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A Story from the Interfaith Hospitality Network
As told by Janet Chilcote
It was Thanksgiving and three homeless families were staying at First UMC, Oviedo....
(see below for full story)
The Agape Clubhouse
From Linda at First UMC, DeLand
A man who has come to Clubhouse for a cup of coffee or an occasional meal was a severe alcoholic who had lived in the woods for years... (see below for full story)
Disaster Response
From Marilyn Beecher
The day after they finished final exams in December, a group of 22 students from the Auburn University Wesley Foundation headed to Orlando.... (see below for full story)
A Story from the Interfaith Hospitality Network
As told by Janet Chilcote
It was Thanksgiving and three homeless families were staying at First UMC, Ovied. There was an Anglo Mother with her child, an African American Mother with two children and a Hispanic family with the parents, four children including a newborn and grandparents (the grandmother in a wheelchair). The families worked all morning to decorate the youth lounge. The Moms took great joy in helping their children make little turkeys and fall leaves with the arts and crafts materials, then carefully set them around the table. People from the church brought food of all kinds and two host families with their children were added to the mix for the dinner.
Janet described it this way, "It reminded me of the great banquet feast in Luke 14. People of different cultural backgrounds, of different generations were all thanking God together. This is what the Church should be about."
"I couldn't help thinking", Janet continued, "If not for IHN and the partner Churches, these families would have been living in their cars, or out in the woods. It is possible the Mothers could have their children taken away or the Father could be separated from his family."
The Agape Clubhouse
From Linda at First UMC, DeLand
Agape Clubhouse Mission: To share the love of Jesus Christ and to present the Gospel to persons who are unable to work because of physical or mental illness.
A man who has come to Clubhouse for a cup of coffee or an occasional meal was a severe alcoholic who had lived in the woods for years. He was a Vietnam Vet who received benefits monthly. When his check came, many of the other homeless men would be there to "share." He would ask his friends to go get liquor for him, but they would never bring back any change. He would be out of money just a few days after his check arrived.
He had a dignity of his own with his quiet ways and military posture. He loved to make people laugh and usually had a story to tell. "Mr. Walter" was admitted to the hospital with cancer which had already spread throughout his body. Our Pastor, Dr. Joseph, visited him and Mr. Walter professed a relationship with his Savior, Jesus Christ. What a thrill it is to know that Mr. Walter, who did in May 2005, is praising God in heaven at this very moment. Mr. Walter is missed by his many friends.
Disaster Response
From Marilyn Beecher
The day after they finished final exams in December, a group of 22 students from the Auburn University Wesley Foundation headed to Orlando. They worked on several repair jobs, but the most memorable moment came at Celia's home.
Celia and her family moved to Orlando in May. She was 67 and in poor health. She was waiting medical procedures after Christmas. Her daughter stayed home to care for her and her son-in-law wais working in a minimum wage job while he looked for work in his profession. The storms did serious damage to their home and property. They used insurance money to have a new roof put on, but there was not enough money to repair the insulation and ceilings that were gone from two of the rooms. The temperature went down to freezing for several nights and the house could not be warmed. Celia's one and a half year old granddaughter was sent to stay with friends.
The Auburn team brought in supplies and went to work. They "weathered in" the home by cleaning for mold, tearing out the old insulation that was left, putting in new insulation and ceilings. When I arrived to check on things, Celia looked up at the ceiling and started crying. She told me, "Now we can bring our baby home for Christmas!"
When we are doing God's work, the blessings abound. The students were laughing as Celia told them stories and one young man said, "When I get old I hope I have a sense of humor like that. She has been telling us jokes all day." Celia said , "People complain about young people today, but look at these students who gave up part of their Christmas vacation to help my family. Can you believe they would do that?" |
