tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47538896352251161522024-03-05T03:19:25.808-08:00Dream Again: The Room In The Inn BlogThe participant-generated blog of the Room In The Inn communityJeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-45332003319118327972016-04-29T15:20:00.000-07:002016-04-29T15:20:39.732-07:00Steve and Deb LaForge: Partners in a Life of Service<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrhvrEHjlpeF8iScBaiJwASY-oFKxaMJ6hq2XNFroYFpcDOw6pyJcJJ0M7q6sNYTbj77AowGzjgZc9FieYQnUCkySyA3JdwjnaB3DEFP_tafcH6WjSWm3f5hzMnsb_7U_QuWgeVTAd-A/s1600/LaForges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrhvrEHjlpeF8iScBaiJwASY-oFKxaMJ6hq2XNFroYFpcDOw6pyJcJJ0M7q6sNYTbj77AowGzjgZc9FieYQnUCkySyA3JdwjnaB3DEFP_tafcH6WjSWm3f5hzMnsb_7U_QuWgeVTAd-A/s400/LaForges.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
When Steve and Deb LaForge first met, Steve was very involved with Habitat for Humanity. After they got married in 2007, Deb also got involved with Habitat and together they became project supervisors, helping to direct volunteer groups in the building of new homes.<br />
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One of the homes they oversaw belonged to Randall, who had been a participant in Room In The Inn’s recovery program. Randall had actually worked on the construction crew for Room In The Inn’s new facility in 2009 and 2010, saving his earnings to pay for his new home. Other recovery program participants, along with staff members from Room In The Inn, volunteered to help build, under the capable supervision of the LaForges.<br />
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On the day of Randall’s house dedication, Steve and Deb had the chance to meet Charles Strobel and others from Room In The Inn. Inspired by the way the Room In The Inn community had come together to support Randall, they wanted to get more involved. Their congregation, Woodmont Christian, was part of Room In The Inn’s winter shelter program. Steve and Deb responded to a plea for overnight hosts. Steve says, “we became an overnight pair and have had many wonderful experiences. We love that this is something we can do together.”<br />
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Woodmont Christian is one of Room In The Inn’s “on call” congregations, meaning that in addition to hosting guests on a weekly basis, the congregation often opens its doors on nights that are freezing cold, snowy, or icy. Woodmont’s extra efforts, combined with those of other on call congregations, means fewer or no people turned away from a night of safe shelter. Deb notes the importance of being there for her neighbors who have nowhere else to turn, saying, “I would pray that if I found myself in that situation someone would be there for me, bringing to life ‘do to others as you would have them do to you.’ I know I would not want to find myself out in the cold with no place to go. Because I do have a place to go, I want to share what I can.”<br />
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As much as Steve and Deb love serving others themselves, getting other people involved is just as gratifying. They recall inviting a new family with teenage daughters to get involved. The first night these new volunteers served, the church had set up a television to watch football and served barbeque and popcorn. The girls and the guests were divided on who they were cheering for, and as Steve remembers, “it was like having all of your friends over to your house for the big game.”<br />
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The LaForges attended last summer’s Second Sunday Series, an educational opportunity for Room In The Inn volunteers. Steve says, “Using the information the staff provided, we have widened our Room In The Inn program to not only serve the gentlemen, but also women and families. We have a better knowledge of the challenges our guests face every day.”<br />
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In thinking about the impact of Second Sunday, Deb said, “it was good to learn that there is no one way of hosting and providing for our Room In The Inn guests. Each congregation does it a little differently.<br />
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Deb sums up her experience with Room In The Inn by saying “We both have had occasions where we’ve been able to share stories with our guests. We’ve cried with them, we’ve laughed, we’ve prayed with one another, and each time it’s been a humbling experience. It becomes its own form of addiction and the desire to serve grows each time because you want to hold tight to that feeling.”<br />
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Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-86334265474057863742016-04-08T14:17:00.001-07:002016-04-08T14:17:57.322-07:00Ann & Charles Riddle and Kenny Elliot: Living for Today<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i>by Miranda Buell</i></div>
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Kenny Elliot bought a fifth of vodka on the day he took his
last sip of alcohol.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As he was drinking on his couch he began talking to the
empty room, planning out his recovery, telling himself he was going to get up
and leave, and finally passed out. When he came to, he packed a bag full of
dirty clothes and walked to the Guest House at Room In The Inn. He was ready to
make a change, but things weren’t easy at first. “When I first came to this
place, I thought I had died and went to hell,” Kenny says of his first days. He
was hesitant to participate: “I was just there for a bed every night, but I
heard something in the meetings that got me listening.” One of the teachers was
discussing recovery and Kenny realized he was desperate for whatever that man
had. So he started helping out around the Guest House and cleaning, doing
whatever he could to keep moving. Working kept him away from the temptation to
leave. “As I went on I just got stronger,” he says.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s when he met the Riddles. Ann Riddle is Room In The
Inn founder Charlie Strobel’s first cousin, and those close familial ties have
kept her and her husband, Charles, at the heart of Room In The Inn for many
years. Kenny met Ann while she was teaching a computer class and Kenny, in dire
need of recovering his drivers’ license after having it revoked after a DUI
several years prior, asked Ann for her help. She obliged, and they began
studying from the Driver’s Education book together every Tuesday for about a
year. But when Kenny went to take the test for the first time it was on a
computer; he wasn’t familiar with the format and he failed. So Ann and Kenny
began again, this time practicing online. Kenny passed his second attempt with
flying colors – he only missed one question. “It was just jubilation,” says Ann
of Kenny getting his license.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Riddles say everything went uphill from there. Kenny became
employed at Room In The Inn, took some additional cleaning jobs around town,
and continued his journey through recovery. Of his position on campus, he says,
“The reason I try to keep this place clean is because I’m clean. Sometimes I’ll
see a piece of trash and walk by it, and then think about it and turn right
back around and pick it up.” He doesn’t take anything for granted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And Ann and Charles haven’t just been around to encourage
Kenny in his growth; they’ve been there for the challenges as well. Two years
ago Kenny had a series of heart attacks and underwent four bypass surgeries. At
first, Ann says, he didn’t want to go through with the procedures. But the
Riddles told him, “Hey Kenny. It’s just like your truck. If a pipe bursts on
your truck you get it fixed.” After he was out of the hospital, the Riddles
helped him get settled back into his apartment. They recall him walking through
the doorway and looking up at the ceiling: A lightbulb was out. Without
hesitation, he walked downstairs to the basement, grabbed what he needed, and
came back upstairs to change the lightbulb, all in his first moments home from
the hospital.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is that fierceness, that will to move forward, that sense
of pride in his work, which the Riddles find so incredible about Kenny. Ann
says, “It’s been [an adventure] in that he keeps going and keeps fighting, and
I mean the tenacity is just amazing. He’s very amazing to me. I mean, truly
amazing man. If everybody could be like Kenny, we wouldn’t have so much sadness
going around.” What could have been a one-off opportunity to help a man in need
of a license has turned into a life-long friendship between Kenny and the
Riddles. Through his friendship with Ann and Charles, Kenny has come to realize
how much people care about him, and how important the small things in life are.
“As a kid I wanted everything, but today I just want to live.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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On May 17<sup>th</sup> Kenny will be teaching a class at
Room In The Inn to honor the day that will mark his 6 years of sobriety. And
you can bet Ann and Charles Riddle will be sitting front-row, beaming with joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b-Q2XQnZdBdykoaro0fxlhB-zLadEXbv80xqFIxRNE4oe6KnL-1ek0wx8i-aKJpkaLlMs61fW3dAPqf7gtBPwp68IHn8IIBvqgUAhb0lYT2JB05-o7fkfmlfZ7UArbxbDg08QahXs9QB/s1600/KennyAnnCharles_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b-Q2XQnZdBdykoaro0fxlhB-zLadEXbv80xqFIxRNE4oe6KnL-1ek0wx8i-aKJpkaLlMs61fW3dAPqf7gtBPwp68IHn8IIBvqgUAhb0lYT2JB05-o7fkfmlfZ7UArbxbDg08QahXs9QB/s640/KennyAnnCharles_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right: Charles Riddle, Kenny Elliot, & Ann Riddle</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04771712221479199603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-15736866090898590232016-03-28T13:58:00.002-07:002016-04-07T04:34:35.436-07:00Jack and John: Laughter is the Best Medicine<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngU-3RXGiYpkCd8G2R4i8A9sde8DrRitDIJPyzaHo2cyL5QcIPSn3y2iTYc0__lJpA2P0fjcezCMfTdNxB5RLRPlGYXlUeLm7tiQl4urTUe0GnQA9k-QmXYANF5_QNWSvwFRTLncUmqG5/s1600/Comedy+Show+2016+O-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngU-3RXGiYpkCd8G2R4i8A9sde8DrRitDIJPyzaHo2cyL5QcIPSn3y2iTYc0__lJpA2P0fjcezCMfTdNxB5RLRPlGYXlUeLm7tiQl4urTUe0GnQA9k-QmXYANF5_QNWSvwFRTLncUmqG5/s400/Comedy+Show+2016+O-26.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Lunn and John Grapes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i>by Jeff Moles</i></div>
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By day, Jack Lunn works in sales, as he has for 37 years.
By night, he is a stand-up comedian. As he puts it, “I’ve worked about every
comedy gig you could do in my 15 years of doing stand-up. From Zanies, to a
psychiatric convention, to doing Elvis impersonation at a corporate conference
in Chicago, to driving five hours to perform twenty minutes for free, to
working the seediest little bars and hang-outs you can do. It’s all part of the
world of stand-up comedy, and I’ve done it.”</div>
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However, Jack’s favorite place to share his comedic gifts
is Room In The Inn. Since 2010, laughter has been reverberating through the
halls of Room In The Inn when “Funnyman Jack” is teaching his comedy class. “My
goal is to get laughs early and often, not just from me, but from everybody. I
get them to write jokes, tell jokes, brainstorm. I challenge them. They get a
chance to perform in the end.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is rare to not find John Grapes sitting in Jack’s
classroom on a Friday. John has been struggling with homelessness for three
years, and takes part in many of the educational opportunities offered at Room
In The Inn. Comedy class is his favorite. <o:p></o:p></div>
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John spent years in the music industry. He played drums
with such superstars as Eddie Rabbit, Kitty Wells, James Brown, and George
Jones. He says, “Music is all I wanted to do since fourth grade, and I made it
work.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Suffering from severe stage fright made performing
difficult for John. He turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the anxiety that
would overtake him. John got clean thirty years ago, but a physical ailment
kept him from continuing with his passion for performing. Looking back, he
wishes he would have listened to his father’s advice to finish school, and to
have a “plan B” to fall back on.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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About John, Jack says, “John self-admittedly has stage
fright, one of the big causes he says for picking up some bad habits that were
a negative influence in his life. I believe stand-up comedy has hit this
problem head on and given John more self-confidence, particularly in front of
an audience. Laughter brightens his life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jack says that he knows he can depend on John, something
that is reinforced in the community nature of his comedy classes. Community is
an active force in his classroom. “My class does a lot of brainstorming and
that means all of us pulling together on the same rope. We’re always searching
for that killer joke. And by working together, a lot of times we get there. I
love it when students laugh and support one another’s material and jokes and
performance.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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John says that the encouragement he gets from Jack and
his classmates is invaluable. It helps him look his fear of being on stage head
on. Every few months, Jack and his students present a comedy showcase in Room
In The Inn’s Clancey’s Café. Jack is constantly looking for new student
comedians to perform, and also relies on his regular class members like John. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In John’s words, “I like to share my comedy because it
lets people get away from themselves for a few minutes. They don’t dwell on how
miserable they are, and they don’t have to use drugs and alcohol to escape.
