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I had nothing more

Very few times in my life have I ever felt truly scared. There are 2 moments in life that come to mind. The first moment was the first time I ever spent the night on the streets in Hollywood, CA with my homeless friend Joe. I was 22 years old and slept behind a restaurant on the cement. I had nothing more than the clothes on my back and I hadn’t really planned to stay with my friend but he was suicidal and it was the least I could do to be there for him. As I tried to sleep I was cold and had a fear of being robbed or woken up at any moment. It was one of the worst nights of sleep in my life and I actually had forgotten my wallet the night before. I woke up exhausted, hungry, and I truly could relate to those who face the daily struggle of homelessness. I often think back to that night when I see the faces of our guests at breakfast in the morning.

The other moment was when I worked as a firefighter in Neodesha, Kansas. The local Dairy Queen had gone up in flames on New Year’s Eve and it was 13 degrees outside. My partner Ross and I were first crew in to make entry after we had broken out the glass in the front entrance doors. As we entered I was the front man on the hose with my partner right behind me. It was pitch black and neither of us could see a thing as we worked our way toward the heat source. When we were just about to the fire we heard the firetruck sound the horn for us to evacuate. Although, you train time and time again for these moments when an evacuation is called it means the building is most likely fully engulfed; its time to drop your hose line and get out because there is the possibility of the building collapsing.

As we turned to evacuate my partner and I lost track of each other and there was a moment of panic because I was alone. I yelled as loud as I could, my partner grabbed my shoulder, we retraced the hose line and made our way back to where we had made point of entry.

I share these stories because when you’re facing the daily struggle of homelessness and living on the streets every day and night has an aspect of fear. When you’re a women they struggle with the fear of being raped of abused. The fear of being robbed of what little you have is always at the forefront of your mind. It’s stressful and I can’t imagine the toll it takes on one’s body and mental health to go through this battle each and every day.

A majority of the guests I talk with at breakfast will tell me their happy just to be alive. They wake up and thank the Lord for another day and are grateful that Jesus died on the cross for their sins. They know that one day they will have a permanent home in Heaven and that their time in this broken world full of sin is only temporary. They encourage me and remind me that most of my problems in life are not that big of a deal. I have a home, a loving family, and friends who have always been there for me. I am truly blessed.

Pray this week for the safety of those who sleep on the streets. Ask the Lord to protect and bless them. Ask the Lord to keep them healthy. Each and every one of us has been given the ability to make a difference in the lives of others by praying for them. Even when you feel there is nothing you can do for someone or change a situation, God can make it happen.

Nate Smith

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:40

“These days there is a lot of poverty in the world, and that’s a scandal when we have so many riches and resources to give to everyone. We all have to think about how we can become a little poorer.” – Pope Francis

Morning Glory Needs

Bulk Coffee for Breakfast and Lunch

Men
Tennis or walking shoes
Jeans, shorts, and belts
Boxers or briefs M, L, XL, XXL

Women’s
Bras
New underwear
Emergency Assistance

Healthcare for the Homeless

One of the biggest challenges those struggling with homelessness face is access to healthcare. When your average person gets sick we call the doctor and get checked out. We have no problem filling our prescriptions and making follow-up appointments. When we’re sick we can stay in bed in the comforts of our homes. The Federal government defines chronically homeless as “either an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has been continuously homeless for a year or more, or an unaccompanied individual with a disabling condition who has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years.”

For the individual that’s chronically homeless the daily struggle is survival and finding your next meal. Many are constantly sick and it can be quite a challenge to receive the proper healthcare they are in need of. Recently, Research College of Nursing reached out to Morning Glory Ministries to see if they could bring some of their nursing students to provide wellness checks to our guests. This past week a team of 10 nurses provided blood pressure checks and vision testing to our guests. They educated them on next steps they could take and encouraged them to come back the next week to be retested.

My Mom was a nurse for 37 years and my whole life she pounded into me the importance of always staying on top of your health. Her dream before she passed was to travel to third world countries on medical mission trips but she never had the chance. For 27 years she worked in the Oncology Department at Children’s Mercy with kids who had cancer. She attended countless funerals with her
co-workers, rarely talked about work at home, prayed for the kids she worked with, and was passionate about helping and caring for others until the day she died. I learned from her the importance of taking care of yourself and serving others.

One important aspect of the Emergency Assistance Program at Morning Glory is we give bus passes to guests for appointments and pay to have their prescriptions filled. In 2017 we helped fill over 200 prescriptions for the poor, needy, and homeless in downtown Kansas City.

