w h e n g e n e ro s i T Y
b e Com e s Tox i C
Trolley Ministry serves the homeless in the city of
Singapore, helping them restore hope by walking
alongside them with individual guidance, teaching,
counselling and long-term development goals.
In 2010, four of us from YWAM Singapore (Regina,
Lona, Lynn and Jasmine) found a community of
homeless along Victoria Street. We represented
Jesus to them by loving them like family and served
their individual needs. Along the way, we built deep
relationships and some even received Jesus as their
Saviour. But instead of leaving them entrenched in
their homelessness, we had to figure out ways to
help them out of it. In the process, we hit many walls.
These exepriences and reflections o ver the past 6
years have given us insight into helping the destitute.
In recent years, the Singapore church has been
stirred by the Holy Spirit to love mercy and reach out
to the poor and needy. The overwhelming response
has been encouraging as waves of young people,
cell groups and entire churches have gone out to the
streets or made contributions by giving generously.
This is definitely a move of God in our nation. Yet,
we witnessed areas where we all fell short in our
understanding of both loving mercy and acting justly,
as emphasised in the Bible (Micah 6:8).
Acts of compassion alone, without getting to know
the people we serve, can steer us away from what’s
paramount – life transformation. This is not achieved
through one-time visits, building cordial relationships
or generous donations that will touch them.
MERCY IS A DOOR TO THE
HEARTS OF THE POOR, BUT THE
DESTINATION IS TO ADDRESS THE
INJUSTICES THAT HAVE KEPT THEM
HOMELESS FOR YEARS.
The question we learnt to ask was, “How do we help
them see God’s intentions for them and address the
lies which lead to poverty and injustice?”
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