L

On a recent bitter cold Tuesday evening, fourteen men and women found a warm and inviting refuge at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on South Washington Street as part of the Tullahoma Winter Shelter effort. Three Mt. Zion volunteers were present to support the effort.

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.’

At Mt Zion, the fourteen were served spaghetti, bread, salad, green beans, soup and dessert provided by the church volunteers.

Billy, one of the fourteen, has been “on the streets” fifteen years. He was born in Manchester and has traveled to Kentucky, New York and Florida. When asked how he traveled, he answered simply ‘I walked’. Billy volunteered he had been in prison, but did not volunteer the reason. When he returned home from prison “my family and church turned against me and that really messed me up”. When he travels he lives in the woods. This is only the third shelter he has stayed in over 15 years.

‘I was a stranger and you invited me in.’

In the approximately 2500 square foot room at Mt Zion, 25 cots were lined up around the walls. Next to fourteen of the cots were bags of clothing and the visitors’ worldly possessions.

Michele, another of the fourteen, lives in Tullahoma but because of what she described as ‘family dynamics’, found a safe place at the Winter Shelter. She works part time and is very thankful for the help found at Mt. Zion. Michele offered, “I am coping with a lot of things in my life right now.”

‘I was sick and you looked after me.’

The Winter Shelter at Mt. Zion was open 24 hours a day their week to host the Winter Shelter. The Mt. Zion volunteers consider this work part of their ministry.

Joey lives in Hillsboro but was having problems at home. He said, “I would be out in the cold if it were not for this place. It’s my own fault I’m in this situation.” Joey has numerous health issues including diabetes, COPD, congestive heart failure, diabetic retinopathy, a herniated disc and is blind in one eye. He is unable to work and said he has filed for disability. Joey also shared he has drug problems and mental health issues.

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

In addition to Mt. Zion, Church of Christ at Cedar Lane, Trinity Lutheran Church, Grace Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First Christian Church and First Methodist Church have or will participate in the Tullahoma Winter Shelter project. The project runs from January 4th to February 28th with a different church hosting each week.

To learn more or to volunteer/donate items email Tom Murdock at tom@firstchristiantullahoma.org or call 455-2300.

Scripture found in this article was taken from Matthew 25:35-40.

Lane Curlee can be reached at lcurlee@lighttube.net or 581-0360.