Let's serve!!!!!!

So, here it comes again. Another weekend to serve our homeless campers. As I sit writing down all the requests that came from the campers, I can't help to think of all the faces we have helped, and all the faces that has helped our ministry. It is amazing, to think of all the tears, smiles, laughter, and joy we have had in helping with Light of Salvation. When we started this it was a one weekend deal. Now over a year and a half later we are still growing. We are still meeting new friends serving along side of us, and new campers meeting us on the land. How amazing our Lord is, to provide us with this special ministry.
I was thinking on how Jesus was homeless. He walked the Earth and spent his life teaching everyone. He didn't have any age group or nobody had to fill out a credit application. His ministry was to everyone. At all of our stops we serve all types of friends. Some with very bad backgrounds. Some just down on their luck. We take the safety of our group very serious. We have contact with the athorities in order to know who we are dealing with. So, we have a little more control of the people we meet. Back to my point. I grew up and over time I was taught that the homeless where a bunch of bums, and they did not deserve our attention. They blew there role in society and they get what they have coming to them. Let's put them on a boat and ship them to their own little island. Hey, why we are at it lets make them yell HOMELESS when they come around people. I beleive that in Jesus times they use to do that to people with leprosy. So, the homeless are the lepars of our time.
That makes me very sad. To look deep into my heart and think of those little kids lined up waiting for food, and to think how some people react to them. Even the grown ups that line up and smile because they get a little food to eat and someone to show them some love.
I see panhandlers on the side of the road all the time, but there is this one gentleman that sits down at the courthouse and sits in the same spot. He holds a coffee cup for hours just for a little hand out. When asked one time if he would like some food, his responce was "please give it to someone that needs it." There is a certain kind of respect most homeless have. They won't take something that they don't need. They would rather give it to someone else. Can we say that? There has been times where we have gone out to serve and we have plenty of food, but the campers refuse to eat more than their share. Shoot, I have leftovers in my fridge from last weekend. If my wife cooks one of my favs, watch out Joey and Abby, daddy's stealing a bite or two.
I know it sounds like I preach a lot and I might, but it is so important to me to spread the word about my friends on the streets. When it comes to the homeless and the love of God, it's like a switch turns on and I need to talk. Warning, just not in front of groups. I will continue to hide behind this laptop. I don't know who is reading, it may be me and my wife writing back and forth. But I know that God has a purpose for the Hogan family, and it is such a comfort to know what his purpose is. In God's time he let's you know what he wants from you and he has done so. So, thanks God for your direction and gift of serving.
So what is the next step? I have a feeling in a short time I will let you know. It will be amazing!!  Please keep coming along for the ride. It will be an awesome journey. It will have its ups and downs. It will be full of miracles and we will have some tears. The best part is we will serve our Lord to our fullest ability.
Well, I have taken enough of your time, so we will see you soon.
Good night my friends!!!!!

                                                                                                  Michael