This is a blog, that my family has started, because we want to share our feeling on our service to our Lord, by serving the homeless. We have been doing this for several years. At this point we could write a book on different stories. I have seen the love for Christ in so many ways. The need for God's love is so needed. The fellowship that comes with God's people is more needed than the food we provide. There have been so many times where we have taken nothing but a prayer out to our homeless and they really appreciate that so much. They need to know they are not forgotten. Not just by us that serve, but they need to be reminded that God is here for them.
Do you ever what is going on, and why there are so many homeless? Here is a question, do you ever wonder in a town as big as Columbus with so many homeless why have we not seen any Muslims out in the homeless community? For so many homeless why are we not filling our churches with our brothers and sisters from the street? I know if you where to take a van or a bus you could load that bus and fill churches. I wonder that often. I understand that there are churches today that only care about the tithe and who will bring in the most money. I call them corporation churches. I feel that in some of the churches now a days, you need to fill a credit app to join. Why? I am pretty sure that God does not do a credit check.
During our time out last night, we came across a gentleman that would not join our circle. He was sitting by himself and you could feel the hopelessness. Was he drinking? I am sure, but why? The booze did not cover the pain he had. Brother Bert saw what was going on and he was the first to approach this brother. Then before you knew it he had others around him. The next thing you know my wife came up to me and told me he was going to join us at church the next morning. I was excited to have someone come to church with us on Easter. To tell you the truth I was not sure he would attend. This morning we showed up and there he was ready to go to church. There was such a softness to him. It was as the pain he was feeling was slowly leaving him. He thanked us the entire time for taking the time to pick him up and taking him to church on Easter. As I thought about it, I thought I should be happy. But quite the opposite, I was sad. How many seats were empty because someone didn't take the time to care for their neighbor? How many others were out there on the most Holy day, feeling hopeless? Wait, this gets better. When we got to church, Sister Julie had clothes for him and he went to the bathroom and cleaned up, he came out with a smile. He was greeted by Sister Kim, Julie and my family. A whole new man came out of the bathroom. He carried a smile. He received a new Bible that Bother Schwein sent us. He was where God wanted him to be. We sang songs, one was Amazing Grace, in which he later shared stories about. Then it was time to tithe. As the basket got closer, my wife saw that he was searching his pocket for money. She told him that he didn't have to feel obligated to put money in the basket. The basket got to him and he was still searching for money. Then he pulled out the little bit of change he had and he tithed. I know that it was the only money he owned and he gave it to God. I watched Victor through the service and the hopelessness that every homeless person I meet was gone. He was happy to be home. I took him into meet and pray with Pastor Steve after the service. He opened up about his drinking problem. With tears in his eyes he talked and the Pastor listened. The prayer was said and new life had entered the body of our new found friend Victor. As we stood up, Pastor Steve called Victor a new name, he called him Victorious. He said that is what our homeless friend would be after leaving the church. He will conquer the drinking habit and he will get back on his walk. My friends, I was speechless. Several others shook his hand as we walked out the door. Brother Victor found himself again. Through all the darkness the streets represent there was a light. I know somewhere sitting under that bridge there is a shinning light. If you look back at this one little incident what do you see? To me it is very simple. It takes a family of Christians to bring their brother home.
I know several of us go out and serve. To be honest, I have found a love for others that I don't think many will ever get the opportunity to feel. I also know that we as a group have lost our focus. We are out there to joyfully serve our Brothers and Sisters. We serve for a couple of hours a week. Some of us a little more. Recently, I have felt a burden on my heart. I have felt the joy slowly fading away from friends that I serve with. When that happens, it takes away the joy that we are to have, because we are doing what is commanded by our Lord. I know it is frustrating that we run into others serving, but instead of feeling blessed that there are others out there serving we get upset. There are times when we serve we have left overs because there were other churches out. At first I felt frustrated, but now I choose to look at it in a new light: our brothers and sisters are not hungry!! I feel blessed that we had the means to provide in the first place. When Jesus served the five thousand people, he had had left overs, baskets and baskets full!! Jesus did not stop doing miracles just because he did not get rid of all the food he supplied.
As Christians there are always opportunities to serve the Lord. I have Brother Paul and his sons from my Emmaus Walk that are building shelves for our storage. I have the most amazing group of leaders Bert, Traci, Tom, Stacey, Ward and Lisa that I depend on. They make this walk the most amazing walk a man can go on. I have brothers from other Ministries offering their help, even when they have very little themselves. I have brothers and sisters like Kent and Mary at Open Shelter that serve so many. They are not getting financially rich, but their faith for our Lord is such an inspiration. Or another brother that couldn't get a hold of me and refused to give up and still showed up at our ministry yesterday. He gave the final Communion- think about how God used you, Bruce, DeColores my Brother. Do you even know what that does to a persons heart? Or Brother Davis who keeps the "can I get a better back up?" going and believe me he is in the wrong field, he inspires me every time I talk to him. You have Biker Jeff that always has a smile and the campers trust him. Or what about Angie Weber, I pulled around the corner and her and Roy had smiles on their face. My heart rejoiced, because I had the pleasure to see fellow friends out serving. We had a 16 year old young man that said such a wonderful prayer to close our night last night. Let's face it my friend God Is awesome!!He has equipped our ministry and others as well to face Satan in the streets of our city and bring our Brothers and Sisters home. Just like our brother Victor.
There are so many brothers and sisters out there that are serving. They don't care about the politics or the background of other Christians, they are here to bring Glory to our Lord. I want to thank you Stephan and Michele for showing me this. It was such a blessing to see. I know after taking the Emmaus Walk that there are so many wonderful people that carry the same love for our fellow Brothers and Sisters that they really don't know where to begin. Let's just say you have all already started. You gave me such a new found love for our fellow man. I will always be thankful for that.
I also have to say a couple of thanks. One to Sister Jordan. I was really in the dumps last night, and worried about my life, then I received and text message from her and Tom and it brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for doing life with us. Also to my bride, my walk is complete because of you. I love you and you and I will be doing life together for a long time.
I have to tell you something. Being a Christian is something that is a full time blessing. I was about to go into my Emmaus Walk and was really stressed out about something that would have an effect on my family. I talked with someone that I knew was a person that attended Church, but to what extent I had no clue. I mentioned I was hours from attending my walk, and he said he had already been on the walk. I was in total shock. I already knew this gentleman and his family was a good family. He saw me before I walked to the car to go and he told me to not worry about this problem and to enjoy my weekend. I really think he made a difference whether I stayed the whole weekend or I left. DeColores Brother Kirkey.
God is working. The last days are near. We have brothers and sisters and nonbelievers that need us. Gos is using us and this wonderful walk is becoming a run. I ask for prayers that we keep doing what we are doing and we make sure that we reach everyone that we can before it is too late.
As always God is Great!!! He has Risen!!!!!!
Your brother,
Michael Hogan
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