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Michaela
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| Posted: March 10 2005 at 6:16pm | IP Logged
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We have a large transient and homeless population here in Vegas....especially downtown. (I'm sure it's not just in Vegas.)
The past several months, I have felt led to do *something* besides drive past rolling up my window ... praying the light would turn green before they got to my car.   I admit I really worry about safety. My kids ask why I didn't give the person money. I've been setting a bad example basically.
It bothers me for DAYS when I think that I should have done something. Actually, it has been on my mind often since last fall. Maybe God was trying to get me to hear him and I wasn't listening. Then it seems that everywhere I turn lately Matthew 25:31-46 (The Judgment of Nations) is being discussed.  
Now, two nights ago, I taped an EWTN show Fr. Corapi was on. I had no idea what he'd talk about, but it was coming on at 1 a.m. and I wanted to see it.
He was talking about the same passage from the Bible, but in a way that tears started because it was speaking to ME. Plus, while he spoke about Mother Teresa a light bulb went off in my head.
DH really wasn't interested in discussing it, so that's why I'm talking about it here.
Soooooo, to my question.
What do you think is the best way to help?
I have two ideas, but I'm not sure which is the better approach. Maybe because I'm not sure I should do both.
The first idea I had was carry some sort of food in a ziplock bag to hand to anyone that approaches my car (maybe one day going further and just handing them out to the men I see on the street). I wanted to do was for them to think of Jesus & the Catholic church....even if it's for a second while opening the bag. I thought about putting a card or sticker of Jesus & Mother Teresa in or on the ziplock bag.
The other idea is to give them a fast food gift certificate. I'm guessing though that could be more expensive (not that the money is really an issue because it's something I want to do and would be willing to give up a few things to make it happen) I just think that I'd have to give at least a $5 certificate for the person to actually buy food & a drink.
I hope that in the future I would be able to do other things like give blankets in the winter.
Maybe keep a case of bottled water? That might be dumb because they can get water anywhere.
I would love to read your thoughts. please.
Thank you for taking the time to read this!
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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alicegunther
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| Posted: March 10 2005 at 10:01pm | IP Logged
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Wow, Michaela, your post really brings home to me the true meaning of "a living faith," and I admire you so much for what you would like to do to help others.
I wish I had some advice to give, and I am looking forward to reading what others have to say.
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Love, Alice
mother of seven!
     
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
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Chari
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| Posted: March 11 2005 at 12:58am | IP Logged
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Michaela,
We often pass homeless whenever we are traveling in a city (our town does not have any obvious homeless, esp in the winter!)........I often stop and give them whatever food we have.......it may be nuts, fruit, crackers or pretzals, whatever........I just tell them it is "all the food I have with me and I am sorry it is not more"........every single person has acted sincerely grateful
actually......I do not drive to where the homeless "live".....but rather the ones we "bump" into getting off the freeway or going into a shopping center
I worry about safety, too............esp. after the Thanksgiving meal we volunteered for a few years back........there were quite a few mentally ill men........thought my sarah was just too sweet.....:).scary
I think both of your ideas are great and would be appreciated. Maybe you could have others donate money to your "cause"........and you could buy more gift certificates to pass out.
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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cathhomeschool
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Texas Bluebonnets
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| Posted: March 11 2005 at 8:48am | IP Logged
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I think that your ideas are great too. We do not see homeless people here, but when we lived in Dallas we did. Once I saw a lady with a sign and felt so moved to help that the kids and I went straight to the nearest grocery store. I prayed that if God wanted us to help, the woman would be there when we got back 20 minutes later. She was gone.
Certainly keeping the car stocked with canned goods with pull back lids (fruit cups, applesauce, vienna sausages) would be easy to do.
Safety is an issue too. When we were young, my mother used to stock up on bread at the thrift store and then deliver to all the poor neighborhoods around where we lived (with us in tow). Nothing bad every happened, and safety never crossed her mind, though in retrospect she realizes some of the neighborhoods were pretty bad. I would continue to pray that if God wills for you to do this, that He will further convict you and your husband's hearts and give you peace that this is the answer to the promptings you've been feeling. It is truly a wonderful way of living the Gospel!
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Janette (4 boys - 22, 21, 15, 14)
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jdostalik
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| Posted: March 11 2005 at 10:46am | IP Logged
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Michaela,
We don't see too many homeless here (Dallas suburb), though, occasionally I will be approached in a shopping center parking lot. I really like your ideas of having gift certifcates to fast food places handy. I have given cash before but I always worry that they will take it to buy drugs or alcohol, but I still give in hope that they will use it for food and other basic necessities.
My mother is a Catholic missionary pro-life sidewalk counselor in Dallas. She encounters the homeless a lot. She always gives them money or groceries and most of them are gentle souls who need our prayers.
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God Bless,
Jennifer in TX
wife to Bill, mom to six here on earth and eight in heaven.
Let the Little Ones Come
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Michaela
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| Posted: March 12 2005 at 10:56pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for the encouragement!
We don't have much homeless in the area I live, but whenever I need to go downtown anywhere near the strip there is no missing them. They are EVERYWHERE.
I spoke to a friend about the idea, and she made a few calls.....I will be getting an anonymous donation to get this started.
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Matthew 25:31-46
