Here's a letter from the Covenant House

[Jonah2005]

Here's a letter from the Covenant House & I would like to share it with all of you. *genesis! :rose:
Dear Friend,
Tommy stood motionless in front of our Covenant House tree last year as Christmas happened all around him. The other kids opened presents and sang, trying valiantly to forget they were spending Christmas in a homeless shelter, but Tommy never moved an inch. Except for his eyes.

As Tommy stared at the tree, he squinted his eyes half-shut, and then opened them wide. Again and again. I asked if he was ok, if maybe he had a headache and wanted to see our nurse.

A timid smile came across Tommy’s face. “No, Sister, I’m fine,” he said. “I didn’t think anyone would notice.” And then he told me how he spent last Christmas.
I told him I didn’t think it was dumb at all. And I told him how happy I was that he was safe and off the streets and able to enjoy a real tree at Christmas. And then I gave him a hug and welcomed Tommy to our family — yours and mine.

Tommy and thousands of kids like him end up in the shadows of our inner cities, small outlines of skin and bones, attached to an alley dumpster, or a park bench. And when darkness falls, they become shadows that disappear into scary places most of us will never see, or even imagine.

we get closer to December 25th, I keep wondering if this year, more kids than ever before will come to us this Christmas. And I’m praying that by sending a gift today you will help me keep the sacred covenant we have made with all the children who will desperately need God’s love at Christmas — and every day.

Each year, I’m reminded that Christmas is the time of year when the kids at Covenant House are most vulnerable. You can’t pretend everything is okay when you are at a homeless shelter on Christmas.

But I believe with all my heart that these boys and girls are precious in God’s eyes. It’s hard to tell that to a homeless street kid on Christmas. And if we continue to show them you and others haven’t forgotten them, they will realize that God’s love still surrounds them every day of the year.

Thank you for bringing love and joy and hope into the lives and hearts of our kids. I am very grateful for how hard you try to keep Christmas love alive for these children all year round.

May God be with you,
Sister Patricia A. Cruise, S.C.
President
P.S. I wish you and your loved ones the most joyful Christmas ever.

 

[Chad]

Thank you for sharing sister. I hope those who can afford to give will give this season and remember there are homeless, dying, sick, hopeless, hurting, hungry people outside your warm, cozy, food/family filled home.

Matthew 25:36-40

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

 

[Jonah2005]

Thank you for sharing sister. I hope those who can afford to give will give this season and remember there are homeless, dying, sick, hopeless, hurting, hungry people outside your warm, cozy, food/family filled home.

Matthew 25:36-40

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Well said Chad! For if you truly believe in those Words & act on them, then I truly believe that GOD has Blessed you! Thank for sharing the scriptures with me! It's feels so good when others share & remind me what the Lord Christ Jesus said. I don't get to hear it at home often enough!
I to know what it's like to be homeless or a runaway! For my whole teenhood life I was a constent runaway. So, I've seen & been through alot of what these troubled children have witnessed in their little lives, and my heart truly cries for them & they are in my prayers. Thank you, for your reply, it was a wounderful reply! *genesis!