Helping Construct a Resource Center for the Homeless

While we were disappointed to miss serving the children at the Purple Palace orphanage this year due to the violence in Mexico, we were equally pleased to be able to take the staff and students downtown to a house that is being remodeled and reconstructed to serve as a resource center for people without homes in the San Diego area.

The work was dirty and physically demanding, but very rewarding for all of us. Staff member Justin Stringer coordinated the work for our project. Here is what he said about one of his lasting images from the day, "I especially remember Mararita, with tears in her eyes, thanking me for all the work we were doing."

Pete Contreras, the Lead Pastor for New Vision Christian Fellowship, told the students, "The kingdom of God is always moving. And, these two days, you all have been the hands and feet of the Lord here."

Caring for the poor (both physically and spiritually) demands our attention every day. The needs are so apparent in the beach area. In addition to these days of service, we care for others in small, simple, less organized ways every day. Our compassion for the widows, orphans, aliens, and needy among us is stirred by the compassion of the Lord Jesus who saw our state and interceded on our behalf.

I would encourage you to read Mt. 25:31-46, but here is a portion from 44-45. "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'"

We also want to share the gospel with people because this is ultimately where they will find not just life for a day, but eternal life. Jeremy, one of the students on project from North Dakota, wrote this note to me to describe an encounter that he had recently.

"I met a man named Michael who described himself as a recovering alcoholic who had lost his wife and family to his addiction, and was desperately looking for an answer to his life. I was able to share with him some of my own struggles, and was able to share the Gospel with him. It was clear that Michael’s heart was incredibly moved. Tears filled both of our eyes as he accepted Christ and vowed never to touch alcohol again."

Time will of course bear out what happened in Michael's life, but we are praying for him and others who have already indicated decisions to receive Christ as their Savior.