It was a Saturday morning. By 7AM the first members of Ministry of HopeChristian Center, Palma de Mallorca, Spain were at the retreat center preparing breakfast for over 100 people. Ministry of Hope (Ministerio de Esperanza) reaches out to those without a roof - the homeless. Some live in a shelter, some on the street. Every three months the 40 people involved in this ministry plan an all-day event for the homeless to show them the love of God.
By 9:30 cars began to roll in to the 'Finca' (the retreat center in the country) - church folk had volunteered to go to different areas of the city to pick up these special people. This was the tenth 'outing'. The first time, 40 came. Today there were a 100, many there for the first time. The team was ready - smiles, handshakes, hugs. "Welcome!" Bienvenidos! "We're glad you're here! Breakfast is ready! And what a spread - juices, pastries, muffins, toasted sandwiches, sausages, and Spanish tortilla. "This is the best breakfast I've had" one of the men told us.
While breakfast was being enjoyed, others of the team were busy setting out good used clothing on several tables.slacks, tops, shirts, underwear, socks. Then it was time for a good shower, get dressed in their new clean clothes, throw out the old ones, and on to the barbers and hair dressers. There were eight men and women waiting. A before and after photo would have been good. What a difference!
Then it was time for ping pong, walking around the grounds, sitting and talking until dinner time at 2:00 p.m. Chicken done on the outdoor grill, complete with salads, refreshments and a delicious rice pudding.
Chapel began with singing followed by a testimony of a life changed by the power of God. Alister Belbin, AGWM personnel in Spain gave the message from Luke 13:10-13. the woman bent over who couldn't straighten up. Jesus saw her, called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." He put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Alister concluded this message by saying, "Many are here today with broken lives, bent over, broken by sin, but there is one here who can set you free - Jesus Christ. Twenty responded to the invitation to come to Christ.
"I feel very much at home with you. You all help us so much. Thanks for all you do!" said a man as they were leaving to go back to the city. Another stopped, shook our hands, "You help us so much. Thanks for everything!" So many expressed their gratitude for the day.
The homeless usually experience rejection. All they want is a bit of love and acceptance. This was a great opportunity to show them God's love.
It was a Saturday morning. By 7AM the first members of Ministry of Hope Christian Center, Palma de Mallorca, Spain were at the retreat center preparing breakfast for over 100 people. Ministry of Hope (Ministerio de Esperanza) reaches out to those without a roof - the homeless. Some live in a shelter, some on the street. Every three months the 40 people involved in this ministry plan an all-day event for the homeless to show them the love of God.
By 9:30 cars began to roll in to the 'Finca' (the retreat center in the country) - church folk had volunteered to go to different areas of the city to pick up these special people. This was the tenth 'outing'. The first time, 40 came. Today there were a 100, many there for the first time. The team was ready - smiles, handshakes, hugs. "Welcome!" Bienvenidos! "We're glad you're here! Breakfast is ready! And what a spread - juices, pastries, muffins, toasted sandwiches, sausages, and Spanish tortilla. "This is the best breakfast I've had" one of the men told us.
While breakfast was being enjoyed, others of the team were busy setting out good used clothing on several tables.slacks, tops, shirts, underwear, socks. Then it was time for a good shower, get dressed in their new clean clothes,throw out the old ones, and on to the barbers and hair dressers. There were
eight men and women waiting. A before and after photo would have been good. What a difference!
Then it was time for ping pong, walking around the grounds, sitting and talking until dinner time at 2:00 p.m. Chicken done on the outdoor grill,complete with salads, refreshments and a delicious rice pudding.
Chapel began with singing followed by a testimony of a life changed by the power of God. Alister Belbin, AGWM personnel in Spain gave the message from Luke 13:10-13. the woman bent over who couldn't straighten up. Jesus saw her, called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free from you infirmity." He put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God. Alister concluded this message by saying, "Many are here today with broken lives, bent over, broken by sin, but there is one here who can set you free - Jesus Christ. Twenty responded to the invitation to come to Christ.
"I feel very much at home with you. You all help us so much. Thanks for all you do!" said a man as they were leaving to go back to the city. Another stopped, shook our hands, "You help us so much. Thanks for everything!" So many expressed their gratitude for the day.
The homeless usually experience rejection. All they want is a bit of love and acceptance. This was a great opportunity to show them God's love.