Tag: blessing bottles

Mission Ideas

Service Idea: Blessing Bottles

Kimmy

Several years ago, my hubby and I were so blessed to start and lead a homeless ministry at our local church. Although we no longer lead this amazing ministry, our homeless friends are not far from our minds and our prayers. We pass them on the streets and still see them stopping in at our church and my girls (and I) always love to say hey and hear how they are doing.

There are so many ways to serve and love our homeless friends but a pretty simple way is through Blessing Bags. We’ve gathered with other mamas and friends a couple times to assemble the bags and have encouraged our little ones to see our friends and to love them too.

For how to pack a blessing bag, check out our Pinterest board for ideas or some of our past events here.  

I recently came across another version of a blessing bag, a blessing bottle. And I think it’s pretty brilliant. I also really love all the B’s here… haha 

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A blessing bottle is basically the same thing as the bag except all squeezed into a bottle. Some of the items we put into our bottle included a washcloth, granola bar, chapstick, toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo and razor. We of course always add a little card that gives info about Refuge, our homeless ministry at First Baptist Spartanburg and a little hand written note or picture.

I love the bottle idea for a couple reasons:

1. They can take it with them anywhere and fill it up with water throughout the day. Most places (around here) will let them grab some water either from a drink machine or water fountain. As the weather gets warmer, water is always important.

2. It cuts down on waste (hopefully). Waste from the bag and waste of cups that they may use one time and throw down. Hopefully with a bottle they can reuse for a little while.

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For more ways and thoughts on loving and serving homeless, be sure to check out a past series that I put together on “Doing No Harm”.

Do No Harm: Learning More

Do No Harm: Knowing When

Do No Harm: We’re All Poor

Do No Harm: Be Prepared

Have you used a blessing bottle or bag to encourage a homeless friend? If so, how did it go? Be sure to share your story with us over on the socials!

Blog, Friday Faves

Friday Faves

Kimmy

This week is all about homeless and poverty as that is what has been on the brain lately with our Helping Hands fun Saturday morning coming up! I hope you and your little ones will come and spend a little time with us preparing bags for our homeless friends. If you have not signed up, it’s not too late! The link is below!

Here are some other faves I’ve found this week as I’ve been searching and preparing for our event.

  1. Ever Wondered What to Say? 

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Often times we sometimes aren’t sure what to “say”… here are some great conversation starters that you can use as you meet our friends on the street. There are also some things that may be we just shouldn’t say or ask, or even think…

2. Books for Kids about Poverty & Hunger 

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I’m always on the lookout for great books to read with my kiddos and while I haven’t read through each one of these, many of these are on my list to read and several of these are just great!

What books have you read that teaches about poverty and hunger and homelessness? 

3.  Hippie Jack 

I don’t really know anything about Hippie Jack, other than what this video shows, but it makes me smile and reminds me that there are still some good men and women out there serving with all they have, and it makes me tap my toe a little too…

How can you be like Hippie Jack? Don’t you have a fun bus like that?!? haha

4. Blessing Bottles

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This is a great unique “spin” on blessing bags!

Have you made anything like this before to give to our homeless friends? If so, share and let us learn new and different ways! 

5. Helping Hands FUN Event! 

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You can sign up in our On Mission Moms Facebook Page link above! We will be meeting at Caroline Brewer’s home and she will be sending out info. It’s going to be a fun morning together serving, learning, and praying with our little ones.

 

And one last little plug, if you haven’t had a chance to read the Do No Harm Series, well… you should!

Do No Harm: Be Prepared

Do No Harm: We’re All Poor

Do No Harm: Knowing When

Do No Harm: Learning More

 

*Just a reminder that I don’t necessarily “endorse” the websites that I’ve linked to above.  Not all are Christian based websites/blogs/videos; however, they are all great ideas that we can learn and grow from and adapt to work with what we believe as On Mission Moms!