UNDER THE BRIDGE: What In God's Name Are They Eating?

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” to our brothers and sisters in the Spanish speaking countries: Blessings and healing from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him all the glory now and forever!

Las bendiciones y la sanación que de nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo.  A él sea la gloria ahora y siempre!

What is he eating?

Sunday, November 16, 2014

     Would you feed your family the same food day after day?  I hope not!  You may have a mutiny on your hands.

     It took two steady hands to get the icebox off my truck.  Two saints of God quickly came forward to help me carry it, asking, “What’s you got in there?” as they carried it under the pavilion at the Bay Side Park Camp.

     I usually bring them cheeseburgers from McDonalds every Sunday for the past few months (except the last Sunday of the month when we cook them a full, hot, spaghetti dinner).  But, not today.

     “No cheeseburgers, today, guys,” I answered.  There were no sad faces!

     “Today we are having fresh hotdogs with mustard, ketchup and heaped with chili (sloppy joe)!”  There suddenly were plenty of happy faces.

     In the icebox was a large pot full of 72 hotdogs in boiling water, and a smaller pot with steaming chili.  I had heated them at home and immediately inserted the two pots in the icebox.  Those two items stayed hot in that icebox the whole afternoon.  They quickly gathered around to get their two hotdogs, served just how they liked them.

Steaming hot hotdogs out of the icebox!

     Paul was with me, and Heather and Jonathan had come down from Milton (about 45 minutes away) to minister along with us.  I thank god for our ministers and for the homeless we are able to love and care for by the power of the Word of God in us.  Glory to God!

     If I was to write a personal testimony about all the homeless children of God I have the pleasure of ministering to; and if I was to write about how all our wonderful servants of God came to minister to the homeless…well…I would be writing every day for at least the next year.  I am humbled to be so blessed by a most Holy and Loving God.  To Him all the glory and honor!

Heather (L) and Mari (R) having a little girl talk!

     However, in the coming weeks I will be writing the testimony of a few of our people.  We have had some miraculous answers to prayers, as some were healed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and I want to share those experiences with you.  We also have some of our ministers (such as Heather) who have amazing testimonies which will encourage, strengthen and edify you.  

     Thank God that in our city He has touched people’s hearts to feed the homeless every day of the week. Not only are there many churches who offer meals (whether breakfast, lunch or dinner), but there are also individuals who go in the street to feed the hungry Monday through Friday. However, there are fewer options for the homeless to be fed on the weekend.  We are blessed that Dennis, one of our most consistent minister, fixes hot, wholesome meals for the homeless EVERY Saturday.

     On  Sundays, Paul also brings the homeless all kinds of flavored chips and Pepsi, Mountain Dew and water to drink.  Bill, who is sick this weekend, had dropped off fruit pies for us to pass out for desert.  Bill had pneumonia and is recuperating at home after getting out of the hospital.  We pray for his quick recovery, as the homeless do miss him very much.
     Sarah, my precious daughter-in-law, has suggested we fix the homeless Minestrone Soup with Pasta, Beans and Vegetables.  It sounds yummy, filling and economical.  She has a very successful blog which helps people, who do not otherwise have time, plan amazing weekly menus (7daymenu.blogspot.com)).  She is not only a fantastic chef to her family of five, but to her neighborhood also!
     Anyone out there have any other ideas on what to feed the homeless?  Please let me know (my email address is in the first post - ATTENTION...).

     Except for an occasional breakfast served by a church, Sunday is a “hungry” day.  Most Christians are in church worshipping, studying the Word, fellowshipping, hearing the preacher speak about the Love of the Lord; all while the homeless are going hungry in the street on that day! That’s why we go feed the homeless saints of God on that particular day.  Many of them would not eat if we did not come.  Dare to go outside the walls of the church, saints of God, and into the street.

Heather and Jonathan thoughtfully brought some extra food the homeless can take with them!

