Nowhere to hide
What The Hub Urban Ministries in Louisiana taught me about homelessness, humility, and humanity.
Grateful 🌟
During March, I had an amazing opportunity through our local church to volunteer at an incredible organization in Shreveport, Louisiana — The Hub Urban Ministries — while on a mission trip with my daughter ❤️ (https://thehubministry.org/).
The Hub is a community-driven resource center that walks alongside men and women living in homelessness and poverty. They also lead a powerful, trauma-informed, biblically based program to support and restore women who have survived sexual exploitation and trafficking 💜.
People focus: Ruthie
Her name is Ruthie… I wasn’t sure how she’d respond to me, a total stranger and one of many who volunteer and cycle in and out of the day programs for the homeless and some of the city’s most vulnerable in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Obviously, she and I came from different backgrounds, opposite sides of the tracks, if you will. Dark skin and deep brown eyes, she was immediately engaging and talkative.
In my insecurity and self-consciousness, I wondered what she thought about someone like me, participating at the center for just a week or so and then going back to my ‘regular’ life, whatever she thought that was.
Ruthie really lit up when my 21-year old daughter came our way and started talking with her. She told her about her ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ and how he saved her, waking her up from a 6-month coma.
She didn’t name any Biblical verses specifically, but many things she told my daughter were quoted from scriptures straight out of the Bible. It was impressive and powerful.
Many from our team interacted with Ruthie that week. Was she just seeing how she could entertain the latest group of volunteers coming in that week? I don’t know. But I’m glad I broke out of my comfort zone and had a conversation with her.
As time passed, my intimidation further waned as I watched Ruthie engage with my daughter, rejoicing over what God has done in her life.
How it changed me
Serving at The Hub was an incredible experience. I now have:
I have a deeper understanding of the issues and how critical it is to begin a healing journey from the inside out with a God-centered approach,
A fuller realization of my own insecurities and how to overcome these fears through prayer and support from those around me, and
A greater compassion for those struggling and in need, and a renewed commitment to being part of the solution.
People focus: Graveyard
They call him Graveyard… He sits strategically at the end of the buffet; he knows most everyone going through the line.
He embraces, encourages, and extends a warm hand to familiar faces, making extra effort to help guide first-time visitors.
He sits staunchly and upright, with an approachable look on his dark-skinned face. He jokingly shows off his new walking cane to a few regulars.
He helps me feel comfortable as I awkwardly try to make small talk and ask him how he’s doing today. He tells me he’s 75 and has lived in Shreveport all his life. His mother is 94 and lives in Dallas. He tells me it’s a great day, sunny and warm outside.
Eventually, I lean up against the wall that his chair is at, feeling like we could chat easily all afternoon.
I let down my guard of fear.
Want to make an impact?
What truly sets The Hub apart is their heartfelt, hands-on approach to meeting people where they are — and encouraging healing by embracing a Christ-centered ✝️ identity.
The impact they’re making is impressive and inspiring 🙌.
If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back, I highly encourage you to learn more about their work that includes facilities in several states.
[Oh! And, The Hub’s Rise Up & Roast employment readiness and job-training program sells amazing coffee — just sayin’. (https://riseupandroast.com/)] ☕️😀
People focus: Teresa
Her name is Teresa. She has pale skin and looks me over carefully. A long, single blondish/gray braid falls on her left side.
I saw her on the city bus earlier that day, noticing she had what looked like a medical bracelet on one of her wrists.
She calls me ma’am, answering all of my trite questions, and tells me she’s lived in Shreveport all her life.
I wonder what the rest of her story is—what it was like to grow up in Shreveport, why she never left, what is the medical issue she struggles with and how she copes with it, survives.
We made small talk with the bingo game going on for which members could earn extra points for laundry services or boutique purchases. She gave me her bingo card to watch as she wondered off to the outside area of the center.
At the following evening’s dinner, I saw her going through the buffet line. This time I wasn’t so intimated by my own brokenness and insecurity. I said hello calling her by name.
I was glad to see her again.
What’s Next?
I’m excited to explore ways to support one of The Hub’s amazing partner organizations in Fort Worth next!
#SupportAGoodCause #ServingWithPurpose