Jesus Was Homeless is a non-denominational organization that seeks to serve individuals and families from all backgrounds. A statement of faith or participation in religious classes or services is not required in order to participate in or receive services from Jesus Was Homeless programs.

“There are 2,000 verses of Scripture that tell us we must be committed to protecting the poor and the oppressed…
There is no concern of Scripture that is addressed so often and so powerfully as reaching out to the poor.”  – Tony Campolo

I don’t know this for sure but I have to think it has rained more on Thursday’s than any other day of the week.  What is so amazing though is that we had 18-20 volunteers last night willing to get soaking wet to make sure people get some food.  Once again we went through our 300 meals before we could finish with 4 of the 18 motels we visit each week.  We are always cautious to add additional motels unless we know we can sustain them and yet we are not even covering our existing motels now.  I think the need is going to be huge this winter.  While, unfortunately cash is king, what we really need is some grocery stores or restaurants to assume a food item on a long term basis.  Cash will only go so far but commitments can last forever.  Don’t get me wrong we will never turn down cash for food but if we could lower our overall cost we could add more meals.  I estimate we need about 30-40 more meals per week to cover the 18 motels that we visit.  Thank you Kris and McDonald’s for their continued support by donating the buns week in and week out.

Last night was one of blessing and again heartache.  The blessing came from so many people willing to serve one another no matter the weather.  We had lots of new faces, which I always love.  It will take hold of you, soften your heart, create awareness, give you compassion, and then you never want to miss a night of delivery.  The heartache came from a single mom with 4 daughters that were having to change motel rooms because the heat/air conditioning unit was not working.  Can you imagine 5 of them in one double bed motel room?  All the kids are school age and of course, like many, they have no transportation.  We are really starting to get attached to the little girls as they are sweethearts.  They are always anxious for us to show up with our “Happy Meals”.  The mom does a great job as the kids seem pretty content.  They even have decorated pumpkins outside their room for Halloween.

Our friend, Abby Lewis, has taken on the task of setting up a Facebook Group Page for Jesus Was Homeless, so if you are on Facebook be sure to join it.  Thank you so much to Abby for taking on this task.  Another BIG thank you goes to Brian, Laura and Todd at Imagemakers in Hollister.  They are the website designers and hosters.  They have donated their services to us and just done an incredible job with the website.  If you like our website please let them know.  There is a link to them under the Links page.  We now have a Resources page which I encourage everyone to look at as it has our video on it.  You can also download the various information from it as well.  We also now have a Prayer/Needs page too.  On it you will notice a little girl by the name of Shania.  She is 3 years old and is in desperate need of some dental work.  The estimated cost is about $1200.  They are a family of 4 that live in one of the motels and like many other Americans do not have any dental insurance.  We need, not only as Christians but because she is just a child, to figure out a way to raise the needed money for her dental work.  So, if you have any ideas for fundraising please let me know.  We also have a Schedule page now where you will be able to find out more details on the Thanksgiving Dinner as it progresses.  The photo galleries have been updated as well with the last BBQ and Make A Difference Day.  In other words, JUST CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE at www.jesuswashomeless.org.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience the blessings that we get to every Thursday, then I invite you to “Come and See” with us.

God Bless,

BEFORE

AFTER

VOLUNTEERS

Saturday was national “Make A Difference Day” and we chose to build a garden area at Aunt Mollie’s motel. This is a weekly & extended stay motel. A lot of the residents here have been there for a long time. One has been there for over 6 years. When you live in a motel room, you usually only have a microwave for cooking and a small refrigerator for food items. Most of the time you don’t get to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. We thought it would be nice for them to have something they could not only take pride in but also reap the benefit of tending to their own garden. It’s always fun to watch items in a garden grow. Will it make a difference? Only God knows for sure but it made a difference with us as volunteers. We enjoyed being able to do the project together, we again were blessed to experience community with each other and at the end of the day we all are looking forward to the spring to plant fruits and vegetables with the residents. All of our dirt ended up being donated, thanks to some wonderful people and God’s blessing, it’s just been to wet to have it brought in.

