Just imagine, if there were no places for struggling people to have a
peaceful meal.
Let me draw you an illustration.
Mike & Maureen were born in the 60's.
Mike has worked for most of his adult life at JC Penny's. He grosses
$36,000.00 a year. He decided to go to college and get an associates
degree part time at night and continue working fulltime at the store.
It took him 4 years. JC Penny gave him a $1.00 an hour raise when he
got his Associates degree.
He had a modest room for over 12 years, no family. He was fortunate
to be able to buy a car and keep it maintained. He has never been
arrested, and pays his bills on time.
He takes a two week vacation every year and spends most of his
savings on that vacation. He has traveled to places most people
don't ever get to go to.
He dates rarely and he happens to be a really nice guy. He is just
poor.
Maureen on the other hand bought a house when she was 21, from the
insurance left her when her mother died.
She too has no living family. She works in a shoe store chain outlet
and makes about $40,000.00 a year. She was married once and now
divorced.
She has an 11 year old son with a childhood disorder. She has no
mortgage and becasue she owns the home, can not qualify for most
assistance programs.
She has a high school diploma, and some college - no degree.
Both these people work, neither drinks, nor does drugs. Neither have
broken the law.
and they are not living together, they dont even know each other. I
know them. How do I know them, they need help from time to time and
have turned to me.
So before you all start thinking that only pedofiles, and drug
addicts are the ones who need mission and shelters and the like you
better thank your lucky stars or you're higher powers that you do not
need a mission to turn to from time to time.
Any way both Mike and Maureen stopped by to say hi this year as is
their custom, Maureen needed some holiday food and this year Mike
wanted to do something for me.
Maureen cried because she promised her son something for this
christmas that was out of her budget. Her taxes went up 28% in the
last 2 years. Utilities went up 11%, but what killed the budget was
gas going over $3.00 for most of the past year.
Real people, good people, disadvantaged? Or just "unlucky" - How
about, just plain poor.
God Bless those in need this year, May the Lord deliver them from the
judgement of mankind.
Rev. Kevin Brown
Lighthouse Mission
Long Branch, NJ
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