Serving in metropolitan areas such as New York City where various races, cultures, customs, backgrounds, and beliefs are found can be quite challenging, especially during difficult times such as what we are facing with COVID-19. While this pandemic continues to create challenges and struggles for many in our society, God has allowed the Greater New York Conference Adventist Community Services to serve through their Showers of Blessings Ministry.
The Showers of Blessings Ministry started in January of this year by helping different organizations serve the homeless population in their respective areas. One of them is the Warming Center at the Omega Seventh-day Adventist Church in New Haven, Connecticut. Following safety protocols, this church has managed not only to provide warm meals, but also hygiene methods on a daily basis for up to 70 homeless people in their city.
The Showers of Blessings Ministry also continues to partner with the St. Joseph’s House in New York City in their mission to serve 50+ persons with the facility to take warm showers and provide hygiene kits as this organization provides warm meals, clothing, shelter, and other services in the community. At St Joseph’s House, hygiene methods during COVID-19 have become one of their main priorities to prevent the spread of the virus, along with social distancing.
The Bowery Mission is another organization located in New York City that helps the homeless population in multiple locations throughout the area. Serving up to 100 people per day, the Showers of Blessings Ministry has been helping them promote hygiene and continue social distancing through their mobile showers. Due to COVID-19, many locations are adjusting to new operational protocols. This is most important for the Showers of Blessings Ministry when providing support to other organizations.
“In times like these, people seek hope and what better way to show it then by serving in different ways through Christ’s name. We are reminded that the smallest action of caring and helping others conveys compassion as Christ would have done,” said Pr. Luis Biazotto, ACS Director of the Greater New York Conference.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
