On  a  crisp November morning more two decades ago, a group of volunteers met early in the morning downtown to serve a simple breakfast to the homeless. It was on 9th Avenue and Buchanan under the 7th Ave bridge and I had never been to this part of town before. 

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What I saw that morning changed my life forever. I knew there were people who are poor and living in the street. As a Haitian, I have seen poverty but certainly not in the context to which I was exposed that first morning. I was flabbergasted to see people living in such a state, in the State of Arizona right down the street from the Capitol in one of the most influential cities in America!

 I came home feeling totally distraught, asking myself why isn't anyone doing something about this atrocity? Why? Why? Why? Then deep down inside, I heard a small soft voice  whispering why haven't YOU done anything about it? I remember shedding a few tears over the realization that it only takes one person to make a difference.
 
As the story will unfold, my heart will be serving on Sunday morning downtown. Although the location has now changed to 12th Avenue and Madison Street, I've seen one miracle after another. Lives have changed, friendships / alliances  born, an army of volunteers galvanized, provisions made. Sure, adversities still exist, but through it all, our hands and feet have become the hands and feet of Jesus!
 
I will encourage you, as you read these words, if you are hearing that small soft voice regarding any area of your  life, don't ignore it. Please do what it says. I promise you will never regret it; I did not.

In Love , READY TO SERVE,
Christine Ellis
Founder
The Bridge for Community Services