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Matthew 25:35

So we had been meeting with our gospel primer groups for a couple of weeks.  The 3rd week we had the opportunity to put together care packages for the poor and homeless (bottle of water, comb, socks, soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc) and then hand them out.  The plan is to reach out to people in our city who need a helping hand.  Sounds easy.  

I must admit that I was nervous before we headed out.  We went out to Nunn’s Creek Park because that is where we had heard that lots of homeless people sleep.  We headed out and arrive about 10:00 am.  We enter the parking lot and there is no one around.  So, we head into the bush (maybe not the best approach).  We trudge around and can’t find anyone so we leave and drive downtown.  

We park next to the lighthouse soup kitchen and talk to some guys behind the building.  We talk to Frank and a couple of his friends.  Frank used to be a logger and fisherman but hasn’t been able to find work.  He is riding his bike and it is his sole mode of transportation.  We ask if he is interested in one of our bags and he says yes.  It turns out it is his birthday today.  Right after that a lady from Aids Vancouver Island gives him a tray of brownies for his birthday.  We continue on and meet various people and all take our bags of household items.  

We come to a group of men and women.  There is an empty 2L pop bottle and some empty wine bottles at their feet.  We say hi to them and they half heartedly say “Are you guys rats!!”  â€œNo, we were just wondering”, as we hold up our bags, “If these might be of use to you?”  One by one they all say yes.  They ask us if we are from the salvation army.  We say no we are from the church way up on the hill but we let them know we just wanted to help them out.  We meet Trouble, Detroit, Florida, Jerry, and several more.  They all have a story and share freely.  At first, we are hesitant but the conversation becomes easier.  All of them have warm smiles and they seem very friendly.  The empty wine bottle might have something to do with that.   Detroit asks us to pray for him and we pray.  Then, Jerry asks to pray for us.  He launches into a 3 minute prayer that rhymes and is from his heart.  They ask us for a bible and sadly we didn’t bring any.  Next time we will make sure we have some in the car.  

For our first foray into loving our community, I’m unsure if I ministered or was ministered to.  I was nervous and we didn’t get much right but it felt right.  I think we will see them again.  
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