I don't know how to start writing but one thing I do know is that I felt so different after today's event. Aside from going to church, enjoying the sunny spring, listening to the birds chirping, returning my things to Home Depot, I finally get to get involve in CAre Connection. It is a sign-up event for the church people to help out in the community.
Today, our trip to downtown became a nervous and scary one. After finding the apartment called Open Door Mission, I tried to look for parking area. We asked a guy who seem to one of the homeless people. He asked us to park 25 feet away when actually just had to park a few feet away. Luckily, we didn't hear what he said and manage to get a parking just at the corner of the block. We were really scary to go into the mission. Zerene bravely ask one of the black guy who was in the kitchen about who we are and how we can help. That guy was really strict and strong and he was the one advising us what to do in the kitchen. Upon arriving, we were quickly been assigned to clean the table with a pail of water and rags. (Actually it is not detergent water but I said to Zerene: This is bleach.) Even though I wasn't comfortable knowing my hand is exposed to bleach, but because I scared of the black guy I just keep quiet and cleaned the brown and white tables quickly. Moo was also cleaning the table while Zerene dried them.
Then, an old couple came from EGC, helped us with arranging the plastic silverware. I arranged them on the right side of the sitting (and I guess doesn't matter to the homeless since they rushed for the food). Next, we helped with scooping the cocktail fruit, cutting up onions & tomatoes for the salad mix. There was nothing left to do; we sat down a little while to listen to a guy in front singing a few Christian songs until we were called back up again to pour the Italian dressings on the salad. I thought that we had to sit back out at the dining tables, instead, we were asked to standby at the kitchen. There was another white guy asking the black guy wat he has to do and whether or not we should go out there to help too. The black guy was protecting us (I guess because we are girls) and said " I want the girls just to be back here in the kitchen." Looking at him and his attitude, I believe that he knows so well the homeless think that he is very careful and strict on everything. During the time the dinner plates were given out, he was very meticulous about how things should be done. He probably had done so many times serving food to the homeless. He wanted so much to make sure that each person was assigned a task. I volunteered to do the corn (cos of the colorn smell) and Moo would do the beans and Zerene adding the buns. The black guy was counting the plates while putting into the plate with 2 big hot dogs.
I think he is really careful about the amount of food that he is giving out. There were more people than the number of people he should give . He was worried not having enough sausages for everyone. It's funny how the white guy assured him that the food was enough for everyone and he refered to the passage about Paul breaking the bread enough for everyone to eat despite of the small number of bread. Another funny things is , Moo saw a homeless throwing away the sausages. Haha..so ironic.
Anyway, this is my first time going out to downtown and helping out the homeless. Although the experience is scary but I feel so much motivated after coming back. I realized that I have take things for granted for the things I have around me. I should learn to bless other people more. It was great that we were able to donate some clothes to the homeless. I also learned that, although people speak in a different tone and style of language, there is the commonality, the passion to serve. I learned that in a situation like this, a smile on the face brings warmth and easiness to the people around. I didn't understand why the white guy felt so happy knowing that I was the first person to smile at people. (I smiled because I was happy to meet people and help them) But, I understand later that everyone was gloomy , serious and uptight about the situation. I also learned that even though we are in hostile environment, we have to learn to trust the people around us especially those who were trying to encourage and motivate us. Always trust God that He puts us in safety as long as we have the heart to serve Him.
Although we helped so wholeheartedly, but I do have questions. How did the homeless ended where they are? How did their life change after knowing the people who faithfully serve them? Do they really think about their life and thinking of changing even though knowing that God sent Jesus Christ to die for their sin? Do they live their life continuously just by still eating the food for free? I don't know ...even though I want to know...but God is always at work.
Father I pray that You will continue to touch their heart and work in their heart about the precious life You have given to them. I pray Lord that You will move the mountains in their heart and get back to the purpose of life You want them to do. I pray Lord that You will put out the bitterness in their heart and learn to go back to their loves one, if their relatives are thinking about them. I pray Lord that You instill their heart a new faith and hope in life, especially knowing that they could stand back up again with You holding their hands and walk one step at a time to the light You have promised them. Father, my heart really longs for changes in them and I earnestly to You. In Jesus name, Amen.
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