Ministering to the less fortunate

Angelique Flores

FOUNTAIN VALLEY -- Billy Elger loves Saturdays.

These are the days the 37-year-old man can have a warm breakfast, take a

shower and wash his clothes.

“Saturdays are absolutely beautiful days,” he said.

Elger and his “street brother,” Patrick, are homeless. The two have been

coming to the homeless ministry at Fountain Valley United Methodist

Church since it began about four months ago.

“I come for fellowship, a shower and to do laundry,” he said.

Though the two attend services at Committed Christian Fellowship in

Huntington Beach about five times a week, they enjoy what the Fountain

Valley church has to offer.

Every Saturday morning, a group of nine women and men cook a hot

breakfast for their guests. After breakfast is cooked, everyone sits in a

circle to listen to an inspirational story and a prayer. Then guests and

volunteers sit at a table to share the meal together.

“It has changed the ministry team to let go of judgments and have

compassion for the marginalized,” said Deborah Davis, who started the

church’s homeless ministry as a way to give them something stable each

week.

The group started out serving five. Now a steady stream of about 15

people arrive each week.

The regulars have become a lot more comfortable and open with each other

and the volunteers, she said. Most arrive with smiles and joke with one

another. New guests, who are usually more skeptical and distant, are

welcome and invited to participate as much or as little as they choose.

“We just want to show them that we love them,” Davis said. “We help nurse

them. We don’t want to just be a handout.”

The church has a shower, and a washer and dryer for the guests to use.

Clothes are available for anyone who doesn’t have anything clean to

change into after a shower. Two women also cut hair, and there are razors

for the men to shave.

“They’re beautiful people,” Elger said.

The volunteers offer advice about resources to help find jobs and homes.

Volunteer George Mulak is fixing up old, donated computers to teach

computer skills.

“They come every week wanting to learn,” Mulak said.

Like the computers, the food and clothes are donated by members of the

congregation and community.

Many of the guests reciprocate. They come early to set up the tables and

chairs, help cook in the kitchen. Many also help clean up afterward.

“They take care of us, and we take care of them,” Elger said.

Not all of the guests are homeless. Some have apartments. Some stay in

hotels or rent rooms. Some receive disability benefits or make minimum

wage.

“I pay rent, but I’m low on money until I get paid on Monday. At least I

don’t have to worry about starving.” said Richard, 43, of Anaheim, who

rides his bike to the church. Richard, who asked that his last name not

be used, works in construction and has a small apartment.

After breakfast Saturday, Davis and several others helped a guest move.

Some have also helped with other church projects that reach out to the

less fortunate.

“They’re a great group of people. It’s not an issue of why they’re here,”

said volunteer Debi LaBlanc.

Davis echoed those sentiments.

“The hardest part is releasing them because some of them are going to the

streets,” Davis said.