A few months ago I noticed something I should have noticed every single day.  I realized there are several camper parks in our small town.  These are not vacation spots - they are literally places to rent so that you can park your camper as your home site.  The locations I was noticing are filled with families.  It became something I could not get out of my mind.  I began to wonder what the kids who wait for their school bus every morning think about someone like me driving right by, maybe even on my way to church (wow) and yet never noticing them there.  It wasn't long before I shared at our weekly Girls Given Grace meeting that I would like to meet these people.  We talked about cooking burgers  and just getting to know our neighbors.  I also mentioned that I notice a man on his bike every day.  I told the group I wanted to know who he is and what he may need.  Christmas happened and we sort of put our ideas on the back burner.

About 6 weeks ago, my husband, son, and I were on our way home from church.  We attend a church serious about mission work and our service covered the book of Luke.  Our Pastor brought me to tears with our Lord's love for the homeless and ill-clad.  Jesus loves them so much and cares too deeply for words.  The sermon was clear  that we must love deeply who Jesus loved.  There is no disputing  the Lord asked us to represent Him and that is all of our calling and purpose.  On our way home, we saw the man I had noticed riding his bike.  I told my husband to pull over.  To be honest, I became nervous.  What if this man was just out getting exercise for goodness sakes?  How embarrassing would that be for me?  My son was asking what on earth we would ask this man as he peddled near.  I got out of the car and waved the stranger on his bike towards us.  I simply asked, "do you need anything"?  We talked for about 10 minutes and learned about our new friend.  We learned his name, where he lived, what he needed and all of our hearts broke. 

Our new friend Lonnie lives in a camper with his wife Harriet.  They were in need of food.  Before we went to their home, we went as fast as possible to the grocery store to get food.  Once we arrived at their home, our hearts were forever changed.  Lonnie and Harriet live in deplorable conditions.  There is no hot water, major infestation of bedbugs, and so much more.  They needed their clothes washed so bad as bed bugs are in what they have. They are covered in bites.   We couldn't take them to do their laundry knowing about the bugs.   We happened to have new Tshirts and socks in my car as we pass these out to the homeless.  More than food, they were blessed by the socks.  This way they could sleep at night without bugs biting their feed.

 The only answer to their life right now is a camper that is safe, secure, clean and in working condition.  We began asking for donations from friends and coworkers to purchase a used camper. People gave.  I mean gave without question.  Makes me cry thinking about this.  The first camper we picked sold before we could purchase it.  We are now inquiring about another camper in hopes and prayer that The Lord provides.  Once we get the new home for Lonnie and Harriet, we can begin caring much more for their needs.  Harriet is crippled and 60 years old.  Lonnie rides his bike every day to seek out work for about $10.00 days wage - not hourly.  He has no birth certificate to get a job.  He also cannot leave his wife for extended time.

Ok, we all want to help everyone and I get that.  Why these people?  There are much worse situations right?  True.  But here is the deal:  God didn't ask me to judge or analyze anyone.  He asked me and you to represent Him and to share everything we have.  Jesus asked us to give to who we knew could not repay us.  This all goes WAY against my thought process and certainly not the American "all mine" mindset.  I get it.  It's radical.  But it's so LITTLE.  This is ONE couple out of so many that need you and me.  WE can actually really help our country that we post so much critical stuff about by sharing, loving and helping those who need us.  No money?  What about time?  Our time is precious.  We cannot fathom dying today and telling Jesus we had no time to do what He created us for. Can we?  We can but let's not!  To fall in love with who Christ loves so much we have to enter His territory.  His people will break your heart as well.  Suddenly things that mattered have no meaning compared to kingdom work. 

Saturday, my husband and I went to visit Lonnie and Harriet.  We try to stop by weekly and provide food and give updates on our search for a camper. We were outside talking when we saw a  woman coming out of her camper.  She looked to be about 30 years old.  Her head tilted and she walked with a walker.  I smiled at her but her face was like a straight line.  She was so broken looking.  The first thing I told my husband is "these people are invisible".  We immediately knew we must start a weekly cookout at this camper site.   We want to know that sweet woman's name, needs, and story.  Don't you?  We want to pray for their needs with them and see God's glory spread like fire.

We now revised our needs from one camper to one camper plus a trailer for Girls Given Grace.  I told my husband find anything because it will be painted CUUUUTE LOL!!!  This way we can load up what we need to begin loving these people every week by feeding them and bringing Christ to them in whatever way we can. 

Girls Given Grace was started simply to study God's word and pray together.  God has a different view of this ministry.  I love Him for trusting us with His name.  I love that He cares so much for what and who we just don't understand.   We want popular, fancy, rich, celebrity blah.  Christ entered this earth in a manger.  He tells us without love, our services are meaningless.  This life you and I have been given was given to give away for Him.  Is that a wildly incorrect sentence or what?  Trust me, I could care less.  Critiquing my grammar is no longer something I have time for.  Well, I have the time, but it doesn't matter.