HostNotes - Interfaith Hospitality Network of Little Rock

A Bounty of Blessings

Our church, the Pulaski Heights Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is probably the smallest church, congregation size-wise, in the network. Knowing that we would be unable to supply meals and overnight hosts for an entire week, we sought a partner, and Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church paired up with us.

Each quarter the families come to our church, and we have the pleasure of getting to know and love them and our Quapaw Quarter brothers and sisters as well. Without a doubt our congregation has been blessed in numerous ways by this ministry which literally arrives at our kitchen door. Our members are able to serve our guests and the Lord in the familiar surroundings of our own church kitchen and social hall. How convenient is that?

When our pastor urged us to get involved in this ministry, she reminded us that Jesus didn't say, "Write a check." He said, "Feed my sheep." Interfaith enables us to do just that and has opened our eyes to an aspect of homelessness that we were unaware of.

There are other ministries which serve the homeless suffering from mental illness or with substance abuse problems. This niche ministry serves families which circumstances have put on the street. We have found much joy in helping these families get back on their feet and into an apartment or home of their own.

WHY AM I SPENDING THE NIGHT AT MY CHURCH
Luke Conway, First Church United Methodist of Maumelle
That was a question someone asked as I was making my plans to be one of the overnight hosts at my church. I had spent the night in churches before, at youth mission trips and other such occasions, but never at my own church where I was the Pastor. Staying all night in my office sleeping on a rollaway bed was a new experience for me. The question came to my mind again; “Why am I spending the night here in my office?” As I lie there wide awake I glanced over at my desk at a photograph of my family. I think about them being asleep in our home which is less than half a mile away. I think about the preparations for bedtime, taking their baths, reading stories, the last minutes drinks of water or their favorite drink, chocolate milk. The busyness and stress of the day is over and it’s time to sleep and have dreams of another day filled with opportunities and possibilities. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to not have a place where my family can be together to do the things that people typically do at the end of each day. My thoughts are interrupted by a small child crying. I wonder if everything is ok. I think about what the parent’s must be going through; the stress of being displaced and having to move around to different churches, looking for work or keeping a job, and caring for children who may be too young to understand the struggle Mom and/or Dad are going through. What can I do? How can I demonstrate that love that Jesus talked about? I still hear cries from down the hall. I went into the kitchen and found the bottle of chocolate milk I was going to drink for breakfast the next morning. I went down the hall to where the crying was coming from and I knocked on the door where there was a little four year old girl trying to sleep with her Mom and Dad. I asked the parent’s if a drink would help her sleep. They said “anything to quite her down.” I offered her the chocolate milk and she drank it without ever making another sound the rest of the night.
So why so I spend the night at my church:

Because I know I have a place to live
Because this ministry demonstrates God’s love in
Because in doing so I receive a blessing from
Because I can share a bottle of chocolate milk
Luke Conway
First United Methodist Maumelle