Another Approach

We are always trying to find better ways to communicate that a store is inside this building. We were driving on Hiway 59 last week, probably about Center, in East Texas, and saw a banner on a storefront that said FUNDRAISING FOR NEW CHURCH BUILDING. It made an impact one me, because it was clear and to the point. So we decided maybe this would be a clear, concise way to let folks know that there are items for sale and where their money will go. So we had the banner made, changing it a little because our place does not look like a storefront. We will see. Not for a day or two, however, because we are no longer open on Thursdays and Fridays, using those days to work on the Shelter.

Often people ask what we need, and the answer is usually the same:  Whatever you have you no longer want, and the second part is that we need the same items any household uses. So if you want to donate any of those things, let us know, or bring them by 212 West Bowie in Marshall.

TWO UNRELATED INCIDENTS BRING SOME SPIRITUAL INSIGHT

by David R. Snow

Sometimes a combination of life’s little incidents comes to a confluence. Occasionally two or more ideas collide, quite unexpectedly. Usually this occurrence brings insight. When this resultant insight is revealed, especially when the subjects are of a spiritual nature, I choose to call it the work of the Holy Spirit.

I have recently been going through two separate experiences at the same time. One experience involves some activities within our ministry, and the other is the fact that I had just had cataract surgery on one of my eyes.

The new eye works quite well.

My wife, Carolyn and I started the ministry to try to be about the work of Jesus in helping the down and out and the poor. So, we put in a feeding kitchen and a thrift store downtown. But after two years, we have discovered that much of the need is in the housing area. So, we are now in the process of constructing a small homeless shelter.

The downtown building (circa 1875)

That houses the ministry at present

The shelter consists of an old Scout Hut moved in from another city and is almost ideal for our purposes. We will have to make few alterations for it to serve the use we intend. We scraped off a reasonably flat place and the movers did their thing. We are now in the process of wiring and plumbing and painting and patching, etc, hoping to get it functional and full of folks needing shelter in a few more days.

The building came in three pieces and

it really didn’t look like much at first.

The building has been moved in and blocked up.

Here the movers were just finishing their work.

The building has log siding and is nestled in a little low place between woods. Its uniqueness, setting low in the woods makes looking down on it from the road a very pleasant feeling. It looks like it belongs there, in that particular place. This also must be the work of the Holy Spirit.

One can kind of get the idea here from the

top of the hill. The ditch is for the water

line, which is now installed and covered.

I must admit that the phrase “O ye of little faith” haunts me occasionally, especially when it comes to surgery and to my eyesight in this case. I look to scripture to keep my spirit up. My key words were blind and seeing So, I’m looking at that passage about John the Baptist sending some people to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah, or should they look for another. The word had come to John in prison about the healings and the mighty works that Jesus was doing.

Both Mathew and Luke report that Jesus instructed these men to go tell John that the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised and the gospel is preached to the poor.

Being concerned about my own sight I take comfort in this. So I’d been thinking about the possibilities of a song about this blind seeing and lame walking, but the last line about the gospel being preached to the poor had not yet spoken to me.

Until one day I’m out walking and praying and look down on the new shelter--thinking about this possible song, thinking about the blind who see, and the lame who are now walking and the deaf who are now hearing—and I look down at the building that will soon house those who were without before they came. And, then it comes to me.

The providing of a bed and a bath and clean clothes and life-sustaining food is just touching the surface. Once the stomach is full and some of the creature comforts are in place, then one is ready to receive the word. Then the gospel can be preached, both in deed and in word.

The thoughts come tumbling by now. It is really all about Jesus. The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the lepers are cleansed, the dead are raised—and the good news is preached to the poor. This is what we have really been about all along, this preaching of the gospel to those who can receive it, to those who will receive it.

Thus a combination of life’s incidents comes to a confluence and insight occurs and the Holy Spirit has once again revealed Jesus. Now, maybe I can work some more on that song—now I’m beginning to understand the last line about the gospel and the poor and the preaching.

Perhaps this picture best illustrates

what we are really about with all this.

