The One About the Homeless

This is a draft of a post that I started writing a few weeks ago.  I never really finished it, but here it is anyway.  Just thought I'd throw this out there into cyberland and see where it lands.
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I'm supposed to be writing something else right now, but I can't really concentrate on my assigned task until I sort through a few things that have been on my mind today. 
See these girls?

(Aren't they cute?)

 

These sweet things asked Phil and me if they could go with us downtown to feed lunch to the homeless.  Of course we said, "Of course!"

 

My friend Hannah and her husband Craig have been ministering to the down-and-out in the downtown area for a few years now.  They work alongside some individuals who have been serving Sunday lunch to the hungry and the homeless for quite a while.  I met Hannah at work last year and found out about what she and Craig and their kids were doing, and she invited us and our sweet youth and ANYONE WE KNOW to join them.

 

Let me tell you some of what we've experienced during our periodic excursions to downtown Memphis.  (WARNING:  My thoughts at this point are not in any way organized.  I'm afraid if I try too hard to put it together in a pretty package that I'll forget something that matters to me.)

• Several teenagers came through the line today.  I found myself wondering if they were still in school, and I wondered how it felt to go to class wondering if anyone had seen you in line for a handout.  I also wondered what circumstance had put those teens on the street looking for a meal.... was it a parent who was too drunk or strung out to feed them?  was it a sober parent who just wanted to take advantage of free food for the family?  were they runaways?  were they just regular kids who happened to be and about when the food was served?
• One of the wheelchair-bound regulars was recently diagnosed with cancer.  (He's in a wheelchair because both of his legs have been amputated.)
• Last week I saw a lady who was also a wheelchair-bound amputee;  I think she had a place to stay, but she was obviously still in need.  When she wheeled around to leave, I noticed that one of the wheels on the back of her motorized chair was broken, making it seem like she was constantly rolling through potholes.  I felt absolutely helpless to help her. 
• One guy who was known for picking fights, swearing, and complaining has settled down so much that Phil didn't even recognize him last week.  He goes by the nickname "Country."  Country hasn't been drinking and has been asking for prayer.  He's wanting to find his family and to find a way off the streets.
• Some of the people we serve are not really homeless, but many of them are still in need of food.  Some of them are probably able to work to provide food for themselves and for their families.  Homeless or hungry--able or not-- doesn't the fact that they showed up still make them worthy of compassion?
• I saw a few children go through the line today as well.  Children.  They can't help it.  Who is taking care of them?
• Phil fixed a plate for a baby boy who is about two years old.  He and his mom aren't always sure where they will be sleeping each night.  They've managed to be with friends most of the time, but things change from day to day.  Right now, I can't quite let my mind go there.... his mom looked like she hasn't been out of high school for very long.
• Most of the people who received food were glad to take what was offered. Many remembered their manners and expressed their gratitude often.
• Do you know anyone who doesn't like for the food on his plate to touch?  We've noticed that most of the people who go through the food lines are SO OVER that little inconvenience.  In fact, Drew is constantly amazed at all the tastes and textures of food that he has seen piled onto plates.  We've seen some completely fill their plates and still stay in line to have food served into plastic grocery sacks.  Some have even put pieces of chicken in their pockets.
• Some people do turn down some of the food items that are offered; a few have medical issues that keep them from eating certain things (I think one man we saw was a diabetic), but some just don't like what is offered. Part of me is like, "Hey, take what you can get if you're really hungry." But then, another part of me wonders how often I choose to be particular about the grace that's extended to me.... I can sure be full of myself....
• If I had to be homeless, I'd want to be homeless in this country. At least the homeless here have access to some public restrooms and to free, clean water--even if it's from a sink in a gas station.
• Today I could smell the alcohol on some of the people before I even laid eyes on them.  Again, part of me was thinking, "You could've used your money for some FOOD instead of drinks!"  But on the other hand, what had led them to drink themselves into that situation anyway? Was it bad luck? A bad habit?  Escape from stress or sorrow?  Most of us blend in with the rest of society quite nicely, but I bet our secret habits and addictions stink worse than stale alcohol l in the nostrils of the Almighty.  How astonishing that He doesn't declare us undeserving of forgiveness and grace.

Remember, I WARNED you that you'd see little organization to my thoughts.

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Yeah, so I never really finished that post or made a point or anything.  However, if you live near the Memphis area and want to lend a hand or contribute something, I'd be glad to direct you to some folks who can tell you how you can help.  Downtown Memphis isn't really my actual neighborhood and the homeless aren't my nearest neighbors, but we do share the same planet, and Jesus cares about them, so whatever any of us can do isn't a wasted or misguided effort.

