43rd meal served this morning.

There were more people than ever in the park this morning, but God was faithful and we had enough food to share. (We are now taking enough cold water and orange juice to give everyone two of each.) Even at 6:30 a.m., it was already brutally hot. Back in the winter, it seemed unbearable to think how those who are homeless could handle the cold weather. But now that it is summer, it breaks our hearts to think about how they deal with the excessive heat, humidity, irregular thunderstorms, and bugs without having shelter. After we returned home today, we learned that the city had opened a cooling station at Boutwell Auditorium, which is adjacent to the park, so that folks had a place to get out of the heat.

The people who come to the park regularly trust that we will be there, and we take this responsibility seriously. It is so neat to see the relationships that God is growing during our time each week. We look forward to the day when we can welcome our friends into our air-conditioned restaurant. (We are continuing to trust God’s timing for that.) Every week, the needs represented by those in the park seem overwhelming. However as we talk to those who gather, the depravity in all of our lives serves as common ground—we all need a Savior and are hopelessly lost without God’s amazing grace.

Please pray for the precious people in the park as they deal with the weather. Pray for their safety. So many of them are seeking employment and places to live; pray that they will find both. Thank you for your investment in this ministry. Soli Deo Gloria!