Every Monday evening is different; New faces, new volunteers, new challenges, and new opportunities. This particular Monday evening, dark clouds colored the downtown skies with threats of rain. As a slight drizzle started to fall, quick decisions had to be made, the worship team was canceled and we moved from the usual spot to the other side of the street; The same street that triples as a living room/bedroom/bathroom, for the many who call the street of downtown home. At the end of the street, someone had put together a make shift home, using plastic bags as a roof to hold off the rain while others just waited for the down pour.

Familiar faces started to form a line and maybe the threat of rain helped an actual line form as opposed to other evenings when everyone sort of crowds around anxiously awaiting a hot meal.

The team serving food

Everything is set up on 2 tables, an opening prayer is shouted out because a microphone is out of the question (Electricity and water don’t mix, ya know?). Volunteers take their place, gloves are on and we start.

Demetrius enjoying a plate of food

The menu of the night is rice, ground beef, beans and bread. Worn down faces break out into a smile and soft “thank you’s” are uttered as a hot meal is given to grateful hands. As the line continued to flow, we came face to face with a young man who was carrying his backpack, wearing glasses and a high school ID lanyard around his neck. A student. A teenager. He is a new face, who quietly takes his plate and follows others to eat his meal.

Box of bread

The line begins to thin out but not until we serve up seconds and even thirds to those who came back for more.

This Monday was very different because a spoken word wasn’t provided along with a meal but just the action of providing a hot meal on a rainy night was enough. Love is action and it is being poured out into the streets of downtown Miami. All through a meal, spoken word, music, a smile, and not letting the opportunity pass by to serve others.

Closing Prayer

“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” (James 2:17)