Least of These

For 40 hours in June, I will have the opportunity to experience what it feels like to be homeless.

When I was growing up, I lived in the low income housing section of town, but even so, I had a roof over my head. I had 3 nutritious meals a day. I had different clothes to put on each morning, and most importantly, I had people around who loved me. In that small town, I never saw poverty. It existed, but I never saw it.

The first time I experienced poverty was this past winter. I traveled to Guatemala City where there is a garbage dump that over 10,500 people live and work in each day. Thousands of humans spend 14 hours a day in the extreme heat or heavy rain searching through infected rubbish to provide for their families. Their works consists of searching for pieces of recycled materials so that at the end of the day, they can sell their findings for a few pennies. I saw poverty in Guatemala City.

Since I've returned from Guatemala, I have had the opportunity to volunteer at a couple homeless shelters. Each time has been different, and each time I get glimpses of the lives of people who don't have roofs over their heads...who don't get 3 nutritious meals a day...who have to wear the same dirty, stinky clothes day in and day out...who rarely feel love.

But...God is at work through His people!

There's an organization in Guatemala City called Potter's House that reaches out to the people who live and work in the dump. Their vision is that “One day not even one Treasure will scavenge in all of beautiful Guatemala”. With the help of short and long-term missionaries, the staff of Potter's House works hard to build houses for the poor...to feed the hungry...to the clothe the least of these...and most importantly, to love God's treasures.

There is a group of Jesus followers that I gather with on Mondays. Once a month during our gathering, we spend our time feeding the hungry at the homeless shelters...clothing the least of these...and most importantly, spreading the love of Jesus to those who desperately need Him. They have nothing else. No home. Little food. Dirty, stinky clothes. They need love. We give them love.

God is at work through His people! In Guatemala and right here in my backyard.

Jesus says, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

Through loving people, we love God. We love God by loving the least of these.

I don't know that a 40 hour poverty simulation is going to give me an accurate picture of what it's like to be homeless, but it will surely give me a glimpse into what it is like to be one of the least of these.


Is God at work in your backyard?