NO Comforts of Home

A pile of old blankets on the hard sidewalk that serves as a bed . . . a garbage can filled with discarded leftovers that will soon be dinner . . . a plastic shopping bag that carries one threadbare change of clothes . . .

If you’re thinking I can’t imagine living like that . . . or How do people survive with so little? . . . then you understand the suffering of those, like Gregory, who once called the streets home, bearing burdens no one should have to endure.

Gregory—a 48-year-old student of our Journey of Hope recovery program at our Door of Faith facility—says he began abusing alcohol when he was only 10. At such a young age, he had no idea how his actions would impact the rest of his life—eventually costing him everything he loved and leaving him homeless.

He moved from New York to Des Moines with his girlfriend in 2009, never telling his family where he’d gone. His girlfriend was an alcoholic, too, and they’d agreed they would stop drinking and make a new start. “She was able to keep up her end of the bargain,” Gregory explains. “But my drinking became really bad and my behavior was unacceptable, so she asked me to leave.”

Suddenly homeless, Gregory was angry. “I was really afraid, but I hid my fear with anger as a way of protecting myself from the unknown. I was uncertain of my life. I didn’t know what was going to happen to me. I knew I needed shelter and I was desperate.”

Gregory came to Hope Ministries’ Bethel Mission emergency shelter for men in crisis, and “very soon my anger—my fear—was replaced with hope. Even before I’d finished the intake process, I felt happy I’d made it here,” he shares.

By God’s grace, we know the blessings of having a safe and comfortable place to sleep . . . a closet of clean clothing . . . and cupboards filled with food. Because we don’t have to worry about these life essentials on a daily basis, we can concentrate on using the talents and skills He has given us to raise godly families . . . build careers that enrich our community . . . spread Christ’s transforming love . . . and fulfill His heavenly purpose.

But imagine the amazing potential that’s lost as homeless and desperate people simply struggle to survive—never coming to know the Lord or the miracles He can make of their lives.

The blessing they receive at Hope Ministries (beyond the food, clothing and shelter) is to experience a Christian community that cares and to hear daily of the grace of God. That’s what makes us different.

Right now, as you’re reading this in the comfort of your home or office, consider the needs of men, women and families here in central Iowa who aren’t nearly as fortunate. Because you care enough to share your blessings, they’ll no longer be forced to call the streets home.