Opportunities

As ever, there seem to be new opportunities coming my way. Some of them I am more excited about than others. Some I'm still working on not feeling guilty about saying "no" to. Others are good and I have to say "no" simply not to overburden myself.
Last week I said "yes" to an opportunity for ministry and I am glad that I did!
A friend asked me to come and take some pictures of a soup kitchen type ministry that our church is involved with. The pictures are for the church's website (I'm supposed to write an article for it too, but we are still working on that :) ). So, I went downtown on Wednesday just after noon and found my way through the market, past the fire station and down an alley behind a government building to the shack where people had already started to expectantly gather. The location is ideal, it is in between the two main streets downtown. The actual shack isn't so ideal. Half of it is given to a recycling business, you know, where you can bring old bottles and cardboard and get a few pennies for them. On the other side of the shack is where we met. Since a lot of homeless people do collect bottles and what not for return the location is good in that it is easy for them to find. But the shack is pretty dismal. Really it is just a storage shed, where they store the various pieces of wood, ancient chairs and buckets that they use to construct seating for the Wednesday and Saturday gatherings. They have to put it away each time or someone would steal it.
Everyone sits outside on the makeshift seating. Recently, they were able to construct a roof over part of the oustide area so now people have a little protection from the elements while they eat. The food itself is prepared in the church office by volunteers and then brought over in a van. On Wednesday, while I was there, they served green borscht (a hearty soup and very traditional Ukrainian); a main course consisting of cheap pasta, a gravy that occasionally had pieces of meat in it and a cabbage-based salad; there is no dessert, but they did serve compote (think, natural koolaid) after the meal.
Twenty-four people gathered for food, but the volunteers said that they have up to forty, esp. in winter. The mix of people who came was amazing. Some were obviously homeless and either alcoholics or addicted to drugs. But there were several older people who may or may not be homeless, all of them were very hungry. Chances are that even for those who aren't homeless they aren't getting enough from their pension to feed themselves adequately and they must not have family to care for them. There were also a couple of others who have just fallen on hard times through one cause or another. It became apparent to me that one lady was there primarily because she needed a listening ear. Another girl was there because she needs the love and acceptance. Each one had their own needs, some visible and some not.
Overall the group was very well behaved and lined up quietly after we prayed for the food. There was a little anxiety among some that they wouldn't get their portion, but most of the group were very good natured and patient. It was hardest to watch some of the older ladies who were so obviously starving. As soon as they got their bowl of soup they began eating it as quickly as they good.
After the meal is served and everyone is satisfied, the leftovers are handed out (on or two brought bottles or jars to take food with them) and then everyone is invited to stay and listen to a Bible talk. There is no pressure, but over half the group stayed and most listened intently as my friend read from Matthew and challenged them to love other people and to love God. The gospel message was very clearly presented and everyone was challenged to make a personal commitment.

This ministry continues on Saturday evenings as well. Tea is served with a bun, but not hot meal. However, hair cuts are offered and shaves. And then there is again a time for Bible reading and discussion. Saturday is much more focused on the spiritual side of things and it is organized more like a Bible study. Less people come, but those who come participate for the most part and are interested and have questions.

It was interesting to visit this ministry. I was a little intimidated at first, but everyone was friendly to me and I actually enjoyed getting to meet some of these people an also seeing people that I see at church every Sunday serving others. It has certainly given me food for prayer. I hope I'll be able to go back and visit in the future.