Helping the Homeless...

Above is a picture of the back of our mini van stuffed with all the goods that everyone donated to the homeless. Instead of doing the normal neighborhood gifts, I proposed that we all give the things that are not needed by us, but can be used by them, to the homeless. New or Old. My friend Jamie helped me out with this and I am so glad that she did. With all the flyer's and such it was a lot more to take on then I was thinking that it would be. I set up an appointment to go help serve dinner at the shelter for January 3rd. Then we collected everything that would be needed. Everyone was so generous. They gave everything from clothes, food, cleaning supplies, money, and even underwear. As you can see we packed our mini van to the max. We took the women and children's clothes to the Rescue Haven for women and children and then went to the men's Rescue Mission. Where we also served the meal.

They have you come and sit in their nightly nondenominational church service, and then you go set up the food and serve. (They have a cook and some homeless that help out in the kitchen.)

The service was a Preacher from another faith. They have Preachers or Bishops switch off giving of there time. Which made for an interesting time for us volunteers. First the Preacher rocked out on the gatuire, and we sang hymns. I probably shouldn't say this but I think his secret dream is to be a counrty singer. Then he preached to us. So, there are a few things that I learned from this guy.

1. He said that if Jesus stepped into the room at that moment that nobody would know it was him. So, I must say... I sure hope that I would. Even if I did not... there would be at least one or more that would know. Plus, if there is children in the room... they will for sure know.
2. He said that everyone lies. Every church lies... even his church... even him. (Although he did point fingers else were... which made all of us a little uncomfortable.) Now even if this is true... (Which I do not believe that everyone is perfect, of course. I do not believe everyone has the problem of lying.) I am beyond grateful that our Heavenly Father (Who doesn't lie.) gave us a way to find out for our selves that something some one tells you is true or not. Ask on bended knee and he will tell you what is true or false.
   
3. Even though it is not always an appropriate time and place for you to correct or testify... through example you can leave a mark.
4. That I am grateful for the knowledge that I have of the Savior and all that he has done for us.
   
5. That people may feel the warning signs of the spirit and mistake them for the real thing.
6. That I would not be surprised if this man has ever lived in Stanton, VA.

Enough said about that. I loved that we were able to do this part of the service. We got to talk with the men in the kitchen before we served and they were so nice, funny, and had purpose. They are making a difference there and yes, I hope to do it again in the future. This made our Christmas Season one of the best ever. Below are pictures of the people that went with us. Thanks guys!

They took turns taking the pictures.