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The Ripple Effect

by Jonah Beyer, Mission U-Too President

Have you ever looked at a ministry or nonprofit and asked yourself, is what they’re doing really making a difference? Maybe you have looked at Mission U-Too and said “there goes those crazy people giving away free burgers, what is the point of doing that week after week?”

Free BurgersI can personally tell you the point is simple: this is what God has told us to do. The humbling part of ministry is when God allows us to see the work that He’s doing when we are obedient to what He’s told us to do.

As we build relationships within the communities we serve in each and every week, we get to know the people that we serve. This is not always the most comfortable or easy thing to do. Sometimes you place judgment on the people that are coming for food wondering if this person really needs it? When are things going to change with them?

Two Homeless Friends

You may remember me sharing about a couple of homeless guys that we have been getting to know for the past two years here in Bastrop. These two men are both heavy alcoholics and are more comfortable living in the woods, where they do not have any responsibility and can also drink as much as they want. God has continued to use these two men to teach me, a few of our volunteers, and supporters like you, to love unconditionally and how to meet people where they are at, instead of where they’re not.

Over the years as we’ve gotten to know these two men, they have also gotten to know our hearts and we have built a trust with them. It takes time to build trust and a relationship, especially when you have been hurt by family members. Mission U-Too strives to build trust and relationships with every person we come in contact with.

Don

Jeff is one of the men that has been living in the woods for the past 10 years. He comes every Monday night for a burger and he stays for a bible lesson and asks questions. He is one to listen to what God might have for him, even though the alcohol continues to have the best of him. For the past couple of years there has been many times where I have gone into the woods to their camp, where Jeff and Don live. I have also found them hanging out under one of the bridges in town. The location of the men doesn’t stop me from sitting down with them and their buddies and opening the Bible and we begin studying together.

Breaking Points

I constantly wonder when is something going to change for these men. At what point is something going to break and relieve them from the bondage of alcohol? I don’t know nor is it my job to know, but it’s our job as believers in Christ to love our neighbor as yourself and to show the unconditional love of Christ. Jeff has been close multiple times of going to rehab and wanting to kick his habit. But every time I get the green light to take him, he allows his addiction to take over and to hold him back. Every time the opportunity arises, it allows Jeff to get a little closer to recovery.

This past February, on a Saturday morning, Jeff had too much to drink. As he was hiking over the bridge on 71 (he normally crosses to head into town), he stumbled into oncoming traffic. After nearly getting hit, he backed up to the side rail, lost his balance and fell 25 feet to the street below. A witness reported the fall and a short time after a police officer arrived at the scene and took one look at him and said “this guy is not going to make it” and flight for life of Austin was immediately called. Jeff was unconscious and put on life-support. The first CT Scan showed multiple skull fractures and internal bleeding in his brain. It was not looking good for him.

Ripple Effect: The Best Friend

In the meantime his friend Don called me Sunday evening saying he heard that Jeff fell off the bridge and wanted to know more information. As I explained to him about Jeff and that we needed to pray for him, he asked me if I could meet him at McDonald’s in a couple hours. I agreed to meet him at 10 o’clock Sunday evening. As I arrived I noticed other homeless men sitting around. I walked over to Don and gave him a hug and began to give him an update on Jeff. During the conversation the other homeless men came and sat by us wondering what was going on.

As I sat there, I had a very frank and stern conversation with Don asking him how much more it was going to take for him to quit drinking and at what point will he choose a different way of life. He openly talked to me about his addiction and life details. Because of the relationship Don and I had, he felt a close friendship, trust, and genuine love that I had for him. If I were someone else, our conversation would have sounded a lot different.

Ripple Effect: A Young Man

During our conversation at McDonald’s one of the homeless men piped and up and started asking questions about Jesus. Mind you, I have never seen this young man around the area before. So I asked him where he was from and he told me he currently moved here from California. I tried to engage in conversation with him but he held me at a distance. He kept coming back for more conversations and I could tell he could see something different in me and that this guy (me) cares. It wasn’t me that he saw, it was Jesus that he was seeing and I was being the tool to share Christ’s love. Jesus was beginning to target his heart.

It was cold and rainy this very night and I wasn’t able to leave them on the streets. I put three of them in one hotel room. I drove them to the hotel room and checked them in and Don asked me to come up to the room to pray with them. I can never pass up the opportunity to pray with someone. After I finished praying I walked outside to leave, the young man from California had followed. I told him this Jesus I was talking about earlier at McDonald’s is real. That Christ desires a relationship with you. The young man gave me a blank stare and he didn’t know how to respond. I asked him if he would read the Bible if I give him one. He said “yeah.” He could not believe that I would give him a free Bible to keep. He had asked where he should start reading and my response what The Book of John. I prayed with him and then left the hotel.