Jokes get people away from the cold, cruel world.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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John says that after he finishes his time on stage it’s
like a tremendous weight is lifted off his shoulders. His teacher Jack says, “I
don’t know where John is headed, but I hope he gets there. He makes me laugh,
early and often. We’re close to the same age and we have a lot of similar likes
and interests. So we connect as a couple of friends cuttin’ up and moving
through this thing called life. I wish John happiness, clarity, direction, and
determination to find his way…wherever his heart desires.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04771712221479199603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-2155139237877983632016-03-25T06:52:00.001-07:002016-03-25T06:52:19.422-07:00Melvin and Carl: Watching One Another Win<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><i>by Jeff Moles</i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Melvin Scates and Carl Lillard have been
traveling the same path; where they’ve been and where they are going. However, the biggest difference for the two is all in the timing of their journey.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh5joMa3U00CMT5hjU_j37Wqq0GfDqOOfK6twwXMcmJq-172-YpokLAutaJ5mxXXu1vEbWTQWeK0wG_K9r7Ul8khWTpkLEfs8Zug2UoGGgqQa-voC5WS-LTRaWqRGXVoMVek3masM77K4/s1600/20160217_132844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxh5joMa3U00CMT5hjU_j37Wqq0GfDqOOfK6twwXMcmJq-172-YpokLAutaJ5mxXXu1vEbWTQWeK0wG_K9r7Ul8khWTpkLEfs8Zug2UoGGgqQa-voC5WS-LTRaWqRGXVoMVek3masM77K4/s400/20160217_132844.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Melvin and Carl met thirty years ago at the Nashville Rescue Mission, where they were both staying. The two became fast friends, working together, and getting high together. Because of his violent behavior, Melvin often found himself kicked out of shelters and other places. When Melvin couldn’t get help, Carl would make sure to bring him food and be sure he was taken care of.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">About 15 years ago, Melvin turned his
life around. He found God, got involved in church, got married, bought a house,
and eventually became a member of the staff at Room In The Inn, where he serves
as a care coordinator at the Guest House, a place of recovery for those with
addiction issues. Carl says he remembers hearing about Melvin’s turn around,
and, laughing, simply says “I didn’t believe it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While Melvin’s life looked completely
different, Carl’s life continued in struggle with chronic homelessness,
addiction, and life on the streets. In June 2015, however, Carl entered the
Guest House, where his friend Melvin works. Carl completed a 30-day recovery
program, and has spent time working on his sobriety. His goal is to get his
life back, get clean, and develop a better relationship with his family.
Another Room In The Inn staff member talked to Carl one day when he was drunk
and encouraged him to look for a better life. Melvin says, “I’m so glad
somebody took the initiative to talk to him. He had to be the one to do it,
though.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“It’s his season. It’s his time now,”
said Melvin, “I’ve seen him come from one end to the other. He’s always been a
part of me. Helping him is helping me. I’m watching him win.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">One of the lessons Melvin tries to
impart on people who come to the Guest House for recovery is to take advantage
of the help others offer. “When somebody puts their hand out to help, grab it,”
he says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now Carl has joined Melvin in offering
help to others. Carl has taken the lead in offering hospitality to guests who
are often intoxicated and difficult to care for. The two men share a bond from
living on the streets with one another that makes their working relationship
special. They have a direct understanding of the suffering and pain of
addiction, but also the great freedom of sobriety. They each credit the other
with teaching the lesson of patience. Carl says, “You have to see the good
things that are coming. You’ve got to be patient. Slow down and wait.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Melvin and Carl’s eyes light up when
they think about the work that is still in front of them. They look forward to
inspiring others they know to start the journey of recovery. Melvin says, “I
just thank God for looking over both of us. There will be more.”</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04771712221479199603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-85380601957591873012015-12-23T07:28:00.000-08:002015-12-23T07:31:42.925-08:00Room In The Inn Over 30 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNfzqnL502xwE2AD3aJX-dZzOTLQcvI1x3mkLOxw1We-S8QCEDplRY1nr680IT-mXlx38C-bSpuOO1JXQ2iDuK5fBqzY0S1ZyfM6ry_eFam-yI1hYGhD8qlFE2EBZwfWNqBe6C0BH6p4/s1600/RITI+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNfzqnL502xwE2AD3aJX-dZzOTLQcvI1x3mkLOxw1We-S8QCEDplRY1nr680IT-mXlx38C-bSpuOO1JXQ2iDuK5fBqzY0S1ZyfM6ry_eFam-yI1hYGhD8qlFE2EBZwfWNqBe6C0BH6p4/s400/RITI+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<i>by Charles Strobel, Founding Director</i><br />
<br />
Over the years I’ve wondered just what impact Room In The Inn has had on people—I’m not really sure. I do know this. I was out in the country recently and looked up at the stars and saw all these thousands and thousands of stars. And I wondered that if each of those stars represented a person who had come through Room In The Inn over the years—if they had nothing else in their life that meant anything—they could at least say that once upon a time in Nashville, Tennessee, I met some people who loved me just the way I was. <br />
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I am not sure the Nashville community at-large understands Room In The Inn’s importance. Can you imagine the last 30 years in Nashville without the Room In The Inn? Imagine the additional hardship and misery that some of our citizens would have had to endure if it did not exist.<br />
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Instead, we are thankful that the Room In The Inn religious communities realize that the suffering of the homeless is a burden that thousands of volunteers cannot ignore and must carry together. <br />
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So we celebrate thirty years of service, but we also look ahead longing for the day when all of our citizens can find a permanent place—their own room in the inn. <br />
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What started out in 1986 with 4 congregations has grown in size to 190+ during this time. In addition to our winter shelter that addresses emergency needs of food, clothing, shelter and personal hygiene services, we have added long-term services of education, employment, medical and residential.<br />
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Finally, Room In The Inn gets its name from a story in the Bible of a family coming to a small town called Bethlehem and not finding any room in the inn. We cannot go back in history 2,000 years and change that story, but what we do in Nashville each evening we are open, is to reverse that story’s ending by providing room in the inn. <br />
<br />
As we continue our 30th season, we have so many reasons to give thanks. So I want to thank you for all that you’ve done for us in our past and ask for your continued help in our future.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-24947101036745148932015-12-11T09:47:00.001-08:002015-12-11T09:48:29.171-08:00We Remember - We Act<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmM_oq0V0aiaGnZvATPsuQk7Vfc9NyuqFRCXyYWxlu3-8LhudKaY3Cn2KoGM_-zOpAhWWIO4lUz6-NJW9xPQRWtDuGJE1BXxRA6oVZFyz-2W5oXbi_95o3YoJuS-cZpIIhYGqHoABYsY/s1600/positivethinking_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmM_oq0V0aiaGnZvATPsuQk7Vfc9NyuqFRCXyYWxlu3-8LhudKaY3Cn2KoGM_-zOpAhWWIO4lUz6-NJW9xPQRWtDuGJE1BXxRA6oVZFyz-2W5oXbi_95o3YoJuS-cZpIIhYGqHoABYsY/s320/positivethinking_8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Alexander</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>by Jeff Moles</i><br />
<br />
This weekend, Nashville will remember 70 members of its homeless and formerly homeless community who died in 2015. Most of these were people who were well known to us at Room In The Inn. They were and are part of our community, important for being exactly who they were and missed because of the relationships we had with them. To mention just a few:<br />
<br />
Arthur “Sal” Peck enjoyed spending time in our art room, and had a great sense of humor. He died <br />
after a bout with cancer.<br />
<br />
Jason Vaughan, a young man known as “Cowboy” for the boots and hat he wore, died when he fell from a ledge near where he was camping downtown. His sly smile and love for music will be what we remember.<br />
<br />
James Alexander lived in our apartments after he struggled with homelessness. He gave back many hours of volunteer time, cleaning and working in our kitchen.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEGbeg8M3d551aeb_w1jzzbccley79bcp-Z8_J9F-621puabclrsaJPYsgzzlIiMvDXygx2KqwovJiQrWz_qStxPGCOx1dm2fYf63yMyc4_3ST-LwfGfo1AkC9twZ8n8IAOwLNJ_Ed50/s1600/DSC_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEGbeg8M3d551aeb_w1jzzbccley79bcp-Z8_J9F-621puabclrsaJPYsgzzlIiMvDXygx2KqwovJiQrWz_qStxPGCOx1dm2fYf63yMyc4_3ST-LwfGfo1AkC9twZ8n8IAOwLNJ_Ed50/s320/DSC_0128.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas Holt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thomas Holt came to us several years ago, just out of prison and well-conditioned that violent, abusive environment. Over time, we got to know the real Thomas, who enjoyed telling jokes, doing volunteer work, talking to anyone who would listen, and eating more sweets than his doctor advised.<br />
<br />
Margie Lucas lived on the streets since she was a young woman, and endured much more than her share of difficulty in life. She succumbed to a long-term illness.<br />
<br />
Kenneth Keesee reconnected with family in his later years. A favorite memory of him is a day when we did karaoke at Room In The Inn. Ken was right in the middle of a big circle of people belting out “We Are Family” as loudly as he could. He was killed by a drunk driver this year.<br />
<br />
The memorial tree that stands in our main entrance at Room In The Inn bears the names of over 650 homeless individuals who died after struggling with homelessness. For me, its presence inside our front door serves two purposes. It is a reminder of each of the individuals who were so important to us. When we see their names, we remember their faces and stories. But it is also a slap in the face as I walk in the door. It is a reminder that we are responding to an emergency. In a wealthy and growing city, we do not provide enough <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjsFro8ZDPkMtpXLXt2RFK-KBp-Bww2R0DzRoZZlzvyaNqG9viMiG9zTXD8f9L_BRS4kiE-UcHW1TVcBuYWMTrzVszkN86K1MV6MECh7gfz-hxhMcEZ2Iu2Nx8JQWjMliK0qxqVyAh0I/s1600/memorialtree.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjsFro8ZDPkMtpXLXt2RFK-KBp-Bww2R0DzRoZZlzvyaNqG9viMiG9zTXD8f9L_BRS4kiE-UcHW1TVcBuYWMTrzVszkN86K1MV6MECh7gfz-hxhMcEZ2Iu2Nx8JQWjMliK0qxqVyAh0I/s320/memorialtree.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
affordable housing for people. Most of us go about our lives like nothing is wrong as thousands go without housing. As a result, people experience homelessness and are robbed of years and even decades of time from their lives. The average life expectancy of someone living on the streets is only 48 years. This is not acceptable, and our job will never be done until we ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a life of dignity. And these lives saved will not be complete until we offer the gift of belonging and unconditional love.<br />
<br />
And so we gather to remember the men and women whose lives have been lost, but may we also resolve to act. As a people, we will never be truly great until each of our neighbors is treated with the dignity that we all deserve.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<div>
<b>Members of Nashville's Homeless Community who died in 2015</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Arthur “Sal” Peck<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljD2Sc0ZFX7THJkTaYRYI6wftyH0CYzdMODQmvDXjvOODqZxzvHxmwA-bSFYnc8Jl2Sj-58FShjbop-ORT7hir13CntewYiwW6L4-Ejgi-ePmkbgLnhlkVTmP0zFXqY4PqLk6fsRNxjM/s1600/leonbrooks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljD2Sc0ZFX7THJkTaYRYI6wftyH0CYzdMODQmvDXjvOODqZxzvHxmwA-bSFYnc8Jl2Sj-58FShjbop-ORT7hir13CntewYiwW6L4-Ejgi-ePmkbgLnhlkVTmP0zFXqY4PqLk6fsRNxjM/s200/leonbrooks.PNG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leon Brooks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Bryant Crenshaw</div>
<div>
Cardell O’Quinn*</div>
<div>
Clarence Leron Murphy</div>
<div>
Clyde Hicks</div>
<div>
Cris Cumner</div>
<div>
Danny Anderson</div>
<div>
Danny Costello*</div>
<div>
David Milliken</div>
<div>
Debra Johnson*</div>
<div>
Delores Graham* </div>
<div>
Denise Hixson</div>
<div>
Donald Lewis Wilson Jr.</div>
<div>
Edward Washington</div>
<div>
Gary Silcott*</div>
<div>
Gloria Foster</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluH-WOQk56Q2o8vsDdTKq-RbC0dDw_ixdYIW-UhhW8e78fNAZgiMYkgfd2tOOAN-l496IMCkjWg3cGX_G4ANnM80JZAPGlzEuZ2UZwCiAFobj4mdXwrRzaDxmnfLuTq3cDxZK9ZTo_tY/s1600/neice.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluH-WOQk56Q2o8vsDdTKq-RbC0dDw_ixdYIW-UhhW8e78fNAZgiMYkgfd2tOOAN-l496IMCkjWg3cGX_G4ANnM80JZAPGlzEuZ2UZwCiAFobj4mdXwrRzaDxmnfLuTq3cDxZK9ZTo_tY/s200/neice.PNG" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neice Parrish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Greg</div>
