Thanks
June 13, 2008
To all of you for your love and support that has been shown to me over these past three months that I have been Director of the Sharing Place. I especially want to thank Pastor Mike Zita who has made himself available to answer questions or give advice, as well as volunteering of his time and talents.No one ever really leaves The Sharing Place, once you have been a part of this ministry as a client or volunteer you forever carry it in your heart.
During my first week back at TSP a man walked into my office with the offer of volunteering
as I handed him a form to be filled in he said “you don’t remember me?” I replied sorry I can’t place you” Its me Dominique”. I did remember Dominique but this stranger standing in front of me did not look anything like the troubled young man that I had known 13 years ago.
This man smiling and full of life, was that same Dominique? He drives school bus for several French schools is married and has three children. “I never forgot what this place did for me, I want to give something back by helping out”. Then he told me more wonderful news, he has recently bought land in Africa to build an orphanage. I never would have guessed that his life would turn out this way 13 years ago when I first met him, but God knew. You see God looks beyond the outward appearance of a man, God looks deep within the heart.
.
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?
In the parable of the good Samaritan found in Luke 10 beginning in verse 25 we find a lawyer,
asking Jesus ”What must I do to inherit eternal life?”Jesus answers with a question “What is written in the law and how do you understand it? The answer, love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind and your neighbor as yourself.”Then comes the question “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answers the question through a parable.
He tells of a man traveling through a stretch of about 18 miles from Jerusalem to Jericho
known “the bloody way” who finds himself beaten robbed and left for dead. Three other travelers on the road that day.
The priest - not unusual for a priest to travel this road there were 12,000 or more priests in Jericho who came to Jerusalem to carry out their duties in the temple. The priest looked and saw the man’s need but decided to pass by to the other side of the road.
The Levite- he also saw that the man had a need, he too passed to the other side of the road.
The Samaritan- looked, saw the need and with a heart of compassion stopped to help the man. .
It cost him his time, he stopped and took care of the mans wounds which by now were probably very caked and smelly. .
It cost him to be inconvenienced in walking in the hot sun so that the man could ride on his donkey. He only had one donkey but he was willing to share it.
It cost him financially, not just a one time gift but he made arrangements to pay whatever it took to get the man back on his feet.
Jesus summed it up in saying
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices–mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law–justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” Matthew 23:23-27
We have a lot of good Samaritans at the Sharing place.
Those who are willing to take time to come and volunteer in so many ways from sorting clothes,cleaning, leading in worship, preparing meals to listening and encouraging.
Those who share their food by thinking of TSP when they go to the grocery store, sharing what they have with others.
Those who give financially and keep on giving because they know the need is ongoing.
Jesus does not tell us much about the man who was beaten, we do not know his age, his name, his financial circumstance or even his nationality. The majority of people who are helping in various ways at TSP do not know anything about our clients - you see it doesn’t really matter because they are helping a neighbor. I am so thankful to God for every church and individual that are helping to change lives through the ministry of TSP.