BaptismOver the next week I ran into him multiple times. Each time I would engage in conversation encouraging him to find a job and to keep searching. He would tell me a little bit more about his life and that he was here because of his girlfriend and baby moved to Bastrop to be close to her family. He proceeded to tell me that his girlfriend wants him to go to church with her. I encouraged him to go with her and little did I know it was the same church that my family and I attend. I walked in the following Sunday and when he saw me a great joy had overcame him. I encouraged him to listen to what God had for him. After the service I asked him what he thought. He looked up at me and said, “we didn’t meet by accident did we?” He asked me if  there was more to this and I confirmed to him there was. You see, God was beginning to work on his heart and was revealing Himself to this young man. I was just a vessel to give him a glimpse of hope. About a month later, he made a decision to give his life to the Lord and was baptized that following Sunday.

Ripple Effect: The Doctor

We went to go see Jeff a few days after his accident and he was a little out of it, but awake. The doctor said she didn’t understand how he could be coherent because when she looked at his second CT Scan his condition was worse. She was not expecting much of a recovery. Jeff proved them all wrong! He woke up conscious and aware of his surroundings; he knew what year it was, and he knew who he was! It’s a miracle that Jeff is out of the hospital and doing well. The only explanation we have for Jeff’s healing is the power of prayer. God protected my friend.

Ripple Effect: The Police Officer

The officer that found Jeff was truly amazed. He was amazed by the fact that Jeff was going to make a full recovery and also the fact of how much we genuinely cared for Jeff. You see, the officer has been chasing these men the last several years. The homeless men would get tickets for trespassing, public intoxication, and multiple complaints of inappropriate activities. Despite their destructive lifestyle of living on the streets, this officer could see a genuine love I have for these men, which led him to wanting to know more about our God.

Mission U-Too is nothing more than a tool to live our faith out loud, with the world, so people can see the unconditional love Christ has for us and them, in a way that is visible to our communities, and people that live in them; working to do life together. When we go out of our way and be obedient to God just like He has told us to do, He will move the lives and hearts of the people around us, and there is no telling how far the ripple effect goes.Jeff and Jonah

Two weeks later Jeff is out of the hospital and looking for work! And many other people have seen the love of Jesus playing out in their lives. Truly Amazing.

Jonah Beyer has been serving Mission U-Too since 2010 and is the President of Mission U-Too. His family lives and serves in Bastrop, Texas.

Send Jonah a note at jonah.beyer@feedtheneed.org.

 

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Mission U-Too Smithville

A new day has come and gone, and tomorrow is quickly approaching. Sooner than you know it, it will be Thursday. Thursday for Mission U-Too means serving in Smithville and/or Lockhart. But we have some changes that are taking place in Smithville that I want you to be a part of!

Mission U-TooI have some exciting news! God is moving and making changes in Smithville’s location. Mission U-Too Smithville will be serving at The Neighborhood Place from 5:00-6:00 every Thursday!

When change happens goodness comes out of it. Smithville is growing in the people we serve and how many volunteers are serving. When we are constantly in prayer, it’s in God’s will and perfect timing, He will show up and show out! It’s been an adventure watching Mission U-Too Smithville volunteers reach so many lives.

Mission U-Too SmithvilleWe are excited about our new location, our volunteers, the Smithville community, and those we serve. Come be a part of it and watch God do miracles, healing, change lives, restore hearts and salvation take place. BAM! Now that’s the gospel!

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Prayer for Jeff and Don

Jeff and Don are 2 middle aged men who have been homeless in Bastrop for several years. Jeff became homeless by getting himself in trouble with the law and he could never get back on his feet. Don lost his job a few years ago and he and his girlfriend lost their house and she became ill and needed to be put in a nursing home, which left Don stranded in Bastrop and on the streets. These two men have been best friends since the day they met and are both alcoholics.

Mission U-Too has been feeding Jeff and Don for 3 years. They come and get a hot meal and stay for the bible study every week. They both believe in say they believe in Jesus but are afraid to put their full trust in Him. Jeff shares stories with Jonah (Mission U-Too President), of what happens week by week. With the relationship that is being built with Jeff and Don, Jonah has been able to instill the gospel into Jeff’s heart. Not only have we been ministering to Jeff and Don about salvation, but also their addiction problem.

