To most people, the homeless are a nuisance, an uncomfortable confrontation or a political hot button. This being the case, these people can easily be marginalized and easily ignored or forgotten. Children watch adults and pick up on this, and then they create their own perspectives of “those” people, usually in a negative way. As Followers of Christ we cannot so easily dismiss these people, and worse yet train our children to marginalize them as well. Granted, there are many homeless people who choose this lifestyle or use it to work the system, but equally there are those who are mentally and emotionally unstable and still many more who have truly come on hard times, sometimes losing everything, including hope.
If we as adults can learn to care for homeless people, while not always knowing their story or situation, but as a person, as a human made in the image of God, then our eyes can be opened to other needs in our community and around the world as well . Homelessness is part of our society today and we can never go anywhere without seeing it. How do we safely teach our children to see the person, not the situation, while in helping them to build compassion for all people in need.
Insert from the campers Summer Camp 2010 devotion insert …explaining about homelessness
We always have to be careful talking to strange people we do not know. You have been taught this for years and it is so true.
Homeless people are strangers to you and you must be careful. Many homeless people are safe and good people who have come on hard times, but some are hurt in their minds and cannot think clearly. This is no reason to think badly of them but we must be careful not to talk or be around them without your parents with you. So, care for them with your parents only!!
Homeless Care Packets
Have 1-3 Care Packets in your car available to hand out when you feel it is appropriate.
IHC basic packets made by Campers at IHC …
-1 Gallon Ziploc Bag
-Personalized Note
-2 Snacks
-1 Bottle of Water
-Soap
-Bandaids
-Powdered Drink Mix
-NewSocks
Other Suggested Items:
-Toilet Paper
-Toothbrush/toothpaste
-Individual anti-bacterial wipes
-Hand Lotion
-Chapstick
-Small New Testament
-Fast food gift certificate
-Granola bars
-Shampoo/conditioner
-Razor/shaving cream
-Deodorant
-Resource guide (homade or more official)
-Gloves
-Hat
-Comb/brush
Additional Items for families to add to packets :
* Backpack instead of paper bag * Emergency blanket
* Rain Poncho * Flashlight with extra batteries
* Personal Hygiene supplies (packet for a male or female specific)
* $$ card (s) – Target, payless shoes, fast food restaurant
Note from the Director of Indian Hills Camp, Bob “ Festus” Lindsay …to camper’s parents
On Christmas morning I have been taking sweet roles to the homeless as they wake up. I feel everyone should have something special on that precious morning. One Christmas morning I approached a woman to offer her a sweet role. Her response shocked me and opened up my thinking about the true needs of many homeless people. She said, “No, you got nothing I need there”. I asked her what she needed, and she said, “unless you got a tampon in there, you got nothing I need”. For many of those homeless, they truly live “life” on the streets.
