Baton Rouge homeless outreach

This past weekend was a great time of ministry and meeting new friends. We traveled to Baton Rouge, La., to minister to the homeless with the Healing Place Church and Baton Rouge Dream Center. It was our first trip to Baton Rouge, and we plan on making many more trips there.

We loaded our cargo trailer Friday morning with about 400 pairs of new boots, then drove nearly seven hours to Baton Rouge. Our new friends, two brothers -Vincent and Franko - allowed us to stay in their beautiful home and treated us with great southern hospitality. Everyone we met there was great. They all have wonderful hearts for the homeless, and they have the love and respect of the homeless.

We handed out about 150-175 pairs of boots as we drove throughout the city - under bridges, the levee of the Mississippi River, and parking lots. It was great watching the homeless put on their new boots and smile. Some even threw away their old shoes. We made sure everyone's boots fit. New socks were also given out, and chili was served for lunch.

One homeless man told me he had just landed a job working in a warehouse and he needed new boots for his new job. "These are exactly what I need," he said with a big smile. He saw God's provision, and he was very thankful.

We prayed with a lot of the homeless about a number of needs. It's always a great blessing when they pray for us too.

I want to say a special "thank you" to Justin Swasey for organizing this outreach. Justin in on our Love In Action board of directors, and he does a lot for us. He is a great man of God with a tremendous heart for the homeless.

Also, a big "thank you" to Craig at the Baton Rouge Dream Center for giving us large pallets of water and Gatorade. The Dream Center loaded our cargo trailer after we unloaded all of the boots. Wow! What a great blessing. Thanks!

I also want to thank Emily and Charolette from Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Taylor, Ala., for driving to Baton Rouge to take part in this great outreach.

And, a big "thank you" to my precious wife. She is an amazing woman of God. To see her ministering the love of Jesus to the homeless is awesome.

And, thanks to all of you who pray for us and give financially. We couldn't do what we do without you. Thanks and God bless.