Easter…more than a day
Following a year of devastation and loss, many of us spent this past holiday weekend reflecting and preparing for a new season, appreciative and grateful for the opportunity to celebrate our faith and recommit to it.
Recently, a long-time donor called to check-in on Friendship Mission, Inc. It was a short but impactful conversation.
He asked: “Do you tell them [our homeless clients] about Jesus?”. Normally my answer is something like: “Yes, Bible study and worship services are provided by local clergy, lay leaders, and volunteers; and our residents are encouraged to connect with local houses of faith.” This time, I could not help but limit my answer to a simple, “Yes”.
What has changed? Last March, when the Covid-19 pandemic began, we made the decision to close our doors to visitors. According to the Centers for Disease Control, homeless shelters are a prime place for Corona Virus to spread. In an attempt to reduce the risk of virus exposure for our residents, soup kitchen guests, volunteers, and staff, we have pushed pause on in-house activities such as live Bible studies, worship services, and life skills classes.
This simple question from one of our dearest supporters reminded me that in a year when the method by which we connect with the family of faith fundamentally changed, our mission of sharing faith deepened. Offering Bible study is great, but even when we could not offer it, our residents still were surrounded by the lessons. We show our clients Jesus and His love every single day. Even on the most trying days, we offer shelter, food, hot water, listening ears, and caring hearts. Every day, Friendship Mission provides men, women, and children with basic life needs and stability. In the past year, we have recommitted ourselves to Friendship Mission’s mission to serve our hungry and homeless neighbors: when so many employers had to halt business, hunger and homelessness became the second virus that surged in the River Region. As the world inches forward in finding a better normal in the presence of Covid-19, Friendship Mission is renewing its commitment to serve the least of these among us. We are asking you to join us in this renewed commitment to serve in the face of adversity. As you ponder your commitments in this season of faith and renewal, we are asking you to support Friendship Mission because His work on earth must be ours.
