Few people go through life thinking they will personally encounter homelessness. But it happens every day, and it can carry many negative perceptions. In Fayetteville there’s a nonprofit organization, Operation Inasmuch, that offers a multi-step program for men experiencing homelessness. Part of the program is centered on providing essential resources, such as breakfast and education. Another part occurs at a 40-bed facility called The Lodge.
For a few days, it was home to me and my seminarian classmate Kevin Beute.
During that time, my perspective on the process of transitioning from homelessness was enlightened by the men I lived with. My understanding of true Christian charity grew as I encountered the vision of people there. With experiences such as these during my propaedeutic year, or first stage, of seminary formation, God draws me deeper into the mission of his Church.
Operation Inasmuch draws its name from the words of Matthew 25:40 - “In as much as you did it for the least of these, you did it for me.” The organization stood behind these words not only in their branding, but in the ministers and the people being ministered to.
When Kevin and I first arrived, I was battling some doubts. I doubted whether any change would come about because of our service or the service of the other volunteers. After our first two days helping with the Annual Day of Giving and normal breakfast service, I was affirmed both in prayer and by example of the volunteers, ministers and those being ministered to that Christians are not called to results. Rather, we are called to faithfulness and charity as Jesus makes clear in Matthew 25:40. From then on, every interaction became an opportunity to serve and encounter Christ. It was a consoling reminder that carried me through my time at Inasmuch and beyond, helping me to serve with joy.
Kevin and I went to The Lodge on day three of our week with Inasmuch. It was a step that called for immersion. We slept there and followed the daily routines of the men. We followed the intake process by filling out the required forms and taking the tests.
It was a solid vetting process to ensure the community remains healthy when adding any new men. On the day of intake, the day before we moved in, fears of rejection crossed our minds. What if the men don’t interact with us? Will our immersion appear as ingenuine? Do they have any reservations? Our goal was to immerse into the life of a man transitioning from homelessness, and in faith we had to trust in God.
Upon moving in, our concerns were alleviated. We were welcomed by many of the men with smiles and handshakes. Throughout our entire time, we were treated equally both in responsibilities and relations. Many of the men shared their life stories, and it was beautiful that they were willing to open up to us. I was moved.
Listening to the stories filled me with both wonder and sadness. I liked the mix of events, including life skills development, creative outlets and devotion to God’s Word. I’m excited to see how Inasmuch will expand the program with time and invite more involvement of the greater community.
The penultimate, or second to last, event we experienced was the graduation ceremony. Many men were promoted to subsequent program phases and two completed the program. It was a great testament to the perseverance and faith of the men and staff.
Staying at The Lodge developed my empathetic perspective on real Christian charity and justice. What we donate, both time and resources, sends a message. Food was amply provided but a sizeable portion included close-to-expired or expired desserts and non-perishables. To be clear, I was thankful to have basic sustenance and enjoyed what was given. Giving any food certainly is charitable, but I was left pondering if charity invites us to not just give the leftovers but also to give from the choice first fruits. That extension of charity can send a deeper message that we care about keeping others alive and prosperous. I pass no judgement by these words because I frequently fall short of this standard, but I felt it was a takeaway worth sharing.
Interacting with Christians of various denominations and people of other faiths fostered a beautiful opportunity for us to unite in the virtue of charity. I was moved by many who were interested in the pursuit of the priesthood that Kevin and I were undertaking, and it provided great exposure to other individuals’ beliefs. This was especially true in The Lodge because we had time for lengthy, rich discussion.
My time with Inasmuch enriched my understanding of charity and justice.
Toward the end of our time, we learned about future ideas and possible expansions. Imagining what could be done through the continued faithfulness of those involved brought me a sense of peace. They are building a community. They are building a family. God placed me and Kevin there for a reason. Perhaps it was simply to share our experiences. Whether that is true or not, the time spent there and the fruits of it have been a grace.
