It’s the silent companion that threatens to drown almost every one of your guests. Your mission is in a unique position to eliminate that danger, both for eternity and here on earth. “We are called to bridge that gap through intentional contact, reaching out to those we see have fallen through the cracks,” says Linda Currie, who serves as program director for Dove’s Nest Women’s program at Charlotte Rescue Mission in North Carolina. “This is a process, it takes time. Some quickly are receptive and hungry for human interaction; for others it is a slow, challenge-filled process that even the smallest of progress is celebrated.” Something as simple as body language can draw a person in, reconnecting them with humanity. “I want to share God’s love with them, in the best way I know how, and that is by show- ing unconditional love,” Linda says. “I also make it a point to make eye-to-eye contact with them. This is something that is done on the street; it’s a simple sign of respect, which conveys, ‘I see you, and I know you see me.’” Making a physical connection is important as well. Linda explains: “If possible, I try to touch them in some way—whether it is shaking their hand or even hugging them, if it seems appropriate. Every human being needs touch, and homeless people are so often lacking in this. It conveys a warmth that cannot otherwise be conveyed through speaking or gestures.” Bring In A s much as the desire may be to connect with each one of your guests, job demands don’t allow for much time to do that. This is where the local community can make a difference! “We spend a lot of time in this area,” Les Caldwell, founder of Agape Care Cen- ter in Woodruff, South Carolina, says. “We have volunteers from churches in our area who come and visit each week. They sit and listen and just be a friend to our guys. My grandkids come and play games with our ‘extended family’ members. You can tell them Jesus loves them, but when His hands and feet show up, it make a tremendous difference in their lives.” In Jacksonville, Florida, the responsibility of community is shared among many people. “We have one church group that meets with our folks monthly with soda and candy bars and fellow- ship. We have a Christian band that comes in and plays once a month, piano recitals, re-entry meetings from the Sherriff’s office, and chapel services (over 80 chaplains participate) each evening,” Executive Director of City Rescue Mission, Penny Kievet, says. “We keep folks busy and we keep Jesus in the middle of all we do.” In Greenville, South Carolina, Miracle Hill Ministries came up with a creative way of bring- ing in people from the community. Vice President of Adult Ministries Ryan Duerk says, “Recently we started a Pickleball league, where 22 WWW.AGRM.ORG MAY/JUNE 2018 “This is a process, it takes time. Some quickly are receptive and hungry for human interaction; for others it is a slow, challenge- filled process that even the smallest of progress is celebrated.”