Homeless

On any night in America, approximately 750,000 men, women, and children are homeless in the US. According to National Alliance to End Homelessness.

• 56% live in shelters and transitional housing
• 41% are persons living in families.  
• 44% are unsheltered. 
• 59% are single adults
• 98,452 are homeless families 

In one year, approximately 3.5 million people will live in an emergency shelter   or on the streets. 

Recently, one Saturday morning in Downtown Grand Rapids a group of friends and I visited with some men and women who have also found themselves homeless.  

Our team went straight to work in the kitchen. Emily was directing our team, Stephanie and Kevin expertly flipped pancakes and browned sausages, Laura and Jeff feverishly mixed the pancake batter, Dawn and Nancy were greeting the guests with a smile as they served breakfast and Beth and I were out doing what we love to do, meet people! As our group was preparing breakfast, men and women, young and old came in and found their spot. For some it was a booth along the wall, for others it meant finding a table big enough to meet up with friends and for these men it was a table set up for dominoes. 

These brothers were playing a mean game of dominoes. While my friend Beth and I stood there talking with them, I was a filled with great joy!  These brothers, who God has created and who He loves, were enjoying fellowship together. They allowed us the great honor to join in with them. It was a blessing to be there.

Although these men and women have found themselves in need, requiring the assistance of food, they were not lacking spunk and energy! Their joy and playfulness was infectious.

I was so blessed by my time with these brothers and sisters. I went to bless them, but I was the one who received the blessing.

  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, 

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, 

I was a stranger and you invited me in,

 I needed clothes and you clothed me, 

I was sick and you looked after me, 

I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-36

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:40

Where can you get involved in serving others in the name of Christ?

Thank you Father for demonstrating your love for us, that while we were yet sinners you sent your son to die for us and to offer us the opportunity to no longer be strangers, homeless and wandering.  We now have a home with you. Remind us to share this home with everyone.  

Take a look...

Take a look, a long good look. What do you see? 

A man, someones son, brother, father, friend. Standing on the street with everything he possesses. Existing, Breathing, Wondering, "Is this all there is?" 


What would you say to him? How do you respond? 


Looking through the back of the van, watching this beautiful creation of God, all I could think to do is offer him some food. Unfortunately, all I had was a Cliff bar and a granola bar. He graciously accepted the gift and then curiously looked at the packaging, quickly adding it to his belongings.

Lord, guide this man, direct him, whisper your deep love for him, restore him and give back to him what has been taken, I pray silently. 

This man reminded me that every person is created by God, loved by God and matters to God. It felt good to reach out to him.

Earlier in the week while walking through the streets of Panajachel, in Guatemala we were approached by Mayan women who were insistent that we buy their blankets, bracelets, key chains and more. 


I would like to say that I

• had a deep meaningful conversations with these women.
• prayed with these women.
• was moved with compassion. 

Unfortunately this was not the case. All week we had worked to build relationships and share the love of Christ with people and in an instant I had reverted back to deciding who I would be kind to. 


Examine your heart and actions today.Who can you reach out to? The clerk at the store, your neighbor, the gas station attendant, someone at the homeless shelter?

 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Psalm 24;1

Father, forgive me for picking and choosing. Thank you for reminding me that the Earth is yours and everything in it. Jesus thank you for dying for everyone. Change my heart one, Mayan woman at a time.  Jann