Clothing the Homeless

This ministry started almost 6 years ago by myself. God spoke to my heart about the need to give clothing out in a respectful caring manner. I started alone in the Civic Center area of Santa Ana on Tues. nights. I ministered along side a church who did a meal and message. I was a member of one of the largest churches in Orange County. A real mega church with a famous Pastor. I thought people would want to join in and donate their clothing, money and time. I was so disappointed when I realized no one had time. I did get a handful of willing servants and we went forward with the vision God has shown to me. I finally had to leave the big church due to it's opinion on the ministry and outreach. They felt it was too labor intensive and required too much room to store the donations and process them. Members were not allowed to bring donations to the church or office since it might clutter things.

I had had a huge sale at a small church in Irvine, 300 or so people. They were very kind to me and understood my passion for the homeless. I eventually joined and have been there now about 3 years. It is the same story, no one has time to come out and minister to the homeless except a handful. God has been amazing with ways to confirm the vision to me so long ago. He has given me a donated van I needed to transport the clothing, we have clothes coming in from 2 thrift stores weekly and a few retail outlets. I do get donations from church people and they do help pay for the 6 storage units we have in Irvine. They are used to process and store everything. I find when I ask members of my church and small group why they don't come they are afraid to be around the homeless. They think they will get a disease, punched in the face, all these things that have never happened to me.

I am an older gal, almost 59 years old. I feel so alive when I am out serving the Lord. When I can hold the hand of a lost homeless person and take their needs to My Heavenly Father and know Jesus loves the poor and needy. It is a priviledge to be used at any age. I have grown men cry with the touch of the Holy Spirit. They know I keep coming because I love them and want them to have decent clothing and be warm in the winter. They know I come because I want them to know Jesus.

We serve the mentally ill at Mental Health Services. They are also homeless. Talk about a challenge, the double whammy. They look so forward to that bag of toiletries and those shoes and new jeans and backpack. It makes things just a little bit better.

We go to a church in Huntington Beach that has a weekly meal at 4 for poor. We take our clothes out once a month. We go in and eat with the people after we have given out the clothes. What a joy to sit down with them and talk and listen. They are just people like us except they are without shelter or money. Their need for a Savior is so strong. I have found when you keep coming back month after month, year after year your action speaks the truth. Words and preaching without showing love is a waste of time. Action they remember, the warm coat or the blanket they remember. We tell them it is not from us but from the Lord Jesus.

I am asking the Lord to send me some servants of God. I need those who can give some time for service. If this sounds like something you want to be involved in please contact me at s.sonnenberg@cox.net or call me at 949 651-109.

In HIS SERVICE,
Sue Sonnenberg
Clothing the Homeless