Tag Archives: Provision

Needs of those Living out of their Cars

Its wintertime and that brings many visitors to Florida. Not all of them are driving quarter million-dollar Motorhomes and RV’s. Many are running from the weather due to homelessness. Jacksonville being the first large city on the I-10/95 Corridor is usually their first stop. Almost all are living out of their cars and sleeping in the parking lots of Walmart and other retailers who make up the River City Mall on the Northside of Jacksonville. Global Relief offices are located just 5 minutes from that location, and we are swamped by the great needs of the people from every walk of life.

These needs include everything from car repairs, food, money to refill prescriptions, gasoline, showers, and a place to wash their clothes. We do what we can with what we have but many times my heart breaks as I remember the days when we first arrived in this country. We have no requirements and we do not demand anything from them to get our help. I do not have time to judge people’ worthiness or to be upset because of their immigration status. People are people and needs are need. We have a saying here “we do not mind assisting the greedy to get to the needy.”

I confess I do not do well when I see a family coming for food with children all stuffed in the back of a car with all the families’ belongings. They don’t understand why dad lost his job, why they had to leave their home and why they will never see their school friends ever again. I make it a point to keep toys and chocolates for the little ones as I take care of their parents pressing needs.

These people do not need my sermon or opinions on homosexuality, cohabitating “shaking up “with each other, the dangers of drug use or any other of their visible sins. They need the manifested love of God demonstrated and lived before them by a follower of Christ. That’s it, period! Yes, I know doctrine and yes everyone I meet I lead to Christ, where else would I lead them? If they ask, I gladly share with them my walk with the Lord and why I do what I do.

Let me tell you about my number one question. It starts out like this, “I thought we were lost because we were looking for a church and this place looks like a home. Is this a Church? Are you a Pastor? My response is “Well, thank you for asking I say. If this was a church and I was a salaried clergy person, we wouldn’t have money to buy food and help you today.” The smile that follows is the reason we are still here after more than 30 years helping hurting humanity. To tell you the truth our motto of “People Helping People” just doesn’t fit in the minds of this contract-centered, tit for tat, helping others with an agenda society.

Lately food donations from groceries and other retailers across the US are down 75%. Meat donations have been hit the worst and as a result 5 of my freezers stand empty today. Would you like to help? 

Call us at 904-434-0144

Our aim is Global, but it starts with one person at a time.

Much love

Jose L Bosque

Director

God of Crisis Provision

As you know I run a food Pantry out of our Parsonage that feed about 100-300 Families a month. Lat week I received an email from the Food Bank where we purchase our food that because of COVID 19 my 2 appointments for the upcoming week where cancelled and there would be no more meat available. I began to worry. Lord are you going to shut this Pantry down? Do I hold and keep what we have now for our family to eat?

They instead told me to come to the Food Bank and they would give us dry goods for free. When I arrived they gave me 50 10lb boxes and 100 lbs. of fresh corn on the cob. It was a lot for a 65yr old person to load, unload, sort and store but I got done around noon.

As I sat there sweating and tired I get a call from Tyson Food Manager saying they have a truck with 650 lbs. of Boneless Ham Steaks in Jacksonville that was sent in error and they need to donate it. For a minute I froze, Lord I cant unload from the street and carry back to the Pantry another 650 lbs. but I said yes I will take it. He took our address and said they would be there in 15 minutes. AS I sat there wondering how I would get the strength to unload it He calls me back. The Tyson Food Manager says he is sorry, but his driver has already reached his daily driving limit for the day and will not be able to deliver it till tomorrow. Hallelujah!

The next day without calling anyone the Lord sent two sisters to help me clean the freezers and store the Ham Steaks! That day I filled every fridge and freezer to the top. Those ladies were angels sent to help me.

The Food Bank called me the following day to begin a pickup at an Aldi’s, went there and picked up 150 lbs. of Salmon steaks and more chicken. AS I write this, I am full to the brim and giving food out daily as a drive up Pantry service to the needy.

God is good! He said to me I know where you are, I know what you do, I know your capacity and remember that I told you 32 years ago “Go my Son because I AM with you!

Much love

Jose