<div>
Gregory Latimer</div>
<div>
Hilton D’Wayne Pitts</div>
<div>
Homer Wilson</div>
<div>
Howard Bottoms*</div>
<div>
James Alexander*</div>
<div>
James Carruthers</div>
<div>
James Larry Moore, “Alabama”*</div>
<div>
James Mitchell</div>
<div>
James Primm</div>
<div>
Jason Vaughan</div>
<div>
Jeff Forgy</div>
<div>
John Frakes</div>
<div>
John Perry</div>
<div>
John Wesley Brown*</div>
<div>
Joseph Dies<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjlWAuNYyDP_aBXja0rtX2oJI2nZCEeDgMwgpKFwkdXM2wrbkZAV_z48EIxSdmvbIasdkboK-UGgR7GvPeNL0vWpxrx7VojngfU0lpAmDaDzAtfh3wVbIvZgdI9KmkwZmCeOAgnbYimI/s1600/jason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjlWAuNYyDP_aBXja0rtX2oJI2nZCEeDgMwgpKFwkdXM2wrbkZAV_z48EIxSdmvbIasdkboK-UGgR7GvPeNL0vWpxrx7VojngfU0lpAmDaDzAtfh3wVbIvZgdI9KmkwZmCeOAgnbYimI/s200/jason.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason Vaughan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Joseph Truitt</div>
<div>
Kenneth Keesee</div>
<div>
Kevin Sullivan</div>
<div>
Larry Almond</div>
<div>
Leon Brooks</div>
<div>
Lloyd Barnes</div>
<div>
L.W. Hoffmeyer*</div>
<div>
Marcus McLaurine</div>
<div>
Marcus Moore</div>
<div>
Margie Lucas*</div>
<div>
Mary Brown*</div>
<div>
Michael Moss Magidovitch</div>
<div>
Michael O’Carrol</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4TLssVEhrSnxpHDvbn2aEewdJJbjnuI0imWfYgTC8svnOLMq0nVOKCMjlAdkXB57C5Ne48vdKUowxCQWjYbhE1pzBD8GteT9dpedlyyTPyHrcqpGP8qUkKRzMjg5tKDUYjcXiCzshbQ/s1600/IMG_7726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4TLssVEhrSnxpHDvbn2aEewdJJbjnuI0imWfYgTC8svnOLMq0nVOKCMjlAdkXB57C5Ne48vdKUowxCQWjYbhE1pzBD8GteT9dpedlyyTPyHrcqpGP8qUkKRzMjg5tKDUYjcXiCzshbQ/s200/IMG_7726.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Primm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Mike Willers</div>
<div>
Neice Parrish*</div>
<div>
Norman Wayne Dugger</div>
<div>
Olivia Davis</div>
<div>
Pamela Zanardi*</div>
<div>
Randall Allen White, “Cowboy”</div>
<div>
Randy “Jimmy” Wilson</div>
<div>
Richard Granbeck*</div>
<div>
Richard Nash</div>
<div>
Robert McMurtry</div>
<div>
Robert Stites*</div>
<div>
Roger Loftis</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfR5l9D1WrUkJRBkaiv4PSBh_exP75kbLgBWxb7_sJAszu985gpKMcS7ndmt2vMu_hmMMSW9P6ZeI_UP-8_mjNKCeZF1wrDTaJAgA5-XYdIVYGZn-ICC0CMqicYi5Q9BloyZWehCyWj8/s1600/marcus.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfR5l9D1WrUkJRBkaiv4PSBh_exP75kbLgBWxb7_sJAszu985gpKMcS7ndmt2vMu_hmMMSW9P6ZeI_UP-8_mjNKCeZF1wrDTaJAgA5-XYdIVYGZn-ICC0CMqicYi5Q9BloyZWehCyWj8/s200/marcus.PNG" width="153" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcus McLaurine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Ronnie Bunch</div>
<div>
Roy Smith</div>
<div>
Sally Herz*</div>
<div>
Sandy Wilson</div>
<div>
Shannon Curtis</div>
<div>
Steve Stevens</div>
<div>
Tami McKenzie</div>
<div>
Terrance Eddings</div>
<div>
Thomas Holt*</div>
<div>
Timothy Waggoner</div>
<div>
William Carter William Crain*</div>
<div>
William Edward Brown</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*denotes the person was formerly homeless</span></i></div>
Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-22074709532971157532015-12-02T19:56:00.000-08:002015-12-02T19:56:03.311-08:00Waiting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JwVHNvwt_FycdCXCEdAXSO5x36Th1q6GRwEw8EBuI_X02ehloAoI6dIYY_9AhVA-OAt8QNO1unxSueDQxtCgOlU_-Ij4XQATAJcdBdXvldPPw8go2nt1mO_8SbZSNEyot0PJ7M2P7WE/s1600/20151102_140102_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JwVHNvwt_FycdCXCEdAXSO5x36Th1q6GRwEw8EBuI_X02ehloAoI6dIYY_9AhVA-OAt8QNO1unxSueDQxtCgOlU_-Ij4XQATAJcdBdXvldPPw8go2nt1mO_8SbZSNEyot0PJ7M2P7WE/s640/20151102_140102_001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
I am at a loss. In the past 48 hours, the Room In The Inn community has lost three people. One died of a chronic medical condition, one was struck by a car downtown, and I'm not sure what happened to the third. As we were mourning these losses, I found out about the shootings in California.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I don't understand. Both in my work and in my personal life, I know so many people who are exceptionally good---not just "nice" people, but people who pour out their hearts<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> and energies to care for others. These are people who are desperately trying to make God's kingdom a reality. They are flooding the darkness with their light.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
But today, my heart hurts. Today, it seems as though the darkness has the upper hand.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I believe with all my heart that love wins in the end. The struggle is holding on to hope and trusting in the power of redemption.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Maybe it's fitting that it is the season of Advent, the time of waiting. May we have the grace and strength to persevere until our hope is fully realized.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
by Mary Wilder</div>
</div>
Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-51187318460837579072015-05-13T08:26:00.000-07:002015-05-13T08:26:47.180-07:00The Inn Crowd: Karen's Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel5xJWprlI9jgEaiq-08yJsttsxY9wEGdy_0ZJ5jVGkI1EZez5daQphxiedCiPCgo9qcIi2ObMNm05xm-hTlYzKDCFIhjGPE96P53My8xdwkOctYL-4LF2rQmNDGYpTiH83bwF1yJHic/s1600/IMG_7915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel5xJWprlI9jgEaiq-08yJsttsxY9wEGdy_0ZJ5jVGkI1EZez5daQphxiedCiPCgo9qcIi2ObMNm05xm-hTlYzKDCFIhjGPE96P53My8xdwkOctYL-4LF2rQmNDGYpTiH83bwF1yJHic/s400/IMG_7915.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Karen B. is not only seeking a new life – she is also chasing after hope. In 2001 Karen moved to Nashville to be with her dad as he was struggling with cancer. “He made me promise that I would stay away from drugs and alcohol,” says Karen. “But when he passed away I went straight for the bottle.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Karen came to Room In The Inn for a place to stay, not to seek treatment. It wasn’t until one day she realized that she wanted to get clean. “Your family can want you to get help, mine did. But, I can’t seek help successfully unless I do it for me, because Karen wants to. And right now, I want to.”<br />
<br />
<br />
Karen has been staying at the Guest House and has quickly become part of this family. She helps with chores, making plates for people, and stays overnight for on site shelter. She attends Women’s Group daily and has earned a lot of respect from the ladies. “I put in long volunteer hours, but I consider that part of my recovery,” says Karen. “One day I hope to come back and work at RITI. I want to continue giving to people.”<br />
<br />
<br />
It has been a long road for Karen, but when asked where she finds her hope she says, “I think back to that promise I made my dad, and I’m finally making strides to keep it. I talk to him a lot and know he is shining down on me.”<br />
<br />
<br />
For the future Karen wants to share her story. “I have experience and I believe through that I can gain people’s trust because they’ll know that I’ve been there too.”Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-89744164485398666302015-02-18T16:47:00.002-08:002015-02-18T16:47:32.042-08:00Ash Wednesday<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>by Jeff Moles</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like many in Nashville today, I won’t have any ashes smudged
on my forehead as I typically would <o:p></o:p></div>
on Ash Wednesday. Instead, we got a dusting
of snow on top of the thickly accumulated ice we already had, and most church
services today were canceled. I didn’t need the ashes, though, to remind me of the problem of mortality. I simply had to walk downstairs from my office where hundreds of
people suffering from homelessness were huddled, hoping to find shelter from
tonight’s deadly sub-zero temperatures. But as I left Room In The Inn tonight, I also saw people of faith pulling
up to our door in their vans and buses. Volunteers in thick coats were filing into the door, some having been with us multiple nights this week. I thought of the prophet Isaiah's words: <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>Is such the fast that I choose, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
a day to humble oneself? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
Will you call this a fast, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
a day acceptable to the LORD?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> Is
not this the fast that I choose: <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
to loose the bonds of injustice, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
to undo the thongs of the yoke, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
to let the oppressed go free, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>
and to break every yoke? <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i> Is
it not to share your bread with the hungry, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i> and bring the homeless poor into your
house; <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>
when you see the naked, to cover them, <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Room In The Inn’s congregations provided 650 extra shelter
beds this week, with more than 150 extra beds offered tonight alone. On this
Ash Wednesday night, Nashville has remembered that we are all sisters and brothers in the frailty of life. It has
looked for its most vulnerable and welcomed them in. Imagine the result if we
let this night of hospitality transform us into people who always care for one another and who make sure nobody is left out. Our frigid Ash Wednesday night might just look more like a warm Easter morning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i> if you
offer your food to the hungry<br />
and satisfy the
needs of the afflicted,<br />
then your light shall rise in the darkness<br />
and your gloom be
like the noonday.<br />
The LORD will guide you continually,<br />
and satisfy your needs
in parched places,<br />
and make your bones
strong;<br />
and you shall be like a watered garden,<br />
like a spring of
water,<br />
whose waters never
fail.<br />
Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;<br />
you shall raise up
the foundations of many generations;<br />
you shall be called the repairer of the breach, </i><br /><i>
the restorer of
streets to live in.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEt4P3Yh_KrLxmv-y3eHs8wD_mf8HGsYWRHP1Ygo3l3tZ8XAyF7IzdY8fN8kn9SK2GoOr3hmrhMSCd6rBe43lHWUSVLoBuG4LKv1WErgjX_pqeVyRCD0wxSZdXMxywwnkj2hOwWEkzfE/s1600/20150216_134319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEt4P3Yh_KrLxmv-y3eHs8wD_mf8HGsYWRHP1Ygo3l3tZ8XAyF7IzdY8fN8kn9SK2GoOr3hmrhMSCd6rBe43lHWUSVLoBuG4LKv1WErgjX_pqeVyRCD0wxSZdXMxywwnkj2hOwWEkzfE/s1600/20150216_134319.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People seeking shelter at Room In The Inn on Mon., Feb. 16</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Isaiah 58:5-12, NRSV, Revised Common Lectionary Reading for Ash Wednesday)</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-78549683500786178672015-01-20T06:59:00.002-08:002015-01-20T06:59:55.297-08:00This Thing Called Love - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153049890409201" data-width="466"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153049890409201">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/roomintheinn">Room In The Inn</a>.</div></div>
Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-66791558495582489442014-12-23T08:07:00.000-08:002014-12-23T08:07:37.466-08:00Miracle on Belmont Boulevard<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .25in; mso-pagination: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"><i>Story and Photos by Suzanne Lynch, Christ the King Catholic Church</i></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia38TgAmGA_HenjLXUo6P10T-zvYyhCzDNPDG8dMJzO43vFjc5ZH_GP6UW8InAZHdXPy9bbWgUhjmhCOiYgTxz_HleVGDmtOuF0YOCuSQcKJu6KayEDSGoPTBDE5uxy3Nhay7h2oUCwqQ/s1600/_DSC0329.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia38TgAmGA_HenjLXUo6P10T-zvYyhCzDNPDG8dMJzO43vFjc5ZH_GP6UW8InAZHdXPy9bbWgUhjmhCOiYgTxz_HleVGDmtOuF0YOCuSQcKJu6KayEDSGoPTBDE5uxy3Nhay7h2oUCwqQ/s1600/_DSC0329.jpeg" height="214" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">From
November until March, Christ the King continues its long history of hosting
guests through Room In The Inn. This season, the ministry is opening its doors
to more overnight guests, increasing from last year</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s 15
homeless men, women and children to 20. With the ample room and comfortable
facilities the school offers, the increase in guests is easily accommodated.
And with a strong force of volunteers they are all equally cared for as well.
Director John Green fondly tells the guests to expect five-star service.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Room In The
Inn is not designed to be another homeless shelter. Instead, it strives to
create an environment of acceptance and to put faith into action. Room In The
Inn</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s website
describes the program as a way for more people in every sector to understand
the problems of the homeless by becoming directly involved with people who are</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">homeless.