Make sure to check out our “Jesus Was Homeless” video on You Tube. All the pictures on it are locations just 1 block off the strip and motel rooms on the strip.
Jesus Was Homeless Video

We’ve had a lot of requests about ways to help so I’ve included some below:

We can always use awareness for our neighbors in need. Being a 501c3 non-profit we are always in need financially for a Tax Deductible Donation, food item sponsors, T-shirt distributors and Community Cash.

Weekly Food Items:

Volunteers:
Meal Makers – Every Thursday Morning 9am-11am
Meal Deliveries – Every Thursday Evening 5:30pm-9:00pm
Children’s groups to color Happy Face sacks

Donate Needed Items:
Bikes – New or Used Adult Single Speed
Bibles (Large Print) & Kids Bibles
Refrigerator
Deep Freeze

Thanksgiving Dinner:
Paper Plates, Food, Volunteers, Awareness, Etc.
Toiletry Items – Soap, Shampoo, Razors, Deodorant, Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Toilet Paper, Shaving Cream, Etc.
Winter Items – Hats, Gloves, Coats, Blankets, Socks, Etc.

Prayer:
For Resources
For the ones serving and the ones being served.
For $1 Million Dollars & Community Partners –
…to buy and renovate a weekly stay motel and convert it into a HUD approved affordable housing complex

Have a blessed week,

Last night was such a humbling night.  Over the past 2-3 weeks we (us volunteers) were feeling pretty good about ourselves as we were delivering 300 meals and loaves of bread to folks and would even have 4-5 meals left over.  I thought, yes, a job well done, we got everyone fed that we had been committed too.  Well, God has a way of humbling  people when they start to get prideful and he did just that last night.  For whatever reason, people getting unemployed, the weather, or just God, we ran out of food before we got even 2/3’s of the way done.  Imagine being a volunteer last night and having to tell someone that has looked forward to us coming week in and week out that we don’t have any food left.  It’s tough.  We had one group that did an excellent job of trying to at least get the food to the children before we ran out.  Which we estimate is 200-300 that live in weekly and extended stay motels in Branson.

When Amy & I started doing this we just wanted to “do something” and had no idea what it was going to look like but as it started to unfold God showed us that it was also about relationships.  We learned that not only did the people count on us to bring them the food but they would often share their struggles for the week.  We began to take it very personal, so much so that we hated to run out of meals to distribute and were constantly adding more than we could afford.  We knew the food was the “foot in the door” to restore someone’s perception about Christians.  It is always so hard to run out of food before we get to everyone because then we miss out on the relationship time as well.  My heart hurt for the volunteers that were put in that position last night because it’s such an emotional letdown when you know people are in need and you can’t help them.  If your church has a prayer list please add us to it.  Please pray for the ones serving and ones being served.  Please pray for continued resources and please pray for additional volunteers.

Speaking of serving, we were able to hear Shane Claiborne speak Sunday in Springfield.  He is not only entertaining and an inspiration, but really challenges you as a Christian as well.  He said there was a recent survey done, (sorry I can’t remember who he said did it), that surveyed non-Christians/non-believers about what their impressions of Christians were.  The top 3 results were, 1-Christians are anti-gay, 2-Christians are judgmental, and 3-Christians are hypocrites.  Probably not surprising answers.  His opinion was that the only way we can change are perception as Christians is to put action such as love, compassion, non-judging, etc.,  behind our Christianity.  In a day of church in-fighting and church splits, I would ask that you take a hard look at what your church is doing in the community.  Are they involved in the community or only within their church walls?  Do they only seek people that come thru their doors or do they truly seek out the lost?  Do they accept the broken and unsaved or do they only want the already churched?  Tony Campolo writes, “There are 2,000 verses of Scripture that tell us we must be committed to protecting the poor and the oppressed…There is no concern of Scripture that is addressed so often and so powerfully as reaching out to the poor.“   I would ask, is your church involved in helping the poor?

