Isn’t it amazing how sometimes our lives appear to be a random hodgepodge of loosely connected events? Yet, it is not the case at all. Sure, life gets a little crazy and we always hope for “All good craziness.” But on a journey of formation, and supported by Franciscan siblings, we are likely reminded to reflect on all the nudges (great and small) of the Holy Spirit. This pulling or pushing by the Spirit sometimes comes to us through the lives and words of others - getting us where God wants us to be.
And so, here is a story of the Holy Spirit steering me.
In 2021, the Willow Foundation was formed with a vision to bring New Roots, an organization providing recovery programs, and dovetail it within a structure and location to also serve the needs of the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Hazleton, PA. This effort quickly exceeded the initial space and when the Foundation purchased a larger and well-known building in the heart of downtown Hazleton in 2022, their vision, story, and the public’s interest started spreading like wildfire.
I was joyfilled when I heard that the Heartwood center was installing a laundry onsite for the homeless. I promptly asked my congregation to collect laundry soap, dryer sheets… Their response was amazing. And soon several other local churches and ours were donating winter clothing, hygiene items, leftovers from our community meals, and the over- abundance from a food pantry. Now who do you call to deliver collected donations to a new site in downtown Hazleton? Seems like a local Franciscan with a small pickup truck was a popular choice. So, I became a delivery guy to the Heartwood Center for my church and several other ministries. I remember this time period as one of contributing to the effort from the outside but it was also a time of developing relationships.
Each time I delivered something to the Heartwood Center, I got to know the staff and members better (those utilizing this Day Shelter are called members). I took an instant liking to Tamear, who was hired as a Housing specialist but soon became the Manager of the Center.
One morning, I had some time to offer and Tamear told me that it would be a great thing if I would spend time interacting with the members. I could tell that he really wanted to spend time interacting but he was caught up in leadership matters. Wow, was that a great experience! I quickly realized how great it was to be “on the inside” of this place - sharing God’s love. After that, the more visits to the center, the more inspired (or maybe Spirit-empowered) I became. I watched as members were able to get their mail, and how they were offered breakfast and lunch every day. I was continually inspired by all the programs attended by those in recovery and/or with housing needs. There were nutrition classes, group meditation sessions, life skill classes, and other activities just for the fellowship and fun of it. Two bible studies also sprung up, led by two local pastors.
In early May, I was talking with a staff person and they asked me if I had a Bible. Someone attending a Bible study group wanted one of their own. I happened to have a brand-new Bible in my truck and I was overjoyed to go quickly retrieve it and offer it to them. How often do you get that request? The next day I went to my church and our secretary helped me find 15 new and like-new Bibles to offer the center. The Spirit moved and our Willing Workers church group agreed to pay for any Bibles needed in the future. Witnessing how many of the homeless and those in recovery begin to seek God or seek out spiritual experiences once they no longer struggled to get through each day, has affected me deeply.
I have been challenged at times in answering spontaneous questions about God and faith when those asking know very little or nothing of Bible stories – even less than the grade school kids I recently taught in Sunday School… but the Gospel seems to shine through. I also slip now and then with a churchy word or religious terminology. Yet, there is a real insight in all this. I am humbled and yet comforted by how the Spirit always helps where I faulter or struggle and I see the love and light of Christ shining through the barriers, certainly through little things like accidently using a churchy word or in some cases even my embarrassing complete lack of conversational Spanish.
Okay, let me tell you about jumping into the deep end. A few weeks before traveling to CFC Chapter, Tamear put out a desperate plea for help on Saturday July 1st. There was a serious lack of staff and volunteers to run the center. I asked my wife, Marian, and she agreed to join me to help. We both heard the Spirit calling. So, on the first Saturday after Chapter, Marian worked the Front Desk of the Heartwood Center and I washed the dishes following both meals and supervised the use of the laundry. We had one experienced staff member, Shawn Nicole, who did an amazing job creating the meals and showing the two of us how to best help her and the members. Twenty-four people signed in utilizing the Café for meals and snacks, the common area with games and reading materials, the computer stations, phone charging stations, and the bathroom. Several members also utilized the laundry facility to wash and dry their clothes. But beyond all that, they all had access to the other members and three additional caring people. They have a home, as temporary and communal as it may be, and they have relationships, and resources that they would not have if they spent the day on the street. Yes, sometimes each of us had to be the adult in the room, but for most part, we were available to listen to someone’s gratitude, frustration, or joys… It was a Holy experience.
Marian and I will volunteer again and I am prayerfully discerning how I might be able to add more lighting, and dignity to the new laundry facility, and I may offer to lead a guided Loving-Kindness Meditation. Yet, these are just specific ways I can start carrying out my real call from the Spirit, which is to spend more time in this place, a call to be present and available for holy interruptions. I want to be an easily approachable brother who is sometimes “at their home” ready to greet those who come in and bless those who go out. For it is through deepening relationships that we sense what is best for our community and I believe more than ever that God speaks to us most boldly and loudly through those who most need us to share His great love with them.