The evenings provide an opportunity to receive a blessing from God in the midst
of suffering, hardship and grief.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu83wuarCu8jE5NsH_ReqQuMADV3IwloFKNn2aTu5kkvDewog8G2U0CsNQVXHaNWwtec5nP1LIPFbsr0s-PClSvER9JvnXcEjQ09mrIe39wqrmyF38TlZaunexEa-bISCZMr1FVUMQuA/s1600/_DSC0322.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAu83wuarCu8jE5NsH_ReqQuMADV3IwloFKNn2aTu5kkvDewog8G2U0CsNQVXHaNWwtec5nP1LIPFbsr0s-PClSvER9JvnXcEjQ09mrIe39wqrmyF38TlZaunexEa-bISCZMr1FVUMQuA/s1600/_DSC0322.jpeg" height="214" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">A blessing
is what you will receive when you come to break bread with the guests. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Parishioners
will see a revelation of Christ when they participate,</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">”</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">said Louis Roberts, a long-time
volunteer who currently assists John. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Guests sit and bond with parishioners</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">—</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">there isn</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t a
separation.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">”</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Returning
guests are quick to tell you how much they enjoy being at Christ the King. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">You just
open the door and welcome us in. You don</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t push or make us do things your way,</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">”</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">said Gwyneth, a woman whose
countenance is filled with love for Jesus and whose hard life she is quick to
share. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">This week I was car-jacked but God told me I didn</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t need that
car. God has always taken care of me.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSX86VtIGwApbpEAzwyyeH_fzsZAicfUFs6GCbg7HJfzcP3Q9rbayK-pwu6-Ye-ixnWISw5VFRX30Oyqaw06GpIi_RjgFXXY65jw5IsSRTFqmTGY3eYYpJJiBrlKdrYn5fUhzqkAWKag/s1600/_DSC0297.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSX86VtIGwApbpEAzwyyeH_fzsZAicfUFs6GCbg7HJfzcP3Q9rbayK-pwu6-Ye-ixnWISw5VFRX30Oyqaw06GpIi_RjgFXXY65jw5IsSRTFqmTGY3eYYpJJiBrlKdrYn5fUhzqkAWKag/s1600/_DSC0297.jpeg" height="214" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">That is just
a glimpse of a blessing you will receive</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">—</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">a recipient of Gwyneth</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s joy for
knowing Christ. You may also witness a miracle. At Room In The Inn, they happen
all the time. For example, over Thanksgiving a gentleman suffering from
Alzheimer</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s got lost in the school and became disoriented. In the process of
trying to find out who he was, it was discovered he had been reported missing
by his son in Minnesota. Louis recalls how moving it was to call and tell the
man his father was safe. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Many of the
volunteers have been coming to help at Room In The Inn for years. Louis says it</span>’<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s because the experience is so
rewarding. The volunteers find fellowship not just with the guests, but with
each other. While they go about their tasks preparing for the evening, there is
opportunity for friendships to develop.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">The evening
dinner is started early in the day by Donald St. Charles, Kate Dumas and other
volunteers. Donald has been cooking for the program for at least six years. By
5:30 p.m. volunteers have arrived to get the beds ready</span>—<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">led by Father Ryan Junior, Gina
Schmid. A volunteer since her first experience as a Christ the King 8<sup>th</sup>
grader, she recalls the first time she came, how friendly everyone was and that
her second time, how the guests remembered her. Those relationships keep her
returning every week, even Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErTBh6tpkDZmAP4JhFS5Hv_6BA8Zr3e8YvRVKBXqr0SJuyiDr4rdL9UylA6Qbq7mNf7utnsSmVXCkQyYy9kVsRVMc4usHC5WP82pqxwmc9_ynFFLByBJE4JYAtifNWjEZTDWXB7qNGHo/s1600/_DSC0293.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErTBh6tpkDZmAP4JhFS5Hv_6BA8Zr3e8YvRVKBXqr0SJuyiDr4rdL9UylA6Qbq7mNf7utnsSmVXCkQyYy9kVsRVMc4usHC5WP82pqxwmc9_ynFFLByBJE4JYAtifNWjEZTDWXB7qNGHo/s1600/_DSC0293.jpeg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Gina
instructs the teens and younger children to put cases on the pillows and make
the beds. Parents are here too, and young adults looking for a place to become
the hands and feet of Christ. Carly Moffa and Matt Brown are two such young
parishioners who wanted to be more involved with their church. They have been
coming every week this season and bringing their friends. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">When I met
Gwyneth and saw how happy she was to be here, to have one more meal</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">—</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">she was
enjoying the moment regardless of her situation, I was inspired,</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">”</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">said Matt, who has been in
Nashville just a year. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I really enjoy coming. It makes me feel more at
home.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">”</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo1bBWy8w11WOefikJIOBBnxwLJC3-jpts97GazOCv1fEDQ8VlMVwNSF3XqBMXNlKhfcnM0KikaQcV00CEpx7NADIg-QVgLaI6FcEK0k1IpYWPZvD7uMkxtMtfO_VmYoQqdCb_GVz4DA/s1600/_DSC0350.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEo1bBWy8w11WOefikJIOBBnxwLJC3-jpts97GazOCv1fEDQ8VlMVwNSF3XqBMXNlKhfcnM0KikaQcV00CEpx7NADIg-QVgLaI6FcEK0k1IpYWPZvD7uMkxtMtfO_VmYoQqdCb_GVz4DA/s1600/_DSC0350.jpeg" height="320" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Carly was
moved to go a step further in caring for the guests and asked if she could
offer the ladies a </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">girls night</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">”</span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">with
manicures and facials. </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">“</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">I wanted the ladies to feel pampered and to get
what they needed. And I wanted to connect with them and talk to them about
Jesus,</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">”</span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">she said. So
on the evening of December 3, Carly brought all the necessities, having spent
time visiting salons and asking for samples as well as collecting from friends.
Miraculously, of course, the same evening Carly spoke with John about her idea,
he received a call from another parishioner, Michelle Fisher, who is a stylist
and wanted to offer the guests haircuts. Carly also brought her friend Simone
Parke who is also a stylist. The guests were thrilled and there was lots of
conversation, laughter and sharing during the process. Even the men weren</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">t shy about
getting their hair cut, beards trimmed and even a manicure.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">Many people are involved every week at Room In
The Inn. From the drivers who pick up the guests downtown to those who do the
laundry, there is a place for everyone and everyone is invited. Join Room In
The Inn every Wednesday for dinner. It</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">s a bargain and if you are quick, you might get
a slice of Mrs. Carmen Kavass</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">’</span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">homemade
pound cake. She brings two of them Wednesday afternoon, still warm from the
oven</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria;">—</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;">one for the evening meal and the other sliced and divided into baggies
for the guests to take with them on Thursday.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-63411804085628524392014-12-19T12:51:00.000-08:002014-12-19T12:51:48.981-08:00First Coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>We use this reading, adapted from the poem "First Coming" by Madeline L'Engle to close our annual Blue Christmas worship service at Room In The Inn.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
God did not wait until the world was ready, till…nations were at peace.<br />
<br />
God came when the Heavens were unsteady and prisoners cried out for release.<br />
<br />
God did not wait for the perfect time.<br />
<br />
God came when the need was deep and great. God dined with sinners in all their grime, turned water into wine.<br />
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God did not wait till hearts were pure.<br />
<br />
In joy, God came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt. To a world like ours, of anguished shame, God came and God’s light would not go out.<br />
<br />
God came to a world which did not mesh; to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.<br />
<br />
In the mystery of the Word made flesh, the maker of the stars was born.<br />
<br />
We cannot wait till the world is sane to raise our songs with joyful voice, or to share our grief, to touch our pain.<br />
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God came with love: Rejoice! Rejoice!<br />
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Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-20018440403803514032014-09-19T09:07:00.000-07:002014-09-19T09:07:03.687-07:00Beautiful Feet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>by Jeff Moles</i><br />
<br />
Stories from scripture remind us of the importance of our feet. God, calling from the burning bush, instructed Moses to take off his shoes because the ground on which he stood was holy. At the home of Lazarus, Mary washes Jesus’ feet with her tears. On the last night of his life, in an act of humility, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, saying “so if I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”<br />
<br />
With this expression of spirituality as our starting place, people gather in a room that normally serves as an art studio each week at Room In The Inn, Nashville’s comprehensive center for people struggling with homelessness. Staff and volunteers come together to create a sacred space, where physical needs can be met and spiritual ones too. Our foot clinic is a place where people who call the streets their home encounter others who are not there to judge their lives or question their contribution to society. In fact, the people who staff the foot clinic are most aware of the hard work that it takes to be homeless. We see the scars on feet, and the weariness of spirits that come to us. And so we serve, washing feet as Jesus asked us to do. We are served in return by the humor and the hope that we see in people we discover to be very much like us.<br />
<br />
In thinking about why we need a foot clinic, it would be easy to speak only of the many hours homeless people spend on their feet standing in lines, walking, and working. But these are not the only things our feet were created to do. <br />
<br />
One afternoon a few years ago, toward the end of a particularly cold winter, a member of our staff put on some music in our day center. The rhythmic sounds of Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Marvin Gaye filled the room where people congregate during the day. I looked up, expecting to see the tightly-packed crowd in all of its usual tension. Instead, I saw some movement. Two women in the room were twirling one another around to the beat of the music. Pretty soon, chairs were being moved out of the way, and more people got onto their feet. Even I, not the best or most confident dancer by a long shot, got into the act. A dance party had broken out in our homeless shelter. Sorrows were forgotten, anger was diffused, and worry was replaced with fun, if only for an afternoon. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT9q5AbUmjJPg_oxcM2yXb4dt5Xw-s1hE6AWK4PHCOyL5-STWhFxTNZITghO08zpRUi4VPvbV-6n7eafkYqHEDubWGDs51QyodVjlj8IWjw_AtdlyFGP2oQ4-hwY4PKi87Z8tf3WjSx8/s1600/Picnic_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT9q5AbUmjJPg_oxcM2yXb4dt5Xw-s1hE6AWK4PHCOyL5-STWhFxTNZITghO08zpRUi4VPvbV-6n7eafkYqHEDubWGDs51QyodVjlj8IWjw_AtdlyFGP2oQ4-hwY4PKi87Z8tf3WjSx8/s1600/Picnic_23.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a>We care for feet not only because they are important for work and survival, but because it humbles us all, reminding us of the command to love one another. We clip nails and massage feet not only to relieve pain, but because too many people are deprived of human touch that is not sexual or violent. We take the risk of removing our shoes and entering into another person’s life not only because we are crazy (and some might say we are!), but because we need these feet to become instruments of peace. We need them for dancing, our statement to the world that even in the midst of hardship, there is reason for joy. <br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. –Isaiah 52:7-9</blockquote>
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Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-18469043255776678052014-09-09T20:53:00.001-07:002014-09-11T07:09:48.878-07:00Join Nashville's Inn Crowd<i>by Mary Wilder</i><br />
<i>Room In The Inn Winter Shelter Director</i><br />
<br />
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Everyone wants to be cool. None of us really get past that feeling we had in school, that desire to fit in with just the right group. We all look for our place to belong.<br />
<br />
As adults, though, our criteria for choosing a group may mature. We may look for people who pursue similar professional goals or who share interests with us. Recently, I searched for a book club to join. A quick internet search uncovered dozens of choices representing every genre of literature imaginable. There is a web site called Meet Up, which features clubs from Scrabble playing to hiking to poetry writing. We are all searching for ways to connect and find meaning.<br />
<br />
Then there is the Inn Crowd. For twenty-nine years Room In The Inn has been a community of people bound together to offer shelter and compassion to people experiencing homelessness. 188 congregations open their doors to welcome guests in the winter months. It is a ministry that creates a real mutuality, a chance to break down barriers that separate us. We take part in time together and focus on relationship in the simple act of offering a meal and a place to stay. It is a movement that allows people to experience something sacred. On one level, Room In The Inn is about bringing people inside from the cold. But, in a profound way, it is about encountering God in the faces around the table.<br />
<br />
The polar vortex last winter taught us a hard lesson at Room In The Inn. We learned how brutal and life-threatening the weather can be. In response, we are working diligently to expand The Inn Crowd. We are asking congregations already part of Room In The Inn to do one of two things: take an extra guest or two or schedule extra nights in the coldest months of January and February. We also need help identifying congregations who do not take part in Room In The Inn and invite them to join us. We are looking for contacts within those congregations.<br />
<br />
Everyone should know what it is like to be in The Inn Crowd.<br />
<br />
<b>Contact <a href="mailto:mary.wilder@roomintheinn.org">Mary</a> to let her know how you and your congregation plan to help.</b>Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-45055772197471859452014-08-06T09:41:00.001-07:002014-08-06T11:08:56.018-07:00Education: Shakespeare Allowed!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
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<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In an effort to promote literacy and the
arts, Room In The Inn has partnered with the Nashville Shakespeare Festival,
the nonprofit responsible for bringing many local theater traditions including
Shakespeare in the Park, to offer Shakespeare Allowed!, a twice-weekly
class </span><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">where
people come together to read through the works of William Shakespeare
round-robin style and to share their experiences and insights with the plays
and their many adventures.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first play the group read through was the
Shakesperean comedy, "As You Like It." The play is full of many
lighthearted moments, but somewhat surprisingly to the class instructor Nettie
Kraft, the play gave the participants the chance to process through a lot of
the struggles they have or are facing. The play focuses on a family torn apart
by pettiness and people who are left to live in the forest when the people in
the royal court reject them. According to Kraft, many of the students in her class
felt a connection with some of these characters. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"As You Like It" will be the play
performed during this year's Shakespeare in the Park, held in August and
September in Centennial Park. Room In The Inn students who participated in all
or nearly all the Shakespeare Allowed! classes for this play will be given the
opportunity to go watch the play for free one evening and stay in the Guest
House--as most Nashville overnight shelters require check-in prior to when the
play would end.<span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #212121;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a short break, Shakespeare Allowed!
