I received many compassionate e-mails in response to yesterday’s post. Thank you. You have greatly encouraged the hundreds of Burnaby residents advocating for others who are homeless or at risk or homelessness.
Above is a hot-off-the-press video called It Takes a Community to End Homelessness. It should answer a few questions you may have. There is more information on the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness website.
Here are 5 simple, but powerful, things you can do to end Homelessness in Burnaby.
1. PRAY and listen to what God is calling you to do.
2. Go to the Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness website and endorse the work of Wanda Mulholland and the Task Force team of dedicated people from faith communities, government officials, R.C.M.P., business sector, Progressive Housing Society and other citizens.
3. Donate.
4. Volunteer
5. When you see a homeless person look them in the eye and greet them. Be prepared to give them something: a smile, a bus ticket, a toonie, a $5 gift card to get food, some food or … Being acknowledged as a person of value helps restore a vulnerable person’s dignity.
Jesus said, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.’
“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
Matthew 25: 34-40 (The Message)
An Everyday Pilgrim 