Newspaper Article Adapted from the Marshall (Texas) News Messenger

BEING A FRIEND

Marshall Hardware donates plumbing supplies to My Friend’s House

By Terri Richardson   trichardson@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Marshall News Messenger   Sunday, November 14, 2010

Marshall Hardware is beginning the giving season a little early by donating about $7,000 in plumbing supplies to My Friend’s House as the store has begun stocking all new inventory in several departments.

“Marshall Hardware is in the process of updating inventory throughout the store via a replacement program through our primary supplier,” said Alan Reynolds, co-owner. “In some cases the supplier allows us to donate the removed merchandise rather than ship it back to them, and this will always be our choice when given that option.”

Through the My Friend’s House Inc. ministry, 212 W. Bowie St., the plumbing supplies are a donation that will continue to pay-it-forward for years to come. David and Carolyn Snow will use some of the plumbing implements to repair a home the ministry purchased to become emergency housing for Marshall’s homeless.

The rest of the items will be sold, they said. “We’re building a shelter and have a lodge with half-log siding. Some of the plumbing needs replaced,” said Ms. Snow.  “It will be on Elysian Fields Avenue on 10 acres we bought last year close to our own home.”

Those who will benefit from the shelter are homeless or those almost homeless as the ministry helps them get back on their feet. It will not be a place to stay indefinitely, she said.

DAVID AND CAROLYN Snow pose for a portrait outside of their shelter, My Friend’s House, after Marshall Hardware donated about $7,000 worth of plumbing supplies to the home. Photo by COURTNEY CASE /News Messenger

“Our future plans include a propane bottle exchange, carpet cleaning rentals and lumber items like two-by-fours and plywood for customers who want to make a single stop for projects,” said Brown. “We might not have 100 of something on the shelf, but we can have it here as fast as possible, and we will bend over backward to help.”

Helping is a theme between the two entities as My Friend’s House exists to follow the teachings of Jesus “about feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, giving beds to the homeless, clothes to the cold, visits to the sick and help for the prisoners.”

It has a pre-owned clothing and household goods shop. “Our purpose is to provide a place where they can regroup,” added Snow. “People come here because there is some kind of problem. It’s a start. You have to start somewhere.”

The house is 2,700 square feet with three bedrooms and may accommodate 12 to 16 people. The Snows hope to be able to host a flexible population in the separate rooms and provide shelter to those whose needs previously fell through the cracks.

They explained that churches frequently house people in hotels but that the cost adds up fast. Abused women and their children are helped the Crisis Center, recovering addicts are helped through the 12-Way Foundation and there are half-way houses for those getting out of jail.

“We knew there was a need for housing and discovered the most critical need was for emergency, temporary and crisis oriented shelter,” said Ms. Snow, who added that the ministry also helps by calling utility companies and landlords to mediate keeping people in their homes.

“A lot of people don’t know they can ask questions. They get a bill and can’t pay it, so they panic,” she said. “We’ll hopefully be able to open the house in December and have had lots of volunteer help to work on the wiring, carpet and walls.”

My Friend’s House is a private non-profit and serves a hot, delicious meal at 5 p.m. Wednesday until the pots are empty.

For more information about the ministry write to refixers@gmail.com or call 903-930-8931.

Marshall Hardware is also getting back on its feet with whole new lines of product in its caulking, braces and plumbing departments. In the coming months it will also have an all new stock of lawn and garden, hand tools and electrical.

Marshall Hardware is co-owned by Reynolds and Mike Brown, who bought into it in cooperation with longtime owner Charles Blalock. The hardware store has been family owned for 86 years.

“Part of our next phase will be to reestablish contact with past customers and focus on new friends and faces,” said Reynolds, who looks forward to their marketing push. “We want to keep our hometown feel and provide service to the entire community, whether it’s a guy fixing a sink or a commercial project.”

“We want to keep that customer focus, so that when you come in Marshall Hardware you are asked how we can help you,” added Brown.

Marshall Hardware employees are also happy to help as they see the store improving day-by-day with updated departments and even more focus on customer requests.