returned and is currently reading through the classic tragedy, Macbeth, at
student request. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursday at 1:30 p.m.</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601590841591741721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-31447160547373062022014-07-17T13:52:00.002-07:002014-07-25T12:37:22.590-07:00Cathy Link reflects on her first year at Room In The Inn<i>by Cathy Link, RN</i><br />
<i>Recuperative Care Manager, Room In The Inn</i><br />
<br />
It’s hard to believe a whole year has passed since I began my journey home. Being a nurse in Nashville for over 30 years has led me down many roads, ending right here on Drexel Street. Those other paths almost prepared me for the most challenging position I have had.<br />
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My entire career has been one of assisting and caring for the most vulnerable, the powerless, and the disenfranchised through the VA, public health, public schools, psychiatric intensive care, and community psychiatric crisis services. But to face day to day the overwhelming and complicated medical, social, and emotional needs of truly “the least of these” has stretched me in ways I had no idea I could reach. I have been honored to care for, advocate for, share in joys and sorrows, celebrate healing and life, feel the pain of death, and the fear of continuing the struggle of homelessness for hundreds of referred individuals. <br />
<br />
Even my past work experience did not prepare me to daily face this very ill population who lack adequate funding and access to health care. Just this year we have sheltered and cared for those who have had open heart surgery, brain surgery, lung surgery, surgery for cancer, surgeries for multiple orthopedic injuries, gynecological surgery, chemotherapy, severe COPD, post stroke, amputations, uncontrolled diabetes, kidney failure, dialysis patients, liver failure, severe rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure, major depression, schizophrenia, major phobias, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety disorders, burn patients, and HIV/AIDS patients. The lack of funding and limited access to care continues to shock me and break my heart.<br />
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To add to these burdens approximately 90 percent of those entrusted to our care have drug and alcohol addiction with the complicating social factors of disconnections from family and friends, incarcerations, and criminal records. <br />
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Anyone remotely involved in the world of healthcare knows how fragmented our system is. To hobble together and care for not “these people” but “my people” is like working on a big puzzle; I’m trying every day to put the pieces together. <br />
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I am ably assisted by my recuperative care coordinator, Charlotte West. She guides me and keeps me sane <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte West</td></tr>
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by keeping all the spread sheets and statistics of recuperative care, by the loving and caring staff throughout Room In The Inn, from the staff who prepare our food, to direct care, to day center staff who provide case management consultation and support, and to our own workforce team who assist with job placement.<br />
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Last of all, the care provided for our friends and neighbors has been a gift from our wonderful partners, which include United Neighborhood Health's Downtown Clinic, Metro General Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Hospitals: Centennial, Skyline, Southern Hills & Summit, St. Thomas West and Midtown, MTMHI, Nashville Cares, and Comprehensive Care Center.<br />
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It is my privilege to serve.<br />
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Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-20857262509171861892014-06-03T11:10:00.003-07:002014-06-03T11:18:26.625-07:00Volunteer WorkdayDuring the summer, volunteers come in for a volunteer workday on the third Saturday of the month. We spend the better part of the morning doing work around the grounds to help give Room In The Inn a facelift after a hectic winter season.<br />
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This past work day we had groups come from Kentucky and different parts of Tennessee. They had projects to paint the storage cubbies, plant an herb garden, stripe the parking lot, and help clean the chairs in the dining room. It was a wonderful day to serve with people who support the mission of RITI (and help us look good too)!<br />
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We are thankful for our volunteers!<br />
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For more information contact, volunteer@roomintheinn.org<br />
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Gabbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01601590841591741721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-10335509943555521962014-04-17T14:40:00.000-07:002014-04-17T14:40:09.536-07:00Love, Fear, and Toenails In Your Hair<i>This entry was written by volunteer Scott Dannemiller, who blogs at <a href="http://theaccidentalmissionary.wordpress.com/">The Accidental Missionary</a>. He wrote this reflection a few years ago after participating in our foot clinic. We are re-posting it on this Maundy Thursday, a day when we remember love expressed through the washing of feet.</i><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">12 </span>When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.<span style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">13 </span>“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.<span style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">14 </span>Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. <span style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">15 </span>I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. <span style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">16 </span>Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. <span style="border: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 1; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">17 </span>Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13: 12-17</div>
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“You ready to go to lunch?” Gabby asked.</div>
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“Not yet.” I said. “I just need to pick a homeless man’s toenails out of my hair.”</div>
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She nodded in agreement. Like it was no big deal.</div>
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It was not a typical conversation. But today was not a typical day. </div>
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I beg forgiveness in advance for diving into a brief discussion of our year as missionaries in Guatemala. I know I’ve told the story a million times. Like the million times your dad told you how he used to be so poor that his mom packed baked bean sandwiches in his school lunchbox. OK. So maybe that’s just my dad. But the story bears repeating anyway. </div>
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About ten years ago, after spending roughly a decade in the corporate world, Gabby and I went a little looney, sold the house, sold the cars, and spent year serving as missionaries in Guatemala. Unfortunately, we didn’t save million orphans or cure malaria, but we did live with an amazing indigenous family of Mayan descent and learned more about the world than we could have ever imagined.</div>
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Prior to quitting our mission year, Gabby and I hadn’t done a lot of service, so when you embark on such a life-altering adventure your first shot out of the gate, it can leave you feeling a bit like Norah Jones whose first album won eight Grammy awards. </div>
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“That’s nice and all. But what have you done <em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">lately</em>?”</div>
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The answer? Not much.</div>
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Instead of feeling content with what could arguably be called a selfish year of service (yes, you read that right), I am left wondering what else I could do. How can I truly be selfless? What opportunities exist that could be God-centered enough to help rekindle a deep spiritual connection, while at the same time be challenging enough to scare the Baby Ruth out of me like Guatemala did?</div>
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I got my answer a few weeks ago in an email from my friend Jeff.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I have a great opportunity for you service-minded types. Nashville’s third annual Project Homeless Connect is coming up. I am coordinating <a href="http://www.roomintheinn.org/" sl-processed="1" style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Room In The Inn’s</a> foot clinic, and I need volunteers to help me. Volunteering would entail offering basic foot care–washing feet, clipping nails, and giving a foot massage. For anyone who is a little squeamish about feet, there are ways you can help as well. It really is not as bad as you might think.”</em></div>
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I had to read the email twice.</div>
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Is this a God-centered opportunity? Sure. The Bible says that Jesus performed just such a spa treatment for his disciples, complete with exfoliating brush and tea-tree oil (Book of John, paraphrase).</div>
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Is this a challenging/scary opportunity?</div>
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It depends.</div>
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I’m not sure where you stand on feet (pun intended). If you are a nurse, podiatrist, or hiding a foot fetish, this is right up your alley. You probably wouldn’t think twice. You could just go on auto-pilot for the day and handle hundreds of feet like a baker handles buns.</div>
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But me?</div>
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I have a long list of fears. Ignoring my OCD compulsion with the number 7 and multiples thereof, allow me to showcase just a few of them here. They appear in descending order, from heart-stopper to rash-inducer.</div>
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1. Eating food on or past the expiration date</div>
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2. Not having lip balm</div>
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3. Being trapped with a bad smell (except my own B.O., oddly enough)</div>
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4. Going a full day without showering</div>
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5. Hanging Christmas lights on the tallest gable of our house</div>
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6. Clipping the kids’ toenails</div>
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7. Forgetting to put on deodorant on a muggy day</div>
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7a. Tapioca pudding</div>
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7b. Being sweaty without a change of clothes nearby</div>
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7c. Confronting my wife about something when she’s stressed</div>
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As you can see, five or six of these have to do with hygiene in some form. And this service opportunity would have me facing several fears head-on. Then I read something else Jeff sent us.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Organizers are expecting between 1,500 and 2,000 people to receive important services that will help them on their journey toward obtaining housing. The foot clinic can be an important part of this process. Physical needs are met, but more importantly it is an experience of sanctuary for our guests, a place where they are cared for as individuals and experience a few moments of unconditional love and respect that can help sustain them in the difficult experience of homelessness”.</em></div>
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Here I am, worried about my crazy phobias while a human being. Flesh and blood. Has no home. No roof. No place to feel safe.</div>
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For me, it now becomes a simple question to be answered. </div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is love stronger than fear?</em></div>
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I sent Jeff an email to let him know that Gabby and I were in for the foot clinic. Granted, I hadn’t confirmed this with my wife, but I figured it was only fair that I sign her up for the opportunity since she is the strong half of our marital union, and strangely attracted to physical abnormalities of all sorts. A menagerie of corns and calluses could be right up her alley.</div>
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The day arrived, and Gabby held my hand as we walked into the building.</div>
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“Deep breaths,” she said. “No big deal.”</div>
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As soon as we entered, I immediately excused myself to the bathroom. Gabby supported me by stifling a giggle.</div>
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The event center was a large exhibit hall. It was an incredible sight. Different services and ministries had their own designated area. There was a place to get your hair cut. Another area for medical questions. A section for legal services. A place to get new ID’s. All things to help the homeless get back on their feet (pun intended). As we looked around the hall, the most startling thing is how it would have been next to impossible to distinguish the homeless from the volunteers had it not been for our free, brightly-colored T-shirts.</div>
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Children of God.</div>
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Then we found Jeff. He gave us a brief orientation. I figured I would start small. Maybe help people fill out the intake form then work my way up to washing the trimmers and pumice pads between sessions. You know. Ease my way into it.</div>
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Thirty seconds after removing my coat, Hillary, a volunteer coordinator, tapped me on the shoulder.</div>
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“We have a space open for foot care. Can you help out?”</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ding Ding! Round One begins. And Fear just hit Love below the belt!</em></div>
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My heart began to race. The next thing I knew, I was seated on a stool in front of a metal folding chair. On the floor was a washtub filled with warm water. Another volunteer came by and gave me three towels, rubber gloves, nail trimmers, a pumice stone, a nail file, soap and lotion.</div>
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“Do you need a cheat sheet?” he asked.</div>
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Speechless, I simply nodded.</div>
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He brought me the instructions. I tried to commit them to memory. </div>
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<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Soak feet. </li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wash feet with cleanser. </li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Clean out around and under toenails with cuticle stick. <em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Really?</em></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Clip nails. Be especially careful with diabetics. </li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Apply callus remover and scrub with pumice stone to remove calluses. <em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Not sure about that.</em></li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Massage feet with lotion. </li>
<li style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Try not to look like you’re going to soil yourself.</li>
</ol>
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OK. So the last one was mine.</div>
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When I was finished reading, he asked,</div>
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“Are you ready?”</div>
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I nodded.</div>
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“Then I’ll go bring you a client.”</div>
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I said a prayer. Not the prayer you might think. I prayed for God to settle my nerves. And perhaps, if it wasn’t too much trouble, he could do this by sending me a client with dainty, pretty feet. Like Jennifer Aniston. Or Halle Berry. Or Ashley Judd. </div>
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I’m not picky.</div>
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“Hi, this is Raymond.”</div>
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Raymond did not bear any resemblance to the aforementioned women, and had feet the size of canned hams. I shook his hand and gestured toward the chair before me.</div>
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“Make yourself comfortable.”</div>