I know this much:  it's getting colder outside, and warm coats, socks, and blankets would be greatly appreciated by many people.  If you have some you want to donate, give me a shout and we'll see what we can do about sharing some warmth. 

If you DON'T live anywhere near Memphis, I bet you can still find some folks not too far away from you that are in need of something that you can provide.  I think I'm going to start looking around for needs we can meet that are a little closer to home, as well....  Neighbors, it seems, are everywhere.  God help us serve them and love them well.

PS--We found out recently that the business in Memphis that has been the main contributor of meat has made some cut-backs, so they don't have as much to donate to the Sunday lunch effort.  If you have any ideas or know of anyone who can donate extra food, then I'll be glad to pass the info along.  Thanks.

Hello Again

Hello out there in cyber-land.  Anybody still out there????  I just realized that I haven't posted a blog on either of my sites since we returned from Hungary on August 1. We've been a bit extremely busy since we returned.  Phil went back to work and was immediately sent out of town for two weeks.  My mom had knee replacement surgery only days after we landed back on American soil, and we've been staying with her while she recovers.  AND, my dear Mamaw went to be with Jesus just a few days after my mother's surgery.  AND the kids and I have been easing our way into life as a home schooling family.  Life has been crazy lately, but God is still on His throne, and He is doing all things well, and we are all just fine. 

How are you?

Some of you may not know, but I did not return to my former place of employment this school year.  That's a LONG STORY that everyone who is involved already knows about.  I'll just leave it at this: 

God has been up to something in our family. 

He has been moving and turning hearts and stirring up desires that I never would have imagined a few years ago.  After much prayer, Phil and I decided that I would not return to full time work this year so we can be free to pursue some other ministries that God has laid on our hearts.  We are still seeking Him and waiting for Him to continue to direct our steps, and we are trusting that He Who began a work in us will be faithful to bring it to completion. 

Just last week, Phil and Drew had the opportunity to make a mad dash to Louisana to assist in offering relief to victims of Hurricane Issac.  That was a ministry opportunity that we hadn't planned to pursue, but the need arose, and God made a way for my guys to go and extend grace.  I'm naturally prone to selfishness and self-absorption, but I married a man who was born to serve others.  He's one who will, as the old expression goes, give you the shirt off his own back.  Bless him, he'll even give you the shirt off one of our backs if it will fit you better.  He's just awesome like that, and he's showing our kids how to live like that, too.  (He doesn't know I'm writing about this, and when he reads this, he's gonna feel weird. It's my blog, though, and I can be grateful if I want.  Right?) 

Anywho......  I just wanted to give a quick update to offer an explanation for my absence---just in case my two regular readers were wondering what was going on (Hi Becky & Aunt Martha!).  Feel free to leave comments on here.  I'd love to know who reads this, and I'd like to know what you've been up to as well. 

If my internet connection permits, I'm actually going to post another entry today that will be entirely about my dear Mamaw.  I found some pictures of her that I'd like to share with my Garrard family.  Of course, all of you who are not Garrards by birth or marriage are more than welcome to take a look as well.

See y'all in the next post:)

Click here to read about my Mamaw.

Meet Gabi

In many parts of America, growing up in a Christian home is not an unusual thing. 

In fact, in certain parts of the Southern U.S., you can throw a biscuit and hit a Christian.  Or maybe a church-goer.  Y’all know what I mean.

Not many people can claim to have grown up in a Christian home in Hungary, so to meet a Hungarian who came to know Jesus as a child while being raised by Christian parents, well now, that’s a rare thing.   And for that Hungarian to be not a second generation Christian but rather a third generation Christian, well, that’s downright amazing.  And fascinating.  Let me introduce you to Gabi.

We had the privilege of eating lunch with Gabi last week, and we asked all the usual questions.  “Where are you from?” and “What work do you do?” and “Have you visited the U.S.?”  

This is his story:  Gabi lives in Budapest and works for Campus Crusade for Christ.  He and a team of Hungarian Christians spend their lives evangelizing and discipling students on a university campus.  They hold Bible studies, sponsor activities, and have prayer with people.  They also conduct surveys among students, and if students have spiritual needs or questions, the team gets their contact information and schedules meetings to speak with the students individually.  The group Phil worked with during the fall gathered the names of more than 500 students who provided their contact information and indicated that they would like to speak with someone about spiritual concerns.  Gabi says they have the “good” problem of having more students to contact than they have staff who can make follow-up calls. 