ALAN REYNOLDS OF Marshall Hardware poses for a portrait in the plumbing section after the store donated about $7,000 worth of plumbing supplies to My Friend’s House.  Photo by COURTNEY CASE /News Messenger

“I’m glad to see more inventory in the hardware store because our inventory had gotten so low,” said Ruth Lefler, who has worked there for 20 years. “Plumbing is one of our best departments now. If customers have anything they need in plumbing we can get it now.”

Some customers also come for the warm reception and home-like feel. Franklin Gonzales has been a clerk at Marshall Hardware for a year and a half and is bilingual, plus. “I speak Spanish, English plus a little southern Texas slang,” said Gonzales. “We get a lot of Hispanic customers coming in and a lot of them will come in and ask for ‘the Spanish guy.’ I’m used it, and it makes them feel comfortable to have someone who speaks their language here.”

While they might not have a national brand stamped on them, Reynolds and Brown described the tools and building materials as “just as good” and “great quality.”  And Marshall Hardware’s choice of Orgill with distribution out of Kilgore, and HDW with distribution from Shreveport, means special orders arrive quickly. The hardware store is also dedicated to finding rare or requested items through whatever channels necessary for their customers.

Good Intentions Go Away Too Quickly

TGIF

Even when one loves what one is doing, Fridays are soooooooo welcome. My Friend's House is open Tuesday through Friday, and when Friday is over, it is nice to be off and gone for a day or two. If someone has an emergency, we will do what we can, but for the most part we do other things on the weekends. Except that Saturday is the prime day for garage sales--not that we go, but when people have them and get worn out by early Saturday afternoon, they call us. So sometimes we go and pick up what is left, and sometimes they bring it and leave it on the front porch or under the carport.

This week had had three days that we picked up large items and others brought items, every day. The building for the store was in the last stages of being blocked last Monday, with the house movers trying to hurry knowing that the pickup and trailer were about to arrive with massive amounts of things donated by ETBU to put in the building. They made it, and the building is about full already. Most of that was furniture to go in the shelter and will be moved fairly quickly. That is the store building behind the cargo van and truck. In the foreground is the ever-faithful PeeWee. She has taken up residence in front of the store.


Thanks go to Central Baptist Church, Marshall, for a generous donation from their Missions Committee. We really appreciate the support of the churches here in town. Besides the money, which is essential, their support says that they are interested and approving of the mission and purpose of My Friend's House.

Tomorrow we will get a little more done on the shelter. One step at a time, one day at a time.

The Kids Always Want to Explore Anything New

The buildings are all in place. The one that will be the store is already full of furniture, because there were four trailer loads delivered today. Fortunately, those were trailers behind pickups, not 18-wheeler types. That was still a lot of stuff, and for that we thank ETBU and Mary Jo Schnorbus. The furniture mainly will be used in the shelter.

Now it is on to the next items, glamorous things like septic tanks and water lines and electricity. Well, maybe not too glamorous, but certainly essential. The weather is certainly more conducive to getting it done, and for that we are thankful. The rain can come now--no more buildings to be moved.

The picture is the great-grandkids (some of them) exploring the big room in the shelter.

It Hath Been Joined!

The house is in! And together!  It is truly amazing how they can do that, and get it so, so close, exactly in the right place. Now they are attaching the garage. It won't be a garage long, as we need the space for the resident director to stay, so we will convert it to a room.

We feel God's guidance and care in this endeavor, and while every step of the way brings its problems and new challenges, we can see the shelter--the Billie Hamby Memorial Shelter--closer and more a reality.


Tomorrow they will try to finish attaching the garage. Then, hopefully on Friday they will move the store building in.

In the meantime, we still have all sorts of things for sale at My Friend's House. Today someone brought a lace bedspread and matching drapes--ivory colored and a nice, heavy fabric. And we still have lots of computers, scanners, mice, and a new batch of large women's clothing. So if you are in these parts, come by 212 West Bowie in Marshall, and help us finish the shelter by buying things you might need at very reasonable prices. And I surely would like to not move all those books.

