Homeless people

[InternalFlame]

Now and then when I'm driveing by I see homeless people huddled in doorways, and I think "It's my duty as a Christian to reach out and help them." but then the old teaching from my parents come up "don't talk to strangers" and I wonder if it is safe. I want to help them, maybe get them some food or show them to a shelter, but what if the one I help is dangerous? Being a rather slim 20 year old woman makes it hard for me to defend myself...so often for fear of my safety I just drive on, but feel that I haven't done what is right.

Should I stop and help them when I see them on the streets? If so, how, keeping in the limits of safety?

[Ovedya]

Now and then when I'm driveing by I see homeless people huddled in doorways, and I think "It's my duty as a Christian to reach out and help them." but then the old teaching from my parents come up "don't talk to strangers" and I wonder if it is safe. I want to help them, maybe get them some food or show them to a shelter, but what if the one I help is dangerous? Being a rather slim 20 year old woman makes it hard for me to defend myself...so often for fear of my safety I just drive on, but feel that I haven't done what is right.

Should I stop and help them when I see them on the streets? If so, how, keeping in the limits of safety?

As a young woman I think that it's probably prudent for you to just keep driving. If you really have a heart for the homeless, why not volunteer some time at your local women's shelter?

[Marnie]

Now and then when I'm driveing by I see homeless people huddled in doorways, and I think "It's my duty as a Christian to reach out and help them." but then the old teaching from my parents come up "don't talk to strangers" and I wonder if it is safe. I want to help them, maybe get them some food or show them to a shelter, but what if the one I help is dangerous? Being a rather slim 20 year old woman makes it hard for me to defend myself...so often for fear of my safety I just drive on, but feel that I haven't done what is right.

Should I stop and help them when I see them on the streets? If so, how, keeping in the limits of safety?

Listen to your mother. Dont talk to strangers.

[Leonard]

I have a LOT of experience dealing with the homeless. Most of them are drunks or addicts, most are truly TERRIBLE PERSONS! All of them have their 'hard luck' stories; and all those stories ARE LIES! This doesn't mean we can't give them a meal (DON'T GIVE THEM CASH!!!), but be aware that the VAST majority of them are lazy advantage takers, and Paul says if they will not work, they shouldn't eat either!

One of the best programs I ever saw was the Grapevine Newspaper; a weekly selling for 50 cents a copy, started by a lady in Phoenix. I used to deliver the bundles of papers to our homeless venders. Their first bundle was free, and after that they cost $10 for a bundle of 50 (barely covering the cost of printing, and delivery). Typically off of one bundle a vender would make about $50 gross, and have $10 to buy another bundle. With $40 a day tax free, they could get a cheap $50 a week motel room for a bed and shower, and be able to buy new clothes, etc. Some actually worked their way up from here, and started applying for real jobs, and almost every week one would tell me: "Hey, I start a new job next Monday, so these will be the last Grapevine bundles I buy! Thanks for giving me the hand up!"

Most however, simply stopped committing petty crimes to finance their drug and alcohol habits, because they made enough selling the Grapevine, so crime dropped tremendously in all the areas where the Grapevine went. The city government however decided it didn't look good to have these people selling papers on the corner (personally I think the local Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette newspapers just bought off the city council), and made them quit. Well, crime went back up. What a surprise!

But after years of experience with the homeless, I just warn one and all, that overwhelmingly they are deceitful, lying addicts and drunks. Sure buy that guy a burger once in a while, but don't invest too much money that direction: Cast not your pearls before swine.

[Clio]

Hi All.

I'm new, and this is my first post. I was going to introduce myself first, but this thread caught my eye.

I'm married, and usually have my teens with me when running errands. Several times in the last 4 years, Abba Father has demanded that I stop and assist a homeless person.

One of the most memorable was in the Sam's club parking lot. There was a man holding a sign saying he would work for food. At the time, we had a small business, and not a lot of cash. And I drove right past him. The truck was full of me and the kids, as well as groceries, and I didn't really have time. But just as I pulled even with him, the Spirit shouted, "Stop!" in my ear. Well, I called home and told my husband that Abba had an errand for me and it's with a homeless man, and I might bring him home, I just didn't know what the Spirit had in mind.

