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Pastor-to-People
My son Walker is working this summer at HopeWorks in Albuquerque (formerly St. Martin's). This is the main helping agency for the unhoused in our community. Walker rides around with his supervisor interacting with people on the streets. Sometimes Walker and his boss inform them about services and sometimes they take them to the shelter or even to the hospital. He has learned two vital lessons in his work so far. One, there is a lot of distrust among the unhoused toward helping agencies. I suppose they have seen how many efforts are fruitless and lead to no improvement in their lives. Second, there is a real lack of resources,
especially temporary housing for the unhoused. This is an especially acute need when the city reaches triple digit temperatures. And the shortage has been made worse by the cuts in Federal spending. Those same cuts are also impacting the work of Storehouse West here in Rio Rancho.
This fall Walker will work as an intern in the counseling program at HopeWorks as part of his masters in counseling program at UNM. What a rare opportunity to interact with some of the most vulnerable members of our community! I am very proud of what Walker and his fellow workers are doing for the "least of these." I invite your prayers for him and the people he seeks to serve.
Paul very famously said, "Remember the poor" (Gal. 2:10). Brothers and sisters, in these very challenging times, let us remember the poor. To help them in whatever way we can. To advocate for them with our government. To pray for them.
I am so grateful that our congregation has a long history of helping those who are needy. "Let us not grow weary in doing well" (Gal. 6:9).
Peace and hope,
Frank
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