Return of the House Movers

Progress is at a standstill, pending the return of the workers. On the good side, progress continues on the gas well, or at least the preparation for the gas well. The company preparing the pad needed more dirt. More dirt translates to more money, which translates to more funds to complete the necessary steps to make the shelter livable. If you have ever carved a homeplace out of the wilderness, you know what is happening here in these woods. After the house gets smacked back together, there are some huge projects--not impossible, at all, but lots of work--including the septic tank, putting the house systems (electrical and plumbing) back together where they sawed the house in two, seeing if the a/c works, and all those things. Of course we cannot see if the a/c works until the electricity gets there. Then there is water line, smoothing the road, cleaning debris--just more and more stuff.

Part of why I am hoping this will get underway soon of course has to do with the need for it. This week alone we turned down four requests for help with housing, not counting the number of people who call wanting to apply for a Habitat home--that is a different category of folks and need, usually. There was the man who called from the motel while the motel owner paced outside his room waiting for him to get out, the grandmother whose son and grandchild lived with her, but she had been evicted, and the one who lives wherever he can but needs at least to be able to sleep under a roof. He works hard, and will make it back up, but in the meantime, he is scrambling (and thankful) for every small thing he gets.

Some folks think we have no homeless people in Marshall. We do. The events and situations that lead to the need for a roof over one's head are many and as varied as the people, but they are all things that could happen to any of us. Later on I want to expound on some of the stories, and theorize as to how different choices might have prevented some of the results, but right now it is time to go to the House of the Lord and worship. On the way I will pick up from two to four beautiful little girls whose parents entrust to my care.

May you have a great day.

A Beautiful, Sunshiny Day AND The House Got Moved

We got a call this morning that our grandson Aron saw the house on Hiway 59 headed toward Marshall. Sure enough, it was, and by the time we got down to look (and that was not long, for sure) it was in the driveway. This is a picture of the backside after it got down to the site. There were some tense moments (for us--can't speak for the house movers) when it was going down the hill. There was a Bobcat on the back, probably to give it traction, but it just sort pulled the bobcat along. It is there, and tomorrow they will continue getting it in place. Or at least that was the word today. Tomorrow may be another plan.

Another Beautiful Sunshiny Day, But Not A Housemoving Day

Unfortunately, the housemover had a sad event in his family. They need our prayers, and later on, the house will get moved.

In the meantime, things go on at My Friend's House. We have one semi-permanent resident, even if we really don't have a shelter. We will call him Fred. He helps out around the place, and is a model of a job searcher. He had a situation that didn't work out, and showed up at our front door a couple of weeks ago, referred by someone he met at the bus station. Yesterday he apparently found a job, and hopefully will work enough to find himself a place to stay.

The picture was taken in the front hallway, or foyer, of My Friend's House. If you like old houses (this one was built in 1875) and would like to own a large house in downtown Marshall, Texas, come look at it. It is for sale, as we plan to move everything to our place when the shelter gets ready. We really cannot afford to  maintain both, at this stage.

It Rained Again Today

Where did all those hot dry days go?  Not that we want the hot dry days, just one dry enough to move the building in. This was not one. Maybe tomorrow.

Someone recently suggested that we relate some of the stories about what happens at My Friend's House. So here goes.

One of our regular supper guests, let's call him George, recently became a deacon in his church. In all the years I have known church deacons, I don't think I have ever known one who took the task more seriously. It is what defines his life. Anyway, this morning George came to My Friend's House to say hi to Dave. He does this often--has a piece of cake or whatever snack is available, and chats with whoever is there. Today he asked if we had any clothes his size, as he needed to dress the part of a deacon. George is a big boy. As it happened, just before George came in, a friend had delivered a large amount of her deceased husband's clothing, and it was piled on a couch for want of another spot to put it in. Her husband was a large man, probably taller than George, but otherwise the clothes fit.

So George found himself some shirts, slacks, and a jacket. He was one happy camper when he left, complete with his $5 ticket that he will pay, or not, when he gets some money. Later this evening we happened to drive down Houston Street, and there stood George in his new outfit, happy and proud, waiting for one of his fellow church members, maybe a fellow deacon, to pick him up to go to church.

We could see him smiling all the way across that street.

