peoplelovingnash

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:54:06 -0600

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:57:32 -0600

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:52 -0600

As People Loving Nashville...

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 11:05:00 -0600

We do not make assumptions about the people we meet. We cannot know what life is like in another person’s shoes. We do not pretend to have answers for every problem. We do not bring judgement, control, disrespect, arrogance, or violence.

But…

We are all hungry, so we bring food.
We are all shamed in our nakedness, so we bring clothes.
We are all broken, so we bring ears to listen and hear.
We are all scared, so we bring comfort.
We are all guilty, so we bring acceptance and honesty.
We are all living in chaos, so we bring peace.
We are all lonely, so we bring friendship and community.
We are all hurt, so we bring love.

Video

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:32:17 -0500

Brianna’s Story “I started out a little timid, but moved...

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:03:00 -0500

Brianna’s Story

“I started out a little timid, but moved with a heart of compassion. Then I became completely frustrated at feeling like we were enabling these people to stay in their mess. In the midst of my struggle of feeling cynical, I’ve learned that a person who loves well listens well.”

My friend, Ryan, called me suggesting that we get some meals together for the homeless. “Nothing crazy, just once in a while,” he said. “I don’t even know what this will look like, but do you want to do it?” I had no connection with anyone who was homeless. I’d done outreach in other countries, and was aware of poverty, but hadn’t built relationships. That was different and novel. My sister and I decided to join him.

It was awkward at first; the people we approached were mistrusting and suspicious, having been burned by well-meaning-christian-types. The second or third week I met a man who carried guilt of his sister’s death, believing it was his fault. It was amazing to know someone’s heart, what motivates them. Though I was still unsure of myself and my capacity to love these people well, I found myself growing in awareness.

I love that my process has not been sweet and cookie cutter. I started out a little timid, but moved with a heart of compassion. Then I became completely frustrated at feeling like we were enabling these people to stay in their mess.

In the midst of my struggle of feeling cynical, I’ve learned that a person who loves well listens well. I began listening with “different ears” to my homeless friends, not just hearing words, but translating to hear the heartbreak/loneliness/fear/abandonment hiding underneath. My key to battling cynicism: while I could find a million ways they did not deserve a meal Monday night, I could also find a million reasons I don’t deserve the grace of the Lord. My job is to obey, not judge.

It is difficult to do anything with pure motives: mixed in with the desire to love well and serve and give dignity, there is part of me that battles self-glorification. It’s so easy to give myself a pat on the back for helping someone “less deserving”. Yuck. It’s a constant battle to deny the glory, and throw it back where it’s deserved. When I serve, am I saying in my heart, ”Good job, me” or, “I love you”? These hard realizations are good, and hopefully, seeing a side of yourself you don’t like leads to repentance and change. I’ve learned so much from the homeless. I’d love to see what they have learned from seeing us every week.

Jacob’s Story “What people often really need is someone to...

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:02:00 -0500

Jacob’s Story

“What people often really need is someone to talk to, someone to care that they exist. As I learn to care for other people, I can feel my soul expanding.”

What started out as a service project, to help out with People Loving Nashville, has become a way of life for me. One Monday on our way downtown from the kitchen at Belmont Church, I had a moment of clarity, where I suddenly realized how much I need Monday nights and the experience of serving. This has become my weekly perspective shift, my reality check, my reminder how much I have to be grateful for. It surprised me to discover how much I need to help other people, and how it grows my character and outlook.

In dialoguing with my new friends downtown, I’ve come to see how we’re all much closer to being on the street than we realize. This isn’t a fearful or morbid thought, just a reflection on the stories of people I’ve gotten to know. You never know what tragedy has befallen someone to change the course of their life. And I never know what catastrophe could strike me and totally change my circumstances. I don’t want to live in fear, but to be thankful. In response, I’m learning not to make such a big deal out of little things that upset my plans.

I welcome new challenges, so when we decided to have a small team go to a low-income apartment complex, I jumped in. As much as I love the big crowd downtown, it’s been really neat to see the intimacy of this smaller group of regular people we visit. While the food and clothing are certainly important to them, we see that what people often really need is someone to talk to, someone to care that they exist. Me too.

As I learn to care for other people, I can feel my soul expanding. It has challenged me to humble myself in other areas of my life as well, and to look out for the needs and hearts of others throughout the week, not just on Mondays!

Lindsey’s Story “I found myself forming a bond with people...

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:00:00 -0500

Lindsey’s Story

“I found myself forming a bond with people that I’d normally just walk past.”

Prompted by my friend Emily’s invitation to join her to feed the homeless, I found myself downtown. I wasn’t excited, but just went, and fell in love with it. I fell in love with loving on people who might not receive love any other day of the week. I found myself forming a bond with people that I’d normally just walk past.

