Shoulder The Cross

Latest update from Shoulder the Cross ... the past six months

It has been way too long since we have last blogged. It seems that life gets busy and the priority for blog writing is very low. Visitors from Minnesota helped since the last blog. One of our homeless friends admitted to having a crush on Diane. It was entertaining to say the least, to see his face turn red as cherry pie, when her name was mentioned in later weeks. Connie has been a great asset as well. Her kindness to our friends is always a welcomed site. Connie has taken a sabbatical from the weekly Shoulder the Cross endeavor due to her being a teacher at Austin’s Community College (ACC) and the new semester starting. She returns when she becomes available. Bryan is a new face to the ministry. Bryan lives in Bastrop. With the recent fires there, he has realized that there are many in need in Bastrop and all the surrounding cities. Bryan contacted us to see if he could help. Bryan is a frequent deputy for Shoulder the Cross now and is always there when his schedule permits it. Bryan found out quickly that apples are not a desired cuisine for our brothers and sisters on the street. Oral health is not a priority for most in need, so eating apples could do serious damage. We have had quite a few volunteer opportunities since the last blog as well. Volunteers from all walks of life have gathered to help sort through and organize donated clothing. The job of 2 taking more than 10 hours has been reduced to a mere 2 hours, thanks to volunteers and those who help Shoulder the Cross. Thanks to all who have helped in the past. Contact us if you would like to volunteer in the future. Thanks to the For the City Network, they have been providing the space for the clothes sorting. We are in talks with the Austin Stone Community Church to open up partnership opportunities with Shoulder the Cross.

We were surprised to see Christopher return to the streets of Austin. Christopher told us he has spent the past 3 years nursing his father back to health after a bout with cancer. He says his Dad is stronger now and is back to work at the age of 71. Christopher’s Boston accent is stronger than ever after his 3 year vacation in the Red Sox city. We heard from Gary and Rebecca at Christmas time. They have moved to Bastrop and say it is a nice place and a safe lifestyle. Tim still comes out to see us when he can. Ozzy is a nice site to see from time to time as well. Keith doesn’t come out as often as we would like, but he stays busy working odd and end jobs. Rudy has been a frequent face lately. He is always so quiet and polite, such a pleasure to see in the morning. Greg has been out helping with leaves and cleaning up on many occasions. Wayne is getting his teeth fixed. Scott, a great friend of Shoulder the Cross, is also a dentist. He does some pro-bono work for us and is giving Wayne a whole new set of teeth. Wayne had to raise just $500 for the procedure which normally costs $5000-$6000. It’s rare to see Wayne without a smile on his face lately. We can’t wait to see the final product.

On a sad note, we have lost several of our homeless friends since we last blogged. Dogman, one of the favorites, passed away recently. He will be remembered for his prototypical beard and the guitar he could never part from. We also lost Sam. Sam was always a friendly face to see. He was one of the most kind and gentle men you could ever meet. Unfortunately his addictions finally overwhelmed him. His death was shocking and very sad. Last but certainly not least, Mark Wolfe. I am consistently queried on Mark. “Make sure to tell him hello” they say. Mark was very technical and was the go-to guy for any technical questions or fixes. Mark hid his drinking from almost everyone. This is what eventually took him to the mighty kingdom. Had we found out he had this problem, we may have been able to help.

We hope to be better at blogging in the future.  Hope to see some of you real soon with our volunteer opportunities.

Dogman. -May he rest in peace.