I circled the parking lot and went back to talk to him. I explained I didn't have any money, but that I could provide shelter for the night and sharing a meal with our family in exchange for help cleaning out the garage.

He rejected the offer, but the Spirit wouldn't let me leave. I dug around in my truck, and emptied out my wallet, and could only come up with $5. Still the Spirit wouldn't let me leave. So I left my name and telephone number and told him to call if he changed his mind. Finally, the Spirit let me leave. The kids and I completed our errands, and about half-way home, my husband called.

He told me that I needed to go back and pick up a red-headed kid where I had seen the homeless man. I went back. The homeless man had given my name and number to the kid (he was 19), and the kid wanted off the streets. I picked him up, and talked to him on the way to our home. My kids visited with him too. When he said his name, I knew immediately I had to call our pastor. The pastor had announced from the pulpit the week prior that this kid was somewhere in XXXXXXXX and his parents were searching desperately for him.

Turns out, I had him sitting in my living room within a week. He worked in our small business, took on an additional part time job, stayed with us for a year. During that year, Abba truly blessed us. My husband nearly died, and had I not helped this kid, my husband would have died. The kid was there and able to help at one of the most critical junctures of my life.

I listen now, when I feel impressed to help. I don't always hand out money, nor do I always bring them home. I have volunteered at shelters, but find that just talking to the homeless on the street, finding out who they are, SMILING at them, SEEING them, not allowing my eyes to shift away in discomfort, and being friendly will do amazing things.

If you're uncomfortable, perhaps you have a Christian friend you can tell about how you feel like you're being led into this ministry for the over-looked lost... Perhaps when you have a buddy with you, you can try just smiling and speaking to someone as the Spirit leads.

Clio

[Guest LadyC]

while there are exceptions to the rule, as a general rule of thumb, homeless people are homeless by choice as much, if not more, than by circumstance. most also make a substantial income (tax free of course because it's gained through panhandling) and will turn down work that is offered them.

after moving to vegas, i learned the hard way about parting with my money for some guy on the street. that being said, there are still times when i'm prompted by the Holy Spirit to buy a homeless guy a sandwich and bottle of water.

there was a local reporter who did a story on homeless people here a while back. i was amazed that one couple openly admitted they chose to live on the street, sleeping in homeless shelters, being fed and such that way, and panhandling... the couple was in their twenties and both enrolled in college. they said that by being homeless, they didn't have to work their way through college, they got grants instead of loans so they wouldn't have to be paid back. one was studying medicine and one was studying law. they said they intended to marry and rent an apartment after graduation.

as for personal stories, i've got plenty. one guy standing barefoot on burning pavement bumming money with a 'will work for food" sign. i pulled up next to him and offered him a pair of large men's flip-flops that i had in the car. the guy gave me a scowel and said "i don't want your shoes, i have shoes in my backpack. i want money." i told him he wouldn't get that from me.

another bum that "works" the shopping center around the corner used to get dropped off in the morning complete with his sign, his cane, etc... picked up at noon for lunch, dropped back off an hour later, and picked up in the evening, in a car nicer than what i drive. every day. i witnessed him getting picked up and dropped off numerous times over a couple year's times, always at regular hours like clockwork. ironically, i do believe the guy really is homeless now. he no longer gets picked up by anyone, and he pushes a shopping cart around that is overflowing with belongings. i see him late at night across the street from the shopping center hanging on the end of the building by walgreens. occasionally i will buy him a piece of chicken and a soda.

i went to see a comic downtown once. he said that a bum came up to him while he was passing out flyers for his show, and the guy asked him for five bucks to get some food. the comedian said "yeah right, you just want money to gamble with." the bum said "no, i have gambling money in my pocket, but i really want something to eat". the comedian was so taken aback by the admission he started laughing and gave the bum ten bucks. he said it was well worth the ten spot just for some fresh material for his show.

back to the shopping center around the corner. i go in their almost daily, and often have conversations with the cashiers. one of them told me once that the manager, hoping to find a way to get the bums away from the doorway of the grocery store, went out and offered the guy a job as a bagging clerk. the bum flat out refused the job because the pay would not match what he currently was "earning".

