Last week we started our ministry here in Dublin. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday we helped prepare food and then served it to the homeless as they came in. We have begun to recognize faces, learn names, and build relationships as we see a lot of the same people on those days. We work with other volunteers and are all given a “job” to do for the evening. The first night I was on dish duty so I worked behind the scenes and washed lots of dishes. Thursday night I was on tea and coffee. Got to interact with the people as they came through the line – couldn’t really carry on conversations as had to serve other people coming through but it was fun – some of them have a great sense of humor!
Saturday I spent most of the evening in the kitchen helping make the lasagna which basically consisted of opening a ton of boxes of pre-made lasagnas and sticking them in the oven then sitting and waiting for them to bake. Sat and talked with our contact Rocheanne while we waited – got to know him a little bit as this was his first day with us (he had been in Poland the rest of the week) and asked lots of questions about Ireland’s social problems and resources in the community (I’m a social worker…what can I say 😛 ). It was interesting to me to find out the similarities and differences compared to the US.
Monday we met the staff at DCM and had a time of prayer. They shared prayer requests for the different ministries that they have. Please pray for them, as they are low on finances, that they will receive the money that they need to be able to continue the work that they are doing in the community. They also have a big need for volunteers – that new volunteers would sign up and that they would have volunteers return. Pray for returning volunteers – that they continue to have joy in what they are doing and that they don’t burn out.
That night we were invited by Alison Finch, one of the volunteers at the Lighthouse, to help out Trinity Church’s Mustard Seed Team. The Mustard Seed Team goes out on “soup runs” on Monday night. They pack up sandwiches, soup, tea, etc. and head out. We were all partnered up and were told to stick with them for the night. We walk the streets of Dublin to eight designated spots where they pass out the food. It was a rainy night with lots of volunteers and not many homeless people coming out. I spent most of the night talking with the volunteers and finding out more about their program and the issues in Dublin and I shared my knowledge of it in the US.
Many of the people that are homeless are from other countries. They have come for jobs to provide for families back home as Ireland was more promising than their home country. Ireland’s economy took a downturn and many people lost their jobs. Ireland’s government provides welfare assistance to those who are homeless – except foreigners. Many of the people who are homeless struggle with addictions. If they decide that they want to get help and go to rehab, they have to call the rehab place 14 consecutive days. If they don’t call all 14 days, they will not get in. If they do call as they are supposed to they still aren’t guaranteed a bed as there may not be an opening. There are only a couple rehab places with about 15 beds and it is a 6 month program…. This makes it difficult for them to get the help that they need. The government has a hostel for those who are homeless but with funding cuts and a new plan they may be shutting it down.
We (Team Reckless) recognized some of the people on the streets and it was good to be able to talk with them. One of them made a comment that the Lighthouse staff/volunteers are always “shining” (smiling)…. so he can tell there is a difference. That was encouraging to hear!
and sometimes a smile can make a difference….