Mark Wolfe - Mark hated his picture taken. This is the best I've got of him. Rest in peace Mark

Sam - Always smiling. Rest in peace Sam

 

 

Developing a relationship to share the good news

It was a great week for Shoulder the Cross. Samuel showed up this week with his normal smile and great attitude. When asked about Jesus, Samuel said "I don't know a lot about Him, but I want to learn". the following day, we treated Samuel to lunch and talked about Jesus. Samuel was wearing a hat with the names "Luke, Mathew, Mark, John and Peter". Samuel asked "Who are these dudes, were they Jesus' friends?" This was a great lead in to talking about the Gospel. "Who is Peter then?" Samuel asked. He soon found out Peter's denial to his best friend Jesus. We talked about Judas a little as well. Samuel later explained why he was homeless. "Drugs and Alcohol" he explained. Samuel agreed to go into detox, then rehab and future hopes of a halfway house and being lifted off the streets. After agreeing to getting treatment, we brought him to Blue Bonnet Trails for his OSAR (Outreach, Screening, Assessment, Referral) evaluation. He is waiting for a Detox bed to open up. We took Samuel back to his home in the woods near Lady Bird Lake, when asked what he had learned that day Samuel said "That Peter guy, he gave Jesus the finger. Judas? He put his finger on God and lost" Given this translation, it is obvious why there are so many translations of the bible. The New Living Translation is already taken, right?

We are growing!!

What a wonderful time it has been for Shoulder the Cross. It is very excited to see growth within the ministry. God's glory has shined as several volunteers have stepped up to help out. A trip to California kept one of us away for doing Jesus' work on the streets. As soon as word went out that we were canceling the Monday run, Rene Dorsey stepped up to fill in, preventing the cancelation. The Sandwiches for Monday's run were made by Hillarie Smith. It was amazing how heavy the bag was. There were 2 dozen eggs, 2 dozen cookies and about 3 dozen meat sandwiches. Rene plans to reorganize the truck for comfort and workability. Kimbra Wolf plans showing up on Monday morning to help distribute some of the socks and bus passes she donated to Shoulder the Cross. Connie Park will be there to help with coffee and chips. Even Tom Kopecky said he wanted to stop by to help. Just a few short months ago, Shoulder the Cross was a ministry of one. Today we have over 12 members. The next goal of the ministry will be to get a truck for distribution. If anyone reading this knows of a dealership wanting to donate a truck, please contact us through the website at http://shoulderthecross.org. Last week, shoulder the Cross was serving our brother and sisters in need on 3 different days. Monday was covered as it usually is. Friday, AlanMichael Luck distributed with his best friend Aaron Gonzalez. AlanMichael told stories about Marcus, a 32 year old machinist. He mentioned that Marcus has only been on the streets for about 7 days now. AlanMichael really liked Marcus and was impressed with positive outlook. It was evident that Marcus was scared, but doing what he needed to survive. On Saturday, Rene joined us to learn the ropes. Rene has such a comforting demeanor, all the friends on the street immediately warmed to her soft heart. We spoke with Gregory on Saturday, who was there with his 4 legged companion. Gregory told us how he had spent 32 sleepless hours recently. Not sure of why, we prayed for Gregory and his Diogee, as he called him. We also brought water out on Saturday. After 90 minutes with our homeless friends, almost 5 gallons of water were consumed. We served about 45 homeless friends in all. I know that God is doing some amazing things with this organization. Please be with us in prayer as we continue to do the work of Jesus, and grow as a ministry.

Street Retreat in ATX, no birth certificate required ...

It was another awesome week serving the homeless in Austin TX. Shoulder the Cross was privileged to serve those on the annual Easter street retreat hosted by @MLFNOW - Mobile Loaves and Fishes. Rene came through the line this week and kindly said "Are you sure you can spare a sandwich for me?" We made 3 loaves of bread worth of sandwiches this week, so of course there were plenty to go around. Rene expressed interest in helping us with bus passes and socks. We also met Lamar this week. Lamar, @lamarstockton is a local artist who plays the bass guitar. Lamar fills in for the Justin Cofield Band, @justincofield from time to time and we know the JCB very well. Many of the members of the JCB have been out to "help Shoulder the Cross" in the past. There was a nurse who also stopped by for a sandwich and some hot cocoa. She also expressed her interest to help. One of the street retreaters needed a Band-Aid and some triple antibiotic cream. "You never know what you might need on the streets, then when you do need it, you find out how hard it is to get it" she explained. We were happy to help all those in need. Rene is a radio producer for a local Christian radio station, KLGO at klgo.net. She has invited Shoulder the Cross onto the show to bring widened awareness to homelessness in Austin Texas. Lamar plans on helping Shoulder the Cross real soon and I should hear from the nurse soon. I listened to Amy Dillon Live this morning. Alan Graham referred to a quote by Mother Teresa that really gets you thinking:

"It is very important that right from the beginning, we simply live the Gospel. Live the Gospel in prayer; live the Gospel in words. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t reach the height right away. The fullness of our heart comes in our actions: how I treat the leper, how I treat the dying person, how I treat the homeless. Sometimes it is more difficult to work with street people than with the people in our homes for the dying because the dying are peaceful and waiting; they are ready to go to God. You can touch the sick and believe, or you can touch the leper and believe, that is the body of Christ you are touching, but it is more difficult when these people are drunk or shouting to think that this is Jesus in that distressing disguise. How clean and loving our hands must be to be able to bring compassion to them!"

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

 

 

Rolling Blackouts, Saying Godbye

After a long and cold week, Shoulder the Cross went downtown to serve the brothers and sisters in need. I saw on the news how there were many affected by the rolling blackouts. I read that there were some who were very upset with these blackouts. One person sent a blog reply to me saying:

I found myself complaining during the recent hard freeze and the following “Rolling Blackouts” in our state to conserve electricity. I thought, “don’t they know I have two infants at home?!” And then I remembered those far more under-resourced than myself who don’t have the luxury of 4 walls around them and a place to build a fire if needed. How quickly we forget to use our blessings to bless others.                                          -Jonathan

All the jackets and sweaters went real fast this week while serving this week. A lot of shoes were handed out as well. It turned out to be a great morning. Almost all the sandwiches were gone. All the chips and snickers disappeared very quickly. Connie got a new nickname; they call her the Snickers lady. I think it is pretty cool how my friends on the street make names up for the frequent helpers of Shoulder the Cross. There is more cold weather coming later in the week, so I hope we provided enough warm clothing for my friends on the street.

I got some really sad news this week. A long time friend and companion of Shoulder the Cross has passed on. I found out that Mark Wolf died sometime this past September in some sort of alcohol related death, or so it is believed. Mark was a friendly guy. He was kind of a self survivor. He didn’t have a lot of friends he hung around. I remember he always asked for nylon shorts. He wore a size 9 shoe, medium t-shirt and loved the ham and cheese sandwiches. Mark always got socks when he could. He only wanted white socks. Every time I had underwear he would ask for a pair and get so excited when I gave them to him.   I remember helping Mark with a computer he found in a dumpster once. He needed some spare parts to get it working and Shoulder the Cross was able to acquire for him. There are so many ways Mark Wolf shaped who Shoulder the Cross is today and I am grateful to him for that. Many times in my ministry I see people come and go. I feel connected to a lot of those who disappear and I always wonder what ever happens to them. I usually tell myself that they have moved on to a better place. Mark was a good and honest man. I know now that he too has moved on to a better place. You will be surely missed.

CRAZY LOVE

I struggled with what to blog this week after Shoulder the Cross served those in need. I was inspired after reading parts of “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. Many times people have asked why Shoulder the Cross does what we do. It is a difficult question to answer sometimes. It is “calling” is normally the response. I have always seen this as an easy way out, the easy answer with no follow-up. After reading 1John 3:16-20 I realized there is a much better answer.

