Turner Plaza Outreach

We had the opportunity on Friday afternoon to bless some of the residents from Turner Plaza who had been affected by the recent fire. Thanks to a list from our friends with the Housing Authority, we were able to collect some specific items needed for individuals and families.

Turner Plaza is an income-based housing project, which services predominately elderly and disabled individuals. About eight weeks ago a maintenance worker accidentally drilled through a gas line, sparking a blaze that destroyed 30 apartments. Through God’s grace no one died in the fire, but many of these people lost everything. The night of the fire HPC sent volunteers to the shelter to pray with the residents, and throughout the following weeks we were involved in providing food and emotional support to those who had been displaced.

A couple of weeks ago we received a donation of bedding from a major hotel chain. Because of that, on Friday we were able to provide those who had lost everything with sheets, pillows, blankets and towels. We were even able to give them leopard-print bathrobes! Along with the bedding we took them groceries, a cold drink and a special Easter treat. With the help of about a dozen volunteers, we were able to bless the homes of about thirty residents.

A volunteer knocked on the door of a second-floor apartment and was met by an elderly gentleman. This conversation followed:

Volunteer: Good afternoon, Sir. I’m with Healing Place Church, Baton Rouge Dream Center. We have some bedding and groceries that we would like to give you to help you get back on your feet from the fire. Is it okay if I leave this with you?

Gentleman: Yes, that would be fine. Thank you.

Volunteer: Are you doing okay today, Sir?

Gentleman: Not so good. I’m having trouble…maybe depression or something. (His eyes were glassy, like he had been crying).

Volunteer: I know that God is big enough to handle whatever is going on. Is there something I can pray with you about?

Gentleman: The fire burned up everything I had. Since then, I lost a sister to cancer and my nephew just got killed. I guess I need prayer for all that.

The volunteer stood in the doorway and prayed for the man who had lost his possession to fire, his sister to cancer and his nephew to homicide; all within the past few weeks. The gentleman thanked our volunteer and gave a feeble smile. The volunteer walked away, believing God for a miracle.

As believers we are commissioned to feed the hungry, heal the sick and comfort the broken-hearted. Can a bag of blankets and a box of groceries do all that? I believe it can. We may well have been the only people that man spoke to on Friday. I’m fairly sure we’re the only ones who prayed for him, asking God to bless and comfort him. I am continually amazed at God’s mercy and timing. Even if that whole outreach was just for that one man, to offer hope to one man in the midst of his storm, it was worth it.

I love that Healing Place Church believes in reaching the world by serving one. What an awesome privilege to meet the one. All glory to God.