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As Raymond removed his shoes, I asked him if he had any special requests or spots on his feet that needed special attention. Sore tendons? Twisted ankle, maybe? </div>
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As he removed his white athletic socks, he pointed to piggy #2 on his left foot.</div>
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“You see that one right there?”</div>
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“Yes,” I replied, gazing at a thick, discolored nail.</div>
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“That one has a fungus on it. If you could smooth that one out a bit, I’d appreciate it.”</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fear staggers Love with a right cross to the jaw!</em></div>
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I got right to work. Raymond and I chatted a bit. He was in construction, but lost his job in the economic downturn. Now he didn’t have a place to live. As I scrubbed his size twelves with Cetaphil cleanser, I smiled at the sight of myself. Here I was, a goofy, skinny, pale corporate consultant seated opposite a giant, homeless guy, caressing his sudsy feet. Not an image I could have conjured up just a few days before. But now, it had an air of normalcy to it.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Love stands up straight, ready to take on Fear once more!</em></div>
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Normal, until I started cleaning with the cuticle stick. I know my own feet can harbor a veritable treasure trove of goodies beneath each nail. But prospecting for gold underneath a stranger’s toenails is another adventure entirely. The big toe was particularly awe-inspiring.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Love takes an uppercut to the ribs!</em></div>
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After the cleaning was the clipping. This wasn’t a huge job, as Raymond took decent care of his feet. I moved on to buff out some rough spots with the pumice stone, and smoothed out the offending fungal nail with a file. Next up was the massage, and Raymond was very appreciative.</div>
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“Man, I spend a lot of time on my feet walking from place to place. This is just what I needed.”</div>
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Twenty five minutes after we started, Raymond was breathing a sigh of relief, looking more relaxed than before. He gathered his things and shook my hand.</div>
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He left with, “God bless you, sir,” and slowly walked away.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ding Ding! Round one is a draw. The fighters move to neutral corners.</em></div>
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With one client under my belt, I was gaining confidence. The churning in my belly was reduced to a gentle kneading.</div>
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My next client was Kathy. She was a heavy-set woman from Florida with brown curly hair who walked with some effort. She had only been in Nashville for the past two months, and was living at the women’s shelter. She had come to town to look for work and escape unspoken troubles. She was chatty at first, but as time went by, I caught her leaning back in the chair and closing her eyes. A soft smile drew across her cheeks.</div>
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“I don’t know if I ever remember someone taking care of me like this,” she said. “This is fantastic.”</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Love takes round two!</em></div>
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Thirty minutes later, I was tending to James, a wiry Tennessee native. Compared to Kathy and Raymond, his feet felt like they were filled with helium. James admitted he had never had anyone tend to his feet before. A proud man, he mentioned several times how he took very good care of himself, and was only sitting here because a friend recommended it. He talked about losing his factory job in the recession and living at the mission.</div>
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“I can’t go home and stay with my family. I just get in trouble there. If I can stay away from them, I’m much better off.”</div>
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In that moment I realized how tough this must be for the homeless. During the good times, you have a steady job and the means to put a roof over your head. Then something happens and the rug gets ripped out right beneath your tired feet. Now, you must swallow your pride and admit you can’t do it alone. I can only imagine how much I would resist that. Heck, I have a hard time admitting when I’ve had a bad day, much less anything worse. But here was James, reluctantly accepting grace. I easily saw myself in his chair.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fear is knocked on its heels in round three!</em></div>
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It was nearing lunch time, so I mentioned to the coordinator that I would take one more person before a quick break to grab a bite. James left with a handshake and I started to replenish my supplies.</div>
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“Hi. I’m Charles.”</div>
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Charles was about 6’3” with plenty of gray hair on his temples. I’m not sure of his age, but his skin showed that whatever years he had spent on the planet had been hard. He spoke in a rapid-fire staccato. He was missing several teeth, which gave him an interesting inflection that colored his speech with a mixture of lisp and drawl.</div>
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“Hey Charles. Nice to meet you. Take off your shoes and get comfortable. I’ll be right with you.”</div>
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As I said this, Gabby came by and tapped me on the shoulder. She had just finished with a client and heard that I was about to take a lunch.</div>
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“I’m just going to do one more and then I’m taking a break,” I said. “Could you get me a couple of fresh towels?”</div>
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Gabby obliged. I turned back toward Charles, who had removed his shoes.</div>
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“I want them two things gone!” He said with authority as he pointed to his left foot. When I looked down I couldn’t believe my eyes.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Just when Fear looked like it was down for the count, it connects with a right hook to Love’s jaw. Down goes Love! Down goes Love!</em></div>
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“It’s been years since I’ve done anything to that one there,” he said.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Years?</em></div>
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He wasn’t kidding. He touched the nail on his big toe, which, like all the other nails, had outgrown the limits of his shoes and retreated downward, covering the front of every toe like giant thimbles as thick as wooden spoons. The only thing that prevented them from growing even more was that the bottom of his foot had acted as a file of sorts. Otherwise, the nails would have covered the soles of his feet.</div>
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On his second toe was a growth the size of a marble. As he touched his big toenail and the growth, he repeated, “I want them two things gone.”</div>
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The expression on my face looked as if I had just seen a manatee riding a unicycle. Completely dumbfounded.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And the referee is counting! 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5 ,6 ,7 ,8… Is this the end of Love?!</em></div>
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Gabby came back with the towels. She saw Charles’ feet and said in a tone of great understatement,</div>
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“I’ll go help with intake. Let me know when you’re done.”</div>
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I turned toward the woman seated on the stool at my right. She was a registered nurse who had also been providing foot care throughout the morning. She heard my conversation with Charles.</div>
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“Anything special I need to do here?” I begged, secretly hoping she would take my case as a research project. She only giggled at my novice fear and said,</div>
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“Nothing special. Just trim the nails as best you can, and get a few medicated corn pads to help with the bump there.”</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And Love somehow staggers back to his feet!</em></div>
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Charles seemed pleased with the response and settled in, soaking his feet in the tub. Meanwhile, I was petrified. I scrubbed his feet with the special soap, hoping against hope that the concoction was something akin to Toenail Nair, which would just make them disappear in a flash of light.</div>
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No such luck.</div>
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After the soap, I was supposed to use the cuticle stick to get under the nails. I looked down at the poor stick, and I heard it faintly whimper, so I opted instead to work off the calluses with the pumice stone to allow each foot a bit more soaking time.</div>
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The rough side of the stone was like 100 grit sandpaper. Before I went to work, I asked Charles, “Let me know if this is too uncomfortable for you.”</div>
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He replied, “Ain’t nothin’ gonna’ hurt these big size thirteen canoes, boy. You doin’ a fine job. ”</div>
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I worked his foot like an auto body mechanic sanding paint off a Buick. The pumice wilted under the pressure. I commented to Charles,</div>
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“I think I may rub off a size or two of foot here Charles. When you walk out of here, you may be an eleven and a half.” </div>
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He laughed at the comment, and added, “Sho ‘nuff. It’s about time them feet had some work done on ‘em. This feels real good. I really appreciate you doing this.”</div>
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When the scrubbing was done, it was nail time. I steadied myself to tackle my fear head-on. When I grabbed the toenail trimmers, I saw the nurse glance my way. I believe she was watching to see if I would fold under the pressure.</div>
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I wasn’t sure exactly how to handle it. Because of the unique growth of the nails, there was no way to just take the nail off in one clip. I would have to whittle away at them, taking off a tiny chip at a time. The trimmers were the kind that look like a pair of pliers. I grabbed them firmly in my right hand and settled in on the first chunk of the first nail.</div>
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I may not be the strongest man in the world, but I’ve done my fair share of working out. Still, when I pressed down, the trimmers merely made an impression. Like I was notarizing his big toe. It didn’t budge.</div>
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Refusing to give in, I grabbed on with both hands and clamped down. There was a sound like someone snapping a pencil and the first chunk of nail flew off and hit the nurse in the cheek.</div>
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“Hold on there now!” Charles joked. “I don’t wanna’ be responsible for hurtin’ nobody.”</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What’s this?! Love lands a right cross to Fear!</em></div>
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I had to laugh, and so did the nurse. I continued chopping away at the nail. As Gabby can attest, the big toe alone took four minutes. Stuff was flying everywhere. The area around my seat looked as if someone had been carving one of those bear statues out of an old stump. Toenail chips hit me in the eye, the cheek, and the lower lip. My waxy hair care product, an unfortunate choice for the day, was trapping slivers in my coif. My hands got tired.</div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And Fear takes one on the chin! Up against the ropes! Will this be the end?!?!</em></div>
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As I worked, Charles continued to voice his appreciation, and an occasional hint that my grip might be a bit rough.</div>
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And God was blessing it all. Beauty for ashes, as they say.</div>
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Because as tough as this was for me, I can only imagine that it was ten times as difficult for him. If you have no money and no place to live, the last thing you’re concerned about is buying a pair of nail clippers. And when you look like Charles and live on the street, it’s likely that you could go weeks, if not months, without feeling the physical touch of another human, save for an occasional police officer lifting you off a bench and pointing you elsewhere for the night.</div>
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Can you imagine?</div>
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I can.</div>
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And it must be very lonely. Enough to make you feel less than human. Like I had treated Charles. As a pair of feet instead of a man with a soul.</div>
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When Charles’s feet were back to normal, I felt beads of sweat on my forehead. He looked at my handiwork and said,</div>
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“Those babies haven’t looked that good in years! Thank you!”</div>
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“We’re not done yet, Charles,” I reminded him. “We save the best for last.”</div>
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I poured peppermint-scented lotion into my hands, and got to work on the feet. For ten minutes they soaked up a quarter-bottle of the stuff. He leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes, and sighed. It was the sound of pure peace. Breathing in a pleasant scent. Both of us drenched in human kindness. Bringing a subtle smile to my face as fear melted into the floor. Proving once and for all, that when you push yourself to the edge of your faith.</div>
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No matter the odds.</div>
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Love wins. Every time.</div>
Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-69284476336284120152014-04-14T08:03:00.000-07:002014-04-14T08:03:13.922-07:00Welcome Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In March, 25 people moved into permanent housing through Room In The Inn. Twenty five people who once called the streets home, now have a home. Twenty. Five.<br />
As we transition into spring, our need has changed from
coats and
warm items to items that can help make a home for someone.<br />
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At Room In The Inn we want to provide hospitality, so every individual who moves into permanent housing receives a welcome home basket filled with necessities to start a home. We want to extend an invitation to our supporters to help us say "Welcome Home" to those moving into housing.<br />
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You can donate a complete Welcome Home Basket or contribute by donating a few items. It's a great project for youth groups, classes, or your group of friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhHVxPabarorU6J7b-QMIn2_Yvt9xyH5Yh31OeSieF8DCiSORk6wJmuvkQtdDatXBRLKhWJ_EzT-qiCY3i5sFNjl3K5E-uI5dDVvxdnw_WPr4jFoKB3n49uPgWqvopKgf8kCqUkmKSA8wTjjGRA69yd7xAxoK1DGjpkMl1nkis7VXt6KKZmr01TLcEt=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" photo riti_2_zps37c33fea.jpg" border="0" src="http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae251/gabbymooney/riti_2_zps37c33fea.jpg" /> </a></div>
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Here's a list of items that can help welcome someone home:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Laundry Basket</li>
<li>Full/Double Sheets and Blanket</li>
<li>Shower Curtain and hooks</li>
<li>Pots and Pans</li>
<li>Silverware and Kitchen Utensils</li>
<li>Bath Towels and Dish Towels</li>
<li>Paper Towels and Toilet Paper</li>
<li>Trash Can and Trash Bags (13 gallon)</li>
<li>Broom and Dust Pan</li>
<li>Cleaning Supplies </li>
<li>Dinner Ware (plates, bowls, cups, glasses for 4)</li>
<li>Kroger gift card</li>
<li>Be Creative! </li>
</ul>
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Let's join together to provide hospitality and welcome these individuals home. If you would like to learn more, please contact us at volunteer@roomintheinn.org or call 615.251.9791 Ext. 105</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilf2_M_6A4sSYL1LAiRGI2L5WoAEz26Kt0CYaaPSwJ3NxXXHHsVXzto7NeLiHVVfS8LED6k3rqiUUbMOjLw775JnB4KOtnpKwWOgdznqAW5lrkPiWczYOblgRrT-pSDWDJjWRRNSBWHBk/s1600/strobel0409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilf2_M_6A4sSYL1LAiRGI2L5WoAEz26Kt0CYaaPSwJ3NxXXHHsVXzto7NeLiHVVfS8LED6k3rqiUUbMOjLw775JnB4KOtnpKwWOgdznqAW5lrkPiWczYOblgRrT-pSDWDJjWRRNSBWHBk/s1600/strobel0409.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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by Charles Strobel</div>