Pray this week for the health of the homeless. Ask God to heal and bring health to those in need. Take it one step further and pray for their spiritual health as well. Be thankful for your own health and take care of those around you who are sick.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
– Psalms 73:26

“The one who helps the sick and needy touches the flesh of Christ, alive and present in our midst.
– Pope Francis

It takes partners

For Morning Glory Ministries to continually meet the needs of those struggling with homelessness there is a lot of things that happen behind the scenes. It’s often not glorious but we couldn’t help and do what we do without the help of volunteers, local organizations, and businesses. This week I wanted to highlight a few of those.

Every week one of our volunteers picks up pastries, donuts and desserts from Hy-Vee and Sun fresh. The Downtown Chipotle donates 5 to 10 pounds of steak each week that we use for various meals we serve on the weekends. Gus’ World Famous Chicken (http://gusfriedchicken.com/) brings us leftover chicken every week that we feed our guests.

A majority of our hygiene products we give out in Emergency Assistance come from Giving the Basics (https://www.givingthebasics.org) . This non-profit receives hygiene products from businesses and hotels and redistributes them to agencies all over the Kansas City Metro Area.

About 85% of our food comes from Harvesters. Each week we order food at a minimal cost and are also able to shop at the Harvesters facility (http://www.harvesters.org). Harvesters covers a 26 county area and we would be unable to provide the 82,000 meals a year we cook without their support.

We have partnered with Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral for over 30 years to feed the homeless in downtown. They helped to start Nourish KC (http://episcopalcommunity.org/) an organization who provides us with deli meat for sandwiches every week. They also provide us with interns from their culinary program who come and serve at Morning Glory for 5 weeks as part of their job skill training.

Each week we have volunteers who shop at the various thrift stores to purchase clothing items like jeans that we are constantly in need of. We have also partnered with Savers Thrift Store (https://www.savers.com/) who donates us backpacks and other various clothes items.

We also partner with Enoch Magazine (http://www.enochmagazine.com) a non profit media movement that helps us with videos and design, and social media.

Other volunteers shop at Sam’s club to pick up our orders for food and cleaning supplies we use each week. We employ 4 people who are in Catholic Charities ( https://www.catholiccharities-kcsj.org/) Seniors Back to Work Program. This program pays their salaries and provides support for our staff. Many businesses and schools volunteer regularly which includes JE Dunn, Colliers, Baldwin Clothing, Mazumma Credit Union, The Smile Salon and Day Spa, Rockhurst University, UMKC, Research Nursing, St. Teresa’s Academy, Notre Dame de Sion, Rockhurst High School, O’Hara High School, Bishop Ward High School, St. Pius High School, St. James Academy, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, and Shawnee Mission Easy Junior Board, and Serve KC. Over 40 different churches and parishes also volunteer on a regular basis.

Every month over 400 volunteers choose to donate their time at Morning Glory to help serve and prepare meals. They also help to fulfill the Emergency Assistance needs of guests during the week and sort all the incoming clothing donations and organize the EA storage areas. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Morning Glory Ministries. We count and depend on them so we can continue the mission of bringing dignity to the poor, needy, and homeless in downtown Kansas City.

How can I help?

If you spend time in any major city there is a good chance you will have an encounter with someone struggling with homelessness. In 2017 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development presented their annual Point in Time report that showed we have over 553,000 homeless individuals in the United States. Roughly, 1 out of every 588 people are struggling with homelessness. Do those numbers surprise you? In Kansas City in 2017 our report showed almost 1,700 individuals are struggling with homelessness. This bring the age old question of “What can I do to help?”

I get asked that a lot. I always tell them the same answer. You don’t have to give them money but treat them with dignity and respect like you would a friend or coworker. If you feel led to buy them a meal do it. I never give out money but there is one thing I always offer and we can all offer; prayer. Ask them their name and if you can pray for them. Very rarely do they turn this down. It builds an instant connection between them and you. It’s a simple way to show you care.

Throughout my years of working for Enoch Magazine I’ve had the chance to interview many different bands. We always ask them if they have had any experiences with the homeless. When you spend your life on the road going from city to city you’re bound to have experience with them. Then we always follow up with the question “A lot of homeless are at the lowest point of their life but I’ve found they often claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What is your perception of Jesus?” It opens up a dialogue with the bands about what they believe and makes them think.

