Homeless and Urban Ministry

So, this past Monday night I went to a homeless shelter here in Athens with some of my friends from BCM. I had never had any experience with those that were homeless and I must admit the idea somewhat freaked me out. I also before this semester had never been on a mission trip to an urban area. I had always cavaliered out into the wild remote areas of Peru. In January I had the blessing to be a part of a mission trip to Haiti where I played with kids and did what can be best described as a Bible School, but this wasn't really too much different aside from being thrown into a French Creole world instead of Spanish. However, this past spring break I went to New Orleans which is very distinctly urban. I will have to admit I was apprehensive of the thought. I had no idea what to think about it all. How would I fit in? I had always thought I belonged in a very rural place much like where I grew up which is ten miles outside of a town with four red lights and then you turn to go three miles down a dirt road and you get the picture. I am from the boonies! So, I didn't want anything to do with eight lane highways and concrete jungles. But, as I have recently learned, that might not be so bad. These are God's people too. They need love just like the other people. Which brings me back to this past week where I found myself sitting talking to these men who were if only for this short part of their life, homeless. I so much enjoyed listening to their stories and what they enjoyed. What surprised me was their joy for life; they weren't a morose crowd! So this was just another affirmation from God that He had it under control. Because honestly I wouldn't have thought to myself, Hey! I want to go to the homeless shelter today. It was because while I was busy studying away and writing my term paper a friend of mine told me I needed to go that it would be awesome. It wasn't like it would take too much time anyways. So, I went and I am so glad I did! It was a new perspective on life that I had been avoiding.
God has it all under control and I am just a faithful follower listening for my next step. And my next step is serving in the inner city of Houston  which is one of the largest cities in the country. Never thought I would end up there, but its going to be amazing!
"There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning!"