Giving to the homeless poor has diminished here in our city, as everyone around us is facing difficult times. However, it will not be a very Merry Christmas in a lot of homes of all shapes and sizes all over our world this year. Not to mention those people in other countries who are suffering far worse than we can even imagine. Think about having Christmas in the dead of winter, with no heating, no food, no help coming, and covid banging on your door. It is time to do more than pray for them.

I am delighted to say, our little home church is filled with people with such generous hearts, despite their own personal needs. I think generosity and spirituality go together! We started a campaign in November this year to collect canned, and packaged goods as well as toiletries, and little gifts, and ended up with three huge bags/boxes of stuff. Here is my dear hubby’s report of what happened when he went out to give these things away.

“Everyone I spoke with was incredibly grateful for any help at all. The tireless welfare workers told me stories about the people they meet and try to help, every single day. The poor always suffer when times are tough. This year there are ordinary working people plunged into situations of despair by their lack of finances.They can see no end to the circumstances that have overtaken them. 

As I was busy donating some of these goods and gifts to the disadvantaged, I met Ally who works in Yulu-Burri-Ba, Wynnum. She was so grateful for all the things we donated for indigenous families who are struggling here in the Moreton Bay region. Most of these things go to Aboriginal women and children, who have been deserted or abused by their partners and they end up with nowhere safe to go.

There is also a big increase youth homelessness in our particular area. One of the workers told me that some of the youth she has talked to, deliberately resort to reoffending because they get free food and board in youth detention. How tragic! There are also a great many families with single parents, who have kids of all ages, struggling to make ends meet plus they can’t find finances for their next meal – the exhorbatent rent payments, power bills, and the price of fresh food has overwhelmed them.

The cost of these things we regard as essentials has forced many people into homelessness – along with their children. The things that have been donated will go to families who sometimes cannot find food for their next meal …literally. They end up at social welfare weeping in despair and in dire straits because they never expected their lives to go like this. Well, who would? Nobody plans to be homeless!  The hard part for the welfare workers is that in the past few years donations have greatly dropped off – so they have nothing to give them.Hampers of food and simple necessities are a great thing to give. 

On my way home, I went to a men’s shelter to drop off another food and gift package. I met Peter and Brian – two totally different men from different backgrounds and circumstances. These men had no families. They were incredibly grateful for the food and toiletries supplied by our church, they couldn’t wait to shake my hand! These guys were  especially thankful that somebody cares about them, and remembers them.  It was good to be able to remind them that God loves them, in person, in a concrete way.

I also took another huge box of the church’s donations yesterday to a place that helps homeless youth and single parents with kids. These beleaguered people are running away from dangerous domestic situations. I had to call to say I was coming. (You have to call ahead for security reasons). And the supervisor was blown away by the generosity of the church at such a desperate time for so many. We took food, toiletries and gifts. 

These two young women, Renee and Lauren, were so excited to receive things to help and explained some of these broken, battered families go into very bleak settings – with the bare necessities etc. but none of the extras we take for granted. They had to leave their “stuff” behind. Imagine an empty room, with no tree or decorations – no presents and no food. We included some Veggie Tales DVDs and bookmarks and small table decorations. I told them that is such a privilege to help in any way we can..”

Back to me again! Our God-given generosity opens doors for the gospel – hubby talked to a lot of people we would never have met. There is no need for preaching when we love others in ways that they can see and understand – it is time for the church to go outside their doors and love on people who are desperately hurting. Bye  👋🏻