Boston Update (week 4)

This past week we were able to do homeless ministry for the first time on our trip.  On Wednesday afternoon we had a training session on homeless ministry. We learned a lot about homeless statistics in Boston and how to engage, love, and serve the homeless. That night we went to Boston Commons and handed out socks and sandwiches to the homeless people that were there. These things served as icebreakers as we were then able to talk to these people individually about their lives and pray for them about the things that they face. I was blown away by how the Lord can use such small things to make such a big difference. The majority of the people were so thankful to have someone to talk to who was really concerned with what was going on with their lives. For some of these people it was the only conversation they had all day. The Lord really showed me how we could display the gospel to these people just by loving them and praying for them. We ended the time with singing and prayer. This was one of the most memorable moments of this trip for me personally, as we saturated downtown Boston with the praise and worship of our Savior.

On Saturday we had another encounter with the homeless as we helped Hope Fellowship Church with Hope Café. We helped prepare breakfast and serve breakfast to the homeless as they came in. We were able to have good conversations with them while they ate.  A man from the church shared the changing power of the gospel.  Some of us were able to take the leftovers and hand them out at the T station. This was a really cool ministry that they have at the church and I am so thankfulthat we were able to have a small part of it.

As we enter this next week a lot of our energy and thoughts are going to be on Community Fun Night as we try to plan and prepare. Please be in prayer for this event as we try to effectively engage the community and reach people with the gospel.

Posted by: Caitlyn Carlile