When students accept Christ as their Savior, Gabi and his teammates begin the work of discipling them:  teaching them about the Bible, showing them how to share their new faith with others, etc.  Some of our staff here at Speak Out are actually students that Gabi has led to the Lord.  Other believers financially support Gabi and the team so that this work can continue.  Just a few weeks ago, Gabi and his wife were in the U.S. to meet some of their supporters and to share about the work God is doing among Hungarian students. 

When I asked Gabi how he became a Christian, he told us that he was raised in a Christian home and came to Christ as a child.  Then he shared this story.

Some of you may know that Hungary was a Communist nation until 1990.  Madarasz Lajos, Gabi's grandfather, was a preacher in Hungary during this time when Christianity was illegal.  He held “underground” or secret church meetings during the 1960’s for people who wanted to know about having a relationship with God through His Son Jesus.  Not all churches had to meet in secret, though.  The ones that were approved by the government were mainly places to gather and talk about political issues. Some of the priests in the state-approved churches actually served as spies for the government by reporting any person or activity that seemed to be “Christian.” 

Besides leading an underground congregation of believers, Lajos was also a teacher of math and Physics.  Somehow, his employer discovered his secret Christian work and forced him to make a choice.  Lajos was given three days to decide to keep his job or to continue pastoring the Hungarian believers.  Gabi said, “He told them, ‘I don’t need three days to decide.  I will tell you now.’”  Lajos had a wife and seven children to support, but he chose to faithfully proclaim God’s word, even though it ruined his career. 

God was faithful, though.  All seven children thrived and all seven became believers.  Later, forty-six grandchildren were added to the family, and all forty-six became believers as well.  Gabi and his work with CCC are just some of the fruits that have come from the devotion and courage of that brave Hungarian pastor.  Only heaven knows exactly how many lives were rescued and redeemed in spite of the restraints of Communism.

I, like Gabi, am the product of a Christian home, and I am also a third generation Christian.  I thank God for my Christian heritage, and the work of Christ in our family is just as amazing.  But the courage of that one man to willingly face persecution in a Communist country…. his story both challenges and convicts me.  I’ve never been forced to choose between my relationship with God and my employment, or between feeding my family and sharing my faith.  How easy it is to serve God in America, yet how many faith-sharing opportunities have I ignored?

God, make us mindful and grateful for every opportunity to make Your glory known.  Thank you for heroes of the faith who motivate us and challenge us.

Thanks for meeting our new friend.  Will you pray for him, his wife, and their ministry team as they faithfully spread the Good News of Jesus Christ?

By the way, if you haven't seen it, I'm trying post pictures of Speak Out on our family blog.  Check it out:  www.davisfamilyinhungary.blogspot.com

SSMT Verse Review Part 3

SSMT Verse 5
John 15:16--"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give you."

I chose verse 5 for March 1, 2011.  Near the end of February, I came across it in a Kay Arthur devotional, and it really blessed me.  Actually, I came across this verse and had been meditating on it the morning that my Papa died... I don't think I'll ever forget this one. 

Jesus chose me to go and bear fruit; since He appointed this for me, the fruit that I bear will remain because it comes from abiding in the True Vine: Him. He didn't choose me to sit idley and wait to reach heaven--He wants me to be about His business.  Also, it makes me think of the verse in Ephesians that says we were saved and created for good works that God prepared beforehand that we might walk in them.  I want to abide in Him and walk in what He has chosen and prepared for me to do.  

 SSMT Verse 6
Philippians 4:19 (NASB)--Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Verse 6 from March 15, 2011, is a longtime favorite and one I need to constantly dwell on. DON'T BE ANXIOUS FOR ANYTHING!  That's right--ANYTHING! When I'm plagued with confusion or worry, I just need to remember to pray, give thanks, and let His peace guard my heart and mind no matter the circumstances.

 SSMT Verse 7
Colossians 4:17 (NASB)-- Take heed to the ministry you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.

Verse 7, April 1, 2011--As a Christian woman, I am a minister first to God, then to my husband, my children, my church, and, if there's anything left of me, to anything else the Lord sends my way.  I may have many responsibilities, concerns, and obligations, but I want to make sure I take heed FIRST and FOREMOST to the top four ministries that God has entrusted to me.  Keeping priorites in the correct order is challenging, but if I practice Matthew 6:33 and seek FIRST the kindgom of God, then everything else should fall into its proper place.