Agencies are great. Having been a recipient of the services of various agencies growing up and also working at several; I understand that they are necessary and can do a lot of good. Today's agencies have stores that sell the donations that they receive. When you give to an agency, you are probably thinking that those donations are going to warm or comfort someone. Unfortunately, that is often not the case. Also, they rarely break the cycle of poverty, addictions and/or abuse. It is often a band aid of sorts. Not really fixing or eliminating the problem, but temporarily easing the pain of those caught up in drugs, alcohol or domestic violence. When God put THE SHEPHERD'S STAFF on my heart, I was really surprised. To tell the truth, I consider my passion for writing to be "the gift" that God had given me and the homeless were people to be feared because of my vulnerability. As you might understand, even my loved ones were questioning my sanity. I had heard God's small voice in the wind and once I had been directed; I never questioned. OK, I did, but just a little. Everyday, the Mission grows and everyday I do something for the Mission. The donations keep coming daily. Whether is in the form of tangible items, monetary donations, people who want to help or just a small sign that we are on track. Waking up with bags of clothing on my porch is a common occurrence, a small check in the mail, an inquiry for food, a moving sale, a death and consequently a wardrobe being donated, just another heart moved; this is the exciting part of the ministry. We, THE SHEPHERD'S STAFF, want everyone to know that although the "giving" season may be over, the need is greater than ever. The cold still stings, people hunger and we will not relent. Even though we realize that we can only relive the pains of the world for a short time. We will tirelessly do what we can. |
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