This Saturday is “Make a Difference Day”.  We’ve chosen to build a garden at Aunt Mollie’s motel on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway.  Come and be a part of this by just hanging out with us beginning at 9 o’clock.  God has provided the dirt for us but due to the rain we won’t be able to put it in this Saturday so we will just get everything ready.  We still need some additional items like landscape timbers and drip line.  If you have any connections or know any way we can get these things donated please let me know.

We are currently collecting the following items for our Thanksgiving Dinner and you can drop them off at the CenturyLINK store (formally CenturyTel) on Hwy 248 in the Gretna Plaza 339-1077:

We are putting together a care bag to pass out that night of Toiletry Items – Shampoo, Razors, Shaving Cream, Deodorant, Toilet Paper, Etc.
Winter Items -  Blankets, Socks, Sweatshirts, Hats, Gloves, Coats, Etc.
Bikes – New or Used Adult Single Speed
Bibles (Large Print) & Kids Bibles

We would love to have kids decorate our “Happy Face” sacks.  We go through 300 a week and would love to have church children’s groups, schools, daycares, etc. help us decorate the bags with a smiley face.  They come in packs of 500.  If you know a group that would like some please contact me.

Finally, please pray for the following people:

Our new friend Anthony.  He is in desperate need of a job, hope and encouragement.  We have just met him and he is a very humble guy with a soft demeanor.  He has an entertainment background as a musician but is looking for employment in anything.  If I still had my businesses I would take a chance on him.  Our friend Dennis.  He needs prayer that the Dr. can get his medication straightened out and that it will be covered under his Medicare plan.  Our friend Renee.  Her sister is in the hospital in Springfield with the Swine Flu.  Our friend Bill.  He has a severe case of sleep apnea.  Continued prayer for this outreach that it not only touches lives but can help restore and transform them through Christ.

Our 4th “Love Your Neighbors” BBQ was a HUGE success. While it was kind of chilly, the inflatable palm trees gave us thoughts of the tropics, and we had the best turnout yet. Thanks to Church Army for donating over 80 lbs. of chicken and turkey for the event. Also a BIG THANK YOU to Boyd from Church Army for cooking it all the night before. If you didn’t make it to the BBQ you really missed out on a wonderful experience of community. It’s really quite a beautiful thing when such a diverse group of individuals can come together to share, love and give. We had such a joyous time of fellowship, games, hugs and hangin’ out. Thanks to Mayor Presley for stopping by and talking with the folks. They really enjoyed her company. We discovered there are even more hurting and lost people out there than ever before. A lot of individuals are in desperate need of utility and rental assistance. I hope and pray that the grant money Taney County is receiving will be able to help.

If you missed the BBQ but really want to experience “community” as the church did in Acts then join us this Saturday, October 24th, at 9:00 am at Aunt Mollie’s on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway as we celebrate “Make A Difference Day” by building an above ground garden for the residents. This is an extended stay motel where most of the folks have lived for years. We will be getting it ready for the spring so that all they will have to do is plant their fruits and vegetables. Often times folks that live in these motels rarely get to eat fresh fruits and vegetables as they do not have regular sized refrigerators or cooking stoves. This will be a wonderful addition for them, but we desperately need a dirt donation. We need approximately 25 cubic yards of top soil for the garden. Remember we are a 501c3 and the donation would be tax deductible. If you know anyone that might be willing to provide help or materials please don’t hesitate to give them my number.

Please provide prayer this week for good weather, the arrival of volunteers, dirt, and that God will touch lives through this servant project.

OCTOBER 2009

*Church Army Branson* – For all the work they do to help end addiction to drugs & alcohol.

*CAM* – That they will have the resources to continue to help individuals and families through these tough economic times.

*Jesus Was Homeless* – Continued prayer for this outreach that it not only touches lives but can help restore and transform them through Christ.

*LIFE SUPPORT* discussion groups – Currently we meet each week at Motel 9.  Looking for leaders as we would like to start more groups at additional motels.

