By: Colin M. O’Connor
Is this really what you call a fast, a day that is pleasing to the Lord? No, this is the kind of fast I want: I want you to remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke,to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke. I want you to share your food with the hungry
and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe them! (Isaiah 58:5b-7)
I wanted to take this opportunity to provide an update on the ways Christ Anglican is taking up the charge of our Lord to fast the way he desires. Recently Christ Anglican’s Hope Project has partnered with St. Francis House located in the Sunnyslope area to assist in preparing a small apartment building that will serve as transitional housing for homeless individuals. The Hope Project team provided all the kitchen wares and the linens for the endeavor. The current residents, a single mother with kids, were greatly moved to see the care and provision of the church. They are doing well.
We are also blessed to be assisting 22 impoverished families in Kota, Rajasthan (India). These families are ostracized and essentially forced to live in a rural village 20 kilometers outside of the city. Through Christ Anglican’s Hope Project, we have established a provisional endeavor that directly provides each family’s monthly supply of food (also provides essential toiletries and clothing). We raised $250 at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper for this cause. Thanks to a few recent and most generous donations, we have also been able to establish a school in the village in which over 80 students are enrolled. The next phase of the project is to assist the families by installing tin roofs on their huts before the summer monsoon season arrives. Our ultimate hope is that we can assist these families in becoming self-sufficient through empowering them with ways they can generate income. Both of these projects have only been possible because of the faithfulness of many of Christ Anglican’s parishioners. May we continue to be a parish that serves the least of these as unto the Lord himself.
Glory to Christ,
Colin O’Connor
Homeless Outreach Participation Endeavor (HOPE)
Christ Anglican Church
Want to know how to get involved? Please contact Colin at 602-909-0704 or by email at cristusvictor88@gmail.com
