I just want to share some stories from my adventures in serving the homeless. If you remember last month, I talked about the new ladies shelter and how we weren't allowed to bring food and stuff in. Well, last Sunday (December 12th) before we went out and in our prayer circle we prayed that God would open a door for us to come in and serve. Darlene told everyone that we would have to prepare for not coming inside. So we arrived to the shelter, talked to the guard. Well, one of the staff members just happened to be in the lobby and she said this once she will let use in. So, we came in and we never did this before. It was chaotic ... but we were inside, however, we talked after and discussed asking if we could use the kitchen and use the serving window. So we added that to the prayer list, if they would let us in and let us use the kitchen.
Well, now to December 19th ... we went to the shelter and the staff told us we could come in. Well as Darlene went to the bus so we could back it into the drive and unload ... I went to the staff lounge and asked them to hang up signs for the Bible study next week. I asked if we could use the kitchen and they told me we could. The staff actually had me kind of take charge of things. So what we did this time I numbered the 15 tables and had the ladies draw numbers and we ate a table at a time. It was great!
As we were working, a lady came to me and said, "come with me" so I did ... she took me to the hallway where the sleeping rooms were and introduced me to Mary. She is 84 years old, diabetic and is wilted down to nothing. She was laying in her bed trying to keep warm. My heart sank ... 84, no family and a sweet spirit. I went to the bus and smuggled in a big blanket and covered her up. I then smuggled a hat and gloves in. I just put a hat on my head and walked out without one! It was great! I was reminded of the verse "Whatever you do to the least of these, you did to me" and I realized, this elderly woman is Jesus in disguise. Pray for Mary. A couple of the ladies told me she is forgotten a lot. And it touched my heart to see that a few of the ladies are taking care of Mary.
God is moving ... I'm excited to see what is next!
Becky
Published on Facebook profile, Becky Phillips on December 20, 2010
