Reno-Sparks Lighthouse
The Reno-Sparks, Nevada Metro Lighthouse partnered with Bread and Water Ministries – the ‘homeless church’ to give out 32 bags they had filled with toiletries, wipes, hats, gloves, socks, little goodies to nibble on, and handwritten encouragement and scripture cards. Bread and Water meets every Sunday, no matter the weather, outdoors on Fourth Street under the Wells Street overpass.
The church provides many blessings to attendees every week – solid, radical, Bible-based teaching; a ton of deeply caring staff who really get to know the people; help with practical solutions to improve their situations if they want it; and discipleship. A hot breakfast is also served.
Mary Christian Ubben, President of Reno-Sparks Lighthouse, said, “Two Sundays ago, we distributed almost all of the blessing bags, along with an equal number of bottles of laundry soap, to those who stayed through the whole service. The last few bags were used for staff members and volunteers who will go out and minister to people on the streets, share the salvation message, and invite them to church. Every single item given was used to fill these bags, with the exception of one green sweater that did not fit in the bag, so I traded it out for some extra hats, gloves, and socks that I purchased. The sweater left behind is a really precious reminder of what all of the amazing Jesus lovers in our Lighthouse did for the least, the lost, the hurting, and the broken.”
Mary Christian also said, “A side note – my little six-year-old, Ruthie, came with me on distribution day, and it was a wild education for her in seeing what’s really going on in the world and how to have compassion for those less fortunate. I was really glad she had this eye-opening experience.”
Mary Christian closed with this, “I want to tell you that the recipients were very grateful, and Bread and Water Ministries was incredibly blessed to work with us. I am looking forward to more opportunities for us to link arms with the work they are doing in this region. Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you do it unto the least of these, my brother, you do it unto me.” This act of kindness and generosity is absolutely beautiful in the eyes of the Lord, and I am brought to tears by everyone’s generosity. Thank you, thank you, thank you! May you be richly blessed for how you have blessed others!”
When you go out, do as Mary Christian did: take your children or grandchildren with you. Teach them at a young age how to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and when they are older, they will continue on. We would love to hear what your Aglow group is doing to touch others in your community.