Well it rained on us again during this week’s Thursday night meal delivery but I was truly inspired by all the volunteers we had show up.  Everyone was in great spirits and had a lot of fun despite getting soaked.  It really helps build creditability with the ones we serve as well, when they know that they are important enough for us to deliver food no matter the weather.  God yet again showed his sense of humor last night.  Before we head out to deliver meals we always open in prayer.  We usually ask if anyone feels led to pray but last night I just asked an individual to open.  She declined.  She does not feel comfortable praying out loud.  I totally understand as I was the same way and still am, but I’m getting more comfortable as I do it more.  I felt bad that I had put her on the spot but as I have learned God has a way of getting you out of your comfort zone.  At the very first motel we stopped at to deliver food there was a gentleman there that asked her to pray for him, out loud.  Of course she did and we are all very proud of her.  Don’t you know we laughed about that most of the night.

You would have thought manna had rained down from heaven yesterday as well.  Lydia Rogers of the Kimberling City Methodist Church had arranged for us to receive close to 300 loaves of bread to pass out as well.  I’m sure there has got to be an empty bread truck in a ditch somewhere as this bread was still extremely fresh and had another week for the use-by date, but I’m not asking any questions.  The people were so grateful for the bread it was a HUGE hit last night.  We added another motel to our regular stops and there were many families and individuals there in dire need so the bread was a true blessing.  We even had a group donate $10 to us and another group of folks offer us soda’s or water.  That’s so touching when you see the ones your serving wanting give back in return.

I have been looking at grant applications and various options for food products and I always come across the question of “What is your Mission Statement?”.  I’m not a big fan of mission statements but apparently it’s important in the non-profit world.  Our Articles of Incorporation state our purpose as, “to distribute food for the homeless and those in temporary housing”, but as I think of our mission statement I think it would be more like this:

To end hunger and homeless in our community while sharing hope, love and compassion.
To build community and relationships between the ones serving and the ones being served.
To preach the Gospel through our actions and if necessary use words.

You can help us with this “mission” this Sunday as we hold our 4th “Love Your Neighbors” BBQ.  Just come hang out.  We won’t put you to work if you don’t want to but please come.

*UPDATE -* I want to give everyone a “Dennis” update.  We had a lot of people offer to give him a ride to his doctor’s appointments and surgery.  He got to all of them and his surgery went great.  He is still healing but says he feeling so much better and wanted to let everyone know how much he appreciates them.

*REQUEST –* Make a Difference Day is coming up on October 24th.  We would like to build a garden area for one of the weekly stay motels.  I, unfortunately, do not have much in the way of knowledge in this area, other than it will be an above ground garden on concrete.  If there is a green thumb out there that could help direct us in the construction of this it would be very appreciated.  We could also use connections for dirt and materials as well.

A big *THANK YOU* to Pizza Hut in Branson West.  They have agreed to donate 3 pizza’s a month to a family in need at the various weekly rentals.  Just think, if we had 1 meal from every restaurant in the Branson area I doubt anybody would go hungry in the motels.

*UPCOMING EVENTS –*

Oct. 11th Love Your Neighbors BBQ
Oct. 24th Make a Difference Day (hopefully building a garden)
Nov. 26th 2nd annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Boys & Girls Club (collecting, hats, gloves, coats, blankets, socks, sweatshirts, toiletry items, etc.)

I should have lots to share after our BBQ on Sunday as I’m sure God will show us something.  Again, I invite you to “Come and See”.

God bless,

*DID YOU KNOW….*

1.  The unemployment rate for Branson in August was 8.2% vs. 5.4% in August of 2008.

2.  If you make $8.00 per hour and work 40 hours a week your gross monthly income is $1280.  Less 20% for withholding taxes you are left with $1109 a month for Rent, Utilities, Food, Transportation, Insurance, Child Care, Medical, Savings, etc.

3.  The number of Christians has declined 12% since 1990 and is now 76%, the lowest percentage in American history.

4.  Americans are interested in God but they don’t think existing institutions are helping them draw closer to God.

5.  Young people are fleeing the faith.  Nearly a quarter of Americans in their 20’s profess no organized religion.

*THE SOLUTION….*

The rise of disaffection is so powerful that different denominations need to band together to find a shared language of God that can move beyond the fading divisions of the past and begin moving toward a partnership of different but equal traditions.

