very hard to adopt her!

     And yea, I know, I’ve got a lot of pictures of photogenic Natalie on this post; she is a natural and a world-class model!  She never tires of posing for pictures. 

     Speaking of pictures; are you ready for some?

Chris (L) and Bad Boy Robert!

Chris and Good Boy Robert!

Hold it!  Stosh (R) is thinking!!!

All right, it's over.  He'll be alright!

Chris and "Mouse."  Ahhhhh, the good life!

Say good-bye, Natalie
"Good-bye, Natalie!"

     Good night, folks, and God bless y’all.

Hey, Dude...you should hear the echo in here...in here...in here...!

Der König wird Antworten, "Ich sage euch die Wahrheit, was auch immer du hast eins von den wenigen diese Brüder von mir, du hast mir.'  Matthew 25: 40

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