As the cold season has arrived in Texas early this year and the temperatures dipping down below 30’s in the evenings; makes it a cold night for us, who have a house and a nice warm bed let alone a cold ground to lay your head. Don had passed out one late afternoon while eating a warm bowl of soup at a nearby gas station. Jeff and the attendant thought Don was having a heart attack. It wasn’t a heart attack he was having a seizure because of a high fever. Don was rushed to a nearby hospital and then transported into Austin to a hospital that could care more for his needs and an overnight stay.

Don is still in the hospital today. We thought he was going to be able to be released Sunday 12/8/2013. Instead Don’s fever climbed again to a severe high fever that put him in ICU. Don is fighting pneumonia and needs your prayers. Doctors are running more blood work to see if they are missing another infection or something medically that could be wrong.

As Don is in the hospital Jeff has been all alone trying to keep warm. Jeff has been trying to find things to do to keep his mind off of his best friend who is fighting. Jeff has been going to the local church where we meet Monday’s to volunteer his time and to help Ms. Viola with an upcoming Christmas event at Primera Baptist Church. During this time of hardship, Ms. Viola has been speaking into Jeff’s heart.

Jeff is very vulnerable right now. Just like how we all can be during a time of sorrow and a depression stage because of the Holiday’s. Jeff is trying to stay sober and just a few days ago he was asked to join a rehab for alcoholics and his response was “I’m not ready.” Those of you who have dealt with addictions can relate to his comment. Jeff is slowly getting ready, and God is working miracles in Jeff’s heart. We are believing that Christ will grab a hold of him during this time of hardship and lead him to the path Jeff needs to be heading. Please friends, pray that Jeff will accept the offer of getting help and becoming a Christ believer as well as walking away from his addiction.

As believers in Christ we know we deal with trials and tribulations. We always want to know the reasoning of why me… Mission U-Too prayer warriors and volunteers are believing this could be the call from Christ. Sometimes it takes us to hit rock bottom before we can get picked back up again. Believe with us that this will be Jeff and Don’s turning point.

Merry Christmas and stay warm!

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Sacrificing or Not?

by Christine Farquhar, Mission U-Too

I believe it has been difficult for me to give my testimony because of the impact that Jesus has made, not only on my life, but my entire family’s life, through Mission U-Too. I see things much different than just a single encounter with one person or one moment. I have been honored to serve at Bastrop South, Bastrop North, and Round Rock location’s.  I have served with disaster relief efforts in both West, Texas and Moore, Oklahoma. I also assist Mission U-Too in some of the many administrative operations that take place.  Therefore, I have seen first hand how Mission U-Too works with integrity, covers every decision in prayer, and does not waiver from the word of God.  I could end my words with this being a testimony.

I am one of Mission U-Too’s biggest advocates.  I love what and who it stands for, Jesus Christ!  In Mark 2:17, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  I never thought about this scripture much, until serving alongside with Mission U-Too. Another verse that come to me is “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” Luke 9:23.

These two scriptures are really talking about me and my life currently.  I found out that I am the sick and the sinner!  I need Jesus’s healing and I need to take up my cross daily to serve Him.  When I moved to Bastrop in June 2012, I saw the need for a “Mission U-too”; unfortunately,  it was for my own selfish gain. I wanted to fix and help people in my own power.  What I learned, is that I am a tool and witness, to be used for the  gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the only one that can fix and heal people, but ultimately their Savior!  That means I have to take up my cross daily. You might ask, “What is your cross?” I define this as my pride, arrogance, selfishness, judgmental attitudes and the list goes on.

I was asked in November 2004 if I would sell everything for the ministry of the Gospel.  My answer at that time was I do not have enough faith; therefore, Lord give me the faith to sacrifice everything. In September 2013, my family placed our house and everything that goes with it for sale for the ministry of Jesus Christ.  At this point, nothing has sold, but I know in my heart that whether it sells or not Jesus has me in the palm of his hands.

I have learned through the ministry of Mission U-Too that its not the material things that we own that gives us true joy, hope, faith, peace, and most importantly love, but it is the God who loves us enough to sacrifice His entire life on a cross.  He abandoned heaven to come to earth, so that he could become like you and me.  He loved us so much that he came to earth to have a wretched body, so we would understand that Jesus knows what its like to be human and everything that comes with that: emotions, stress, hurts, losses, etc…

How can I not sacrifice everything for someone who loved me that much?