one more story, i promise that's it...

i was at the hospital with my daughter one evening when she was pregnant and stepped out to the smoking area by the parking garage. a bum came in there to have a smoke where it was warmer. he was a mighty friendly guy and didn't ask me for anything more than a cigarette, but he carried on a long conversation about how he loved living in vegas. i asked him how he could enjoy living on the street... he said when it's really cold, there are shelters. at other times, i stop in at an all night pub, buy a beer, and spend an hour or two napping in a booth. breakfasts are great... go into any casino on the strip or downtown that offers free buffets to their hotel guests, blend in and eat like a king without paying a dime. and he said plenty of apartment complexes have outdoor showers poolside to clean up in during the middle of the night when the tenants are sleeping, and when it's too cold for that, the local truck stops offer hot showers for less than $10.

trust me... the people that live on the street KNOW where to find shelter and food. they usually do not want your help, they want your money.

[Fiosh]

Now and then when I'm driveing by I see homeless people huddled in doorways, and I think "It's my duty as a Christian to reach out and help them." but then the old teaching from my parents come up "don't talk to strangers" and I wonder if it is safe. I want to help them, maybe get them some food or show them to a shelter, but what if the one I help is dangerous? Being a rather slim 20 year old woman makes it hard for me to defend myself...so often for fear of my safety I just drive on, but feel that I haven't done what is right.

Should I stop and help them when I see them on the streets? If so, how, keeping in the limits of safety?

Hi IF,

Most of the homeless in my community are mentally ill, alcoholic, drug addicted, or a combination. They are not all terrible, lazy, losers. They are children of God struggling with their weaknesses.....just like me.

My parents brought me up to never refuse food to anyone who asks. We had a small corner store when I was a kid. Nothing much. It brought in just enough to make us lower middle class. We didn't have much money, but I had a happy childhood and good Christian parents. Any hobo or homeless person who walked into the store, never left without a meal and usually a little friendly witness from my father.

I have often bought food for someone I met on the street. (I never give money, though) And, I try to use the opportunity to witness to them in a gentle, simple manner. The Bible says to "give to everyone who asks of you". (Luke 6:30) How can I refuse?

You might also make sure they know where the food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters are in your town. Maybe even carry a list in your car.

All I can say is use common sense, and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.

"Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels." Hebrews 13: 2

[Guest yod]

All I can say is use common sense, and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.

"Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels."

Hebrews 13: 2

That pretty much sums up how I feel about it too

I used to go "under the bridge" with a preacher to feed and minister to homeless men. Some of the guys needed help and the others you weren't helping...but enabling.

It was still worth it.

I appreciate that Leonard isn't just talking about something he has not done plenty of. He's actually helped the homeless and that's how he knows them so well. Yet he helps them.

That's a cross. It kills you then gives you life!

My friend Catsmeow was a missionary to muslims for a bunch of years. Hello?!?!!?

Talk about fear? I don't know that I could do that. Do you?

It's great to hear stories of how ordinary people overcame and became saints no matter what their stature in life is/was. We've got to be ready to help rich or poor in what is really important...but that doesn't mean we have to stupid. Only go where you know Adonai has sent you...which is to all the nations.

Hahahahha

[deadman1204]

Just because some panhandlers take advantage of the situation doesnt mean all homeless peoeple are terrible people. Many need help but wont admit it.

Its better to do something good for them than ignore them. If you dont have time to stop, maybe buy a bunch of gift certificates for resturants. A friends uncle of mine used to hand out $5 gift cards to mcdonalds to all the panhandlers for example.

[RustyAngeL]

I will most likely get shot down for this but I"m going to say it anyway. I feel this government spends far to much money over seas and not enough here helping our people. I see kids down in the southern states living in third world conditions, no food, no heating, or fresh water. They have nothing, and I mean nothing and here we are spending billions in Africa on aids. I'm sorry but your right we are the richest country in the world and it is inexcusably for people to be homeless and go hungry in the United States of America. Did you know that 7 out of 10 homeless in Washington DC are veterans? No we need to do something for us and let the other countries take care of them selves. Help them yes but not at the expense of our people.