Blessed Portion Update 2-28-25

Hello Everyone,

I have to say right away that being downtown with our friends on a Friday night is always interesting and worth it...this Friday was no different, even though my heart melted.

As we closed the meal with prayer, we did our normal getting things put away and ready to hand out necessary items. As the line formed and I was assessing what we had and didn’t have, I said to the next person in line, “Hi there, what can I get for you?” The person I was saying this to was dressed all in dark clothing (as most are) in many layers along with a hood...and I didn’t see a face. Then I heard, “Do we need to pay for these things?” Now let me tell you, these words were said in the softest, quietest voice...and when I looked, this precious young lady was looking at me, genuinely wanting to know. I told her, “Absolutely not!” As she pointed to a man’s large blue thermal, she mentioned how she felt it would bring her some warmth but didn’t have any money. When I reassured her there wasn’t a charge, her eyes welled up, and you know, of course, I had to go hug her!! I told her we are all the SAME....there is no difference between her or anyone who was helping that night. That just because I was on one side of the table handing out items, and she was on the other, didn’t mean her value was any less...she was just in need, and I had some items she could use. She expressed how she was overwhelmed by the simple kindness of this and the meal. She struggles with being around a lot of people, and it was hard for her to stay as long as she did. I again reassured her and told her that next week, if she was able to come, to look for me, and we would sit together, and maybe that would help ease some of the anxiety.

As you know, most of us are moms, and the mom came out in us. We were trying to give her anything and everything we could. In the end, though, she only took one pair of socks (she stated she had two... one from the pair we gave her and the ones she was wearing) took a thin pair of gloves even though they wouldn’t keep her warm. I offered her the ones I was wearing, and you all know I can be insistent, and yet she said no. Said that if next week she needed them, she would, but for tonight, she was not going to take them. She did need hygiene items, and we had plenty to give her. Gave her a bookbag, and let me tell you, would have thought I gave her something worth a lot of money. She was so excited and again overwhelmed with emotion. We talked a little bit, and we knew we had to just let her go, because let’s face it, it’s a lot being there (or should I say I am a lot) and told her we hoped we would see her next week.

  We also had two longtime friends so thrilled to show us their coins of sobriety, and it was amazing to see their faces light up as they showed us. It’s hard work, and for them to do it and do it for so long in the environment they are living in is equally amazing. They are such nice men and such a big help to us now on Fridays. It’s always interesting to see people go from addiction to sobriety, and they need our prayers.

  So tonight, as our team hung out with our friends, I was reminded of the many times I have heard that perhaps what we and many others do isn’t helping but possibly even hurting. I am first to say that handing out some clothes, hygiene, or even giving a meal doesn’t fix anything. I can say without a doubt, though, that our ministry isn’t about just “Doing”; we are about “Being” with people and helping however is needed. Many people have worked out their sobriety, have been able to transition indoors, and some have never been homeless, just not in a good situation financially and need some extra help. When people have been down a road that is paved with brokenness, which then leads to addiction, poverty, and then bring outside there must be some patience coupled with compassion. Life for many downtown and even myself, is an onion. There are many layers, and life’s issues are not solved by one layer removal. Our friends, first and foremost, I can tell you, like anyone else, need to know they matter. They need to know that regardless of their current situation, they are seen, heard, and Jesus loves them. Some have no real understanding of salvation, God's love etc, but when someone says, “Yes, I heard you guys are Christian, so I came down to talk to you,”—we have a responsibility to listen, feed, and clothe them and let Jesus take it from here. We have decided to let Jesus take it from where our hands end, and He has. We also have seen many not live out recovery, have seen many die, and many are still in the throws of addiction, but love Jesus. For us, we know that God has called us to feed, clothe, and be there for those in need, and we do our best to walk out a balance with each person while being true to what God has asked of us. There is a huge table in front of all of us, and there is plenty of room, and many are needed. For us, we are doing what we can, and we hope you will join us in being the hands and feet of Jesus to those we meet on Fridays. For our newest friend, it wasn’t about “What are you doing with your life? Why are you outside?” It was—“How can we show you love and meet a need?” Hopefully, she sees, as we told her, it is Jesus meeting her need and He loves her.

Thank you to everyone who helps us, because we need it. We always need gloves, men’s jeans, blankets, hygiene items, bookbags, Bibles, and basically anything you would need to survive outside on the streets. We are a non-for-profit 501 c3 ministry, so your donations are always tax-deductible. Please pray for our friends as they do life outside and for those inside. We all need prayer, and I know they would appreciate it. Thank you again.