How cannot I not sacrifice everything for Him when He is the only one that will never leave me nor forsake me?  This world has nothing in it that brings me true and pure unconditional love as the Love of Jesus Christ!

Christine Farquhar started serving with Mission U-Too in 2012 at our Bastrop South site. She quickly connected with the ministry because of her heart for the homeless. Not only does she serve at our different sites and disaster relief through out the country but also with administrative duties for the organization.

Send Christine a note at christine.farquhar@feedtheneed.org.

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Trusting the Lord

by Christy Beyer, Mission U-Too

As a Mission U-Too volunteer I find myself trying to make everyone around me happy. My heart breaks for those who are hurting. I myself, have dealt with a lot of hurt and pain, and currently I am still going through a tough time. I have a beautiful friend that God has put in my life and her name is Viola.

Viola is a Mission U-Too volunteer at our South Bastrop location. She’s a beautiful loving lady and she always tells everyone to “trust in the Lord no matter what your going through, because our God has already been through it.”

In a world where most of us get beat up to one degree or  another, many people come out of these beatings with a problem in being able to  trust anyone else – ever again!

Our neighborhoods are no longer as safe as they used to be. Bizarre, random,  and senseless type crimes seem to be on the increase with all of the shootings that have occurred in the world; at our high schools, and now in our churches and in the courthouses themselves with the latest round of senseless tragedies that have  just occurred.

All of us, to one degree or another, have been wronged in some way throughout  the course of our lives and Mission U-Too encounters people that have gone through these tragedy’s. I find myself not worrying about myself and problems when I’m serving, but really deep down inside I’ve never gotten over the anger and hurt from so many. Viola has given me a different perspective on life and that goes along with the bible verse  Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

As a result of the curse of Adam and Eve that is still in full operation on  this earth, there is always going to be a certain amount of wrongs that we will all have to put up with – no exceptions! Nobody comes out of this life unscathed with all the people who have chosen with their own free wills to live this life  on the dark side.

However, for Christians, no matter how badly you have been beaten up in your  past, the one thing that you cannot have affected is your ability to trust in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and our heavenly Father. As a result of the  beatings that some of God’s people have taken over the years, some of these  people have literally lost their ability to even trust in God Himself.

Mission U-Too provides many opportunities for people to get involved in our communities and neighborhoods. Allow your self to be a servant of Christ and the hands and feet of Jesus and serve your people. Be a listener to ones whose life is in shambles. Give a hug to those that are broken. Take a hot meal to a family in need and always put your trust in Christ first and He will lead you on the right path.

Christy Beyer is Jonah’s wife and serves by his side every week she helps with mentoring the women and family’s that Mission U-Too touches.

Send Christy a note at christy.beyer@feedtheneed.org.

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Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

by Christy Beyer, Mission U-Too

You always here people say “don’t judge a book by the cover.” When I was younger I never understood the meaning of it. Actually I never understood the meaning of it until I became a Christian. Giving my life over to God and knowing that He sent his one and only son to die on the cross for me and not just me,  for all of us. I had a heart change for people, for myself, for the way I lived my life and for God. I made drastic changes in my life and am still making more changes.

God never gives up on us. He wants us to grow and trust Him more. He wants us to confess all of our sins even though they are forgiven. God knew we could never be perfect therefore He is our ultimate judge, not us. We are to not judge others by the cover. The cover of every person is not the truth of what is going on inside their heart. My God made all of us fearfully and wonderfully made despite our looks and the things we wear. He made us all different. He even created us to look different.

Mission U-Too brings many people from all walks of life with or without a relationship with Christ. All of them are different in their own unique way.  For as long as I’ve been serving with Mission U-Too (2 1/2 years), I have had the opportunity to meet different people and build relationships. Because of the turning point in my life and the desire to be a servant, two of those I serve are young men who have Downs Syndrome. These boys are brothers and 10 years apart in age. Even though their communication is not clear, and they look different, they are still children of God. They are made fearfully and wonderfully just like you and me. Psalms 139:14 says “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” I know full well that my two friends have a true heart for God, and they don’t look at any of us differently than them.

When Jaquim and Jonathon came to Mission U-T00 2 years ago, they would patiently stand in line waiting to be served. They would high five everyone, and call them all friends. Everyone is their friend, even God. I love watching their face light up when you ask “how is God treating you?” Their response is “Good all the time.” Wouldn’t you love to walk through life knowing that God is good all the time? These boys can’t read or write well, and most of the time you can’t understand them when they talk, but when they are passionate about Christ and what He’s doing in their life, Christ allows their words to be heard.