1 John 3:16-20

This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with action and truth, This then is how we know we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

There are times when Shoulder the Cross gets discouraged and questions the motive of giving. After reading this truth it is evident that the ministry is strong and must remain encouraged. I got word today that Shoulder the Cross was denied a Community Service award. I was ok with this. I truly was humbled to even be considered for this award. I am humbled to say that Shoulder the Cross was represented at the Austin Giving City givers ball this week, hoping this will help us grow I couldn’t see missing it. I want the ministry to grow and on the same hand I want to remain humble, I struggle with this. So what is next? Shoulder the Cross is a small ministry with plenty of room to grow. At this time I ask for your prayers. Pray for growth, pray for dissolving the need and more community involvement. I ask that no matter where you are, no matter what you believe, whether you have money or not, do something for someone this week. A random act of kindness. Make it a habit not an occasion. Do it this month, this year, do it out of love. “Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” – Mathew 25:40.

Don’t use any of these excuses: I don’t live close enough to help Shoulder the Cross - Shoulder your own Cross. I am not comfortable with those types of people – Help the person in line at the store counting their change to pay their grocery bill. I don’t know how to help – Ask Jesus to guide you then answer the call.  I do enough; I tithe at church – If you actually saw Jesus starving would you resist helping him because you tithe at church.

You may find yourself struggle, like we do at Shoulder the Cross, and that is ok, just keep on loving.

 

Tropical Storm Hermine Packs a Punch!!

Last Friday I went downtown to feed my friends with supplies, food, love and dignity, and it was raining. Little did I know this was going to be the start of one of the wettest weeks in Austin history. Tropical storm Hermine packed in with a punch this week. It always amazes me to think that while we are all nice and warm in our houses watching through our windows as it rains 13-17 inches in many places, there are people living out there without shelter, and how miserable this must be. It's hard to believe that there are homeless people living on the greenbelt, on the streets or hidden away somewhere in the woods. One man told me his story; He had a perfect place to hide his stuff, keeping it from either being taken by police or stolen. He said he had everything well thought through so he could keep his treasured items safe. Everything, he says, except Mother Nature. He stood helpless as he watched his belongings get swept away by one of many flash floods that hit the Austin area this week. Could I get a blanket, backpack, jeans, t-shirt, rain gear, hot-cocoa, sandwich and finally the most needed Tylenol and vitamin C? I filled his order with a short prayer. He walked away with a smile. I later heard him say he was going to start over again. Why does this happen? How can we help? Yesterday I helped some homeless friends lift themselves from the streets. They needed help moving into a small economy apartment. I filled my truck and we filled the small apartment with their stuff. Several backpack and bags filled with all they owned. As we finished up, they seemed happy and satisfied. I thought to myself, 2 more people off the streets.  The Bible speaks plainly about homelessness: “If any of your Israelite relatives fall into poverty and cannot support themselves, support them as you would a resident foreigner and allow them to live with you. Do not demand an advance or charge interest on the money you lend them. Instead, show your fear of God by letting them live with you as your relatives” (Leviticus 25:35-36 ). "No, the kind of fasting I want calls you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind” (Isaiah 58:6-8).

Santa Brings Smiles

 

Many folks have asked me why I do what I do. This blog entry will show one of many reasons why. I flew back from a client site on Friday the 12 of December. I asked Elvis, a homeless man, to meet me at 7 PM at the park. It was our plan for Elvis to come over and do some painting and tile work at my house. Elvis stays in the pop-up camper in the yard while he is at my house. I landed earlier than I had expected and had time to kill, so I went to the park to say hello to my friends. Leta, one of the few homeless women I see, approached me with great joy. She wished me an early Merry Christmas and asked if I had sent my letter to Santa yet. She explained to me, even though she was 51 years old, she still believed in Santa. I asked Leta if she had sent Santa a letter and what she asked for. She explained she sent him a letter but never hears back from him. She does not remember ever asking for anything nor ever getting anything for Christmas but she really thought her Christmas prayer would be answered. I told Leta that I had an in for Santa Clause through Mrs. Clause.  I asked her if she had a letter for Santa that I could give to Mrs. Clause. She reached into her bag and pulled out her Christmas wish list and handed it to me. I told her I would do my best to get her letter to Santa. Recently I had a good friend who is struggling with his beliefs in God. I found these stories to be quite parallel. To my friend with doubts I quoted The same quote Jordan Shipley quoted Hunter Lawrence just before the game winning field goal in the big 12 Championship.

