Brr, it’s cold outside.
As we head into the winter season, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have a warm shelter to call home.
For many, that is not the case.
There are 22,773 homeless individuals in Victoria alone. Perhaps they are facing financial difficulties such as unemployment or experiencing domestic violence. They could be having mental health issues or family breakdown. Whatever the cause, they are vulnerable and need our help.
While there are supported accomodations available for the homeless, these are limited in number and still cost money (minimum $14 a night).
In the last 5 years, more than 500 beds have been taken off the emergency accomodation market in Melbourne as rooming houses are redeveloped to cash in on the housing boom. As a result, the number of people sleeping rough (in the streets, without any shelter) in Melbourne has increased by 70% since 2014. A survey of rough sleepers in 2016 found there were more than 250 people sleeping rough on the streets of Melbourne. That number increases each year.
So what can we do to help?
Backpack Bed for Homeless (swags.org.au) is a nationally accredited charity in Australia and the winner of 2011 Australian Human Rights award for best Community Organisation. They distribute backpack beds that are designed specifically for the homeless (light-weight, waterproof, fire resistant, mildew resistant) for $95 each.
Last year we distributed 5 backpack beds and will always remember the tears that rolled down one man’s face when we gave him his shelter for the cold Melbourne night.
This year, someone donated 12 backpack beds and the boxes are sitting in our lobby, waiting to go out to the homeless. Won’t you help us walk around Melbourne CBD one Saturday afternoon after church in June to distribute them and give them vital information about soup kitchens and support centres in their area? Perhaps we can even pack lunch bags to pass out with the backpack beds.
Isaiah 58
“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast.
Shout aloud! Don’t be timid.
Tell my people Israel of their sins!
2
Yet they act so pious!
They come to the Temple every day
and seem delighted to learn all about me.
They act like a righteous nation
that would never abandon the laws of its God.
They ask me to take action on their behalf,
pretending they want to be near me.
[…]
Is this what you call fasting?
Do you really think this will please the Lord?
6
“No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Let the oppressed go free,
and remove the chains that bind people.
7
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9
Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10
Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11
The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
13
“Keep the Sabbath day holy.
Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath
and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
14
Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor
and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.
I, the Lord, have spoken!”
True and genuine religion in the sight of God means caring for the most vulnerable people in our community (James 1:27, paraphrased). So if you have warm clothes to donate, put them aside and get in touch with us. There is also an ADRA Victoria team that serves food for the homeless every Friday evening at the Queen Victoria markets from 7:30 pm onwards. Perhaps you can donate your time or talent/skill in empowering these individuals to get the support that they need. Please join us in prayer as we seek not just to be a church in the city, but a church for the City.
by: Jinha Kim
"But those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14