Hope Center Indy is partnered with Light in Darkness ministry whose vision and focus is to reach young women who work in the sex industry businesses, a greatly neglected population in the United States. Dr. Carolyn Knight, the Founder of Light in Darkness Ministry, shares a story from one of her ministry experiences that highlights the beauty of generosity.
“We don’t want you people here!” A man shouted. “We need to round these bums up and chase them out of our city but you are keeping them right here with your hand outs!”
I was helping to run a homeless shelter in Seattle and these harsh words greeted me one morning as I was taking out the trash. When I got back to our door, there was a family waiting for me- A thin young Mom and her two small children. She was trying her best to shield them from the winter wind. “Please,” she said, “A friend told me that you give away free clothes. I recently lost my job and I don’t have the money to buy the children coats. Would you have any coats for them?
“Yes, I think we do! Give me a minute to look.” I let us all in the little storefront mission while noticing that she only had a thin sweater on, too. Thankfully, I found warm coats for the children that were hardly worn at all and there was a nice navy coat that was perfect for the Mom. “Thank you, Jesus!” I whispered. I quickly bagged up groceries for them as well.
Their faces lit up when they saw their gifts. “Thank you.” The voices of the little children sounded like little birds. “Oh thank you!” The Mother cried, her eyes bright with tears. “Children, we have coats now and so much food!”
Her sweet appreciation brought tears to my eyes, too. As I watched them go, I remembered the man’s harsh words just minutes before. “No Sir, we’re right where we are supposed to be, doing just what we’re supposed to do.” I thought. This verse is a good reminder:
He who makes it hard for the poor brings shame to his Maker, but he who shows loving-favor to those in need honors Him. Proverbs 14:31
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