StreetLight Mission is not much to look at. I wasn't even sure I was in the right place the first time I went there. StreetLight is in a converted garage, and one of our most used phrases is "technical difficulties". But as 3700+ people(last year alone) can tell you, we do a lot out of the space God has given to us. That's right, out of a little converted mechanic's garage the mission gave basic life services to over 3700 people. But what is so much MORE important is that 3700+ people saw the love of God. They may not have fully recognized it because of their state of mind, but they saw the love of Jesus!
Some of you may not understand, because of where you are from, exactly what I mean by "basic life services'' so I willtry to explain. Basic life services means the things that we need to survive, and have some kind of function in society. Food to eat, clothes to wear, and even some times a roof over our heads. Those of us that have never had to do without these things, can not fully understand what it's like to truly be hungry, or to wear the same clothes for weeks on end without being able to wash them because you don't have another set, nor do you have access to a washer and dryer. We can't understand what it's like to live outside in the rain, sun, heat, cold, and snow. So what StreetLight tries to do is help with those things. Once we can get these basic needs taken care of, then we can focus on their spiritual needs.
Every week at StreetLight, there is a clothes give away day, there is a food pantry, and during the winter, we partner with another organization to house homeless men for the night so that they don't freeze on the streets. One of the things I love most about how StreetLight functions, is that at every level, they are focused on changing lives. One new initiative that is in place for the upcoming months is that all people who get food from our pantry are going to be required to meet with a life coach. This life coach's job is to figure out why they need food, then help them with that need. The point is not a hand out, but a person can't change their life if they are worried about feeding their children.
After we have met the most basic of needs, then we build on the relationship that we have started with them and figure out what other ways we can help them. If they need IDs, we can help them get one. If they need jobs, we will do what we can and use our resources to help them find one. If they are drug addicts and want to get clean, we can help them get into a rehab program. If they are in recovery from addiction, we have a weekly recovery meeting. There are so many things that get done during the day while I'm at work that I don't know about, but I do know that every time I go to the mission on my lunch break, there is a bustle of activity and people trying to help those that come through the door. On top of the things that are done during the day, there is a monthly girl's night, and a monthly ladies night. Also we do a children's VBS in the summer, send children to summer camp, a Christmas party for our guests, Thanksgiving food drive, and so many more things!
All of these actions are in place so that we can help people. We cannot force anyone to change their life, and there are some people that walk through our doors, get the hand outs, and walk out without ever desiring to change. When I get tired because it seems like there are more of the people interested in a hand out than in changing, God brings to my mind the parable of the sower. He threw the seed out but where it landed wasn't his doing. His job was not to figure out exactly where the good soil was and plant there, his job was to throw the seed and let it land where it may. I believe that we at the mission are doing the same thing. We are called to be obedient and to throw the seeds of God's love out to Elizabeth New Jersey and let it grow where it may. I think all of us at the mission sometimes wished for a bigger harvest for all the work we put in (I don't get to work there as much as I like, because of my job). But I know for me, and I think for others as well all the hard work is worth it when we see the young mother who just got out of an abusive relationship, who is addicted to a myriad of drugs sobbing and honestly talking about rehab for the first time in her life. Or to see the tough street wise woman who rarely smiles begin to come to ladies nights and call you smiley and actually being to reciprocate your smiles! And really I could continue with these stories, but for the sake of your time I won't!
The last piece of the puzzle of changing lives is the one where I am most hands on, StreetLight Church. About a year ago, the pastors felt that God was leading the church in a different direction, so they closed down the service. They took a few months to seek God for exactly how He wanted things to look and they started anew. Our church is small, but it is growing. I'm not necessarily talking about numbers, even though there has been some of that, I'm talking about personal and spiritual growth. I don't think there is one person in our church who is the same as when they walked in the first time. I know I'm not!! God is speaking and moving. He is taking people who are earnestly seeking Him and He's teaching us. When I hear the questions that people ask, I am challenged. We are all growing together, and that's what we are called to in Scripture.
I know that I just kind of hit the high points, and there are many things that I missed, because I didn't want to take up 100 pages with the services we provide and stories of the people that have become a part of my heart! If you have any questions about the mission or are interested in getting involved, reach out to me crucibleandcrown@gmail.com.
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