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Room In The Inn Founding Director</div>
<br />Recently, several issues around workers’ rights have captured media headlines.<br /><br />Two local demonstrations, one regarding Publix stores, the other McDonald’s fast-food workers, had dozens of farm workers and employees standing in protest outside both establishments. At the same time, increasing minimum-wage legislation is gaining more state and national attention, and the recent union fight at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant is another example of the constant assault on “collective bargaining” around our nation.<br /><br />All these efforts are not surprising or new. They are rooted in a centuries-old struggle.<br /><br />If we go back 150 years, just as the Industrial Revolution was beginning, there were no “rights” for the ordinary worker. Millions of coal miners, railroad workers, factory workers and steel workers labored long hours in unsafe working conditions with little pay. Children were a part of that labor force. Horror stories abound of oppressive conditions with no relief in sight. Gradually, grievances began to rise up out of the poorest among them, and the labor movement began.<br /><br />Think back 100 years and consider a world of labor without child labor laws, health and safety standards, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, a 40-hour week, a minimum wage, health insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacations and the right to organize into unions. There was none of these 100 years ago.<br /><br />We are riding on the waves of the success of a labor revolution that had thousands of poor people die for these rights and privileges. And history shows that all the industrial barons — who today are our philanthropic heroes — did not give those benefits freely and generously. They were mandated by government or the pressures of a violent labor movement.<br /><br />Today these rights that were fought for and defended by an earlier workforce are seen as benefits and privileges that every good company wants to provide freely, without unions, to maintain worker morale and keep attrition rates low. Many employers believe that these benefits contribute to better customer service and job performance. And doesn’t it make sense that they would increase quality workmanship? These benefits are a form of “profit sharing” to workers, a way that owners can reward workers for helping their companies achieve success. And it removes the stigma of slave labor that still exists in our country and other parts of our world in sweatshops and migrant fields.<br /><br />Of course, the costs for such benefits have increased, and this remains the basis for attacking “collective bargaining.” These costs can be a legitimate “pushback” from management at the negotiating table, but what seems more serious is the desire to deny the right to collective bargaining itself.<br /><br />I believe this struggle for worker rights — now ironically central to the revolutions in the Middle East — is another beacon for the world to emulate when it looks to our American experiment in democratic governance. We are indebted to several generations of workers more than 100 years ago for fighting and dying to secure these rights. Without their sacrifice, we would still be slaves to a laissez-faire economy depending on its own self-correcting market forces that history shows never has trickled down voluntarily for the worker.Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-77629014155323059422014-04-02T11:35:00.001-07:002014-04-02T14:01:28.198-07:00National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day<style>
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April 2 marks National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, and I’m
sure everyone holds a fond memory of this childhood classic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me it reminds me of summer pool
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this day I still crave a
PB&J sandwich when I’m at the pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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In 2002 a survey revealed that the average PB&J loving
American eats 1,500 sandwiches before graduating high school! No wonder this
sandwich gets its own day.</div>
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At Room In The Inn, this sandwich holds a special place in
our heart because, for us, it all started with a peanut butter and jelly
sandwich.</div>
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28 years ago our founding director, Charles Strobel, then a
priest in East Nashville, began offering hospitality in his own way by
providing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to those in need. </div>
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That hospitable act grew into him welcoming those sleeping
in the church parking lot and on the steps of his parish in for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In December 1987, four congregations
committed to welcoming those who were homeless into their congregation for
shelter.</div>
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Today we have more than 175 congregations, representing many
faith traditions, engaging in this ministry inspired by God’s love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the winter nights, they provide
hospitality and hope to men, women, and children in Middle Tennessee.</div>
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So let’s raise a sandwich to
today, and honor the hospitality that all started with this simple sandwich.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjgQ9i8xv7I0gTMC8X9zxwUok49LtmJ6pDvCBpM314MuDlEm3hueynQHJxQPXFl8ckGCCh12_WHd_tekwPUzZJu41EZ00z5zKXMuSqQeCzlyJFJYCEULyBDYKFrgAbQAfoTcXpm0XANLrhSvai0f1jKn-iaz46THZ6bpSOFgnv6CgkKQ5vfV1VrMyq67Yo=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" photo SAM_0960_zpsadf4a4cb.jpg" border="0" src="http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae251/gabbymooney/SAM_0960_zpsadf4a4cb.jpg" /></a></div>
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Want to celebrate PB&J day on your own? You can go
traditional or check out our <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/roomintheinn/peanut-butter-jelly-recipes/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> for some unique PB&J recipes!</div>
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by T.J. Piccolo</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">T.J. is serving on the Hope University team at Room In The Inn this year through the <a href="http://www.pcusa.org/yav">Young Adult Volunteer program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)</a>.</span></i></div>
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Working with the homeless can be tough for me at times, especially when I first started. I just now feel like I'm over the "new guy" hump of the camel. Now some people know me, and when they have a problem, without looking at my name tag, they shout at me by name! Oh, what a wonderful feeling it is, indeed!</div>
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But truthfully, I am only half-kidding. Now some people will come to me when they are upset <u><b>BECAUSE WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP. THIS IS A BIG DEAL BOLD UNDERLINE ALL CAPS.</b></u></div>
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When you first start, no one knows your name and they all assume you know nothing or that you are a volunteer. In my case, they were right on both counts, and, as I am a slow learner, they continue to be right sometimes. But now they no longer tell me that they don't want to talk to me but that they do want to talk to a former employee who hasn't worked at Room In The Inn for several months. Now sometimes they want to talk to me! And I owe it to these 9 easy things.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMvLIGAYT-jQjv_JDcUlhx-EHysMOOyY3Wqvsi_ow3w_SaXzKGGJdzM9UAl9KoRTJyrOot8d74oJVwFn2bNr-hhJQTgDz9JJnRN5nVM7gr9Y5boRYm0a6xvjd3VkKaP3QikssMN-WZ2Y/s1600/Me,+Jeff,+and+Kenya+YAVA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIMvLIGAYT-jQjv_JDcUlhx-EHysMOOyY3Wqvsi_ow3w_SaXzKGGJdzM9UAl9KoRTJyrOot8d74oJVwFn2bNr-hhJQTgDz9JJnRN5nVM7gr9Y5boRYm0a6xvjd3VkKaP3QikssMN-WZ2Y/s1600/Me,+Jeff,+and+Kenya+YAVA.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T.J. (second from right) with friends at Room In The Inn<br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thing #1: Name Recognition</b></span></div>
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[This is a fictional example. I do not know a participant named Zoolu, even though I wish I did.]</div>
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"What's up, Zoolu?! How's your morning?!?!" I ask (sometimes) enthusiastically and smiley, whilst extending a friendly fist.</div>
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"All right, T.J.," says low-key, cool Zoolu.</div>
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"All right!" Says me, very excited about the fist bump I am receiving.</div>
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"All right," says Zoolu. He does not stop as he gives the dorky volunteer-for-a-year that tries too hard the fist bump, and keeps on walking.</div>
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Sometimes that is all my relationship is with a participant. But it becomes routine in the best way possible. Even though many Zoolu's are laid back, I can still tell they are appreciative of the name recognition. It helps with a lot of things. We can stick up for each other. If a participant is giving me a hard time, Zoolu can tell them to chill and that I'm just trying to help. If Zoolu has a day where he is letting out frustration in a negative way, I can pull Zoolu aside and ask him what's up, because I know him and I've never seen him act like this before. He might calm down a little bit and tell me what's up because we know each other.</div>
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But the name recognition is crucial. Zoolu is not just another face in the crowd to me, nor am I to him. I give him his mail without asking for his name. I know him, thus he is known at Room In The Inn.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK0wvnEcTQTh4gse9cAN9Ti3U93OePnaIh7gnA7c6v1eID2hiljc6Hu7oOq0_TCSdnM_ehXrw7XpfKcBpXyMY1YwFf98FfesC2f8qnzd15tk5DUXAs4DHxXK9HJs1BfVKdR3QRvTsYi8/s1600/Jay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK0wvnEcTQTh4gse9cAN9Ti3U93OePnaIh7gnA7c6v1eID2hiljc6Hu7oOq0_TCSdnM_ehXrw7XpfKcBpXyMY1YwFf98FfesC2f8qnzd15tk5DUXAs4DHxXK9HJs1BfVKdR3QRvTsYi8/s1600/Jay.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stylish Room In The Inn staffer Jay</td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thing #2: Compliments</span></b></div>
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Sometimes the general public is not so friendly. I'm not saying the general public is mean, but I'm not saying the general public is warm either. So a simple compliment can go a long way. Genuine ones go even further.</div>
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Some people in the homeless community take whatever clothes they can get, and do not always get the chance to choose what they wear. So often times, I give them a compliment on what they are wearing.</div>
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"Oh, I like your hat!"</div>
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"Looking sharp today!"</div>
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"I'm digging the scarf."</div>
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I've seen compliments like this perk people right up. It has probably become my best ice breaker with women participants.</div>
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"Thank ya, baby! It keeps my hair dry and matches everything!" Exclaim multiple women participants.</div>
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Obviously, I don't leave the compliments to physical appearance. I like to give props when people teach me about Nashville or tell me something new, or educate me, or tell me how they are trying to better themselves, or how far they have come, or what have you. I try to give compliments whenever I can about whatever I can.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxANAkM4THZ3ptoeE9gHyamz9of4_6OdAb0EwQFAL7QXQqVlMWkgGqZmVZDA7EQ0-kIp7dOvWlcM3DyfTsKfxNYPQPo3kOLvd8U5zQihYbHX3R-fuKqLliUB6twMxxjgNVZAZB-3F99uw/s1600/Laundry+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxANAkM4THZ3ptoeE9gHyamz9of4_6OdAb0EwQFAL7QXQqVlMWkgGqZmVZDA7EQ0-kIp7dOvWlcM3DyfTsKfxNYPQPo3kOLvd8U5zQihYbHX3R-fuKqLliUB6twMxxjgNVZAZB-3F99uw/s1600/Laundry+Room.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Laundry Room</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thing #3: Folding Laundry</span></b></div>
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When you work at Room In The Inn, folding laundry is encouraged, but I've been told before that you don't have to do it. Most employees do it anyway. It goes a long way, even when participants don't want their clothes folded (which is rare). There have been a few times when people receive their clean laundry and they are shocked about the folded laundry. I've seen people blush over it. No exaggeration.</div>
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"You folded it for me?"</div>
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Heck yeah, we did! We try to keep your shirts wrinkle-free for your benefit because we love you!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYpPPfkXRKmFwspFMEEQXMES76xdFYtZV1oOVkXOaAX4WW8Rj1FsEodBUUdYcMxPsMTP2uw59UFVSs6A4cK2MhGPoRmSi24SRa_gZ2rmBQY6wcG0kkqoGOupvKXNx-jZKB0saL9XA3O4/s1600/Mailroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYpPPfkXRKmFwspFMEEQXMES76xdFYtZV1oOVkXOaAX4WW8Rj1FsEodBUUdYcMxPsMTP2uw59UFVSs6A4cK2MhGPoRmSi24SRa_gZ2rmBQY6wcG0kkqoGOupvKXNx-jZKB0saL9XA3O4/s1600/Mailroom.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Room In The Inn receives mail for 1,000+ people.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thing #4: Double-Checking Mail</span></b></div>
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There are many times a participant will ask me to double check for their mail even though I just looked through the pile and didn't see their name. I can be 100% sure that this person's mail has not yet arrived, but I will look through the pile again anyway.</div>
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A participant can be looking for something very important: a paycheck, a social security card, a birth certificate, an ID, a food stamp card, etc. These things are essential for finding housing, jobs, food, etc. If I can ease intensity and anxiety by looking for a person's mail again, then I will. It never hurts to check twice, and even if it still isn't there the second time, the participant knows these things:</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I looked for it again (even if there is a long line behind them)</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I care enough to look again</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I want them to receive their important mail</div>
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I am on their side</div>
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To put it simply, they appreciate it, and they remember it.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thing #5: Empower & Encourage</span></b></div>
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A former coworker at Room In The Inn gave me some of the excellent advice I will never forget:</div>
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"Do not do for others what they can do for themselves."</div>
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Obviously, this does not mean something like "Do not hold the door open for a man in a wheelchair just because he can do it himself." It means there are things participants can do themselves that they will ask staff to do for them. But if the participants do these things, they will feel empowered that they did it themselves.</div>
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"Please go get me some cough drops," Zoolu says to me as I was walk by. He is sitting in a chair where he is a few feet from the support desk. He can easily go to the support desk and ask the staff behind the desk for some cough drops himself.</div>
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"You got legs, Zoolu!" I joke back in a serious tone as I walk away, leaving him to get his own cough drops.</div>
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It is the small things.</div>
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"I'll help you with the application, but you have to fill it out yourself."</div>
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Sometimes it is encouragement.</div>
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"Hey! You're just sitting right now. Why don't you go take a class so you can get points for that laundry voucher you said you wanted earlier?"</div>
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"You don't have to wait until tomorrow. Job Search is still open for another half hour. You should go give it a try. They'll walk you through whatever pace you need."</div>
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"Okay, so they didn't hire you, but at least you did the best you could at the interview! It's not like you're just sitting around wasting time. You are actively looking for housing and a job. You're doing great. Keep going. Something is bound to turn up."</div>