I have a place to live that’s filled with stuff I probably don’t need. I have food on the table and a job. It’s easy for me to feel comfortable every day. I’m not facing the struggles the individuals struggling with homelessness are. Every time I pray with a homeless person it reminds me that no matter who we are and what we have we all have the same opportunity to receive love and grace from our Heavenly Father. Sometimes, when things go wrong in my life I don’t always seek God first. I’ve complained, blamed others, and blamed myself when I really need to open my heart and lay it before God. I’m often encouraged by the faith the guests of Morning Glory have. It encourages and humbles me. It makes me realize that my problems are not always that big of a deal. They challenge me to seek the Lord every day and be thankful just for another day of life. I’m reminded that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins regardless of who we are or what we’ve done. He has the same love and grace for each and every one of us and no one can take that away. Our relationship with God is our own; unique and special for every individual.

Take some time this week to pray and thank God for the things you are blessed with. Thank God for another day of life and let yourself be reminded his love and grace is bigger than anything we can imagine.

“Not to share one’s wealth with the poor is to steal from them and to take away their livelihood. It is not our own goods which we hold, but theirs.” – St John Chrysostom

Morning Glory Needs

Men
Tennis or walking shoes
Jeans and cargo shorts and belts
Boxers or Briefs M, L, XL, XXL

Women’s
Bras
New underwear
Stretchy pants/ yoga pants
Emergency Assistance
Allergy medicine
cough drops

Totals April 2018
Meals served – 8,010
Guests helped with emergency assistance – 344
Volunteers – 467

Totals 2018
Meal served – 28,167
Guests helped with emergency assistance – 1,761

We all make mistakes

We all make mistakes. Sometimes, they’re small and fixable. Other times the course of our lives are changed forever. I’m just as guilty as the next person. When I was in elementary school the church I grew up in was building a new sanctuary. The construction crew had already dug a deep base for the basement foundation and there was mud and puddles of water everywhere.

My friend and I thought it would be a great idea to make a bunch of paper airplanes and throw them out the second floor window into the construction pit. When you’re little sometimes ideas seem like good ones. Looking back, I can’t even tell you how many apologizes I had to make and what embarrassment I must have caused my parents. My dad was a deacon at church.

Looking back years later I realize how dumb and stupid this was. We’ll all heard the expression “kids will be kids.” I laugh now but I’m sure I was grounded. It was a mistake and the first of many I made in my childhood. People often ask in conversation how most of guests came to be struggling with homelessness. Was it choices in life? Was it drugs? Sometimes, this is the cause but no one ever imagined they could end up living on the streets. The loss of a job, the death of a spouse, a work injury; these are all things I hear regularly from our guests that helped to contribute to where they have ended up in life.

What I love about the idea of grace is that Jesus died on the cross for our mistakes. He gave up his life for our sins. He paid for the things I don’t even know I am going to do yet. But, his grace comes with a price. We’re called to believe and be servants of the Lord. We are equipped with different skills and opportunities to serve and set a “Christ like” example in our life every day. Ministry is not a job, but a lifestyle. It’s supposed to drive our motivation and actions each day. The journey is not always easy.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22

Ask God to make the scriptures real in your life this week. Don’t just hear the words of the scriptures but ask God to make your heart open to truly living out what we are called to do as followers of Christ. Don’t be so hard on yourself for your mistakes. We have a chance to change every day but we must let Christ be the center of our lives and the light that guides us.

Morning Glory Needs
Jars of jelly for emergency assistance
Jars of pasta sauce for emergency assistance
Men’s Jeans and belts
Men’s Shoes
Men’s Cargo Shorts

Seeing the good when its bad

I admit it. I like to watch terrible movies. I’m guilty of always checking out what Nicolas Cage is up to and think Keanu Reeves is awesome. My roommates often join me to watch these movies. I often watch these terrible movies, embrace the bad acting, and ridiculous plots will hole after hole. I generally enter into the movie watching experience with an open mind no matter what the movie critics and reviews say. I want to give them a chance waiting for that one perfectly crafted moment that makes it great. You could say I see choose to see the good in the bad or make the most I can out of each movie I watch.

I try to apply this philosophy in other places of my life. It’s not always easy. In times of tragedy it’s hard to stay positive. On the bad days I’m not always thankful for the things I have or the good that’s in my life. My mom did this every day. She never complained a day in her life but worked at Children’s Mercy as a nurse for 26 years with kids who had cancer. I strive to be like her.

