Thrown Out Like Trash

Recently, I've had the pleasure of working with a group of people  to look into setting up a homeless shelter here in Palatka. I hear the town's people say "we need one," "there is a need for one," and "you're doing a great thing, I want to be involved."   While this is all encouraging and well received, I have some uncertainty stirring. I know that we will face opposition, it's a given. However, when we really take a look at the opposition, it saddens us.
I recently had a pastor tell me "The reality is that no one really wants homeless people around. They are bad for business, they are bad for your local authorities, they are a public nuisance. Though they are humans, they are a sub-section of our sick society. Most people look at them differently than you and I do. They see them as lazy, unintelligent, alcoholics, thieves, and dirty. And in a lot of cases they are right. But not in every case."
I see some of our everyday homeless neighbors (yes, they are our neighbors) and I know one person who cannot handle an everyday normal life because there are hurts that have not been addressed. He does not want to face them. Does this mean we stop caring for him? Do we throw him away because he is different? 
Sometimes we live in our own bubble and we forget there are others that are different from us. Some are more educated, some less educated, some live differently, and some think differently. It is sad that people look at other people as garbage and something to be thrown away because of their differences.
There are some people who say that our town needs a homeless shelter. This is true, but our shelter is going to need our community. Will you, the community, help us? We will need people, our community, to physically help us to get this home open and stay open.
Or, will our community close their doors when the need arrives? I am just not certain. I have read where our community "has a huge heart." Will that heart show up when the center has a need to be met?
Another comment I've heard is that in Putnam County it is assumed  or expected that everyone is a Christian.  I disagree with this statement. I believe we have many unbelievers just as we have many believers. I can only speak from my personal experience and I don't assume anything. When someone walks in my path, I don't assume they know Jesus. I listen for Jesus to show me where they have a need in their life.

That is the purpose of the River Inn Homeless Shelter.  We are now looking at buildings to be donated or to raise funds to purchase. Those who are believers, we call on you to help by praying for us. We want to make the best choice of location for all of our neighbors.

You will be hearing more about this mission, but for now, please pray for and with us.

~Be encouraged


Should you desire to contact the River Inn Homeless Shelter you may email us at riverinnhs12@gmail.com.

You may also leave a comment here and we will be glad to return your call.