I am so thankful for them and the lessons they teach me every Sunday and Monday and now for the past three weeks they are attending our church and going to Youth. They understand that level of the bible. They understand what praise and worship is and they love singing, no matter whose looking at them. They give hugs to everyone, even if they don’t know them. They are also serving Sunday’s with us at Mission U-Too in the food line strategically making everyone’s burger with perfection, love and a smile.

1 Peter 3:3-4 says “your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. instead it should be, that of your innerself, the unfading beauty of gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Jonathon and Jaquim are good examples of this verse. Like God, they look at the heart and not what your wearing. They know they are fearfully and wonderfully made and never do they worry about what others think.

My prayer, is to all the readers of this blog that they know how much Jesus loves you no matter your sins or your outer appearance, what matters is your heart and your relationship with Christ. Just like my two friends, you also are fearfully and wonderfully made, and don’t allow the world tell you different. Rest assure our God is faithful in His word! The Lord has blessed me with my Mission U-Too family and I pray that wherever you live you GO and find a place in your community that you can share the Good News just like Jonathon and Jaquim, with their smile, high fives and a loving heart.

Christy Beyer is Jonah’s wife and serves by his side every week she helps with mentoring the women and family’s that Mission U-Too touches.

Send Christy a note at christy.beyer@feedtheneed.org.

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Second location in Bastrop!

by Jonah Beyer, Mission U-Too President

I am excited to tell you about our new Bastrop location. This makes seven locations for Mission U-Too as we continue to grow and the vision continues to catch; feeding people physically and spiritually.

The idea for the second location started back last summer after we moved the Bastrop location. When we moved we lost some of the folks that use to come every week. We had an opportunity several months later to serve over by the Boys and Girls Club which is just North of downtown and we saw a lot of familiar faces. As Rebecca and I were out there serving that night, we started talking about the need for another location in that area. We began to talk and pray about it and I started telling some people within Bastrop to start praying for the second location.

It’s probably been about 6 months or so that we have been praying and talking about it. Now to see it actually starting to happen and how God is lining everything up is exciting.  What’s really cool is as we continue to mature at Mission U-Too Bastrop (the first location), and grow spiritually; we have been able to really reach out to the homeless folks in the community along with the church we partnered with.  It’s really awesome to see how God has brought us together to continue to reach out to the Bastrop community.

While there’s still a need on the North side of town we will continue to serve Monday at our South location and now Sunday at our North location. I’m excited to get over to the North side to start serving every week just to see how God is going to move in these people’s lives. There are so many folks over there that are lost, hurting, kids without parents, women that have been abandoned by their husbands and are going through a rough time, drug problems, addiction, alcoholics, and the opportunity to go in and serve every week and continue to build relationships with these folks.  It was powerful when we started praying about it and I didn’t know how we were going to start the second location, until God answered our prayers.

About 6 weeks ago I sat down for a meeting with somebody at a coffee shop and a gentleman walked up to me who I have never met before and was like “hey you’re Jonah.” I said “yeah” He said “I’m Tim and I have heard a lot about you” he sat down with me and we started talking a little bit. He began to tell me how he wanted to get more involved in helping with families that are struggling and to teach them life skills. As we started talking more I just felt led to share with him about starting a second location over in the North end of Bastrop by the Boys and Girls Club and how great the need was. As I started telling him, he just melted and I asked him what was going on. I could see the excitement that was building. He began to tell me that him and his wife a few years prior had moved a couple of blocks away from the Boys and Girls Club and felt led to penetrate into that neighborhood. Right then I knew this was the person that we have been praying for. We started talking more and when he left the shop he immediately went over to his church and gained their support in helping support Mission U-Too with bringing in some volunteers and donations.

So come join us this Sunday March 17th as we start serving ever Sunday at 4:30pm at the new location.  This will open up all kinds of opportunities to engage the kids and the parents, with bible studies, Sunday evening service, and activity for the community.  We can’t wait to see what God does as we’re able to start penetrating into this neighborhood with Jesus that is so unchurched, unreached and hurting. I’m excited for this new adventure and I look forward to seeing some of you guys get involved. I love you and hope you have a blessed rest of the week.

Jonah Beyer has been serving Mission U-Too since 2010 and is the President of Mission U-Too. His family lives and serves in Bastrop, Texas.

