There is Hope: Transformed :: Here's Life Inner City

They Went Away Transformed

"This Night Changed My Life!"

Fifty college students converged on New York City, devoting their spring break to inner-city ministry. They came from every corner of the land — 50 college students converging on New York City, devoting their spring break to inner-city ministry.

This night in early March they were equipped with Homeless Care Kits — a blanket, scarf, hat, gloves, toiletries, bottled water, food, Christian materials, and a card listing Christian ministry locations where beds, food, and other resources are available.

So a little before 9 p.m., they headed out into the night.

Fast-forward to almost midnight...

"This night has changed my life," one student said, echoing others. "I want to be involved in helping people like this."

"I was scared," another confessed. "I didn’t want to go out and do this. But now I’m so glad I did. The needs are so great; there is too much to 'fix' apart from God’s working."

"I’ve seen homeless people before, but I thought they were just lazy," one student confessed. "I will never see the homeless the same way again."

"How can we go back home and pretend everything is OK?"

How did such an impact happen?

God led some of the students to Janine, in her late '40s. She had been living on the street for 17 years. Beside her was a shopping cart piled high with her things. She had a tough exterior, a raw picture of life on the streets. She gratefully accepted the Homeless Care Kit, and the students gathered around her and prayed for her.

God led some of them to Diane, about 20, sitting in a secluded spot in an alley. She was eight months pregnant. "I live here," she said, "but I have to watch my back. I keep to myself." The students urged her to check out a nearby shelter, for her own sake and for the sake of her baby; they prayed for her and gave her resources from the Homeless Care Kit.

God led some of them to Melvin. When his wife died, Melvin had blamed God and walked away from his faith.

"I think God sent you here tonight to talk with me," he told the students. "This is not an accident."

There were many homeless that night who were touched by the care of the students. And the students... they knew they would never be the same.

They Went Away Transformed

"This Night Changed My Life!"

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