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Where Two Or More Are Gathered…
September 3rd, 2010
During our summer months I work every Monday evening at a homeless shelter for families called Theresa House. CSM groups prepare a barbeque and fellowship with the families who live there.I have been spending my Monday evenings there since I started with CSM.
Theresa House is a unique shelter because it houses intact families.When there is a mother and father present, Theresa House takes both in to live together with their children. Many shelters in the city separate boys/men 13 yrs and older from the family because of space and other issues.It is awesome to experience a place that has such a high value on the family as a supportive unit that needs to stay together. This past Monday was our last barbeque at Theresa House.Although there is some busy preparation, I usually get an opportunity to sit and talk to the people I’ve met there.This particular week there was a new family living in the shelter, and the father of the family approached our staff looking for “the person in charge.” My staff gracious pointed me out, knowing that this man was probably looking to make a request. He introduced himself as Jim, and his wife as Giona and asked if we could talk. I of course obliged, and sat down with him.He began by confirming that I was a Christian and that we were a Bible believing group. He then told me the story of his family getting placed there at Theresa House, and how they had been wronged (which, no doubt was true!).My cynic’s heart listened, but even while he spoke I prepared myself for the inevitable request for which I would need to cleverly turn down. At the end of his story he said, “so, I know that God says where two or more are gathered and agree, then it will be done.We really need the prayer of a group of believers. Will you please pray with and for my family?” I wish I could say that at that moment my heart broke and I felt immediate remorse for thinking that he was going to ask for something, but my heart was still hard.I agreed to have the group gather for prayer, and my prayers were earnest, but I still felt it was part of a plan to “get” something from us.It wasn’t until we left that place that God spoke to me in my skepticism and softened my heart to the witness of Jim and Giona’s crying out to Him. What a testimony to me!What a reminder to the fact that God is faithful in all situations.What a look at my heart, that even after my brother shared his heart with me, pleading for prayer, that still I questioned his motivation. I am thankful for Jim and Giona, for giving me the benefit of the doubt, for trusting me to pray for them, and for teaching me about the unconditional acceptance that Christ shows us all.Cindy Menz, City Director
Chicago (2000-2003)
New York City (2005-2007)
The Center for Student Missions
