Homeless People Are People, Too!

Homeless Ministry: Deborah Long
Wednesday, December 1, 2004

It's that time of year. We bundle up and take walks outside to see the leaves turning colors. Our children make piles of the fallen leaves and jump and play in them. We marvel at the sight of the birds flying over our city as they navigate their way to southern feeding grounds. The sights and sounds of the upcoming holidays fill our senses everywhere we go. The smell of sage dressing and pumpkin pie lingers in the air. What a wonderful time of year.

Unless you are homeless. The cold air blows through your thin clothing. If you have a coat, it's probably not very warm so you wear every piece of clothing you own just to stay warm. The falling leaves become a nuisance as you squint your eyes against the blowing wind. As you curl up and try to sleep they pile against you. The sights and sounds of the upcoming holidays remind you of what you don't have. Whatever the reason for your homeless condition, hope for a change slips a little farther away.

The Baptist Homeless Ministries of Wichita, Inc. seeks to improve the lives of the homeless in Wichita and the surrounding area. We have just opened our day center and office at 417 S Hydraulic in Wichita. Our grand opening was October 29. Our hours will be Monday through Thursday from 11:00am to 1:00 pm. Stop by and see us. Plans for the center include classes in personal computer, personal finance management and Bible study as well as other opportunities. We would like to thank Larnard Smith for his generous donation of office furniture and equipment, David Spencer for his work on the interior of the building, Parkview Baptist Church for the tables and Pleasantview Baptist Church for the donation of chairs. We are currently looking for a refrigerator for our office.

We continue to provide one lunch meal a month at the Drop-In Center. Many people think that the homeless eat at the Lord's Diner everyday. Most of them do however, it is only open for the evening meal.

Our annual Christmas dinner will be served on Christmas Day at the Midtown Community Center on North Broadway. We are in need of donations of turkeys and hams as well as volunteers to help cook, serve and clean up. We will also be giving shoebox gifts to all of our guests. The following items are suggested for donation;

  • Stocking hats
  • Neck scarves
  • Gloves
  • Warm Socks
  • Candy
  • Flannel Shirts
  • Thermal Underwear
  • Sleeping Bags
  • Hot Cocoa packs
  • Combs, Brushes
  • Toiletries - Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Razors
  • Shaving Cream
  • Deodorant
  • Toothpaste, toothbrushes
  • Backpacks
  • Instant Soup packs

Please contact Deborah Long for more information on how you can join with us in sharing Jesus' love to the homeless. Deborah can be reached at 316-263-2975 or 316-204-9517.