MAKE THE HOMELESS SMILE

On this day many years ago, my late Mother Mrs. Grace E. Santucci gave birth to me. April 1st has always been a special time for me and although most of the world celebrate this day as April Fools Day, I encourage you to look up the history of the day.

Today on my birthday, I would like to take out some time to bring awareness to some of my friends who don't have a home to stay in, or job to make a living. Since 2009, Garden Ministry Devotionals has brought hope and encouragement to thousands of people world wide. But our devotional today is dedicated to those who are genuinely homeless and in need. But first let me ask the question? What is homelessness and poverty? It is said that, "Homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. Poor people are frequently unable to pay for housing, food, childcare, health care, and education. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Often it is housing, which absorbs a high proportion of income that must be dropped. If you are poor, you are essentially a paycheck away from living on the streets."

Homelessness and poverty are two of the unnoticed realities in the world today. Infact if there was a homeless person standing outside your home every day, or business, most people would call for the law enforcers to have them removed. With the rise of people becoming homeless around the world these days, it would be good to spend some time on this subject and how we can help people in this state become self sufficient.

I believe with the help of the Lord and people like you with graceful dignity, and simplicity, we can help the Homeless and those in need. As you take a good look at the city in which you live, or visit. You would quickly notice that many of the homeless persons this days are young with able body's. The big question is, 1. "Why did they ended up homeless and need to beg for money?" 2. Is there plenty of jobs in the agriculture sectors, small scale restaurant, or other areas of society in which a homeless person once helped can find a job? 3. Is there something very wrong with the system that prevents some people from getting a job and yet a small number of society depending on who you are able to find a job a dime a dozen? 

I am charged with a message to all upon whom the light of truth has shone. We all, "are to labor patiently and perseveringly for the thousands perishing in their sins, scattered in all lands like wrecks on a desert shore. All who share in Christ’s glory must share in His ministry, helping the poor, the weak, the homeless. We must be intensely in earnest, using every capability in the Lord’s service" and society to help the homeless and those in need. Precious results will surely follow unselfish efforts made for the homeless and those in poverty.  

Years ago I found a book in the trash at a Dropbox in Bermuda that had a hole in it from front to the back, due to a termite that ate it's way through this same book. The owner departed with it and I found the book and still have it. It has this to say about those in need, "Many who don't have any children of their own could do a good work in caring for the children of others. Instead of giving attention to pets, lavishing affection upon animals, let them give their attention to little children, whose characters they may fashion after the divine similitude. Place your love upon the homeless members of the human family. See how many of these children you can bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Many would thus be greatly benefited themselves." The Ministry of Healing, 203, 204

Today we have the wrong concept of what it means to be our brothers keeper and caring for one another. Have we forgotten that, "Money cannot buy peace of mind. It cannot heal ruptured relationships, or build meaning into a life that has none." By Richard M. DeVos

The Bible says, "Our Lord Jesus Christ was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich." He bids all whom He has entrusted with temporal blessings to follow His example. Jesus says, “Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good.” The want and wretchedness in the world are constantly appealing to our compassion and sympathy, and the Saviour declares that ministry to the afflicted and suffering is the service most pleasing to Him. “Is it not,” He says, “to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” We are to minister to the sick, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to instruct the ignorant.

There are many who complain of God because the world is so full of want and suffering. But the Lord is a God of benevolence, and through His representatives, to whom He has entrusted His goods, He would have all the needs of His creatures supplied. He has made abundant provision for the wants of all, and if men did not abuse His gifts, and selfishly withhold them from their fellow men, none need suffer from want.

As humans, we have no right to think that there is a limit to the efforts we make in the work of soul saving, or helping the poor and needy. May we find our calling in helping someone in need today.

"Factors that help to increase poverty:

• Lack of Employment Opportunities – With unemployment rates remaining high, jobs are hard to find in the current economy. Even if people can find work, this does not automatically provide an escape from poverty.
• Decline in Available Public Assistance – The declining value and availability of public assistance is another source of increasing poverty and homelessness and many families leaving welfare struggle to get medical care, food, and housing as a result of loss of benefits, low wages, and unstable employment. Additionally, most states have not replaced the old welfare system with an alternative that enables families and individuals to obtain above-poverty employment and to sustain themselves when work is not available or possible. 

Factors that contribute to homelessness:

• Lack of Affordable Health Care – For families and individuals struggling to pay the rent, a serious illness or disability can start a downward spiral into homelessness, beginning with a lost job, depletion of savings to pay for care, and eventual eviction.
• Domestic Violence – Battered women who live in poverty are often forced to choose between abusive relationships and homelessness. In addition, 50% of the cities surveyed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors identified domestic violence as a primary cause of homelessness (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005). (This number has in some countries increased.) 
• Mental Illness – Approximately 16% of the single adult homeless population suffers from some form of severe and persistent mental illness (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005). (This number will change in every country.) 
• Addiction – The relationship between addiction and homelessness is complex and controversial. Many people who are addicted to alcohol and drugs never become homeless, but people who are poor and addicted are clearly at increased risk of homelessness." By National Coalition for the Homeless 

If you know of  anyway in which you can help the homeless or those in need, send your comments to myself, Chaplain Kevin Santucci at: TucciGardenMinistry@gmail.com 
Go out and make a HOMELESS PERSON SMILE TODAY!

Please take a look at the video on homelessness: Make The Homeless Smile 

Second Video:

"Long Walk From The Street" - a song for the Homeless

Chaplain Kevin Santucci