With each new guest I met I approach them the same way. I see every person that walks through our doors as another friend to be made. I want to know their story. I want to hear their dreams and passions. I strive to build a real connection. I joke all the time that I love my job because I get to have breakfast with 125 friends each morning. The struggle of homelessness is heartbreaking. I can’t grasp the pain and hurt some of our guests feel who have been living on the streets for years. I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to live in a tent when it’s snowing or wake up not knowing where my next meal might come from. I am blessed with family, a job, and a place to live. So many of guests deal with the struggle of poverty and homelessness but yet they take the time to thank the volunteers and staff of Morning Glory. They encourage us and remind us to be humble and thankful.

When you come through the doors of Morning Glory you become family. You can check your drama and troubles at the door. For many of guests it’s a place they can feel normal and accepted. I love to watch our guests talk and interact with the volunteers. They share stories, ask about their lives, and I see the friendships and bonds they have.

A good friend of mine, Drew Hunthausen, has been blind since he was 11 years old. He came down with bacterial meningitis, went into a coma, and lost his vision. Life is not easy for him but he is one of the kindest and most positive people I have ever met. He does everything with a smile. Every week he makes video blogs on facebook called “Life of a Blind Guy” which shares his activities and tasks he accomplishes. Often, I watch them and are amazed at his persistence and ability to live as close to a normal life as he can. I can’t imagine making coffee blind but Drew does it every morning? Or going surfing when you’re blind. It’s encouraging and honestly quite special. Drew has never met someone he didn’t like and chooses to speak and motivate others to live life to the fullest. I look up to Drew. He reminds me just how special and each every one of our lives is. Read his story here http://drewhunthausen.com/about-drew/ .

I want each and every one of you to take a look at your life. Is their negativity? Do you complain more than you should? Do you take things in your life for granted. God want’s our hearts to submit to his will and seek him throughout each and every day. He wants our spirits to be filled with happiness and joy. It’s not easy but take a few moments each morning to thank God for your life. Pray that you can be a positive person and set an example for those around you. Ask God to help you change your heart. Be encouraged by his word and love.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalms 121: 1-2

Watch Drew’s Story

Learning from the poor

God has taught me many things working with the poor and needy through the years. As I listen to their stories about childhood, traveling, their daily struggle, and heartbreak one thing always come to mind; Honesty. So many of our guests are willing to share their story of how they ended up in the place they did. One guest shared this week of growing up in a loving Christian home but he refused to believe and submit that God’s in control. He traveled the United States, struggled with drugs and alcohol and finally realized that God is real and Christ died on the cross for our Sin.

He has started to make amends with parents, his brother, and the people he hurt with his actions. He realized we live for one purpose, to be loved by God and love him, to serve him with our whole heart, and ask for the forgiveness he has graciously given us. This guest has been so thankful that Morning Glory has provided him with food and warmth, conversation, and a place to feel safe in. The last few days he has been helping cleanup after the meals, and wants to give back in any way he can. He has no money, no home, but a simple desire to serve those and help those who have given up their time to help him.

Every morning I greet our guests at their tables, find out how their breakfast was, and simply talk about life. They have hopes and dreams and passions just like the rest of us. As I asked one table how they were a guest responded “Still Homeless” and we had a laugh. He answered the question honestly and with a smile. Laughter is a great gift that God gave us that can be understood in any culture and any language.

In 1st Thessalonians Chapter 5 14-18 Paul writes ”And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I encourage you this week to pray for guests. Pray that God continues to move in their lives and work in their hearts. Take a moment and thank God for the blessings in your life and pray for opportunities to bless those around you. Pray for more patience, more understanding, and be thankful for the things you have.

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
– Mother Teresa

March Madness

I love college basketball. Since I was 7 years old I’ve been a diehard Duke fan. When I lived on Skid Row in Los Angeles I even played in their 3 on 3 basketball league that a lot of the homeless residents of Skid Row play in. Every March I get excited for March Madness. I’ve watched hours of games, rooted for the underdogs, and enjoyed the rivalries. I used to take off work so I wouldn’t miss the action. Many people become obsessed with the tournament; they live and breathe it. They join pools, throw parties, and commit many hours to enjoying college basketball. I’m guilty as charged. As I’ve gotten older my priorities have changed. The passion is still there but it doesn’t consume me like it once did.

