Thoughts on Webber Street

This morning we went to Webber Street ministry which serves breakfast and gives showers and clothes to homeless.  It is just one of the ministries of London City Mission, but we were told it was recommended to visit if we only had a few days.  

Neither one of us have much experience in homeless ministry, so we weren't sure what to expect.  I've (Jenny) worked at the soup kitchen type ministries in Orlando as well as the Coalition of the Homeless where we cooked food, served food and cleaned up the kitchen.  Webber Street was not run this way.  Webber Street was much more relationally focused.  The dining area opened at 9am with a short devotional/Bible reading and sharing from the missionary in charge for the day, food service began around 9:30 and the doors were open until noon.  After the food service was finished (I got to wear a cute apron and hat...which made me look official), the men and women just sat in the dining area and read the paper, chatted, waited for their numbers to be called for showers or clothes and the missionaries responsibilities were to talk to people.  They made their way around the room chatting and looking for opportunities to meet needs and share the gospel.

One woman we spoke to had been homeless for 2 years and had traveled all around England.  She said being homeless in one place made her get in a rut of the same activities all the time, and that traveling made things fresh and new all the time.  She said she used to be a nurse and also worked in financial management, but after she got arrested and went to prison (she didn't explain what for, although she mentioned something about a car robbery) all her carrier options were closed and she became homeless.  We were both a little shying in talking to her, not knowing what to was ok to say or what kinds of questions to ask.  One of the missionaries, Neal, who works at Webber St. three days a week spoke with this same lady.  It was neat to see how he was purposeful in his conversation and how he turned it toward Jesus.  He listened to what the woman had to say and met her in her need.  She was not open to the gospel right now, but I pray that in time God will open her heart and she will be able to hear the message.

I was convicted of my lack of boldness and unwillingness to step out of my comfort zone and speak of Jesus to those I meet.  This evening we will be going to Leister Street to do street evangelism.  I have a feeling God is trying to stretch me through this trip and the experience this morning is just the beginning.  It's exciting and scary all at the same time.

For lunch we met with one of the administrative leaders at London City Mission.  He was extremely gracious and spent several hours explaining how the mission works, what the process for application for long term service would look like and how we much fit into their ministry model.  We came away with some of our questions answered, but no real direction as far as our call.  Much of what he said fits with our hearts, but the question still is unanswered, "Is London the place?"  Much prayer and seeking of God's will still needs to take place before we will be able to answer that question.  

For now, we are just overwhelmed to be here, taking in everything we can, trying to overcome jetlag and being taught lessons of our own inadequacy and need of Jesus daily.  This is a terrific thing!  Thank you for your prayers for us.