The pack, which meets at the Old Bridge United Methodist Church in Lake Ridge, organized the coat drive, collected the coats, and brought them to StreetLight Community Outreach Ministry for distribution to people who are facing freezing nights alone in the woods.

Billy, a friend of mine whose tent is pitched in a wooded area between busy shopping centers, tells me that without the type of kindness in action that Pack 295 demonstrated, many people would not be able to survive the winter. We simply do not know how much the simplest acts of compassion impact the lives of those who are needy.

As a follower of Jesus, I can’t help but think of His words from Matthew 25: “I needed clothes and you clothed me…whatever you did for the least of these you did for Me.” It seems to me that the efforts of Pack 295 reflected not only the responsibilities of participating citizenship in our community, but the privilege of participation in a greater kingdom as well.

Thank you Pack 295, well done. May God bless you.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
(Psalm 121:1-2 ESV)

First Mount Zion and Mary-Elizabeth Helpers Pray

Streetlight would like to thank First Mount Zion Baptist and the ladies from the Mary-Elizabeth Ministry for serving last night at Harvest Banquet. Lea Tenbrink from Vineyard Church of Woodbridge (soon to be known as Pathway Vineyard Church) led worship and Gary Thompson of First Mount Zion brought the message.

It is such a privilege to be blessed to serve the Lord by showing compassion for His people. The need is great. As the days get colder and the nights colder  yet, we know and proclaim that our help is from the One who made heaven and earth. As we have been helped by Him, let us imitate Him by helping those He has placed in our midst.

As we prepare to face the winter, we ask you to remember those who will be spending this season outside, in tents or in the shelters. Please do not feel that your donation is too small. Every dollar counts. $10 encourages others to join in. $30 helps a family with groceries for one week or refills a propane tank that keeps one of our homeless clients warm.

We are so grateful to every donor, no matter how much or little you give. We believe God cares for the poor and has placed each of us here, as part of His Church, to reach out to those who are suffering. Whether you donate financially, serve with us, or remember us in your prayers, we thank you!

To participate in “Give to the Max Day,” you may visit our site at: http://www.razoo.com/story/thestreetlight.

May God richly bless you!

I asked her to come to Harvest Banquet with my son and I, but she declined – her camp mate was returning soon and she had dinner on the grill. She continued to explain that her goal for the day was to raise enough money to exchange their empty propane tank for a full one. In addition to cooking, propane fuels the catalytic heater that warms their tent on cold nights.

And the nights are getting colder. Asked what our homeless brothers and sisters needed right now, Janet unsurprisingly reviewed a list that included thermal underwear, hats, gloves, coats, blankets, and of course propane.

Janet has short-term and long-term goals and objectives. She is training to be a paid tax preparer, and her camp mate is working at an auto parts store. But his job requires him to drive every day, so they need to prioritize maintenance. Every car repair sets them two steps back from the path towards a home with a roof and four walls.

For Janet, her friend, and others like her there is no way out. But God “…gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist”, (Romans 4:17b). StreetLight exists to do the work of calling into being that which does not exist: to call into being ways out of homelessness in a cultural, economic, and spiritual atmosphere that proclaims an exit does not exist.

This is the work that Jesus came to do – this is the meaning of our Christmas celebration, fast approaching. For God – Who possess all wealth, power, privilege, and Who has a really nice home, stepped into our world. He came to be with us, who were poor, homeless, dressed in filthy rags, and intoxicated by our own selfishness. He is changing us to be like Him; to call into existence hope when it does not exist. He is preparing a home for us.

StreetLight provides people the opportunity to step into another world and to change it. Great things are coming in 2012 as we seek to increase the capacity and effectiveness of ministry to the homeless. At the same time, there is great need. I see this need as an opening for each one of us to participate.

The opportunity to participate with StreetLight is exciting, but to be honest, we are “Flying a Sign.”

Financial contributions are especially needed right now. The amount doesn’t need to be large if participation is wide. 1,000 people donating just $10 each would empower StreetLight to provide our normal level of support to our clientele to help them survive the winter. There are several ways to do this, either through our donations page, or you can join a community of givers through Razoo.com at our link there: http://razoo.com/story/TheStreetLight.

In this edition you will find another compelling story of compassion in action, as StreetLight’s own Tim Gudridge and several others take to the woods to reflect Christ’s mercy to the broken – and discover a community of faith among the homeless.

Click here to read more (pdf format): StreetLight Newsletter Summer 2011

Due to various circumstances from bad business decisions, failed relationships, drug or alcohol abuse, the economy,  they live in the woods in tents or makeshift shelters. Their campsites are behind buildings, along busy railroad tracks, or wherever they can find space. These veterans are fiercely loyal to each other as they work together to achieve a lifestyle of survival. They live life one day at a time: laughing, playing cards and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

They don’t want our pity or empathy, all they want is an opportunity for a steady job.  Given a chance they would rather be working and being productive. They want the basic comforts of life such as a  flushable toilet, microwave oven and a bed.

Getting to know these vets and being accepted by them, has given me a new vision to help those who have served before me.  These are my brothers/sisters in-arms, people who I will stand beside with honor regardless of the circumstances.

If anyone knows of an organization that would consider hiring these individuals, I would gladly serve as a liaison between the employer and them. They could reach me via our webpage contact form. 

Tim Gudridge is a Sr Administrator on the CIO/G-6 project, who volunteers 2 days a week with “StreetLight Ministries”. “StreetLight” Ministries is a non-profit which provides food, clothing, housing, and miscellaneous funds to the less fortunate/homeless in Prince William County. Last month they gave out 1173 bags of groceries and served over 600 people at their Wednesday night “Harvest Banquet” dinner.