When he was young, his heart for justice was sometimes a little more in self interest, though he noticed if others were not treated fairly as well. But as a teen and young adult, his heart was pulled more and more to the injustices in the world that cause some to be trampled by those who trample. And he noticed that some injustices just existed… like why is one person born to a family of means and comfort and another to a mother squatting in a mud hut with little or no food. He had a giving heart that said, “If you need a ride and I have a car, God put us together for such a time as this.” He wasn’t satisfied sending money to help the needy, though he did that as well. He needed to be part of taking hope to the hopeless and extending a hand to those who had fallen or been knocked down.
As I watched him grow and mature and roll ideas around, I was forced to revisit questions I too had asked when I was younger and more idealistic – before I became so busy taking care of my own family. Long conversations late at night shed God’s wisdom and light on the plights of many in this world. It was simple. God said to go, to love, to forgive, to encourage and “spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry” (Isaiah 58:10). I don’t remember ever specifically reading this passage or talking about it, but he lived it as though it was a part of his DNA.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, [I can’t count how many times he challenged my thinking – my assumptions that showed lack of knowledge or understanding] and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, [he didn’t just talk about it – he went and found people already there ministering to the poor and needy and rolled up his sleeves and joined them – regularly – not just for a one-time experience to say he did it] then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. [In his passing, others have taken notice – both of what he did and those he served] The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. [He always had enough – enough time, enough energy, enough love to share.] Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” [Those of us who love him have caught his vision and passion and are working to repair and restore the broken lives of those who have been passed over and forgotten in this world.] Isaiah 58:9-12
In honor of Andrew’s birthday and his life, we went to the city to help feed homeless people. Andrew had told us that if you go, the people will have faces and names and you will find that they aren’t just ‘the homeless,’ but they are real individual people with real needs that Christ calls us to respond to. As we arrived, we were amazed at how many people were there waiting for a hot meal. Those who had regularly been coming with the Isaiah 61 Ministry quickly jumped into action pulling out containers, serving tables, wiping down, setting up and soon we were handing plates of steaming hot food and cups of hot soup with cookies for dessert and coffee if they wanted it. A bag with sandwiches was also given to them for later. The stale scent of cigarette smoke and unwashed bodies lingered in the air burning my nose and throat. As the rain gently fell and the night air cooled to an uncomfortable 50 degrees, they huddled in small groups with comfortable conversations – all that is except for the inebriated couple who wanted a fight. They were escorted away so the others could eat and converse in peace. The leader of the ministry prayed before the meal and offered anyone who wanted to come and talk if they had needs or wanted someone to pray with them. He offered them a ride to church on Sunday if they wanted to come. After the meal was cleaned up and the tables taken down and put back in the van, we had opportunity to have conversations with the people there. Some of them had already curled up in their blankets on the cement walkway under the carport roof at the courthouse. Their night would be short as they would have to get up and out before people started coming to work in the morning. We then proceeded to a second stop where we gave out meals we had dished into containers previously. It was under a high overpass and the rain was blowing in. But the spirits of the homeless men there were high and they enjoyed the fellowship for a while before taking their food and going to their ‘living space’.
On the ride back, we had opportunity to ask many questions and begin to understand the ministry that had grown from a young couple who had hearts that loved and cared about those less fortunate than themselves. They have a vision much bigger than what they are doing. But that vision requires others to come on board and help finance it. They want to buy a building in the city and make it into a shelter for those who need it and want to get off the street. They want to provide services to help them get back into jobs, into apartments, and/or get the medical attention they need. They want to share Jesus’ love with them first by meeting their very real needs and then by introducing them to the One who died to save them from their sins. We were amazed at what they are already doing – going down twice a week with hot food, extra clothing and blankets, and spending themselves on the needs of those who ask for help.
Now the hard part comes. What am I going to do with this experience? Will I pat myself on the back and say, “Good job! You went one evening and served the homeless. God is pleased with you. Now you can get on with your life.”? Or will I plan to return once in a while or even on a regular basis? Or is God asking me to spend myself on helping get supplies, raising funds for the purchase of a building and to support a family who have given themselves to care for those in need? One thing is for sure… I cannot pretend I did not go and see for myself what it is like to be without a home, without shelter, regular food and a few changes of clothes. I cannot live in my ‘castle in the woods’ and not give another thought to those in need.
Thank you, Andrew, for the challenge to go, to see, to experience, so that we won’t forget those who God has asked us to serve. Thank you Lord, for our precious son who followed your precious Son who, by his life has taught us your tender heart for those who are hungry and in need.
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