Forgotten

There's a wonderful person in my church who, through her experiences with a loved one and homelessness, has been growing a ministry to the homeless called "The Forgotten".  Melissa inspires me with her compassion and courage.  She has worked and built relationships with some of the homeless citizens of Indianapolis.  I had not had any 1st hand experience serving with this ministry when she asked me if I would go with them as they took some hot food and coats, blankets, and other supplies down to the camps.  By camps, I mean settlements of individuals living in tents, under tarps, and in makeshift shacks along the White River.  I really wasn't sure what I was getting into.  I have to admit I had some preconceived notions that those people were probably in that situation because they chose to be and surely they could find something better if the really wanted to.  After several hours of spending time with these individuals, my perspective was shifted.  I can't fully articulate exactly what I felt after leaving, but I think the crux of it was this.  Sometimes it's not up to us to worry with the why's and how's.  Sometimes we need to leave our comfort zone and see people how I'm sure Jesus sees them.  Valuable and special human beings who are loved by the Creator.  People who have immediate needs such as food and shelter and (during this cold Indiana December) warmth.  We just need to go and do something.  Homelessness is a vast and complicated issue, it can't be solved by one trip to the river with several pots of chili and an armful of blankets, but for today this is what I think all of us can cling to....

•  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.'   "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'   --Matthew 25:35-36,40