I’d been almost fearful of homeless people previously. But with my growing awareness and awakening, I discovered that a simple “Hello,” to any homeless person makes a huge difference. Having that wall broken down in myself, and overcoming those fears, I’m coming to understand that we are all just people, and no matter where our story has taken us, we all need love!

The first time I came downtown, I met Roger, who was full of infectious joy and love for life. I was rather shocked, and drawn to him. He became one of our Regulars; we knew him, and he knew us. After the flood (May 2010), he got angry and disappeared, so we sent word out every way we could, to say, “Please tell Roger we love him and miss him and want to see him.” When months later he returned, I realized just how much I really had missed him. He’d become family.

After coming regularly to People Loving Nashville, it has become a Non-Negotiable in my life. Mondays, I have to be downtown! When I was asked to take over the kitchen operation —to plan the meals and be responsible for the shopping, as well as oversee the cooking and packaging process— I said no. I felt run down from work, and actually had just started a new job. So, I felt leery of such a huge responsibility. But it kept stirring in my mind, and I realized I needed to really think about it. I decided that if my boss agreed to let me take off Mondays, I’d jump in to coordinate the kitchen. He did, and here I am!

So on Monday mornings, I look at what donations we have coming in (mostly from Trader Joe’s), and I look up easy and economical meals. Then I go shopping at Cash & Carry, to purchase the rest of the needed supplies. That’s been a stretch for me, and I’m learning to be frugal, since I’m not naturally a Budgeter. By the time I arrive at the kitchen about 3:30, the early-birds are there waiting for me. These three or four people help get everything set up, and other volunteers trickle in until about 6:00, when we’re in high gear packing up meals and loading out.

I hope that people who come visit will understand that this is more than food and clothing. It is sharing stories. It’s about loving and being loved. I’ve been so well loved by these people, and didn’t even know that I needed it!

Eric’s Story “I’ve become so aware that we’re...

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:58:57 -0500

Eric’s Story

“I’ve become so aware that we’re all made in the image of the same God, and born under the same curse. They’re not scary people, just other people.”

I was on the road with my friend, Ryan, who was collecting clothes for the homeless. I asked him what organization he did this with, and he replied, “the organization where some friends and I go out and take stuff to the homeless…” It wasn’t complicated, just a simple invitation, and I went.

After a while of going downtown and sharing with people there, we started to become aware of other needs we could fill. When the Nashville flood (May 2010) wiped out Tent City, many of those folks were relocated to government subsidized housing nearby. We realized there were needs, and started to bring meals and build relationships among the tenants.

It’s really different than going downtown, where the homeless culture is much more transient and remarkably selective about their lifestyle choices. At the apartments we found people who are working hard to bring about changes in their lives. So on Monday nights, half a dozen of us show up with a tray of food, and folks come out with their own plate and utensils to join us. It’s the same people most every week, and we sit and talk for quite a while. Our next project is to build a picnic table to create a place for this community to hang out and let the walls of fear come down.

I’ve become so aware that we’re all made in the image of the same God, and born under the same curse. They’re not scary people, just other people. They live in a diverse community and watch out for each other. While there is an element of normalcy in their jobs and dwellings, there is also a sense among them that “this [poverty] isn’t how things should be”. So I’m excited to come alongside and encourage them as they move forward.

In my own story, people have come alongside and called me out when I’ve been self-absorbed and short-sighted. So I know how much others need to hear the truth from someone who loves them. Still, it’s much easier to nod and remain passive, than to reach out and say something about the destructive patterns you see in them. I feel convicted to be a man who will speak truth to my friends. I’m not loving them well if I’m unable to speak the truth.

Amanda’s Story “The more we got to know each other: name,...

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:46:00 -0500

Amanda’s Story

“The more we got to know each other: name, face, and heart, the easier it has become to grow to care about them as people, not just The Homeless.”

I had never really been face-to-face with people without a home, food, or essentials, so at first, it was frightening and overwhelming. They live completely differently than I do. I found it difficult to reach outside myself and engage these strangers. But the more we got to know each other: name, face, and heart, the easier it has become to grow to care about them as people, not just “the Homeless”. I’m learning to love them for who they are. That process has been such an eye-opening experience: they are no different than I am! We’re all born with hearts longing to be loved and cared for, hearts full of goals and dreams. Just like us, they want to be thought of, leave a legacy, and pass on to other people. Circumstances and addictions have made it difficult for them to do this. At this point, they want someone to care, to give them a helping hand.

Serving with People Loving Nashville has been a life changing experience. I started with the assumption that I’d be helping them, but instead, they help me break down barriers and stereotypes I’ve allowed society to form in my head. I feel challenged to give more than I think I’m able. Most of us feel like we don’t have time or money to give much, but this is an opportunity to give anyway.

It’s also been interesting to see how we’ve formed our own community of friends. When you serve with People Loving Nashville, you meet other people who serve and give and love others, which leads to deep, meaningful friendships. In turn, I’m learning to give more than I think I am able in those relationships too. Monday nights have become the day I look forward to the most!