Introduction to "campers"

Questions about Homeless

2009-06-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

What is the age group of the homeless people in Deland? Although homelessness affects all ages, we primarily see men ages 30-50 and a few now and then in their teens and 20's. The younger ones seem to stay with friends more often.

About how many of them have or are looking for a job? I would say of the 30 that we feed regularly, being 2 times a week, have would work if give an opportunity.

Are the people friendly? Homeless in Deland seem to be friendlier than those of surrounding areas, Daytona and Orlando... I think Deland is helpful to their homeless.

Do they usually have a backpack or any way to carry their stuff? Most carry backpacks filled with an extra T-shirt or two, jeans, fresh socks, toiletries and credentials.

Do homeless eat healthy? Not really, their are a few that are vegetarian and work hard at trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But the majority are served carbohydrates regularly as everyone knows you can feed spaghetti cheaper than burgers or produce. So we do try to offer our group, salad, fruits, oatmeal, eggs, chili, burgers, chicken. They seem to be very receptive to BBQ chicken. Once we ordered pizza, you would have thought we served gold!

Testimonials

2009-05-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

"Again, thank you for your encouragement, know this; I HAVE JUST BEGUN. With the guidence of our Lord I cannot fail.....I have no idea how to accomplish everything I have envisioned, yet. ...Lastly, want you to know that we, as a group love and appreciate everything you and Reid do, you two are a personal inspiration. With love, -D" 6/10/09

"Howdy...very happy to hear about Tommy..He really needs help---BIG TIME!..And I'm very happy that you both are helping him. He needs positive people around him, also people that's ideas are real, and honest...He was heading for a long term in jail and hanging with those that will put ideas in his head. I was really worried about him, and relieved that you took him ,under your wing. Thank you--Kim and Reid HUGS! ... GOD is not only GOOD, but had beauty in everything HE made...I thank GOD everyday for making this possible......and thank-God for you and Reid and Oasis." - Terrance - written via email 6/1/09

"I really think that what you are doing is awesome, alot of people I know like to brush things like this under the rug and think it doesnt happen, but it does and it's real, and there is such a need for people like you and your husband, what a true witness of unconditional love the two of you are. I just want to let you know that I personally feel blessed and am greatful that the Lord allowed our paths to cross, you've really touched my life." Rikki - Holy Rollerz Car Club

"Hi, thank you for the time you took to write me such a lengthy reply. It did not fall on deaf ears, I prayed soooooooo hard today, even before I got your message, asking for a sign, I am at my last limb?? Or whaever you would call it, I'm tired, However after reading your message I know there has to be a better way." 5/6/09

"It's good having a friend, it's been a long time. Most people I run into want something" 5/5/09

"Thank you guys for coming and talking to me last night, your prayers are working I feel better today, better than I felt yesterday." 5/5/09

Update & Progress

2009-04-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

May 15th Tony goes to Wyoming to work on a ranch, Ms. Linda is getting a suitcase together for him another local church will provide the plane ticket out.

3 men received brand new sneakers from Mr. Diamond, a new helper who runs a clothing ministry.

RAY: Is not drinking as much as in the past he has stopped his psych meds for about 6 months now, he is doing very well, smiles more and seems to be level headed from all appearances. GOD CONTINUES TO HEAL TODAY! He was not "open" to a recent church visit but I believe God is still working in his heart.

The man who got the work boots in a previous post has left his camp to get away from the drugs/booze and rented a room at a friends for $50, he has his own bathroom and bedroom, he is able to shower daily and go to the labor hall, he has a "ticket out" at the labor hall and is working 2-3 days a week. AMEN!!

One of the rededications was staying with "NSB" he seemed to be progressing but recently we heard he "fell off the wagon" Pray he gets straightened up and back on track...

Richard is working on getting an auto (if anyone knows of a good $1000-$2500 car that is dependable) I think he found an apt too, so not sure how much of the $$ will go toward getting him set up/deposits and such... Ron is also working on leads for free/scholarship to Barber School. PERSISTENCE WORKS!!

Garin and Richard seem to be very good friends, they are pursuing the barber school together and Garin may be able to share a place if Richard gets an apt, car, so forth... Garin & Richard have also both received FREE eye exams & glasses!!
THANK YOU FOR THOSE THAT ARE GENEROUS ENOUGH TO GIVE!!

TIM: Although very New Age in his system of beliefs, is open to conversations regarding Jesus. He went to live with his girlfriend, we are encouraging him to get married. He still comes to eat on Wednesdays. CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR TIMOTHY!

