Handouts

Hidden people are all over our city. . .

    on back steps of public buildings,

         in alleyways behind dumpsters,

             in the overgrown foliage right in the middle of town,

                underneathe bridges, in old, delapadated, abandoned barns,

                     in the woods behind stores we go in every day,

                         in storage sheds

                             in cars.

Some have made mistakes, some have broken brains (mental illness of some kind), many have lost self esteem and think there is no dignity left, so they try to stay invisible as much as they can.  And some of society would like for it to stay that way.  The homeless know this. Can you blame them for hiding?

But it's just not right for one of God's creation to hide, being scared, lonely, hungry, cold, feeling like there is no one in this world who cares if they breathe or not, if they eat or not, if they are loved or not.

I've been saddened to hear that a couple of ministries in our town have been negative about other ministries who are helping the poor and homeless. They claim that other than theirs, the others only give handouts where as they give handups and that these handouts are only hurting the people. And yet, the people who said this have never come to check out our ministry, they have not talked with those in charge as to what is the purpose, what is going on, what are the successes. Assumptions often lead to misunderstandings. This makes me sad.

I couldn't help but ponder their statements and I even looked up the defintion of the word.

Handout - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HandoutCached - Similar

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A handout is something given freely

 I then realized that maybe there was some truth to the statement of handouts.

The Blanket Ministry and Homeless Outreach do give handouts. . .of

ourselves

friendship

Christ's love

encouragement

hope

the Good News

prayers

grace

time

hugs

showing a way out

 

This ministry has drawn people out of hiding and we have heard words from them like,

 

"You all have given me hope"

 

"Thank you for not treating me like trash"

 

"Thank you for caring"

 

"I can't believe you do all this for US"

 

"Thank you so much"

 

"God bless you all"

 

These ministries were born out of a conviction from the Heavenly Father Himself. I then think how happy I am of all the ones who have contributed to these two ministries, whether that be time, money, food, staples, prayers, talents, and unconditional love

 

We go out and find and meet these people on their turf, enter into the mess of their lives and hold out our arms, hold out our hand to lift them up and show them the Savior who can lift them all the more higher, if they so choose.  They are shown a way out of the pit through different agencies, different programs, and most of all, through the love and saving grace of our Heavenly Father who reaches out with His Righteous Right Hand to lift them out the miry clay and begins to set their feet on solid ground.

 



As I see it, the Father up above also hands out His hands.

A handout?

I see nothing wrong with that at all!

 

But then, that's just me sayin'. . .

 

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I learn. Envolve me and I remember."

 

Getting involved with someone and letting them become involved in your life. . .

who knows what they will remember years from now.

 

I bet it won't be the blanket or the cup of coffee.

I'm thinking it will be the love given with the blanket and coffee because that's when one stepped into their lives. . .no matter how messy it was.

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
First John 3: 17-18

Are they being hurt?  Ask the ones who are not living out of their car and their tents anymore. Ask the ones not residing under the bridges anymore. Ask the ones who have jobs and a roof over their heads now.  Ask the ones who are back in church and praying again. Ask the ones who were lonely and hidden who now have friends who care.

 

If this brings them out of hiding and into their own place, into a hospital, into a church and into the arms of their Savior. . .

 

then handouts we will give.

And for the ones who retreat back, seeds were planted and God can nourish and water and grow them. The planting has to come from somewhere.

How about you?

 

You may ask,  "How"? Prayer is huge for a ministry. Please pray for all the volunteers, for all the hidden people, for all ministries to work together and encourage one another, and how God would lead you to handout however He sees fit for you.

giving freely. . .

 

 

handouts. . .

You bet!

Dear Heavenly Father,
I ask your blessings on ALL ministries that deal with the homeless, the poor, the down and out, the hidden ones.  We are not in a competition here, or we shouldn't be. One should not be labeled better than the other. One should not be talking down of another.  If we are walking in the Spirit and serving You, then all ministries should work and love the people together. May we love and serve and give in Your name only and may our ministries bring glory and honor to You, our God, our Lord, our Savior, our most Holy Father in Heaven. Forgive us when we fail you and please continue to give us a handup and a handout of your precious, grace-filled love. May we all be pleasing in Your sight.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

*Matthew 25:34-40*