I got a call about an hour ago from a woman that, along with her four children, has been displaced because of the fire at Magnolia Parks Apartments in South Augusta, on Wednesday May 11. She told me that she works and has lived there a while, and they lost everything. She told me that she is currently sleeping on the floor of her aunt's house, which is far better than some people that are victims to a tragedy like this. This particular fire claimed the life of a toddler. The mom I spoke to is thankful that her children are safe. It seems these tragedies happen in the poorest neighborhoods, where the working poor, scratch out the best life they can. Then a tragedy like this strikes and as a victim, you seek help. Only, it's not enough to really help. This woman received a small amount of money from the American Red Cross. The money was a blessing. The woman was able to purchase some clothes, personal care items, and food. While the money was very much appreciated; it wasn't enough to get her into stable shelter. Her two oldest children are old enough to find a place of their own, and are currently seeking a new place to live. This mother and her two youngest children have a rough road ahead. About six months ago, I would have made a way for this woman to stay at Head of the Giant Ministry's Women and Children's Shelter, But today, all I could do was to get some of her information, and tell her that I would do my very best to get her connected to some of our community partners for whatever help we could provide. HGM has household items and clothes that have ben donated recently that can be given to her once shelter is secured for her. I told her that I would call her back in 24 hours, not with a space at our shelter, but with information to help her get off the floor of her Aunt's house and sleeping in a bed. At the very least. Yesterday I received a call from a case worker at the Augusta Wounded Warriors Project who was seeking shelter for a homeless female Veteran with a child. Let me repeat that, a homeless female Veteran with a child. Most people ask me, how can this happen in America? There are lots of situations that will result in being a homeless vet. This isn't an anomaly. This is happening so often that many of the veterans are unable to secure shelter through the VA for a long period of time. Many choose to sleep in tents, since it's better than where they slept during combat. Our country has been at war for 15 years. The tragedy is that men and women that have put their lives on the line over seas so that war would not be waged on America's shores, are suffering from the effects of serving in a war. And there was no help that I could offer this homeless, female veteran. Without a building, we can not provide the help that is so desperately needed. This burdens my heart. I'm burdened by the broken system we call America. The ones who have the least are the ones that give the most to ensure that their neighbors are not hungry. Did you know that one in four families is struggling with hunger? Right here in America. The ones that have more resources than they know what to do with give the least percentage wise. I'm burdened because so many take to social media and express their very heated opinion about the latest symptom of sin in our culture, but they don't do much past giving in the offering to help their neighbor that is hungry. I'm burdened that the poorest areas of our nation go without the basic of necessities, because that part of town isn't important to the financial status of that city or county. I'm burdened that although most Christians would agree no one in government is going to fix it and we, as the church have been commissioned (The Great Commission) to help those that can not help themselves, but instead of helping there is a lot of finger pointing. Stop relying on your political party to do something about helping your neighbor. The government can not provide everything for the poor. It was never designed to help, it has always been the church's responsibility as a direct instruction from God. I'm burdened that many generous Christians will give to a fund to help earthquake victims and people without clean water (and they should), but they aren't mindful of the vast mission field here in their own backyards. I'm begging you! Don't turn a blind eye to the mission field in your community. Let us stand together and declare "not in my backyard". I believe that God's heart is broken for "the least of these" that are in need. I believe that the Church, the Body of Christ, should be heartbroken for these people in need. My prayer: Lord, break my heart for what breaks yours. I want to be sensitive to the needs of others, so that I can be the tool in the hand of my Savior to meet those needs. Please pray and become partners with Head of the Giant Ministry, so that we can make a difference to the souls living in our community. We need everyone to rally together and help us find a building or property to get a shelter open for women and children like these. You can easily sign up to make re-occurring donations through your bank account by clicking the donate button on our website, or a donation can be made through check payable to Head of the Giant Ministry, and mailed to P.O. Box 1411 Augusta, Georgia 30903 Make plans to join us for the Women Helping Women Conference in July. The focus is on local missions.
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AuthorsLavond Reynolds is the executive director/founder of Head of the Giant Ministry, Inc. His desire to serve Christ by meeting the needs of the homeless in the CSRA comes from a compassion for people and personal experience. Archives
October 2017
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