Survivor Ministry

My husband, Paul, and I (and often our grown kids) have been led by the Lord to minister to the street homeless in Philadelphia. This is a video we put together several years ago after one of our trips there.  We live 3 hours away and because it has been getting increasingly difficult to go there as often as we would like, we are hoping to find a way to move closer to Philly. With God all things are possible.

While there are many shelters in the city, the street homeless often don't use them for various reasons (mental illness, addictions, paranoia, etc.).  These are the people we seek to find.  Some are new to the streets - others have been on the streets for many years.  They are different ages, ethnicities, genders and have different belief systems. We try to meet them where they are in order to show them the love of the one true God.

We make up what we call "survivor bags" -  zip lock bags filled with a variety of items depending on the season.  The bags usually contain something to drink, a protein, raisins, applesauce, crackers, granola bar, band aids, wipes, gum, socks, trash bag, tissues, Bible tracts, daily devotions and in the winter hat/gloves/scarf.  We witness to the homeless and often pray with them if they are willing. If you are interested in doing something like this for your town you can visit www.loveinabag.com to get a list of what we put in the bags.  It's a great project for a youth or women's group!

We hope to go again soon - the bags are made up and ready to go!  Please pray for softened hearts that are ready to hear and even accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior; that God would be glorified in all we do and say; that we would be obedient to our Lord; and also for our safety.  We give Him all the glory and praise Him for we could do nothing without Him. Thank you so much and may God bless you!

Homeless in Baltimore 12/21

Back from our street ministry in Baltimore and once again God has blessed me beyond words.  To be used as His hands and feet always brings me to a place of indescribable ecstasy - a privilege undeserved and yet never to be taken for granted. And once again I come home with a new question of "why?"

In the past there have been questions of "why the misery?; why the addictions?; why the pain?; why do some have and some don't?; why, Lord, why?"  This time was no different - but it was different.

Stanley is a black man probably in his 50's although it's hard to tell when someone has been out in the elements for any length of time.  His family has produced four preachers and while Stanley did not profess to be one of them, he could quote scripture and tell us Bible stories better than many preachers out there.  So of course I assumed Stanley was a true believer, disciple, follower of Jesus - and in his heart that may be the truth.  But Stanley told us he is a sinner (response: we ALL are, Stanley).  No, we didn't understand.  Stanley is a HUGE sinner who knows better but can't or refuses to clean up his act.  And Stanley had another secret - he cannot understand why him.  Why, God, why him?  Why is he homeless?  Why is his life meaningless?  What is the purpose of his suffering, sin and feelings of hopelessness?  Why doesn't God just change it when He's so powerful and could do it in an instant?  Why?  Our question was why couldn't Stanley accept grace?

After inadequately making attempt after attempt to answer his questions, Kristina and I began to realize sometimes you just can't answer all questions.  Sometimes, as humans, we don't have the answers and we are being dishonest to try and act like we do.  Sometimes God doesn't give us the answers.  He has His reasons and He doesn't always share those reasons.  Maybe because we don't need to know; maybe because we couldn't handle it if we knew; maybe we just wouldn't understand.

Then my daughter, my very insightful daughter, asked Stanley a question (this, by the way, is a time proven way of answering someone's question).  She asked him if he took these questions to God - to which Stanley said "oh yes, all the time, I ask and tell God all the time how I feel."  And Kristina told Stanley to keep doing that - to keep talking to God, asking Him why, telling Him how he feels.  What great advice to give him. The Old Testament is riddled with people who cried to God, complained to God, shouted to God and questioned God.  What did they all have in common?  Belief.  They believed in God Almighty or they wouldn't be crying, complaining, shouting or questioning Him.  And through it all He grew their faith.

Stanley said he would definitely keep wrestling with God because, afterall, He is his Father.  And there it was - confirmation that despite all the pain, all the disappointment, all the disgrace, there was belief.  God can and will deal with Stanley's doubts as long as he keeps taking it to Him.  And I thank God for yet another lesson showing me I don't have all the answers but He does.  Praise Him for taking the time to grow us, teach us, mold us and love us.  Amen.


Click here to read a great article by Philip Yancey on Faith and Doubt.