inside #08/2008 - August 2008

Healing Service

by Terry Cole

My name is Terry. I have become friends of the "Cream and Sugar" team over the last spring and summer. I am a computer engineer and have worked in high tech for 25 years. However, I have been drawn to the homeless population of Austin for the past 5 years, serving as a volunteer once or twice a week in a non-faith based program that provides basic needs and counseling to homeless people aged 17 to 24.
Over the years, I became aware that there needed to be a bible based ministry here in Austin to serve these same young people. I prayed to God that there might be some missionary to serve these people. Little did I know that during these entire five years, the HELP for all Nations team was on the Drag. (Shame on me!) However, we connected because of the "Cream and Sugar" trailer this Spring. The first day I saw it, I knocked on the door and was greeted warmly. After a few visits, I told them that they were the answer to my prayers!
I have become a regular visitor to the trailer. I truly love sitting in the trailer, serving ramen, coffee, and cookies to the homeless people. I enjoy finding out about the lives of the guests, asking them directly to share a little of their stories and encouraging them indirectly to open up to the possibility of an improving future. It is wonderful when we can help them in practical ways, but often we must be satisfied by offering friendship, moral support, and a listening ear. Since they are often shunned or ignored for being on the street or being addicted to something, this can be a great blessing to them.
Some of the guests are brothers and sisters in Christ. I think it must be quite difficult to maintain faith when living in the homeless condition. For these, we are able to give special assurance that God has not forgotten them and that He loves them very much.
There are few greater joys in my day than going to the trailer to find what person has come there. Homeless or not, God loves each and every one of them, whether they smell bad, are in a bad mood, or are in lots of trouble. The greatest gift I have received lately was the beautiful bright smile of a young lady who recognized my coming up to the trailer after we can not seen one another for a few weeks.
This last year has been difficult for me at my workplace, but each day that I can visit "Cream and Sugar" is a day that I go home in good cheer and better focussed on loving Jesus. My family easily sees the difference. The team has been a huge blessing to me and my whole family! I am in total awe of the team. They are so dedicated and humble in serving the homeless. And yet they maintain such strong families and such good humor. I thank God for their healing service, and, in Austin, I am not alone!
Find out more about volunteering with HELP for all Nations.