Serving Without Being Suckered

Hockley County, Texas - Rick Wheeler

I stole this post title but it's a great one for an article about working with those living in poverty or are homeless.  Here's a link:

www.umcom.org/learn/serving-without-being-suckered

You have to admit that you have felt compassion at some point for those street corner panhandlers, especially the women with their children.  It is REALLY hard to pass by a child that might be hungry.  But there are guidelines that will help you to protect yourself while letting them down easily, respecting their dignity, and hopefully guiding them toward helping themselves.  People of faith know they should reach out but knowing how to effectively do that takes discussion and maybe a little research on your part.  I will discuss this general topic in the next several posts.

First, do you ignore the sad stories and pleas for cash from those on the street?  Yes.  As the article referenced here (and the video linked in the site) it is best to say no, but in a respectful way.  Sometimes simply being treated with respect can lead those living on the margins to begin moving in a direction that could improve their lives.

An excerpt from the article has advice from Rev. Beth Lindsey Templeton, a minister and nonprofit executive:

"*Find out the person's name to acknowledge his or her humanity
*If a person asks for food, give them food, not money.  (More on this later)
*Don't believe everything you hear
*Apply the "LEARN"  principles to make compassionate decisions when helping someone   

Learn the available resources
Explain the reasoning behind your decision
Ask appropriate questions to check the details of the story  
Make good Referrals  (I have some suggestions)
Never explain another agency's policies unless you're sure of the information

*Print business-card size cards listing available resources in your community.  Examples might include a food bank, a soup kitchen, a homeless shelter, a clothes closet, a financial assistance agency and a hospital that accepts indigent patients."

The availability of help will vary community by community.  Have some helpful resource suggestions available and some food on hand.

More on helping the marginalized next time.

All You Need is Love.....

"And regardless of what else you put on, wear love.  It's your basic, all-purpose garment.

  Never be without it."  (Msg)

Or so John Lennon says.  But the love the apostle Paul is referring to in Colossians is also the type needed to serve those in need, those considered "the least of these". ("The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40)

Let me be clear - I am no Bible scholar.  So don't comment back to me with a long commentary on the meaning of Colossians because it will be a one-sided discussion.  But this particular passage is perfect.  Simple.  Wear love and serving the least of these becomes much easier.

Of course I could author separate blogs on the topics of poverty, hunger and homelessness.  There are so many without a permanent place to call home or consistent access to food that it boggles the mind.  It's a special interest of mine so from time to time I will be posting information about these topics as well as great organizations that serve them.

So Your Toe Is In the Water. Now What?

Texas Hill Country Bluebonnets

I'm looking at a beautiful cross in my bookcase that a dear friend gave me.  It has scripture on it, but key words are highlighted.

In the center Journey is in large letters.  Surrounding it are the phrases For You....Lord Plans Good....Give Future Hope....You Pray, Listen, Look....Find, Seek....Lord Guide....Best Pathway; Advise. (punctuation added)

How do these words apply to your life?  How do they apply to someone seeking ways to serve?

So here are more ideas:

Natural Disasters Abound.  In Texas we have had record-breaking rain in most of the state and it has caused millions of dollars in damage.  Many have lost everything.

So you're sitting on the couch watching the news or reading articles about the most recent flood, hurricane, tornado, fire, on and on.  And you think to yourself "I really should do something, but I don't know what's needed.  Won't someone else take care of it?"   And then you turn the page and move on.  Here's how you can get involved.

Training.  For example, the United Methodist Church, the Baptist church and I'm sure most other organized groups - denomination does not matter; it could be the Red Cross or Salvation Army- have training to prepare potential volunteers to help following these disasters.  My husband and I are going to a training session in a couple of weeks.  You may be asking "Why do I need training?  How hard is it to go to Walmart and load my truck up with water and drive to the area and pass it out?"  Good point.

http://www.namb.net/disaster-relief/
http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Programs
http://www.redcross.org/ux/take-a-class
http://www.volunteermatch.org

The best way to help is to be able to match your skills and interests where they are most needed, know how and when to stay out of the way and know when to show up.  Seriously.  Of course there are immediate needs.  But you could actually cause more harm than good by just driving to a site and offering to help.

There are even more needs weeks and months down the road.  Having your name on a list of possible volunteers when someone is needed to clear debris or when more sandwiches and drinks need to prepared for those with no homes can be the best way to help.  Unfortunately as time passes the impact of the disaster on those not involved fades to "old news" status.  Being trained and part of an organized effort can be very impactful for those that suffer for years from the tragedy.  And if you don't want to go to training, contact the organization and ask what they need.  More on that......