DANNY (a homeless Vegan): Finds "good" trash, like electronics, repairs them, he sells to a pawn shop, or at the fleamarket. He takes the "non vegan" food we serve to a family that is in need, Leah and the Bike Kids bring specialty items him to eat. He has used his own money and gotten a new bike and received some parts from the "bike kids" Jimmy & Johnny (THANKS GUYS)

Lady in Woods

2009-02-13T06:28:00.000-08:00

There is a homeless woman in the woods, we share a favorite breed of dog. Hers is named after one of my best friends, we laugh when she tells me. Our meeting flooded me with heartache not for just the dog, but her... as she told me stories of living with Sheiks and Muslim women coming to eat ice cream with her to get away from her husbands. And how the government knows she is there, but they don't bother her because of her "position" It was then I realized this woman was delusional. Having experienced mental illness first hand, I inquired later down the line with one of her "camper" neighbors. He confirmed my thoughts, she suffered from mental illness and he confirmed, she takes medication and he has heard her tell many outlandish stories. My guess is schizophrenia of some sort, she is not violent, but perfectly content in her woods, full of trinkets, including china, a broken radio, wooden pallets placed side by side to make a walkway and a 6 person tent stacked from floor to canopy full of clothing, every stage of clean through dirty. The pallets lead to a fire pit where she "entertains her guests" and pieces of carpet surround areas to keep the dirt and mud from entering the tent. Tarps are stretched over the camp and tent to keep some weather and wind out and not unless you know she is there would you notice them from the highway...

I mention all this, so that if you ever meet a homeless person and they talk about strange things and tell outlandish stories, many times they suffer from Schizophrenia or Bipolar. The symptoms look much like a person on heavy drugs. Many of the homeless compensate for their thinking disorders by using drugs and some of the disorders are brought on by the extended use of hard drugs. It is truly a vicious cycle!

Update & Progress

2009-02-13T06:14:00.000-08:00

We are meeting at Earl Brown Park Saturday between 2:30-3:00 to set up for lunch at 3pm. Serving Chili & Hot Dogs & Lemonade.

Clothing and Toiletries will be distributed and THE WORD SPOKEN.

We had three rededications a few weeks back and one man is doing really great, one woman has issues with crack and the other man was doing well, yet he has been missing for a couple weeks now. He is a drinker, so please pray for addictions to be broken over him and all of these people. We have also seen that many of them "know" the Lord, but we have concluded, they lack "heart knowledge" Reid has been speaking 1-2 times a week in an effort to disciple them. We also have recently had 6-8 kids (early 20's) join the group. Supposedly two of the girls are pregnant if anyone wants to assist in getting them help, that is most appreciative, however it is not uncommon for each woman on the street that I meet to be pregnant. So Beware! Someone has donated and we have distributed three tents, the recipiants were most appreciative, one guy said "WOW, THANK YOU SO MUCH." By the look on his face, you'd a thought is was Christmas for him. Also the man who received the work boots, seems to be working daily at Ardmore Farms and is greatful to be working from what I have gathered.... Three people have received eye appointments and will be getting glasses soon, thanks to the Lions Club of Deland (Thanks Guys!). And if anyone is interested in hiring a homeless person to do handy help around the house, there are several guys that have background in framing, construction, concrete, roofing, fencing, painting, the full spectrum really.

To all those that help, THANK YOU for all that you do!

Prayer Requests

2009-01-13T07:51:00.000-08:00

Nigel - would like employment (as of 2/11/09 Nigel explained he going into the service)
Teddy - needs employment (as of 2/11/09 Teddy has not been able to find work, but did receive a tent and is happier for warmer weather)
Steven - drug addiction (as of 2/11/09 Steven is still using)

Homeless in Need of Jobs

2009-01-13T07:40:00.000-08:00

There are three men in need of jobs in Deland, Florida. They are homeless, but extremely willing to work. One seeks retail or management position. Very smart, just fell victim to some unusual circumstances. Another desires position in restaraunt as cook, dishwasher or kitchen help, has a current food handlers card. The third, just lost his father, lost apartment and desires a housecleaning position in a hotel or restaraunt. Additionally, if I may add, many of the men are educated and skilled in building trades. If you have a job available in Deland, Florida for any of the above positions or have a need for a carpenter, roofer, electrician, painter, concrete finisher, please email us and we can put you in touch with a "camper".

Dental Assistance

2009-01-13T07:34:00.000-08:00

A friend recently asked, do any of the "campers" need dental work? Yes, I offered up the question and what a response we received... Many of the men need teeth extracted and cleaned. I have passed along a list of those that have a need, please pray, the services will be provided. If you know of any dental clinics or services that are free, please let us know and we can forward that information along to the "campers". God Bless!

If you want to give a gift...

2008-11-20T08:46:00.000-08:00

Many ask us what do you need or what can we help with?

