Journal Day 14 - Tuesday 16th December - Homeless Shelter

Managed a morning catching up on preparation for forthcoming programmes.  Spent time late afternoon preparing traditional open sandwiches with Mama Maria and Adina ready for the State Homeless Shelter which we are visiting tonight.  Made 200 sandwiches with Salami. peppers and grated cheese all served with sweet hot fruit tea.    The Lucas have kindly donated all the food themselves.

Tonight the team consists of myself, Adina, her brother Danny and his children, Patricia and Mark plus his male singing group plus, a Pentecostal Pastor involved in Prison Ministry in the city and also Spencer, Lynsey and their 2 young children.  .Adina knows the manager of the Shelter and we are warmly welcomed.  There are around 60 homeless people in tonight of mixed gender.  It is a night shelter and the homeless arrive at 8 pm and must leave by 8 am every morning.  There are facilities for them to sit down and eat and wash.  To safeguard privacy I have not posted photos of the homeless on this blog.

The gifts provided have been packed by myself in Wales and consist of hats, scarves, mitts, snoods and filled toilet bags plus knitted blankets.

First there was carol singing led by the Group Mesaj.  They are a local Group of 5 Christian  men who travel widely to sing in Churches and other functions.  They have made 2 CDs which are very popular in Wales where we have given them as Christmas presents.    Our host's son, Danny is one of the Group.  This was followed by food and drink and a Christmas Gospel message from the pastor. There was quiet as everyone took it in.  I mingled with some of the crowd and everyone I spoke to you was speaking of Jesus.  My heart reached out to some of the stories about the circumstances leading to their homelessness.  There was much pain in their eyes which touched my soul.  One man, V remembered Wayne praying for him last year.   All we did  was to feed them, bring in a little joy  with gifts, give of our time but most of all share the love of Jesus and His Message.  

We also support a Detention Centre in the town where Spencer and Bogdan minister every week.  Due to my tight schedule Spencer and Bogdan will be arranging the distribution there before Christmas.