I had the opportunity to provide lunch for a homeless couple today. Keith and Diane came to the church to ask for food and I drove them to Arby's and sat down and had lunch with them. I am glad I work in Whitehall becuase there aren't a whole lot of homeless people stopping by New Albany. Keith lost his job at JC Penny's and they couldn't afford their rent any longer so now they live on the streets. I talked to them about the kingdom and I and that above all Christ's message was to love God and love others. We talked about how our country and the Church turns a bling eye towrds poverty. I left them at Arby's becuase Keith wanted to walk up Main Street to try to find a job. I told them I would be at the day care center late and if they wanted me to take them to Faith Mission I would be happy to drive them there. Keith came back later and told me they had done some work for a guy who in turn drove them to a motel and got them a room for the evening. I bought them dinner and took it to their motel. They were very appreciative and I told them that I wished I could have done more.
Keith said that several churches had turned them away that day and that the church they attended on Sunday gave them a Bible. Why didn't the church feed them and give them shelter. If that's not what the church does then what is the point. They were so proud of that Bible but I kept thinking, "you can't eat a Bible." Well I guess you can but it's proably not very nutritional. Again, why not give a Bible AND food? At the same time I was thinking how much money should I spend on these people and what do I say if they come back tomorrow? Then I remebered I don't live that life anymore and tomorrow will take care of itself. There is no limit to grace in God's kingdom. May it be so, as in heaven, so also on earth.
Keith and Diane
Posted by David at 10:59 PM
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10 comments:
It would also be blasphemous to eat the Bible, don't you think?
kingdom, dude
do it
It would probable be high in fiber, if nothing else.
Well done, Dave. Love and miss you.
Way to BE the kingdom, man! Reminds me to be aware of kingdom opportunities.
I'm guessing is would be blasphemous to eat the Bible, but they were given a Bible when they were hungry.
Suckin' on frosty outside the Wendy's.
Good ol' P.F. Bresee ate a glowing orb from outer space. I think eating Bibles would be better for you than many T.V. dinners.
Ahh, the glowing orb, which entered through the screen door. I haven't thought of that since Sanders' "History of the Church of the Nazarene."
Dave,
So I have this lady who stops by my house once a month looking for money or food. She first found found me outside after church one morning and Mandy ended up taking her grocercy shopping, part paid for by the church and part by us. We haven't given her anything since the first time. Sometimes I feel guilt other times I don't. I know she is playing the system going from church to church, and from nice family to nice family looking for hand outs. I always try to treat her with dignity and respect. Paul seems to say you don't work, you don't eat and Jesus seems to say give to those who ask of you. Where's the balance cause of late I'm not tempted to ever give her a hand out again, though I am tempted to invite her in for dinner.
kevin
dave, thank you for this post. molly and i had a pretty heavy talk concerning this last night. the little children in our village don´t know much outside of begging for food, snacks, cokes, money...doesn`t matter. hardly a day goes by that a little boy or girl (or a dozen) is not at our screen door asking for something. like kevin (great comment), we are trying to find a balance. i`m not sure which i hate more...giving snacks, fruit, or sodas away to the who-knows-how-many kids in the village every time they see our lights on and come running...or saying ¨no¨ to the obviously impoverished children while we gringos sit in relative comfort (relative) hording our plantain chips and cokes. there is also a cutlural divide that i am trying to understand...but should that even make a difference?
peace
I am so glad you guys posted about your exeriences. Keith has been calling three or four times a day for the two days. I struggled with what to say to him and what to offer. The church was offering nothing and I felt that the welfare of this couple lay squarley on the our bank account. I got them a hotel room Thrusday night but the night before I didn't do anything for them and I think they slept outside in the freezing cold. It is a struggle but I think finding that balance always will be. We just have to do what we can and continue to be a prohetic voice calling the Chruch to become the city on a hill that drws the poor, sick and hungry to itself.
Doug dfid you get my last email? I am really interested in taking a trip down to see you but I need some more info. You can send me an email or reply to this post.
peace
i actually did not receive an email...but i´m also not sure what address you may have. i recently switched from an old hotmail account to gmail. my address is paz.a.usted@gmail.com
i would love to give you any information that you need. and any time frame that you are looking at would also be super cool. if you can´t bring the kids down, then wrangle-up the hutsko´s and the taylor´s and make it a Big People trip.
oh, and while i don´t have any time to post about it now (coming soon to molly and my lj), i experienced community for the first time yesterday in our little barrio.
peace
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