When I was talking about taking the position of director at the Reconciliation Center, I knew I would be doing a lot of things that are NOT normal pastor or churchy things. And it was exactly what I wanted.

I did not, however, think I would be, with partners, running a homeless shelter. Nor did I think I would be out in -32 degree weather to keep people safe. Now I won’t say I enjoyed it but it is satisfying.

It is ugly cold out. But tonight, 38 people are safe, warm, and alive. The generator that controls the furnaces gave up with the ugly cold. After determining that the spare generator would suffer the same fate, Abram switched the lighting power to the heaters. I grabbed a bunch of lanterns and flashlights and headed over.

-32 hurts your face. I don’t like weather that hurts your face.

I am proud of the team we have working together to keep people safe. Other than the gas station, every place else either closed early or didn’t open. Well, and us. Iglutheca and the center do not get to close. We are active 24/7. Holidays and weekends we are there.

We provide 21 high-quality meals a week. Coffee like we are giving it away, which we are. 100’s of pots a week. Showers, clothes, hygiene products, and most importantly, care and love.

It is not what I signed up for, but it is so much more. But God loves these people, and so do we.