![\"Homeless](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Homeless-Event-Rachels-Story-and-Care-Packages.png\")
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Back in the fall our women\u2019s ministry team held an event focused on the homeless<\/strong> in our area.<\/p>\n We invited Urban Ministries<\/a> to come and share about the work they do. After their presentation we assembled Care Packages for the Homeless<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We could have easily assembled the Care Packages on our own, but it was the presentation from the community ministry that challenged and burdened our women<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Urban Ministries shared the true story<\/strong> of one of their \u201cneighbors\u201d, as they call them.<\/p>\n \u201cRachel\u2019s\u201d story was detailed and disturbing.<\/strong> After each piece of her story was shared, we\u2019d stop and discuss her situation and choices up to that point. It really bothered<\/em> the women in our group that no one, not a single person, had stepped in and discovered the abuse, the drugs, and other things that were going on her life. If just one person had gotten involved, Rachel\u2019s life could have been so much different.<\/strong><\/p>\n We discussed how God calls us to love our neighbors, not just the ones we like, the ones on our immediate street, or the easy neighbors, but every person God places in our path. When we fail to love our neighbors, when we fail to be Jesus in someone\u2019s messy life, we miss God-ordained opportunities.<\/p>\n Each of us left that evening with our eyes more open to the needs around us. None of us wanted another \u201cRachel\u201d to endure such abuse and neglect.<\/p>\n Hearts were changed that evening.<\/strong> Oh, dear ones, that should be the goal of every women\u2019s ministry event we hold, no matter the topic!<\/em><\/p>\n We finished our evening by assembling care packages to distribute to folks in need that we encountered in our community.<\/p>\n We prayed for opportunities to love our neighbors. For God to place us in the path of the \u201cRachels\u201d in our community.<\/strong><\/p>\n Our Care Packages contained a variety of items including:<\/strong><\/p>\n Items were placed inside canvas drawstring bags that we had purchased from Oriental Trading. (Similar to these <\/a>– not an affiliate link.) We included a sharpie inside each bag so they could write their name on it if they desired.<\/p>\n We also included a printed note card in each bag with our church\u2019s contact information. Many of the women added personal notes of encouragement and scripture verses to the blank side of their cards.<\/p>\n Can I be really honest with you for a minute?<\/em> I really wasn\u2019t excited about this event. At all. I\u2019m not usually a fan of one-and-done mission projects. I much prefer mission\/ministry projects that open doors for ongoing relationships.<\/p>\n This event changed hearts in a way I did not expect. I suspect some of our women will look into serving at Urban Ministries where they will have the opportunity to build relationships.<\/p>\n I\u2019m thankful God was in charge of the evening and not me. I\u2019m also glad I didn\u2019t choose this mountain to die on.<\/p>\n Have you done a similar event? What was the impact on your women?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n You may also want to read:<\/strong> One year ago:<\/strong> What Your Church Secretary Wants You to Know<\/a>![\"Packing](\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Packing-our-care-packags.png\")
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\nMission Project:\u00a0Pillowcase Dresses<\/a>
\nBless Them with Band-Aids<\/a>
\nMission Project: Operation Sandwich
\n<\/a>Who is God asking your women’s ministry to adopt?<\/a><\/p>\n
\nTwo years ago:<\/strong> Shopping for Women’s Ministry Supplies- Part 1<\/a><\/p>\n