     What’s more important; going to “church” or ministering the love of Jesus Christ to the “least of these?  What’s more important; praying or reading the Word of God?
      When the end of the month approaches, there is usually less and less drinking, as the money from the first of the month dries up.  However, today seems to be an exception!  Many of them have been drinking.  That is their handicap as much as a paraplegic who cannot walk is handicapped.  Do we still love them as much?  Yes!  Do we lovingly minister to them?  Yes!  Do they still get their hugs?  Yes!  Don’t you know Revival is coming, and the Lord will miraculously heal them!  They will see life and the Lord with a new heart.  They will become a new container for the “new wine.”  They will have been reformed and revived.  Glory to God; that day is coming soon!

Jonathan and Mari.  Mari wants to share her favorite Psalm from her little Psalm Book!

     Today, we stay with them longer than usual.  There seems to be a deeper need for fellowship in Christ.  We don’t hear any cussing (we hardly ever do).  They act more like a family, needing one another.  We catch up on the latest news.

     For example; it’s Chris’s turn to be in jail this week (child support).  What’s the point of putting a homeless man in jail because he’s not paying child support?   Why don’t they help him find a job, instead?  He has been looking and is willing to work.

Jersey went to jail so Chris inherited the dog.  Chris went to jail so Kojak is now
the owner of Brianna.  Be careful Kojak!

     Though the temperature is a pleasant 72 degrees (F) today, the temperatures have been as low as 26 degrees (F) this week, and some of the homeless have been staying with friends or relatives.  But, as with Chris with the dog named Mouse, a lady in a van stopped while they were in the park and asked Chris and Jeff if they wanted a place to stay during this cold.  We haven’t seen them the past three or four days.  I hope everything worked out.  Some people will offer a place to stay in exchange for work they need to have done.  Fair deal.

Jeff (L) and Chris (R) with Mouse.  Kidnapped by a woman in a white van!

     Some others will go to a homeless shelter, whether it be a church or a mission.  They only stay there as long as they need to, as their freedom is severely curtailed.  There is no drinking and they have to abide by the strict rules.

Kojak ready for the cold weather!

     After everyone ate, Jonathan played the guitar and gave his testimony.  He has come up a rough way, spending some time in jail, himself.  But his heart is given to the Lord and he comes on Sundays to minister to the homeless.  He has been challenged to stay with the homeless at this camp for one week.  He is seriously thinking of accepting the challenge in order to understand their situation in a deeper way.  When he goes through with it, I will give you a daily update on this blog.  I guarantee it will be very interesting!

Jonathan giving his testimony and ministering to all through music.
Heather (seated) brought a big box of clothing which the homeless are sorting through.

    

I was finally able to give Suzanne the scarf she had requested!
Someone donated this beautiful scarf, along with other clothing.

      As Heather and I were sitting on the bench of the picnic table, she was telling me the amazing testimony of her walk with God while I was taking notes for a future post.  At the end of the bench seat was the icebox with the leftover hotdogs and chili.  I was so into what she was sharing, I absentmindedly leaned on the icebox, and down it went, spilling its contents on the concrete slab with a loud clanging noise! 

     Everyone turned around and looked at us as if we were children who had misbehaved!  But the dogs were very happy with my clumsiness and feasted on the hotdogs, followed by the pigeons who finished up the chili. 

The spilled hotdogs and chili were not wasted!!!

     The homeless love their pets and take very good care of them.  Some will panhandle on a street corner just so the dog can get proper food and care.  The dogs in this camp are very friendly, loving and playful.   It’s hard to say whose dog they are, as the whole camp loves on them and takes care of them.  If a dog owner goes to jail, someone else becomes owner of the dog.  Having a dog while panhandling brings in more donations!

Brianna and Stosh (R)

     As the sun starts to disappear behind the trees, the homeless start heading towards their place of rest.  It is time to prepare for the cold night ahead.  One by one, they come to shake hands or get their hug, as they depart.  We bless them in the name of Jesus, and we sadly watch them walk away.  We will miss them until we meet again.

     We say goodbye to Heather and Jonathan, as Paul and I get ready to go for a quick visit to one more camp.  There are still five hotdogs left in the pot, and we must find some homeless saint of God to feed and minister to.  Glory to God!

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

Brianna (R) is teaching the little newbie how to be a good disciple of Jesus Christ,
and how to love everybody!

El rey le contestará, ' te digo la verdad, sea lo que sea para uno de estos hermanos míos, lo hicieron por mí.'  Matthew 25, 40

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