Of Course It Is Raining Today

This has been one of the hottest and driest summers in East Texas that I remember for awhile. So it comes as no surprise that when we finally think they are going to be able to move in the rest of the house for the shelter, that rain is forecast for the next five days.

I had a dentist who once told me that the Lord sent me to him to teach him patience (dentists are right up there with snakes in my list of things to avoid). Maybe the Lord sent the rain to teach me patience. He knows we need the rain. so I will just enjoy it.

In the meantime, there are plenty of things to do. There is the application to the Food Bank to be able to purchase food at a low price. We will probably need that. Then there is the Income Tax (personal and business) that I have put off--and yes, I did file for an extension. People who expect big returns file in January. People who have to do lots of paperwork to file file later. Then there are donations to sort--always. I am thankful for them, but they do take time and work, and it has to be fit in somewhere. Volunteers help me with that, and I am very thankful for their efforts.

Then there is the listing on Amazon and eBay. We get donations that are not necessities, or even desirable items, especially for homeless folks, because they don't want excess things to carry around. Some of them have a higher value online than in the store, mainly because of the worldwide exposure, so we list those. Did you know that if you list on eBay you can designate the charity of your choice to receive whatever portion of that sale that you designate to receive that portion?  And yes, My Friend's House is one of those charities.

Here is an example of the response we get from some of our supporters. In a casual conversation after church on Sunday (Cumberland Presbyterian, in Marshall) I mentioned that we are low on men's underwear. On Monday, one of the men in that group gave us two sackfuls of new underwear. Thank you, Charles!

Enough for now. Please pray for us, so that we know what the best thing is to do as we work with people.

Beginnings

As it sits on the lot on North 59 waiting to be moved, it offers a close-up view of one of the six toilets.

That is not a curtain. It is the plastic protecting it from the  rain.
We maybe should go tack it up better, since it is about to pour.

Chances are we will need to do a fundraiser for the driveway that will need to be here.

Why Add Another Blog to the Millions Out There?

It is so different now than not so many years ago.I used to look for things to read. Now I almost avoid it, because it comes from all directions:  the newspaper, the magazines I have unsubscribed to, but that still keep coming, the TV, the computer, the mail, the two thousand books (no exaggeration here) that we own, and the proliferating instruction booklets. When I think now about adding to the profusion of information, it seems redundant to add more stuff to the overabundance. 

Having said that, I will add to it, anyway. The reason is that I want to communicate with those of you out there who are interested in My Friend's House. Judging from the response we get, that number is far larger than I would have predicted and is growing. So this blog will be an effort to keep you apprised of those parts that might interest you. And yes, I will ask for donations.

My Friend's House (legal name: Marshall's My Friend's House, Inc.) is a nonprofit Texas corporation, and has been granted 501 (c) (3) status by the IRS. We began with the idea of trying to meet some needs for folks around here. We did this because of a calling we have to try to do a little of what Jesus taught. 

So we bought an old house (the one pictured below) and set about trying to listen to the needs of the folks. 

In the two years since then, we have listened, helped a little, made many mistakes, and have decided that what the greatest need is that we could help with is housing. No great surprise there, as all one has to do to understand that is watch the news.

We are not looking at making any attempt to salvage oversized mortgages--couldn't if we wanted to, and have never thought it to be a good idea to buy those  McMansions without the ability to pay--but to help those who need to make a new start, or who need a place out of the rain or heat to sleep. 

For about a year and a half we have operated a thrift store stocked by donations from a lot of you. We sell items to raise funds for the ministry, and give items to those who need them. Some weeks it is about even: we sell as much as we give away. Some weeks it is the opposite. Whichever, we have never kept up with the supply of donations. I don't think we ever will. People are generous, and keep giving, for which we are thankful.


At this point we are in the process of having a building moved onto ten acres we own to develop a homeless shelter. Again, people are generous, and giving of their time, money, and possessions to make this possible.


This is about enough nattering for today. Other tasks call (after all, it is Labor Day).  The first picture below is the house we have been in for two years, as it was when we purchased it.


The garage portion and about a third of the house have been moved onto the land. The remainder, plus the building for the store, are waiting for a suitable day for moving houses.