To sleep without fear

 

People said we were crazy! But, the winter night shelter opened in December 2011 and has been running every night since. Out last night will be Sunday 19^th February.

 

As I reflect on recent months I so often wish that I had written down every God moment. There have been so many times when we have seen him working through our volunteers and guests. The story of course began months before the opening with all the preparation and planning, and as I look back on that I can’t begin to explain the amazing journey God has been leading us on.

 

For our guests: the 33 men and women who have come through our doors, I hope and pray that they left with more than they came in with. For some, they have been able to come back and tell us about the changes in their lives, and for some this has meant moving on to more permanent accommodation. For others, maybe it was just a sense that for a moment they were cared for, even if all they could cope with was one night of care. Maybe their past experiences of rejection prevented them from believing it could be any more than that.

 

A guest recently said “What’s good about this place is friends. The food you can get. The bed is nice. But it’s the people that make all the difference”.

 

Another said that it was the first good night sleep they had had for a long time, without any fear. We can’t imagine how good that must feel.

 

I am in awe at all our volunteers have done and I want to thank our co-ordinators, committee members, and volunteers and helpers for their hard work and commitment. There are also the people who were behind the scenes; the lady who was busy sewing special sheets, the office worker collecting socks - there are too many people to mention here.

 

I want to thank the Churches and their leaders. For those who have so willingly opened the doors of their buildings and hearts to welcome our guests, and to welcome volunteers from all areas of the community. Time after time I have heard stories of people who have been caused to think again about what the Church means today in our community, and what it means to be a Christian. For some, these thoughts had been forgotten about and buried long ago.

 

As we now begin working on where we go from here, sharing our learning and developing more pathways for the Church to get out there, I know that God will continue to bless what is done in His name. I hope and pray that we will be willing to respond again to his promptings – however crazy they may seem!