Here is a list of continual needs:

mens t-shirts - any size
socks - any kind
jeans - size 29-34
mens underwear - size 29-34
sneakers & workboots - mens sizes 9-13 womans 6-10

blankets
towels
sheets
washcloths

batteries AAA
radios
flashlights
pots
pans

bar or liquid soap
baby wipes
antibacterial wipes
bandaids
neosporin
shampoo
conditioner
toothpaste
toothbrushes
q-tips
deodorant
zip lock bags
trash bags

can veggies - 2 huge cans per month
can soups -
lunch meat - 1 pound per week
sliced cheese - 1/2 pound per week
paper plates - 200 per month
paper cups - 200 per month
coffee - one container per month
cream - one per month
sugar - one small bag per month
napkins - one 500 pack per month
disposable latex gloves - 10 pair per month
antibacterial wipes or liquid - 1 bottle per month

"go" phones - the pay per minute cell phones
these are great to give to those that want to work!!

Saturday November 8th Outreach

2008-11-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

Thank You!

Thank you to all that helped Saturday! May God richly bless you through the experience and may you receive what you have given 100 fold....

Saturday was successful, do to your help. This is just a special THANK YOU it is so much easier when you have adequate help and God is providing just that.... YOU!

Many of you don't or won't see the fruits of this ministry, but when you are in it long enough, you can see the attitudes of the people change toward you. I feel in many ways we are sent by God to repair what others have destroyed.

In my brief testimony, I asked for forgiveness from the people for every church that has ever offended them, I discussed that we are all hypocrates and challenged them to show me someone who didn't at some point do something that someone would have judged as hypocritical. I explained because we come in the name of Jesus, doesn't mean we or any Christian is perfect, only and simply, trying to do what he would have us do. LOVE ONE ANOTHER!! I received a few Amens.

Some meaningful conversations were had, Christ being the focus of course! The ladies personally thanked me for the clothing on Sunday. I have found three more eye appointments that need to be scheduled. I received many personal Thank you's and wanted to extend that to you all, these people are thankful and greatful for what is done and given.

The next outreach is Dec. 13th 3-5pm if your interested, not sure if we will be at Earl Brown or Sunflower Park in Deland, we will announce it later, we of course love to have you with us next time, as new people come and there are less jobs and more opportunity to visit, talk, and build a relationship with these people all while extending the hand of Jesus.

May God Richly Bless You!

Wasn't last night cold?

2008-11-20T05:28:00.000-08:00

Wasn't last night cold? Can you imagine sleeping outside? There are actually people sleeping in the woods and on the stoops of buildings and temperatures will only continue to drop as the season continues.... this is the thougth I had this morning as I got out of bed, I was cold, as my bare feet hit the cold bathroom tile, I was overcome with compassion for the people we feed week after week, tears came and I realized how blessed we really are!

If you have an old blanket you would like to donate, we are collecting blankets, sweats, hats, gloves, pretty much anything warm!

Sunday November 2nd

2008-11-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

Our normal routine, plastic tub full of cups, plates, plasticware and 15 minutes late because as usual we had to stop at the store on the way to pick up Milk, which we forgot the night before when shopping for the "campers"... As we open the car doors, we are bombarded by helping hands anxious for warm coffee and the usual day-old pastries. To their surprise we have coffee, OJ and puffed-wheat cerial. To my surprise their are two children setting patiently waiting for breakfast. I think to myself of all the days to bring cerial, a day when children show up...that was really cool, God must have known they were coming. We say the blessing and my visit begins....I start with saying hello to everyone and smile at a lady I've seen twice now, she is 5 months pregnant and has a country accent. Her husband sits with her, a suave musician type guy that is totally smitten about his wife and their soon to be baby boy. I am excited because someone gave me a box of babies clothes and I'm able to pass them on to her. I pass her by to meet the man setting on the curb across the street, he is a "usual" but has been trespassed from the park for 6 months because he lay ed his head on the table, napped, and got caught by the police. He was jailed for 10 days, I think to myself, great use of my tax dollars! While being jailed he lost his trailer for not paying the $450.00 rent that was due. As if that wasn't enough, his $700.00 social security check has been reduced to $200.00 for back child support which is now automatically sent to his ex wife. I'm aggravated, here is a guy, that had a chance to put a roof over his head and get a real job, actually trying to better himself and he gets nabbed for taking a nap in the park? I agree he should pay child support, however can he not be given a "break" is there not a place that men can get a fresh start? Woman and children homes are countless, yet men are left in the woods, literally. Ever try to get a job without an address, phone, clean clothes or shower every day? The cycle is vicious and the only way I see out is self determination and the favor of Jesus!