The Least of These — Making a Difference in Philly
The sound of the El rattled above us and a drug dealer at the end of the block hocks his wares. Just steps away are several ministries devoted to helping the down and out.
One of them is a place called Cast Your Cares.
People with addictions, no jobs, and some with no homes shuffle up to the gate to see what they can get. Rice, noodles, socks. These small things may mean the difference between starvation and a full belly. The streets are a hard place to live and just small moments of love and small gifts of kindness go a long way.
No one grows up thinking, “I want to live on the streets.” Life is tough. Sometimes our choices lead us to dark places and sometimes we just get the short end of the stick. Regardless of our station in life, everyone matters to Jesus.
A conversation, a smile, a hug shared between two humans can go so far in showing people the love of Jesus.
This is Chip. That day he got socks and some food. As we talked about life he shared his story with me. Chip is a tinkerer. He makes and fixes things. Talking to him was a real pleasure.
There were other highlighted moments at Cast Your Cares too. I watched my daughter prep bags for food donations to go into. The family participants unloaded groceries and organized hundreds of pounds of dry goods in a food pantry. Some members got to interact with local kids who came up for free food, socks, and a good conversation.
It may not seem like much. After all, some of the people we talked with still may not have a home to go to. What we gave may not seem like enough. But we serve a God who multiplies. We know He is enough, and his grace is sufficient.
I remember Romans 2:4 and think of God’s great kindness. He uses us, His people, to show His goodness through out the world and it is that goodness that draws men and women to Him.
Our contribution is making a difference in Philly. Cast Your Cares is impacting Kensington every day. How do I know? Because I see it in their faces.
There is hope in Philly!
I love Cast Your Cares ministry. They are the best! The real deal, genuine and authentic. Thank you Jesus for aharing people like this with us on this side of heaven.