We had an awesome meeting yesterday! The day started off with wonderful fellowship while we made the lunch bags. I am so grateful for the women of Green Pines Baptist Church for purchasing the items for the bags, helping with the assembly and packing, and then praying over them before we drove to hand them out!
At our meeting and bible study, we were joined by a wonderful person who has a heart to help others! After introductions, the conversations turned to different types – and heat – of food! It was wonderful fellowship with everyone sharing the types of food they enjoy eating and how hot/spicy they like their food! We then discussed 1st Corinthians 13. “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” Updates were given on all that has taken place in-between meetings, with several folks we are working with.
We headed out to the bus stop with 20 lunch bags and boxes of winter tops, pants, jackets, socks, gloves, a box of toiletries and 2 blankets. All these items were donated by members of Green Pines Baptist Church, Wendell United Methodist Church and our new visitor who has a heart to help others! Folks were able to go through the clothes and pick out the ones that they needed, and were very grateful! Some could not believe it and kept asking if it was indeed free, and if they could take what they needed. As we were handing out the lunch bags, they were eating while going through the clothes and talking with us. We were able to register two folks on the Wake Access Hub, to begin the process of receiving resources to help them get back on their feet. We had someone who found us through one of our posts reach out to let us know about two tents they had. We were able to hand those out as well, to two very grateful folks who have been living on the streets and are at a camp nearby. We are so grateful for all the donations and everyone’s time who helped out on Saturday!
Our friend who stops by when he sees us, and greats us with a song came by. He and Gene broke out singing “Oh How I Love Jesus!” It was so awesome to see the both of them singing with joy! Before leaving, we always check in and visit with S. It is a great way to end our time – with a big smile and stories from S!
There were a few others I checked in with after everyone left. I got to meet M, B’s daughter who just got reunited back with him and just in time as he is still in the hospital. She gave me an update on his condition. She has been at the hospital every day for the past week, reading scripture and praying with him. He has made progress with her there, and we are very grateful for that! I was able to attend a video chat while she was in the room with him and it looks like I will be able to visit him this week!
I picked up A and her little one, who had been out getting a meal and items for her baby. Janet with Advocacy to Alleviate Homelessness donated a bag full of clothes for A. I took them back to the hotel and while I was able to hold and feed N, she put up the food, clothes and items she received. When she opened the bag of clothes from Janet, she was elated with all the wonderful items that were in there! They were very nice clothes, and would be perfect as she begins to go on job interviews in the coming weeks! It has been so awesome seeing people and resources surround her and lift her family up!
I went to sleep with a full heart after all of the activities yesterday and during the week prior!