Send Jonah a note at jonah.beyer@feedtheneed.org.

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Obedience in Small Things

By Rebecca Barker, Bastrop Site Coordinator

I haven’t been able to put into words until now how amazing Monday night was. GOD is so good!

For whatever reason(God), I forgot to pick up enough burgers for the evenings meal. So just after we started I had to run and pick more up. I was so impatient, in a hurry to get back. Probably frustrated at the people in front of me, moving slower than I would have liked. But then I saw her, on the side of the road, in tears. I won’t lie, I thought about just driving past her to get back. But something, that still small voice, insisted I stop.

Her name was Sandy and though I spoke to her for just a brief moment in time, she changed my perspective. She was sick, in pain and stranded in our little town. On her way home to Kentucky, her car had broken down and she’d been walking for a couple of days. She had been standing in front of Walmart for 4 hours and I was the first to stop. No one else would even look at her. She needed food and help, but mostly she needed to know that someone cared and that God was listening to her cries for help.

Thanks to a sister in Christ, we were able to give her the help she needed while she waited for family to come get her.

It’s left me in awe of God’s love for all of us and His amazing ability to see and speak to us in any situation. We just have to listen, to be obedient in even the smallest of things. God is glorious!

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Learning to Love

by Jonah Beyer, Mission U-Too President

The first time I meet Allen he was dirty, stinky, and had quite the foul mouth. I was afraid to touch him and honestly didn’t want anything to do with him.

We had just started Mission U-Too Bastrop and I had no idea what I was about to learn. You see when I first started volunteering I had no problem reaching out to the people who looked just a little different than me. But a man who looked and sounded like Allen, a man I couldn’t see much hope for, I wasn’t super excited to have him around. In all honesty, I was afraid he was going to scare everyone off.

Like I said…I had a lot to learn.

I was clearly not focused on the right thing, and eventually had to face the hard question of why I was really serving at Mission U-Too. Was it really for those in need, or just to make myself feel better about doing a “good” thing?

Allen kept coming around. He even started helping us cook each week. Some might say that Mission U-Too was making an impact on Allen, which it was, but in reality Allen was making a huge impact on me.

Allen cooking burgers at Mission U-Too Bastrop

As God continued to put Allen in my path, I started getting to know Allen a little better. Every week for the next year we just loved Allen for who he was. And we began to see change. And let me tell you, I know this is not anything we could have done without Jesus; it is Him who began to change Allen.

When the Bastrop fires started Allen was ready and willing to serve 24/7. Through serving with him day in and day out I got the opportunity to learn a little more about Allen. I did my best to keep encouraging him and pouring into his life, as did other Mission U-Too volunteers. But it wasn’t until almost a year after the fire before I really started to really understand how Allen ended up on the streets.

When you serve in this environment and capacity it takes time…God’s time…time to build trust, to build a relationship, to let someone know that you really do care for them. It takes a love that is beyond yourself.

One weekend about a year after we first met Allen, we took Allen on a weekend family getaway to Houston. On this trip Allen began to open up a little more. I realized that Allen had not been mentally capable to care for himself throughout his life. In fact, his mother had taken care of him until the day she died. When she died he didn’t just lose his mother, he lost his sense of normalcy and security. At this point his uncle was awarded trust and moved Allen to Bastrop so he could help take care of him. Several years later his uncle developed Alzheimer’s, and with no other place to go or anyone to care for him, Allen found himself on the streets.

So now here is a man in his 60s with mental illness and handicaps that really doesn’t know how or have the real capability to care for himself. A man that was kicked to the curb, and no one took the time to really try and understand him, or even help him.

You see as I trusted God and pushed into Him, He begin to put people in my life to teach me how to love as Christ loves us. When we do this with a desire to praise and serve the Lord without placing judgment on someone it allows God to work. And you get to be a part of something greater than yourself.

Allen now has a place he can call home and people he can call family. We call him family. By asking the hard question and asking for a change of heart in why I was serving at Mission U-Too, God opened my eyes to see past the dirty exterior and really love someone for who they were.

As you truly care for and share the love of Jesus with others, watch as He begins to use you for His glory and His kingdom. You will be blessed beyond anything of this world.

Jonah Beyer has been serving Mission U-Too since 2010 and is the President of Mission U-Too. His family lives and serves in Bastrop, Texas.

Send Jonah a note at jonah.beyer@feedtheneed.org.

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