Jeremiah 17:7 

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

For my homeless friend Leta, I am hoping to bring her joy and grace with her special present from Santa.

IT'S BEEN TOO LONG

It has been way too long since I blogged last. So much has happened and I have not posted a thing. Last week was an amazing week for me. My friend Daryl Pickens joined me on Saturday. Daryl is a very compassionate person and this was evident on Saturday. He was talking to my friends like he has known them for years. He actually recognized one of my friends, Alfred. Alfred and his twin brother Albert once lived in Killeen and Daryl would see them downtime Killeen quite frequently from what he said. Daryl asked me "Why do I do this". This was such an easy question to answer. I pointed a friend out who was wearing a coat, a pair of paints and I shirt I gave him weeks prior to this one. I watched as he ate the sandwich I just gave him and shared the Girl Scout cookies I gave him with others on the street. This is why I do it I told Daryl, these small gestures made a difference in his life. I am looking forward to next Saturday and I hope to see Daryl join me again.

AMERICAN IDOL, KRIS ALEN, REAL REALITY OR JUST TV REALITY?

Saturday morning came snuck up on me very quickly. Dedicating my Saturday mornings to http://shoulderthecross.org can get very time consuming. I travel during the week and get back sometime Friday evening. I wake up about 7:30 Saturday morning to go downtown to help my homeless friends. Some wonder and ask, why? In response, I asked someone once, what is your favorite TV show? They immediately answered "American Idol, that Kris Alen guy from Conway Arkansas sure is a really nice guy." I was amazed at how quick they were to answer this question. I was also intrigued that their answer was a "Reality" TV show. Reality for me is the humbling service of helping Austin's Homeless. I follow other blogs on http://alphainventions.com/ and rarely see writings about the street reality.

I was loading empty boxes back into my truck on Saturday morning after serving the homeless, when Billy came running up the street. "Hey Brian" he screamed, "Do you have anymore coffee? I would hate for it to go to waste" As Billy approached my truck I said, "Anything for you Billy, how has your week gone?" I asked him. "It's been rough, and there is a long weekend ahead. I hope to stay out of trouble" "What kind of trouble" I inquired curiously. "I want to stay off the crystal meth this weekend. I don't want to be so tempted to get high. It is so easy to get drugs here is Austin. I just need to stay away from it all." I asked Billy if he needed help, I offered to take him to rehab. "Rehab didn't work the last 7 times I went, I am afraid it won't work for me this time either. I just need to get out of Austin. I think I will be leaving on Tuesday for Galveston. It is a new city and I will not know where to score the drugs there. It is too hard to stay clean in Austin and I hope will be a easier in a new environment." I quizzed Billy on whether finding drugs in Galveston would be just as easy as Austin. He explained "I will always be able to find the drugs. I won't have the friends I have here in Austin. My previous drug counselors, all 7 of them, called me "The Hopeless Variety" wanting a change in their life but just not having the will power to quit" I later googled this and learned that by hopeless, Billy meant what the progression of crystal meth leads to, death. Having a car gives Billy an advantage over most homeless men and women. Could this be more of a hindrance for him? "It's easier to find work" Billy says "It's harder to keep the job when you buy meth with your earnings. I have a problem I have tried to fix but just can't seem to get ahead of it. I caused my homelessness and in today's life and times it is even more difficult to lift yourself off the street. Please pray for me. Right now that is what will help me the most." Billy hugged me then wandered back up the street. He has never come to me when he was strung up on drugs and appears so normal and capable of anything. Some Americans have reality like Kris Alen, others have reality like daily struggles with drugs and alcohol. It's a disease of reality for Billy and many others on the streets of Austin.