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Being homeless can be a hard cycle to break. Encouragement and empowerment can remind participants that it is not impossible to break.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hhpOG5gn-qKuXblMvmOhxxbZSwdHa61T8MDCnD_WbNcTO1Dn0RdK5GRqjrs0lwqnBq5QHDMrA0-jmkRm-5Exr-EVFRwwB-81UDU7aykfZ0QzZ1rkrwQ4ZW0MM_VRE6atyQmdJSJQFJ0/s1600/Jesse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hhpOG5gn-qKuXblMvmOhxxbZSwdHa61T8MDCnD_WbNcTO1Dn0RdK5GRqjrs0lwqnBq5QHDMrA0-jmkRm-5Exr-EVFRwwB-81UDU7aykfZ0QzZ1rkrwQ4ZW0MM_VRE6atyQmdJSJQFJ0/s1600/Jesse.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesse, who works in our education department, is an encouraging fellow.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thing #6: An Inside Joke</span></b></div>
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Naturally, humor is an important element when working with the homeless. The environment can become heavy and/or gloomy otherwise. Take it a step further and build a small, lighthearted joke between you and an individual or small group of participants. That way you have an inside joke.</div>
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I have one inside joke where a participant is a king, so I play the "trumpet" for him whenever he approaches me. Another participant, who is Spanish speaking, often says something lighthearted to tease to me, at which I will shake my head at him because I have no idea what he is saying. Another participant jokes that I steal his things. One participant calls me "mailman."</div>
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So on and so forth. It always gives us something to laugh about.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thing #7: Dancing</span></b></div>
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I have moves that just won't quit, and it always gives the participants something to cheer about.*</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*or, more commonly, something to complain about.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8toJ8e-LfIgMIb856EbxaqHKm63QvxHPfGXKHGFYCu4SGRUBKp7IRhmSliR-rYufTh1EMUVFPQPz31aEezdKq3-RI4PlOrJnwU5SGAlT-HzHgSNy5gkn8cT7ypGk5FTbCL7bMULqC_eE/s1600/View+From+RITI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8toJ8e-LfIgMIb856EbxaqHKm63QvxHPfGXKHGFYCu4SGRUBKp7IRhmSliR-rYufTh1EMUVFPQPz31aEezdKq3-RI4PlOrJnwU5SGAlT-HzHgSNy5gkn8cT7ypGk5FTbCL7bMULqC_eE/s1600/View+From+RITI.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Room In The Inn</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Thing #8: Listening</b></span></div>
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Stupid jokes. Sad tales. Complaints. Personal history. Important life lessons. God moments. Failed relationships. The past. The future. Goals. Hopes. Grief. Appreciation.</div>
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These are all things that are communicated by a participant in their body language or in conversation. Sometimes directly, sometimes paraphrased. Most times, all they want is to be heard.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thing #9: Remembering</span></b></div>
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Remember what you listened to.</div>
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If you remember a participant saying they had a death in the family, ask them how they are doing or find a way to show them love.</div>
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If you remember that a participant needs gloves, tell them where there are gloves.</div>
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Remember participants that have passed and honor them.</div>
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The list goes on.</div>
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Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-32098025997419604322014-02-20T09:20:00.000-08:002014-02-20T09:20:17.263-08:00Complex and Connected: What causes chronic homelessness?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDguAUoIiYfKBpggUcy2kxjrxiUrxpkbZRpPacY2JxGbKhIWx540VpArYTKFc1ZzeLK8-V8zn1NoBcY0j-KZ2zsijq9J8GsDJRZAZvJKSX6WNDv8N_VSnejBxhPd-6M0raqx6ZyjnOzI/s1600/faceofrecovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDguAUoIiYfKBpggUcy2kxjrxiUrxpkbZRpPacY2JxGbKhIWx540VpArYTKFc1ZzeLK8-V8zn1NoBcY0j-KZ2zsijq9J8GsDJRZAZvJKSX6WNDv8N_VSnejBxhPd-6M0raqx6ZyjnOzI/s1600/faceofrecovery.jpg" height="387" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br />The causes of homelessness are complex and connected to one another. Listed are some of the reasons that people who come from a wide variety of backgrounds find themselves on the streets. The chronically homeless invariably suffer from a combination of these factors.<br /><br /><br /><b>Mental Illness</b><br /><br />Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other severe and persistent mental illness;<br /><br /><b>Physical Disabilities</b><br /><br />Profound injuries, illness, birth defects, or socially debilitating physical traits (such as disfigurement, dental deficiencies, or obesity caused by a “survival” mentally);<br /><br /><b>Educational Deficiencies</b><br /><br />The inability to read/write, the lack of basic academic kills or no high school diploma;<br /><br /><b>Severe Trauma</b><br /><br />History of sexual or physical abuse, combat, catastrophic loss of family, or a similar traumatic event;<br /><br /><b>Addiction</b><br /><br />Drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, and other addictions;<br /><br /><b>Severe Family Dysfunction</b><br /><br />Abusive parents, broken homes, and/or multiple residences/caregivers;<br /><br /><b>No Family or Significant Support System</b><br /><br />Total lack of family or support systems due to death, alienation, or institutional childhood;<br /><br /><b>Learning Disabilities</b><br /><br />Dyslexia, ADHD and other disorders that interfere with education and life functioning;<br /><br /><b> Developmental Disabilities </b><br /><br />Low IQ or brain damage that hinders intellectual functioning; <br /><br /><b>Criminal History </b><br /><br />Existence of a criminal record that seriously limits opportunity; <br /><br /><b>Limited Occupational Skill Set </b><br /><br />Inability to do anything beyond the most basic manual labor; <br /><br /><b>Transportation Deficiencies </b><br /><br />Inability to purchase, maintain, insure, or legally drive a car or obtain transportation through public or private means; <br /><br /><b>Life Skill Deficiencies </b><br /><br />Inability to manage the most basic life functions such as hygiene, housing, transportation, and interpersonal relationships; <br /><br /><b>Prior Long-Term Institutionalization </b><br /><br />Extended stays in foster care, juvenile institutions, mental hospitals, prison, or other institution; <br /><br /><b>Generational Poverty </b><br /><br />Two or more generations of family dependent on public assistance or charity for basic living needs that has fostered an attitude of hopelessness; <br /><br /><b>System Navigation </b><br /><br />Inability to effectively navigate Government and Social Service Agencies; <br /><br /><b>Cognitive Disability </b><br /><br />Impairment to how a person thinks reacts to emotions or behaviors, inability to problem solve, lack of understanding of consequences of ones actions, emotional immaturity, the all or nothing thought process, inability to manage life, impairment of mental process of knowing, including aspects such as reasoning and judgment <br /><br /><b> Generational Poverty </b><br /><br />Two or more generations of family dependent on public assistance or charity for basic living needs that has fostered an attitude of hopelessness; <br /><br /><b>System Navigation </b><br /><br />Inability to effectively navigate Government and Social Service Agencies; <br /><br /><b>Cognitive Disability </b><br /><br />Impairment to how a person thinks reacts to emotions or behaviors, inability to problem solve, lack of understanding of consequences of ones actions, emotional. <br /><br /> Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-13352371160095892562014-01-30T11:44:00.001-08:002014-01-31T12:37:16.671-08:0010 Ways You Can Get InvolvedInterested in volunteering with Room In The Inn? You will join thousands of Middle Tennesseans who have decided to give of their time and talent to support people on the journey home. The life you change will be your own.<br />
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Here are ten great ways to get involved.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Serve at your congregation’s
winter shelter.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">More
than 6,000 Nashvillians work to shelter their homeless neighbors in 180 area
congregations November 1-March 31 of each year.
Volunteers cook and serve meals, visit with guests, and serve as
overnight innkeepers. Contact your
congregation to see how you can get involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Inspire recovery.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
need people in recovery from addiction to help lead 12-step meetings for our
participants seeking sobriety from drugs and alcohol. To get involved in our recovery programs,
come to the next <a href="http://roomintheinn.org/shine-your-light">volunteer orientation</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Think outside the box.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We are much more than a place to sleep and eat. Volunteers at Room In The Inn perform music in our cafe, lead our songwriters sessions, and care for people in our foot clinic. We also have a rooftop garden that needs tending. The idea for many of our most successful creative programs came from volunteers like you, so share your ideas with us. Come to the next <a href="http://roomintheinn.org/shine-your-light">volunteer orientation</a> to get plugged in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Provide support to those in
crisis.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Our
activity center volunteers assist at the support desk, help operate our Fresh
Start Laundry service, distribute toiletries for showers, and spend time
getting to know those facing homelessness.
Come to the next <a href="http://roomintheinn.org/shine-your-light">volunteer orientation</a> to get involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">5. Educate others about
homelessness.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Invite
someone from the Room In The Inn community to speak to your congregation,
class, or other group. We are happy to
help educate others about the experiences of the homeless community and how
Room In The Inn seeks to meet its needs.
<a href="mailto:volunteer@roomintheinn.org">Contact</a> our community development team to schedule a speaker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">6. Sponsor a donation drive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hold
a special event to collect toiletries, over-the-counter medications, socks, toys for our Christmas toy store, or
other items we need. This is a great way
to get your co-workers, classmates, or family involved in helping those
struggling with homelessness. <a href="mailto:volunteer@roomintheinn.org">Contact</a> Room
In The Inn’s community development team for more information about current
needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">7. Empower others to experience
lifelong learning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Volunteers
in our Hope University adult education program offer classes on a variety of
topics from job training to art to exercise.
They also help organize and operate our store, which offers participants
an extra incentive to go to class. To
get involved in our innovative education program, head to the next <a href="http://roomintheinn.org/shine-your-light">volunteer orientation</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">8. Help our participants experience
a wider world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Help
host an on-site special event, a book club, or coffee house night. Or, invite guests in our transitional
programs to join you for a concert, sporting event, or other special
event. <a href="mailto:volunteer@roomintheinn.org">Contact</a> our community development team if you are interested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">9. Serve up a nutritious meal.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
serve at least 1,095 meals each year at our downtown Campus. That’s three a day. We seek to feed not only the body, but the
soul through good hospitality. If your
group is interested in providing a meal, take a look at <a href="http://roomintheinn.org/sites/default/files/2013%20Meal%20Opportunities.pdf" target="_blank">this document</a> for more
information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">10. See hope in action.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Come
take a tour of our downtown Campus and see for yourself what happens at our
nationally-recognized comprehensive center for people struggling with
homelessness. <a href="mailto:volunteer@roomintheinn.org">Contact</a> our community
development team to schedule a tour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4753889635225116152.post-74677394600524384972014-01-28T12:43:00.001-08:002014-01-28T12:43:48.282-08:00Room In The Inn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Room In The Inn is in its 28th season of providing shelter for the homeless in area congregations. 180 congregations are participating, representing Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, the Churches of Christ, Episcopal, Catholic, Adventist, Lutheran, evangelical, Jewish, Unitarian, Disciples of Christ, Congregationalist, Nazarene, African Methodist Episcopal, and nondenominational communities. All come together to provide the grace of hospitality under the common theme of God's unconditional love for all people, especially the poor and dispossessed.<br />
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Room In The Inn is a simple concept addressing a complex problem. It starts with building relationships of trust and respect in an atmosphere of non-violence. It believes in the power of love offered in one-to-one encounters with one another.<br />
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Because so many new people have arrived in the Nashville area since Room In The Inn's inception in 1986, it may be helpful to discuss what Room In The Inn is not and what it is. Then, perhaps, more new volunteers and congregations will want to become involved.<br />
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Room In The Inn is not an attempt to resolve all of the issues of the homeless. The problems are too deep and too personal.<br />
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Room In The Inn is not a program where a congregation takes one or more homeless people "under wing," providing them with economic assistance, job training, and personal spiritual direction. These gifts can be offered in time as relationships develop.<br />
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Room In The Inn is not about establishing another large shelter downtown where hundreds of people are cared for nightly.<br />
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And it is not about boards of directors or major fund-raising campaigns for capital projects.
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What is it?<br />
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Room In The Inn is a way for more people to understand the problems of the homeless by becoming directly involved with people who are homeless.<br />
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Room In The Inn is a means through which congregations of every faith open their facilities to welcome 12-15 homeless people as guests on cold winter nights.<br />
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Room In The Inn is about changing people, guests and hosts alike. It creates the opportunity for the guests to learn that there are people who care and for the hosts to come to understand that the faceless figure on the street corner is more than a statistic and that there are solutions.<br />
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Room In The Inn is about serving without prejudice or pride. It is about accepting everyone.<br />
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Room In The Inn is not about giving; it is about receiving. It is about everyone, both guests and hosts, receiving a blessing-- an encounter with God in the midst of suffering, hardship, pain and grief.<br />
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Room In The Inn is an opportunity, not an answer. It is an experience, not a solution. In short, Room In The Inn is an opportunity to experience the presence of God in a different way.<br />
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Finally, Room In The Inn gets its name from a story in the Bible about a family coming to Bethlehem and not finding any room in the inn. We cannot go back in history 2,000 years and change that story. But what we can do in Nashville each evening we are open is to change that story’s ending by providing room in the inn.
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As 200 plus people come every night for shelter, we often change that story’s ending. The colder it gets, the more we fail. Despite over 30,000 nights of shelter offered last winter, there were many nights when we turned away between 80-100. Despite 180 congregations participating—a priceless gift to our community—there are many congregations that are not.
Please consider helping out in your congregation or, better still, trying to recruit other congregations to be involved. It will change your life.Jeff Moleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14603619623245881177noreply@blogger.com1