As believers in Jesus Christ we are all called to serve. God wants us to read his word, study it, pray, and fellowship with other believers. His desire is for us to live a life that reflects his commandments. What if we had the same desire to seek and serve him like we so many of us do for March Madness? What if we were excited to study the word of God and pray for others with the same commitment and passion?

I met so many guests who seek the Lord every day. They are thankful for another day of life. They appreciate the volunteers who serve at Morning Glory. They love the Lord and I couldn’t tell you how many times they tell me they couldn’t get through another day without his love and grace.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” – 2^nd Timothy 4:7-8

When we accept that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins and believe he is savior we begin the race. We put ourselves in the ultimate game. We choose to follow and believe in his love and grace. We are on the winning team and our victory crown awaits for us in Heaven.

This week I ask that you spend some time in pray asking God to fill your life with the passion and desire to seek and serve him every day. Listen for his calling that he has prepared for you. It’s not easy to listen or even always comfortable but it can be if you make it a daily part of your life. Pray for a desire to read the scriptures. Ask the Lord to instill a desire upon on your heart to live the life he calls us to live.

“It is better to share, because we bring to Heaven only that which we have shared with others.”
– Pope Francis

Morning Glory Needs
Volunteers to help with breakfast on Wednesdays and Fridays
Men’s Jeans
Men’s Tennis Shoes
Backpacks
Canned Fruit
Canned Meat

My heart breaks

As I greeted our guests this past week my heart was broken for one individual. As I asked him how he was doing he told his wife passed this week. She had been battling various ailments and had been in the hospital for a few weeks. They had been married 13 years, volunteered together, and went through the ups and downs of life together.This individual is homeless but fortunate enough to get to be bedside when his wife passed.

He feels lost, alone, and is barely making it through the days. As he begins a new journey and the stages of grief he knows the Lord is right by his side. He was confident the Lord would carry him and take care of him even through he’s full of anger and sorrow. He told me his guidance was this old poem you may heard before but forgotten.

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.”

That poem hung in my bathroom at my parent’s house growing up. I read it all the time and often thought about it. Life is short. We live to Love and Serve our Master, the one true God above. No matter how hard we try and run or how angry we are God still listens and loves unconditionally.

Please pray for this individual. He has no way to contact his relatives with whom he’s lost contact with. With your prayers he won’t be walking alone. Pray that he is comforted, has patience, and that he feel’s love from God, the only one who can help to heal and fill the void of a loss of a loved one.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38-39

From homeless to house

My Mom grew up on a farm in Southwestern Missouri. When she was a kid they had an outhouse, took baths outside, had chickens, and lived a simple lifestyle. There wasn’t the internet, they didn’t shop at the mall, and she was the first one in her family to go to college. As a kid I often had the chance to spend my spring breaks with my cousins on the farm. I learned about growing crops, tractors, cattle, and spending time in what is often referred to as “God’s Country.”

Over the last few months I’ve had a chance to really get to know one of guests. He grew up on a small farm in rural Missouri. He dropped out of school in the 5th grade to take care of his siblings, doesn’t know how to read, and the doctors told him he has the education level of a 7th grader. He struggles through his life daily and has tried to learn to read many times. I can’t even comprehend or imagine what that would be like. He is one of the nicest, kindest, gentleman I’ve ever met. He ended up homeless because of his lack of education and when the farmhouse became his he was taken advantage of.

The one thing that truly amazes me is that is his faith in God is one of the strongest I’ve ever seen. He fully puts his trust in God every day. He prays daily and truly lives out his life as Christ calls us. He can’t even read the word of God but it doesn’t stop him from seeking the Lord’s will in his life daily.
A few weeks ago he approached me with the biggest smile on his face as he told me that after many years of facing the struggle of homelessness he would be moving into an apartment. He finally would have another place to call home and lay his head. We often take for granted so many things in our lives. We forget to give God thanks for the things we have. God calls us to a place of humility and thankfulness.

I want you to take a few minutes and make a list of the things you are thankful for. Then I want you to take a few minutes to pray and thank God for these things. Life is short and full of struggles and challenges but each day God reveals his blessings to us whether big or small.

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night..” – Psalm 92:1-2

“If families can say these three things, they will be fine. ‘Sorry,’ ‘excuse me,’ ‘thank you.’ How often do we say ‘thank you’ in our families? How often do we say ‘thank you’ to those who help us, those close to us, those at our side throughout life? All too often we take everything for granted!” – Pope Francis