One Sunday afternoon a homeless woman stopped at our Bible table at the beach. Said her name was Bonnie and she lived at the river bottom.
The river bottom is a popular dwelling place for the homeless in our community. It’s in a jungle of thick brush and trees covering a wide area next to the river. I asked her about living conditions there. I was curious.
She said it’s a pleasant place to live! People create privacy boundaries around their living spaces, using boxes or existing bushes. Some even have furniture—chairs, mattresses and chests of drawers! Most have their own ice chests for food storage. “But if you don’t have a lock on it, watch out! Your peanut butter is sure to go missing!”
Bonnie and her husband Tom have lived there for three years. She said they are both followers of Jesus and read their Bible together every night. Their only problem is their addiction to alcohol.
“We panhandle during the day, but we use our money to buy food first, before we buy booze! Our only drug is alcohol! In fact, Tom and I are the only ones living there who don’t use drugs. ”
She said that one guy has a guitar and they enjoy evening singing around the campfire. “Recently after singing, Ol’ Chuck announced that he was going to take his life. We all watched him swallow his pills. We figured he was dead by 11 PM, but we didn’t call the cops ’til morning.”
Bonnie and Tom have two young children being raised by her parents in another city. Every Christmas and Easter her parents bring the children and rent a motel room for three days, so they can spend the holidays together. “I love seeing our kids. It’s also a good time for us to take showers and wash our clothes.”
She said she would like to be free from her addiction to alcohol. She shed tears as I prayed that she and Tom would find deliverance from this bondage. I then shared with her some contact information so they could get help from Teen Challenge.
I explained that Teen Challenge is the most successful drug rehabilitation program in the nation. “Many programs recommend a higher power—but if your higher power is not Jesus Christ, then your higher power is not genuine and will not be lasting.” I assured her that Teen Challenge is not for younger teens. Participants must be at least 18. Most in the program are in their 20’s and 30’s. She was encouraged to learn that in some locations they offer programs for families so they can live together. Bonnie and Tom would fit right in!
- Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. Psalm 82:4
- Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
- Learn more about Teen Challenge: https://www.teenchallengeusa.com/about/national-office
- Do you have a homeless population in your community? How are they being helped?
- SONG: DEAR LORD OF LORDS – Click on story’s title to listen:
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[This life is temporary. This life is short. When this life is over, our bodies will die and become empty shells, but our souls will continue to live forever. Where will the “real you” live? Will you live for all eternity separated from God? Or will you spend eternity in the presence of God in heaven? Learn more so you can make your most important decision: http://www.godlife.com/gospel/ and http://www.godlife.com/en/about-christianity
It’s all about being the hands and feet of Jesus – of service – as he served us and to think of the incredible love with which he served ~ God bless you and your ministry!
Thank you Mark. God DOES bless us in this ministry–greatly!
Today my early morning coffee was “disturbed” by Carlos a homeless Cuban man I have known and talked with for almost 20 years. He nowfaces a frigid winter and has no intention of using available shelters. He testifies of Jesus on the streets and keeps cellphone contact with many. In his estimation the homelessness is the cross and stipend for doing his peculiar ministry. His leaning is Full gospel and his prayers are mighty. Most of the police know that he is harmless and radically Christian. The elements and the reproach and the unseemly late night encounters have left scars and mental illness. He will not change. A common law wife and child have disappeared from his strained reality. One can only do him the courtesy of listening and affirming his love for Jesus. Heaven will show the dividends. Organized churches see him as an offscouring. Probably he could teach them and their partying ways a great deal. Today we referred to Hebrews 13. It will prove an appropriate comfort..Doug
This is a man of God with a ministry. I’m sure you’re praying for him. No doubt he is reaching people the organized churches aren’t. I’m glad you’re his friend.
Having worked with the homeless in the past this really resonated with me. But I didn’t realize Teen Challenge had a program for families. Thanks for that information.
After reading “Life at the River Bottom” I recognized that people of faith have not only the call to share Christ’s love but seeing the possibilities of what that means to others.
Thank you Judy, I so agree!