Blog

First, my apologies. it's been WAY too long since writing a blog page. I hope to become more regular with updates.

Have you ever wondered what caused that man to begin picking up cans? Or how did she ever get to where she's sleeping in her car? Maybe you wonder at the older man holding the sign "Will work for food" by the side of the road.

Next week, you have the opportunity to find out the 'why' behind many stories of the homeless.

What can you do to take steps to fight homelessness?

What can I do?

What do you believe the Lord wants us to do?

It's so good to have an actual feeling of progress. Progress as an organization. Progress with the residents we are helping. Progress personally. As I reflect back on the last 12 months of leading C-U at Home full-time, I remember many peaks and valleys. LOTS of valleys. It's so good to see solid progress. . .

One thing that the last couple of weeks has taught me is that I am NOT in control! It doesn't matter if there are many, many blessings given to C-U at Home or many, many challenges. I am not in control.

I am 2 days into a conference in Chicago with a group I had only heard a little bit about before coming. So far, let's just say that God is knocking my socks off. Maybe you know what it's like to be at an intense all-day conference that provides you with an overwhelming amount of new and challenging information. information that causes you to examine your own heart, motives and methods. That's where I am this week, and for that I am so grateful.

Isn't it great when the Lord uses another believer to inspire us? Tonight God used Nathan to remind me that it's ok to be called to do full-time missions right in your own back yard. Actually, it's more than 'ok.' It's just as much a "call to missions" as being led to go to Africa. Devoting your life to serving the needs of others for the sake of the gospel is a rewarding call, whether it is across the street or across the ocean. Thanks Nathan for that poingnant reminder.

That phrase seems so simple and so matter-of-fact. Of course C-U at Home is taking things one day at a time. Realistically, that's the only way any organization or individual, for that matter, proceeds. One day at a time.

Every day new steps are being taken to turn C-U at Home into an organization rather than just me and my backpack trying to gain support in housing and helping the most vulnerable homeless. It's important, at this point in the life of C-U at Home, that we keep our focus on what got us here. That's, in one simple word, God.

C-U at Home One Winter Night was a HUGE success on many levels. Over 200 volunteers involved from beginning to end, 26 (plus a few more) public figures who spent the night on the street in downtown Champaign in a cardboard box, over $27,000 raised to help the homeless, and some huge focus from much of the local media on raising awareness for the homeless. Wow! Go God! What's next, you might ask? Read on to find out. . .