This past Saturday, outside my office window, there is a wonderful scene being played out at the tiny park across the street from the mission. I see a young mother and her 3 children sledding. The park is fenced in with several trees, benches, basketball court, playground equipment, and a small hilly embankment large enough to sled down for a quick laugh. The best part is that the park is owned by Mel Trotter Ministries and is used primarily for women and children who live at the mission. With the arrival of 21 degree temperatures this week, and the ensuing snow, it is just the right time for our mothers to take their children outside for some winter fun. I can hear them squealing for joy from across the street—even the mother. This warm sight on a cold day inspired me to share a few thoughts with you.
Earlier that afternoon, at the lunch hour, I saw the same mother and her kids enjoying homemade pizza prepared by one of our chefs. While sitting at a table across the room, I observed that the young mother and her children were enjoying the safety and security of the mission. This little family, absent a father and husband, was obviously at peace with each other while enjoying a Saturday afternoon together.
My heart is often filled with joy and pride as I witness how well cared for the women and children are who come to Mel Trotter. The majority of them come here seeking shelter from abuse, abandonment and neglect. When they first arrive at Mel’s one can’t help but notice the fear and apprehension in their eyes. They aren’t sure they’ll like their new home at all.
But something magical happens after 2 weeks of being in the mission. The children begin to change. They start responding to their new living environment in a positive way. Mom becomes happier because she sees that her children are being cared for properly (something she hasn’t been able to do in long time). The kids begin to relax and smile again. They begin to open up to the staff and start talking—sometimes a little too much! But that’s okay too, because this is what we are all hoping for. Now we can start dealing with some of the root causes of what brought them here in the first place.
Mel Trotter is my fourth rescue mission, and in my 18 years of serving the poor, I have discovered that God loves them more than I do. Maybe this had something to do with the fact that Jesus was homeless. He told the people “foxes have dens, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head’ (Matthew 8:20).
The Lord has a special place in his heart for the destitute, He doesn’t want them to be marginalized or mistreated by the church. He says in James 2: 1-5, My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Since God loves them so, so should we! True religion is taking care of orphans and widows in their distress, not just going to church and pretending that we don’t see the growing needs around us.
There is a lot more work left to do amongst the poor before Jesus returns, so let’s continue banning together to get it done here in West Michigan.
A pig and a chicken were walking down the road. They came upon a church sign which was advertising a fellowship breakfast that weekend: “Ham and eggs will be served from 8:00am-10:00am.”