Homelessness is not a never-ending problem. There is a solution in the majority of cases. Homelessness would decrease dramatically with this solution I speak of. Why? Because there is a root source of homelessness that is being overlooked. While passing out food and toiletry bags is a good thing to do, it doesn’t help the people get off the street. It’s like putting a teeny Band-Aid on a huge wound – it doesn’t cover it, or help it heal.

What is the solution? The solution is that these people simply need adequate time – while maintaining their dignity and integrity – for transitioning back into their own housing and employment.

They need living quarters where they can rest, take a shower, plan their future, and pull themselves together. It doesn’t have to be huge. It doesn’t have to be fancy – something clean and good will work.

Without having to “sleep” in a crowded, loud shelter or having to worry that their time is running out at that shelter, they need a transition house that they can call home until they are able to move into their own (permanent) housing. They need to know they can go to sleep at night and wake up the next morning in their own living space. They need to know that whether it takes them 6 weeks or 6 months to get a job and find their footing in the world again, that they are secure until then.

Yes, there are those who are too proud for assistance. Yes, there are those who choose the streets over alternatives. But homelessness has many faces: it is not just about drug addicts or alcoholics; these people are moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, Veterans, plumbers, electricians, carpenters – people who just lost their jobs, were in debilitating accidents, or are from broken homes.

Family

We are the family of God; doers of the Word; the living Word in action. It’s time people (all of us in general) stop talking about the Bible and start putting the Word in to action.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any man be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass. – James 1:22-23 (KJV)

The homeless are real people. They see and feel and hear and hurt. They feel the cold wind whipping and beating them. They feel the glares and judgments as people drive by in expensive vehicles, criticizing them. They also feel lost. They need family. And that’s what our family is to them. We are their family – someone they can hug, make eye contact with, share their dreams, goals, pasts, present.

Our daughter, Michele, shared her heart about the homeless on her health blog. (Click the following link to read more.)

Holidays and Homelessness

When I asked where they go if their limit is up on a shelter and no place will take them in, the shock on their faces was unbelievable.

 

“Nobody asks that question.” They said, in disbelief.

“They don’t want to hear the ugly answers.”

And isn’t that sad, that people turn their heads, close their eyes and ears, and ignore the growing problem of homelessness.

The truth is ugly. But that doesn’t mean we should wimp out and ignore it. We need to face the truth head-on and work toward the solution….

Fundraiser

We are trying our best to secure funding for our first Momma’s Houses facility. I’ve mentioned before how the dream for Momma’s Houses came about.

We’ve decided to end this fundraiser on January 27, 2010, because we’re rushed to purchase this building for a few reasons:

1) We want to secure the building before someone else does (because it’s perfect for our purpose).

2) Each day that goes by means another bitter cold day/night the homeless we’re trying to help are braving the elements.

3) The sooner we can get the building, and move people in, the sooner we can put a dent in ending homelessness.

Only the Beginning

The $80,000 we’re trying to raise is merely the beginning of this process. This amount will purchase the first building in our Momma’s Houses goal. But then the building has to be renovated. We are rolling up our sleeves and are willing to do the nitty-gritty work that has to be done.

Please help us end this vicious cycle of homelessness.

If you aren’t comfortable donating electronically, feel free to send your donation to:

Highways and Byways Ministries

P.O. Box 115

Diggins, MO 65636

Yes, $80,000 is a LOT of money to raise in 30 days – but not if a lot of people give a little.