Welcome the Stranger at St. Matthew’s:
Summary from July 1-15, 2007 Hosting
The Interfaith Hospitality Network at St. Matthew's was very busy this summer providing food and shelter for 7 families over a
two week period in July. During this time the hosting overlapped with three parish wide events and three funerals. What a lot
going on! The first week was filled with "comings" and the second week with "goings".
By the end of the first week, we had 4 families, 3 who we took in that week because of urgent need. We were housing and feeding
13 people. Thanks to the flexibility of our volunteers and the ability to reassign rooms and expand within the Day School,
no one had to spend a day not knowing where to sleep and each family had their own room - a room with a door lock. Such rooms are a valuable retreat of privacy and quiet in which to deal with the difficulties of homelessness, the disappointments of broken
promises, changes in child custody and to restore a sense of security. Even with all the space that we could offer, two families
still had to be split up and experience much less desirable living arrangements elsewhere. But, we did make a difference. By the
end of the week smiles had replaced worried faces. We got a ringing endorsement from one little girl, "This is
the best place so far." Let's pray there are better places to come for her in Austin.
The second week, we traded 3 families with the other network. The move brought some tough days. One evening every guest
eventually made it through the kitchen for leftover chocolate cake, tea and solace. This is what St. Matthew's volunteers offer
that is more valuable than the story the statistics tell - we offer an environment that welcomes, supports and loves these
families when they feel abandoned. One little boy just immersed himself in a whole week of volunteers to watch Shrek II with
him. We sent the DVD on to the next church with him and he was happy. One Mom was glad she could make tea after her kids
were settled at night and take a little time for herself. Another Mom got support from our Mommy Meetup Group to help her use
a baby sling to avoid further back problems. In these ways IHN is much more than just a housing program, it is a faithful
response to families.
By the end of the second week, 2 families that we had housed had moved out of the church networks. One to public housing and another to a church supported apartment. With many prayers and much love, a baby had gone to a new adoptive family. These departures permitted one of the families that had been split up to regroup. They are still moving from faith community to faith community but little bit by little bit each of us makes a difference. Thank you St. Mathew's.
