There has been widespread media attention to the homeless camp known as “Tent City” in Lakewood,NJ. However, few of us in Toms River, NJ know the extent of the homeless problem behind our shopping centers, our patches of woods and our run down motels. Over the next few months, I will utilize the local web platform of the Toms River Patch to personally relate the stories and the plight of those who spiritually and literally can be called “our neighbor” right here in Toms River. Prejudice filters our thoughts from seeing the true individual and their God given talent and purpose. The face of homelessness must change in our eyes. Behind the clothes, the living conditions, and the hopelessness - there is a Name. A name that God knows. A life experience that God knows. A person who God unconditionally loves. The following is a story that was shared with me from Michael Williams, founder of More to Life Ministry  www.facebook.com/moretolifeministry who regularly travels into our homeless camps to bring hope to the hopeless. This day, he met an old friend that worshipped with him at a local church just a few years ago. 

  “I can share with you a story about my friend, "Hank". I came across Hank while doing an outreach at a small homeless camp tucked away in an area of Toms River. I was there helping out some other people I knew there, when Hank came out from his tent. He looked at me as I looked at him. He said to me, “I know you from somewhere. We went to the same church.” I looked deeper into his eyes, past his overgrown beard and worn out clothes and barely recognized the man that worshipped together with me a few years back. Hank used to be highly involved with church activities along with his, then, wife. Hank also owned his own business back then. But Hank started having problems in his marriage, along with struggles of alcoholism. This led to him being kicked out of his home, along with a restraining order not to come back. With no where to go, depression, failure and defeat setting in, Hank ended up losing everything, along with his dignity and pride, and is now homeless. But Hank is more than just "homeless". Hank is a hard working, loving and caring man who is trying to pick himself up out of the pit in which he has fallen in. Every day is a struggle for Hank. There is no hiding the pain and regret Hank has, for it shows in his face and in the heartfelt conversations we have had as he sheds life's tears. I will continue to shine a light in the darkness of his and everyone else’s life, and offer a hand up as I walk along side those struggling with life. I have realized through my experiences of those who are homeless that the best thing you can give someone who is homeless is your time. Take the time to build relationships with people and walk along side those that are struggling. It's not always about the "stuff" we can give, but rather the giving of ourselves that truly matters.” Michael Williams

You can help meet the needs of the Toms River homeless. Tents, tarps, rope, batteries and much more. Please contact More to Life Ministry at the links provided. 

www.facebook.com/moretolifeministry    spiritdriven@aol.com