Mercy and Compassion Spoken Here
August 30th, 2010
For those of you who are reading our blog on a regular basis, you’ll notice a few changes. We no longer put pictures of our friends on the site. Even tho we always ask if we can post their pix, we respect and honor them at all times and sometimes it’s not such a good idea for them to have their faces on the internet. It’s just better to leave them off. But I will be more creative in my choice of pictures. I love hands and feet so you might see a bunch that actually belong to our homeless friends…
Now, on to our Sunday at the riverbed. What an amazing group of friends we have. Both the friends who help us from our church and the friends who come and share a meal with us. This Sunday I experienced an outpouring of love and grace from our homeless guys, more so than usual. Some were missing for a few weeks and we found out that hospital stays and jail time was the cause of that. But they are back and for that we are glad. We had simple sandwiches this time but a boat load of sugar-laden cheese cakes and cream pies. We also gave out a lot of canned foods that our friends can take home to their camps in case they miss a meal at Mary’s Kitchen. When we have any leftovers, we give them to a gentleman who is s sponsor for a group rehab house down the street. So the food and supplies that we have touches so many people!
Half way through the lunch, a couple came up on bikes and saw the large crowd gathered there and wanted to know who we were and how they too can help. So many people just want to be generous and want to find a way to show compassion. We want to be the bridge for those with a generous and compassionate heart but no place to express it. We will continue to build a bridge between communities and help people to see first hand the great personalities and people on both sides of the lunch table!
The weather is getting cooler so we’re now looking for more sleeping bags and tents. They also do sweeps along the riverbed and throw away these items. Although they get warnings sometimes folks dont get the messages till it’s too late and then they are left without any shelter. If you can help us with small tents and sleeping bags, check out how to donate page above.
And lastly, even tho we get negative attention at times, we feel so much mercy, love and compassion from our homeless friends who really see the motivations of our hearts. Nothing feels quite like the hugs we get when we get there and when we leave. My cup is full when I drive away! And if that’s selfish, then I am one totally selfish person!
Thanks for reading! and if anyone out there knows how to un-push the insert picture button on WordPress…. lemme know!
Hugs