Your Private Ministry to Homeless Persons

My Story

One day, a mom and daughter were in line a few persons in front of me, at Walmart. They were very thin and their clothes were almost sheer from repeated washing and wearing. It looked like I could press my hand through them and they would tear. Mom was paying for bananas and a couple other small things, with coins. She wasn’t in line asking anyone for anything, but humbly paying for her items. It reminded me that everyone isn’t scamming people and I have to watch using that as an excuse not walk past and drive past people.  May God have mercy on people who exploit people’s desire to help others, for their own gain.

Homeless persons may be living out of a motel room, may be living out of their car, may be staying in a shelter, may only be able to sleep in a shelter overnight, may live in abandoned properties, or may live outside. We may work with homeless persons and never even know it because their situation may not be obvious. There’s not much you can do when you don’t know someone’s situation. But there are plenty of people we drive by, walk by, or may even see in line at the local Walmart, that are obviously homeless. Near the Walmart I shop at most often, there are homeless persons who live in the woods nearby. I see them go in and come out.  Jesus calls us to love all our neighbors and to minister to their need.

Tangible Ways to Help

If you are living out this the great commission, you are seeking ways to help others. Sometimes you’ll be by yourself and will want to have a little something in the car, for when and if you happen to pass someone in need. Here are a few ideas:

  • Keep bottles of water in your car. In the summertime, carry some partially frozen bottles to help relieve others from the heat. Keep a small cooler in the car.
  • Give flavor packets with bottled water. I found it a hit. I guess people give out a lot of plain water so a flavor packet is like a little treat. Plus, a box of flavor packets doesn’t cost much at all.
  • When you pack your lunch for work, pack something extra that you could share with someone. Consider fresh fruit, homecooked meals, and not just pre-packaged crackers and pop-top cans of soup (though those are good, sometimes, as well).
  • Grab toiletries, hats, gloves, thermo socks, etc. from the local dollar store and put them in baggies or individual plastic bags you could hand out as desired.
  • Keep a few sets of small bills folded and accessible. For example, take $3-$5 and fold those bills and then another set and another set. Then put those sets of small bills in your car, purse, or wallet. Stick a $20 in there, too because you might happen upon a whole family. I usually put this money in my eyeglass compartment above my rear-view mirror in the car. That way, I can grab the money quickly and close it back, without having to dig around for it or count out the bills. These days, we don’t have to carry a lot of cash because we pay for most things with debit cards. If you don’t set aside the money ahead of time you might not have any cash on you when you see a need arise. Some homeless shelters charge homeless persons $2 or $3 (or more) to stay the night. I was speechless when I heard that.
  • If you pass a homeless person when driving past to a fast-food restaurant, you can grab a couple extra items (especially something hot to drink in the winter and cold to drink in the summer.) If you have opportunity to stop, you can even ask them if they want anything and if what they would like.

An Intangible Way to Help

I know someone who does a great job at talking to homeless persons. She’s much younger than me, but I admire her. It’s awkward for me to even strike up a conversation with the person in line with me at the market or sitting across from me at a gathering. I know those are great opportunities to show the love and kindness of God and/or talk about Jesus, but it feels so contrived. I’m still praying for growth in this area. I say all of this to say, people want to be treated like people. While it’s nice to be able to give something to someone, sometimes some homeless persons might appreciate a conversation with someone who cares. Let’s be responsive when the Spirit presents an  opportunity- even if it feels awkward at first.

A Word of Caution

There are dangerous people out there. If you don’t have to travel alone, don’t. If you don’t have to roll your window all the way down, don’t. While well meaning, it could be dangerous. Some homeless persons have mental illness. Even worse, not everyone who presents themselves to be homeless is truly homeless. Some people are out there to exploit and some to physically harm. That’s scary, but I’d hate for us to live our lives in fear and use that as a reason not be about our Father’s business. I caution you not to be naïve. If you feel unsafe or you know an area is unsafe, wait until someone can go with you. Be as wise, as safe, and as prayerful as you can; and trust God.

Another One of My Stories

You know how I told you there were people who lived in the woods by my local Walmart? Well, I intended to take them food one Thanksgiving evening. It wasn’t planned, but I felt compelled to make a big pot of bean and potato soup. I had my young missionary friend with me. I couldn’t find one person- for several minutes. Then I saw a lady and a man, I offered them some soup and a few words or encouragement. Then I stopped to talk to the man who they had just finished speaking to a couple minutes earlier. He was a Pastor at a church in the area. He told me a little about that population in that area and cautioned me to under no circumstance to go into the woods- not even in the daytime, not even with a friend. He said the only reason he could do it, was because he has known them for years. He and his church have been ministering to them twice a week for a long time. He brings them food, toiletries, coats, etc. That’s a blessing. I hadn’t known that, but I thank God how He took care of me, through that wise counsel; how He is taking care of that Pastor who goes into the woods every week; and how He is taking care of those homeless persons through weekly provisions year after year.

Conclusion

Helping the needy is a Christian duty. Use wisdom in ministering (serving). Do your ministry in the daytime. Don’t isolate yourself. Stay where people can see you. Bring someone with you, if possible. There will be people who willingly put their lives on the line to go into the woods. Pray for those persons. Trust that God is touching hearts to help in different ways and in varying degrees- but He Himself is ultimately the One caring for His children.