Homeless man murdered in our city
Richard Abbott, a homeless man was murdered in a homeless camp. Richard was a hardened individual, a long time street drunk with a very mean and belligerent disposition.
I knew Abbott for over 20 years, and I have never seen him sober. We have had plenty of conversations over those 20 years, many opportunities to share Christ with him, but as far as I know, he never had turned to God. A tragic end to a tragic life. Unfortunately Burlington Street Ministries was unable to reach this man.
The ranks of the homeless increase every year, and even though there are plenty of empty beds available in the shelters, many choose to live outdoors in the many makeshift "camps" all over the city and surrounding towns. Some of them are so anti-social it is extremely difficult to reach them and even talk with them. Somehow we need to do more to reach them.
But we are 4 volunteers with limited time, resources and help to do all we need to do to be available to reach out to this growing population. But it is not just the homeless that are a growing problem.
The growing problems that are going to affect our City in a big way in the not do distant future, and is already beginning, is drugs, prostitution, gangs, and the growing discontent and anger we see not only on the street but in the poor neighborhoods of the Old North End.
Pastor Doug Hoffman sent out a newsletter not too long ago highlighting some violent incidents recently and he also sees the growing anger, sort of like a ticking time bomb ready to explode.
I don't really know where I am going with this letter, but I am saddened not only by Abbott's violent death, but of the growing "big city" problems in our City.
I love Burlington. I was born here, would never want to live any place else. It saddens me to see all of this going on in our City.
Please pray for us as we minister in this city. Please pray for workers for both us and Kid's Alive, pray for finances so we can continue to be a presence in a troubled City. Pray for me, discouragement is a constant battle when you minister to a population that is deeply damaged, troubled and hard to work with, the good results are few and far between. But we must continue on, we must continue to share Christ with those on the fringes, those as William Booth once said are "on the edge of hell".
I deeply appreciate all of you who has supported us, worked with us and read the e-mails I send out. I crave your prayers.
Your Missionary to the Streets,
Dave
I knew Abbott for over 20 years, and I have never seen him sober. We have had plenty of conversations over those 20 years, many opportunities to share Christ with him, but as far as I know, he never had turned to God. A tragic end to a tragic life. Unfortunately Burlington Street Ministries was unable to reach this man.
The ranks of the homeless increase every year, and even though there are plenty of empty beds available in the shelters, many choose to live outdoors in the many makeshift "camps" all over the city and surrounding towns. Some of them are so anti-social it is extremely difficult to reach them and even talk with them. Somehow we need to do more to reach them.
But we are 4 volunteers with limited time, resources and help to do all we need to do to be available to reach out to this growing population. But it is not just the homeless that are a growing problem.
The growing problems that are going to affect our City in a big way in the not do distant future, and is already beginning, is drugs, prostitution, gangs, and the growing discontent and anger we see not only on the street but in the poor neighborhoods of the Old North End.
Pastor Doug Hoffman sent out a newsletter not too long ago highlighting some violent incidents recently and he also sees the growing anger, sort of like a ticking time bomb ready to explode.
I don't really know where I am going with this letter, but I am saddened not only by Abbott's violent death, but of the growing "big city" problems in our City.
I love Burlington. I was born here, would never want to live any place else. It saddens me to see all of this going on in our City.
Please pray for us as we minister in this city. Please pray for workers for both us and Kid's Alive, pray for finances so we can continue to be a presence in a troubled City. Pray for me, discouragement is a constant battle when you minister to a population that is deeply damaged, troubled and hard to work with, the good results are few and far between. But we must continue on, we must continue to share Christ with those on the fringes, those as William Booth once said are "on the edge of hell".
I deeply appreciate all of you who has supported us, worked with us and read the e-mails I send out. I crave your prayers.
Your Missionary to the Streets,
Dave
