Letter from the Director

We see hundreds of people daily at the Mission who are in need of hope and help. I was asked recently for a faith-based perspective on poverty in our community. Two scriptures came to mind immediately. Deuteronomy 15:11 God says “For the poor shall never cease out of the land” and in Matthew 26:11 Jesus says “For ye have the poor always with you”.

In mankind’s fallen state there is selfishness and greed which primarily contribute to those who have and those who have not. God expects his children to help the needy. In Deuteronomy He reveals his great concern for them. In His law to the Israelites He forbade the charging of interest on loans to the poor. If the poor gave something as a security against a loan (such as a garment) the person loaning the money had to return the garment by sunset so the borrower would not be cold during the night. If a poor person was hired to work for a rich man, he was to receive his pay every day so he could buy food for himself and his family. During the harvest season, grain that dropped was to be left so the poor could glean it for themselves. Every 7 years all debts of poor Israelites were to be canceled and every 50 years (Year of Jubilee) all land that had traded hands since the previous Jubilee was to be returned to its original family owner.

We have tremendous opportunities in our lifetime to stretch forth our hands to the needy. Whether it be taking time out of our busy schedules to take an elderly person shopping, visiting those in nursing homes, hospitals or prisons, praying for others or volunteering at the Mission, the list goes on and on. There is a job for each of us no matter how inadequate we may feel. So be encouraged today and challenged. You are important in God’s Kingdom!

God bless you,
Linda Kelley

Please do what you are able to help. Visit our How to Help page for various ways you can get involved.