Homeless In Boise - There is still much to be done.by New Choices Fellowship on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 2:11pm
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon as we pulled up around 4:30 to help a good friend in ministry to feed the homeless here in Boise. There was no fan fare. There was no recognition on the News as a local hero. There was just a willingness to help an unnoticed ministry feed and minister to some of the many homeless found here in Boise.
There are many places to volunteer in Boise and other parts of the country. April and I choose to look for those unsung hero's to help and lift up their spirits. You know the ones, they don't do it for the money or recognition. They do it out of love. Mosaic ministries is one of those types of ministries. Denie has been in the streets for many years. She goes where all the other folks won't go. She loves and holds dear the ones that many are even scared to talk to. A finer example of God's love I have only seen on rare occasions.
We went down to help because she was saying she was feeding so many that she had little time to minister to the ones in need of some one to talk with or to receive a warm look to remind them how they are loved and worthy. We knew they need her ministry and it was little to ask to give up the time and be in service to someone that gives so much of her time and resources.
I saw on the news that evening a tribute to one of the valley's largest churches. They feed on average the report said 200 or so people every Sunday. They have 150 volunteers to support the feed the homeless program. Mosaic ministries does 100-200 with 4 people that prepare the food and serve while they minister with a personal touch to many of them that go through the line. Their resources come from outside donation and personal sacrifice. Little is made much when God's hand is in it and he has such willing hearts to work with.
That time spent with each one didn't get ignored with the weather or the state each one coming through the line was in. Each where treated as family and with respect to welcome and listen to them. The stories were heart breaking and awakening at the same time. I admit in one afternoon I learned more about the human condition and strength than I could have in years of schooling and theory. I watched God work through a woman that taught me more about loving others than I thought I still had yet to learn.
It was an honor to help and be in service to her and to the beautiful souls she is there to care for. It made me so much more aware of the work left to be done by those of us that can do it. Lives are given hope when they know that someone really cares. Many workers are needed but few will make the sacrifice to serve and give up so much to take care of those in need.
I found out another secret though. Life in service to others has it own rewards and challenges. Denie is one of those special Holy Spirit/Mother Teresa kind of people that we rarely get to know in our lives. April and I will be back to help her again and again. I don't believe we have to leave the country to touch the hearts and souls of those in need. If we look a little closer they are right here in our back yard. If you are called to serve, be called to support and pray for those that are. Remember God calls us all to our own action to help. For some it will be by donations of time and effort and others by the ability to supply resources.
There is more than any one person can do, listen to your own song and see what God calls you to do. For when each of us sings in tune the world is changed one life at a time. I know for certain that a life was saved by love in that crowd yesterday and many where given another day of hope even under the dark grey skies and the pouring rain that was soon to come.
Be blessed and be a blessing to some one.
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