Tag Archives: Evangelism

5.24.09 Encounters in the Soup Kitchen

This writing is a follow up to my note written on May 3rd entitled “Helping the Poor”.  I indicated that I was going to attempt to interface with the poor and try to build relationships with those who are in need at our local Soup Kitchen to see how God can use me to be of some help to the poor.   My friend and I did this yesterday and what I discovered was emotionally overwhelming.

First, I discovered that they desired to be connected with others.  I really thought that I would “look different” and that they would not emotionally try to connect with me, but what I discovered is that they welcomed someone showing a genuine interest in them.  In an hour and half, I learned basic storylines for Kathleen, Katherine, Sonya, Bessie and Tony.  They needed a listening ear and needed to know that someone cared to know.  They weren’t looking to me to “fix” their circumstances.  I was so blessed by just their willingness to be open.

Second, I discovered that among the five people I met with yesterday that they seemed to have a low level of cognitive functioning and perhaps some mental illness.  When I listened to their stories, I just felt heartbroken about their circumstances and realized that their level of cognitive functioning had contributed to why they are in the circumstances that they are in.  It was so sad to me.

Third, I discovered that they not only wanted to connect with me, but it was becoming apparent that their need to keep talking to me indicated that they had been shunned and ignored in the past.  I found it very difficult to unhook from several of these conversations without feeling like I was being rude.  They are so hungry for attention.

Fourth, I discovered that the needs are great, not small.  This is probably what overwhelmed me the most.  As I listened to each of their stories, it was very hard to imagine the kind of life they were living because they did not have the resources that you and I have and take for granted.  Tony needs transportation and needs his bike repaired.  This repair is not free, and he doesn’t have the resources to pay for the repair.  My friend and I couldn’t quite figure out if the bike was in the shop and stuck there until he could pay the repair bill, or if it was at home because he couldn’t afford to have it repaired.  We are going to figure this out and see if we can help.  In the meantime, this man needs a job, and he has to walk all over town just to fill out applications.

Now, lest you think that I have been totally taken in by what I observed, I also need to share that I observed some incongruence and found myself a bit confused.  Here are people in a Soup Kitchen who need food, yet they have cell phones and a land line and can’t pay all of their bills.  Some had transportation, some did not.  Where does the money come from?  Some of you who are in the medical field probably see this everyday, and perhaps if you are a teacher, you may see this everyday as well.  I am seeing this with fresh eyes and wondering how those of you in the medical and teaching professions really deal with those who are poor and have basic needs that you and I take for granted. 

Overall, I left Saturday afternoon very encouraged by the overall experience.  My friend and I will go back next Saturday to see if we can connect with the same people and build the relationship with them.  It is my desire to help the poor in direct ways and to feed them spiritually, which is what the Soup Kitchen is all about.  I also don’t want to be calloused toward the poor and develop wrong attitudes toward the poor.  Please be in prayer for us as we will attempt to explore their attitudes toward God and get a sense of their understanding as to who Jesus is and start closing the gaps for them.  I can’t wait to see how the Spirit will work!

Blessings,

Lee Ann

5.3.09 Helping the Poor

Sunday, May 03, 2009:  I have reached a point of frustration as it relates to helping the poor.  Jesus states that we will always have the poor among us, and he states that if we give a cup of cold water to the least of these, we have done it to him.  There are numerous passages that tell us that God desires for us to reach out to those in need.

My frustration is that I have mostly helped the poor over the years by throwing money at various organizations.  I think giving to organizations is certainly a viable way to help those in need, but I think Jesus is actually calling us to do more than just send a check.  So the question becomes, “How do I intersect the lives of the poor, the homeless, etc?”  I can assure you that they are not knocking on my front door in a nice neighborhood; nor do they come to my office; nor do they show up at the church I attend.  I am isolated from the poor like many of you.

This week I decided to do something about this.  With the help of a dear friend, we decided to show up @ 6:45am last Monday at one of our McDonald’s that tends to attract a “different” clientele.  We brought devotional material and prayed that God would bring to our table people who were struggling and perhaps start building a bridge to them, learn their story, listen for their needs and begin helping the poor in meaningful ways.

Well, we were disappointed because the clientele looked mostly like us; however, with ten minutes left before we both needed to head to work, the cashier who took our money for coffee took a break and wandered over to our table and asked what we were doing!  We gave her a thumbnail sketch, and she ended up telling her story: birthed 9 kids; no father in the picture; works two shifts to make ends meet.  When she left our table, my friend and I were in awe that God honored our attempt to reach someone who needed the help and spiritual encouragement.  We left feeling very affirmed that we’re on the right track. 

The following day I was at a gas station, and a lady walked by who didn’t appear to have much to her name, and I simply smiled at her and said, “Hi”.  Upon the initial contact, she rounded the pump and asked me if I could spare $5 (smiling with no teeth and only gums visible).  In times past I would say “no” because I’d worry about them taking the $5 and buying cigs and alcohol.  Not today.  I was reminded that the money in my pocket is God’s money that I have been asked to manage, and I just felt she needed the $5 more than I did.  I gave it to her and said, “God bless you”.

This week’s spiritual journey has been teaching me that the poor is all around us and that we need to be spiritually sensitive to those around us.  My friend and I are going to keep in touch with the cashier, and we are going to look at the Soup Kitchen and see if we can’t be “regulars” on a weekly basis and see if we can build some relationships and help them beyond a meal.

Blessings,

Lee Ann