12/12/2009
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12/11/2009
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Impacting Lives

Observations from a member of First Baptist Church of Mineral Wells, TX

I enjoy working with my friend Frank Deutsch any time I visit Austin. Frank's been the pastor of the Austin Baptist Chapel for nearly 22 years. He's no ordinary pastor and this is no ordinary church. The chapel not only serves as a place to worship but also functions as a soup kitchen. The chapel feeds lunch to an average of 300 people every day.

The first time I volunteered at the chapel I was a little nervous. I forced a smile and tried to hold my breath as I made my way through the small parking lot crowded with street people. I was relieved to finally enter the back door of the chapel.

I knew I'd be working in the kitchen, but I never imagined I'd be conversing and worshiping with the homeless. I was certainly surprised. In fact, all my soup kitchen expectations were actually myths .

MYTH#1: I expected homeless people to look like the hobos on TV. I considered myself sharp enough to spot one in a crowd. I don't know why I thought myself an expert on the homeless. I never had any contact with the homeless other than speeding by a person holding a "WILLWORK FOR FOOD" sign on a busy street comer.

MYTH#2: I was certain anyone dining in a soup kitchen would be dirty and stinky. Austin Baptist Chapel has showers. The crowd I pushed my way through in the parking lot was waiting for the showers. The chapel also offers donated clothing to those in need. I was shocked to discover most of their apparel closely resembled my wardrobe.

MYTH#3: I thought all homeless people would be angry. “It sure is a nice day." I kept repeating to everyone as they received their lunch. I was afraid to ask, "How are you?" I figured anyone dining in a soup kitchen must be having a bad day. However, the majority of the diners were more joyful than myself and many of my acquaintances. Homeless people don't seem as eager to share their dilemmas as the rest of us.

MYTH#4: I figured the taxpayers were picking up the tab. Austin Baptist Chapel receives no federal, state or city funding. It operates on donations from individuals, churches and Sunday school classes. Most of the food is donated. The chapel feeds a free lunch to an average of 300 people daily. Volunteers (mostly from local churches) help prepare lunch and serve the "guests" as Frank calls them.

Frank also oversees four other satellite food banks in the Austin area. Frank starts the soup at 5'AM most days. Frank is not paid and receives little time off. It is difficult to find volunteers willing to get up before sunrise to cook and feed 300 people. "Cooking for two is one of my biggest challenges," jokes Frank." Even though I try to prepare two servings, I always seem to cook enough mashed potatoes for six."

MYTH#5: I thought the kitchen would be dirty. Frank's kitchen is clean.

MYTH#6: I didn't expect good food. Although the soup ingredients vary according to donations, Frank's soup is always delicious. Frank's guests are served all the hot tasty soup the~ can eat. One man was fortunate enough to have a thermos to take extra soup on the road. They also receive a sandwich, fruit, and a baked good. The additional items can be eaten at the chapel or saved for later.

Frank has a great love for the hungry and he can tell you the story behind each face. Many are mentally challenged. Some battle drug or alcohol addictions. A few are physically disabled. Some got behind on their car payment and the loss of their vehicle cost them their job and eventually their home. Some guests aren't homeless. Many Americans live paycheck to paycheck. Some can't afford food after paying their bills. A few have their utilities cut off so they are unable to keep or prepare meals at home.

Frank says, "Sometimes the homeless will commit crimes or confess to crimes they didn't commit for a hot meal and a warm place to sleep.” On Sunday mornings Austin Baptist Chapel serves donuts and coffee. Donated fried chicken replaces the sandwich on the lunch tray. They have a worship service between donuts and lunch. The food draws a large crowd. As I sat in the worship service I looked around the dining room while we sang praise songs. I saw a grandmother with grandkids in tow. All ages. All colors. Some dressed in the latest fashion, while others wore tattered clothes. All praising God. All were welcome. The presence of God was in that place. And somehow I felt more at home in that soup kitchen than some Sundays in my own church.

As they passed the offering plate the preacher announced, If you have a dollar, give. If you need a dollar, take one." All over the room people dug into their pockets and gave what little they had. I remembered the Bible story about the poor widow who gave the two coins in the offering: Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins--a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford--she gave her all" Mark 12:41-44 (MSG)

I thank God for Frank Deutsch and others who give their all every day for those society's forgotten.