*THE OFFER.…*

Come and be part of Jesus Was Homeless this Sunday for our “Love Your Neighbors” BBQ and every Thursday morning from 9:00-11:00 and every Thursday night from 5:30-9:00 by serving those in need in our community, by creating fellowship with those serving, and by sharing the Gospel through your actions.  People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Jesus Was Homeless is YOUR organization.  It’s not mine or Amy’s or any corporate entity, it’s OURS as a community.  When you serve, when you give, when you support Jesus Was Homeless you become a part of the organization.

“True generosity is measured not by how much we give away but by how much we have left, especially when we look at the needs of our neighbors.  We have no right not to be charitable”. – Shane Claiborne

Last Thursday was another totally amazing night!  It started with a handful of volunteers that showed up even though it was pouring rain. I know how they were feeling because I was feeling the same way-“are we really going to deliver meals in this weather?”  Well, yes.  We had to stop a couple of times during our sharing and praying time before we left the center because the rain was so loud we could not hear each other.  Ahhhh!  After stalling as long as we could, we headed out.  Amazingly enough, when we arrived at our first destination, the rain had stopped!

The first man that God had brought across our path had previously shared his struggles with alcohol to some of our volunteers a few weeks ago.  They were able to pray with him and encouraged him to seek help for his addiction.  What was great with that was the volunteers that had shared with him had themselves also struggled with alcohol addiction and God was able to help them in their own addiction.  Who better for God to use?  He again shared his continuing struggle and desire to quit (although desire needs to be followed with action).  God was able to use us to strongly encourage him to take the necessary steps for his recovery.  We are not sure what he did but are excited to find out next Thursday.

On to the next stop (one of my personal favorites).  We agreed not to stay to long due to the threatening weather.  Well, as always, God had a better plan.  We came across a man who had been living there for quite some time and who seemed very glad to see us.  He shared with us how important our Thursdays nights were to him-having little to do with the actual food we deliver and more to do with the encouragement and friendship he felt (not to mention a bit of a buzz he was also feeling that evening).  He really encouraged us by telling us that we (or actually Bryan) was the only person who he felt believed in him and accepted him right where he was at in his life.  He went on to share that he was 95% ready for us to take him to church on Saturday night-leaving 5% apparently not ready. We encouraged him to come with us that upcoming Saturday night but the 5% won out so we will continue praying and visiting with him.

As we were getting ready to leave, we came across a friend who stopped by knowing that we would be there delivering meals. He, himself had once lived in some of the local hotels (which is how we met) and wanted to give Bryan a present.  It was a tie with one of the Blues Brothers on it and underneath the Blues brother it said, “On A Mission From God”.  He blessed us so much! That’s what it’s all about.  Again, impressing upon us how important this outreach is.

Next stop was heartbreaking.  We came across a woman who had just lost her job.  She was alone, broken and scared.  One of our new volunteers noticed that she kept coming out of her room and just looking at our crazy Jesus Was Homeless van and going back into her room.  We approached her with a meal and were able to listen to her fears, praying and encouraging her with some direction before we left.  We also gave her our phone numbers and offered to take her to church with us on Saturday night if she would like.  No call, so we will keep on praying.

We than came across a young man who shared his struggles with making ends meet.  He (like so many) has no transportation so he walks to and from work every day. Bryan asked him if he had a bike would he use it and he very assuredly said yes.  We did not have a bike to give him but told him that we would keep our eyes open for one.

Next we headed back to the Center to end the night (so we thought) and drop everyone off.  Our night was not quite finished though, we had to make one more stop to pick up a check from a faithful donor/friend.  We went to visit with him and afterwards he gave us the always needed financial donation, he then asked us if we needed a couple of bikes.  Wow!  Way to go God!!!  We knew that we were too excited to go home and sleep, so we returned to the hotel where our new friend was at and gave him the bike that God had just provided. He seemed very grateful and we were again, mega blessed.

Can’t wait for next Thursday!