Homeless to Homeless Ministry

Meet Madison: "All my life I struggled with identity. My father was an alcoholic and I didn't know what it meant to be loved by a man. I would do anything to numb or hide my pain. I became intertwined in an unhealthy relationship, had a horrible break-up, and made the dive further into partying. Ultimately, I didn't know my self-worth. I was broken. I left the safe home and people that took me in and I chose to be homeless. I lived in a Wal-Mart parkinglot and worked at a DayCare. I was angry and scared. After about 6 months, my mom's friend reached out to me. I was at a desperate point and agreed to join a program just to get off the streets.


The program helped me heal. I now realize my self-worth and turned my life around with the help of people who love me. I made life-long friends through the program and I am restored to my family and many past friends. I appreciate life, family, friends, and home more. I desire to help people in need and show them love. In this new season, I am choosing to go to church, recovery meetings, and allow accountability in my life. I have already come along way from where I was as a homeless person, but I cannot forget what it was like when I was in their position. I was hoping for an opportunity to give back and help some homeless people. When I heard about a neighbor going to the streets, I said yes to the opportunity to show the homeless love!" -M 

Thanks to local donations, Madison and Life Giving Well ministered to the needy in Rock Hill, SC this week! 
Thanks for your support! 💗

                                                                                                

Help the Homeless Feel Home

Collecting Blankets & Coats for the Needy

Most of us have a roof over our head unless we choose to sleep under the stars. Still, there are some of us who are homeless. It's important to focus on what WE CAN DO! We can listen to the needy, pray for and encourage them. We can donate items they need and ask other people to help. 

The More, The Merrier
The donations poured in last week, including sleeping bags and blankets, coats and sweaters, and even a bike helmet and gear. People like neighbors, a local shop, a music business, and even a local health & wellness team are helping. I decide to ask God to send me a volunteer with a heart for the homeless to go with me to the streets and He did. *See our next post to hear this volunteer's story from homelessness to helping the homeless. 💗


The 1st Run: We handed out jackets, blankets, and spread encouragement to the needy. We met several homeless men in the Charlotte city center, including Veterans. We also helped needy women & children that are connected with a local shelter. The people living on the streets were very grateful. There are some going through hardship and asking for more. We will go again and continue to focus on what we can do.


THANK YOU to those who gave or plan to give...this adventure is happening because of your coat and blanket donations. I'm looking forward to our next visit to Rock Hill, SC. 


*UPDATE: We are no longer accepting donations for winter 2018-19. Happy New Year! lifegivingwell@gmail.com  

Steele Creek CJ Steals the Week!

Have you ever found yourself seemingly buried in the "normal life stuff", only to get surprised by kindness? Well that happened this week (September 2018). I was on break from the workday and I needed a refreshment.

"I don't want to get my usual smoothie today. Let's go for The Intense One," I shared with the cashier. They made my juice as I stared blankly out the window pondering questions ranging from work to family to future to past to...help God! I glanced at their prayer request jar, wondering if I should write them my book of prayers. Would it even fit in the jar...nope. Would I make it back from lunch break on time...nope.

"Hey! Your order is ready and here's a card for you," the Clean Juice man said, holding my drink and a fresh note in an envelope that read, "For You".

Ummm...so Clean Juice Steele Creek pretty much stole my concerns for the week with this encouragement and drink giftcard. I'm so grateful they went outside the box and treated me like a person. My cup is overflowing...haha.
Whatever you are going through today...our Creator knows. 🙏 
And YOU ARE AWESOME! 

Life Giving Well

Life.
Life is a way or manner of living. Life is a gift.
A life is a person. It's from God. Jesus is the Life.


Giving. 
Giving is thankfulness and love in action...gratitude.
We give to one another as we give to ourselves.


Well.
We each have a well of treasure inside of us to discover. 
There is power in believing we all want to be and do well.

Life. Giving. Well.

Being defined one day at a time.