'Creamandsugar' Work with homeless people in Texas

A man reports:
What does Creamandsugar mean to me?
My day always brightens when they show up on the Drag in Austin. Good conversations, friendship and COFFEE!!!
They've never made me feel uncomfortable by pushing religion down my throat. They do not judge.
My good friend Chris is now involved with "Creamandsugar" and he is doing really great. He seems more focused.
They genuinely care about us and are there to listen when we're having a hard time. They are really a great group of guys. I'm blessed to know them.
-Shea-
More about HELP Texas >>

HELP Texas - At the LIFE Training

The following report is not edited and unabbreviated. It is from a young man who formerly lived on the streets and now takes part in the so called "Life Training" of HELP Texas. You will find more information through the links in the text. "I've spent the last seven months here at the "LIFEHOUSE" property. I arrived with a heavy burden of ashes, the fruit of a life squandered in darkness, broken and alone. My mind twisted against the future and reeling from the past, tormented by demons the likes of witch I care not to fathom.
As a guest in the "LIFE Training" program I have been gently guided through the process of bringing these ashes to Jesus accepting his grace, trusting in his word and drawing closer to God.
Throughout any given week there are times set aside for getting to know more about God and his purposes for us. We gather together for worship services where we sing praises to the Lord, share impressions and prayers, and just bask in the goodness of his presence. We have regularly scheduled times for bible studies where we look into God's word and speak encouragement into each others lives. Three times a week we go to the drag in Austin to share the love of Jesus with others on the street, developing a better understanding of the Lord's character by being a blessing to others.
There is also much practical work to be done here on the "LIFEHOUSE" property. Weather it's grounds keeping, cleaning, building or vehicle maintenance, there seems to always be something to do. Regardless of the current project the atmosphere is consistently inviting me to share the time with God. Some projects also provide a sense of accomplishment and wonder in God's presence (such as raising a thirty foot cross made of telephone poles).

Chris' Testimony

From HELP Texas. Chris has been staying with us at the LIFEHOUSE Training Center since early September. This is his story in his own words...

It is so frustrating to me, to by organizing my thoughts into text, with the idea that someone would care to read them. After being on the streets and being through what it took to get there, it is still so very hard to imagine that I have anything of value to offer to the world.
This prevailing sense of hopelessness, worthlessness and apathy is a hard thing to shake.
So many in society would regard the street people as worthless-throw-aways...
I have however, through these adversities found people who carry with them the most amazing thing; The love of Jesus. Among this category I found those in the Cream And Sugar trailer providing so much more than snacks and coffee. A sense that someone cared about me, was genuinely interested in my life. The more I came to know these people, the more I came to know Jesus as the architect of such loving kindness. It had become a highlight of my week when their trailer would pull up unto the drag.
So there I was, sitting in the Cream And Sugar trailer once again enjoying the coffee, snacks and fellowship. Then Kurt, who is a staff member at Cream And Sugar, got a phone call and after an exciting conversation, he explained that they had gotten a good deal on some sheds. But they needed to move quickly and would be cutting their visit short. It was apparent that they faced a daunting task. This seemed to spark in me a spirit of adventure and I felt moved to offer my help.
What I originally thought would be a day of adventuresque opportunity to help my friends through hard work became so much more than anything I could understand.

Giving Up Smoking

After having worked for several hours I realized I had'nt had a cigarette. I looked into my pocket to find my cigarette pack wet with sweat - it tore as I opened it but it also revealing a few smokable pieces.
I lit a cigarette and started to think, as I often had, "this is poison". At that moment I caught Marcus' eyes and I could sense something powerful - Jesus' love - this is not worthy of one loved by Christ. I crushed the remaining pieces in the wet-torn pack and threw it away. Many days later I realized that had quit smoking.
Often in the days that followed accomplishing this task (with the sheds), I was amazed at the spirit with which we approached so many obstacles. I found myself inspired by the attitude of those at my side that though often we did'nt seem to understand how we were going to progress we went at it with faith and a sense of purpose. That purpose remained central and not the doubt or the obstical. Sure enough piece-by-piece we brought down 3 large sheds, packed-em up and dropped off all with a certain amount of grace.
I witnessed in the coming days the way they treated each other with respect and love and that there is a sense of community and purpose that prevails when they live together, pray together, worship together they are constantly representative of God's patience, grace and promise to those who put their life in His hands.

A Sense Of Purpose

I often find myself questioning the very nature of progress. It may be that I am used to witnessing the works of men in a way that for every problem they solve, it seems two more are being created. I was stubbornly ignorant to the ways of God for most part; all of my life pursuing wisdom for its own glory. I had found much in the ways of the world, but it never seemed complete.

As I witnessed more and more the nature of God in those who submit their will to him, I finally found the wisdom I have been searching for.
It has been 4 weeks now since I first came to stay here. In many ways it became more apparent that God has a purpose for my life. This is such a miracle that, through Jesus, I can share pupouse with God. And that the example of his perfect love is so well represented by those who follow him and fill their lives with the things of Christ.
It is with the many little things, the tender care with which these people approach their lives, that God will not forget.
Our purpose with God remains central and we push forward, keep working at it and at the end of each day, we have a most precious thing; shared success with God and his people through Jesus who brings us all closer together. I am honored to count myself among them.

- Chris

Three Months In Austin

Hello, my name is Peter.
For the past 10 years I have been living in Lüdenscheid, Germany and am a member of the FCJG fellowship. I have always wanted to make a mission trip abroad and find out what it is like to live as a missionary.

So that's why I decided to come to the United States for three months to serve alongside the HELP for all Nations team. Since July 2009 our team has been living on a large property about 20 miles outside of Austin where HFAN is building the LIFEHOUSE Training Center.

This place offers a lot of practical work. In the last three months we have done so much. Last week we finished a 550 yard fence. That was pretty hard work!

We also take the Cream And Sugar trailer to the streets of Austin three times a week to serve the homeless and drug addicts. I myself was a heroin addict for many years but I have been set free by the power of Jesus. I was very surprised that there are so many young and also elderly people who live on the street. We serve those people in a very practical way. We build relationships and welcome them just as they are. Most of them are very grateful and love to visit us at Cream And Sugar.













On the LIFEHOUSE property we are now at the point where we are able to take in guests fromthe street. I will not be able to see this for myself because I'm leaving in a few days. However, I am very excited about what God is doing here. For me it was a very good time with many challenges. It is wonderful to see how this ministry is developing. This trip has definitely been worth it! What I learned most is to trust God with everything. I was able to see how the team is trusting God and how the Lord is providing for them.

To find out more about internships at HELP for all Nations, visit: http://www.hfan.org/internship/. If you would like to make a donation, you cando it here.

Outreach - Not there please

Parts of a report of a man who is on outreach with our team in the US.
'I often wonder about people who have everything perfectly planned. I am not one of them. My name is Bernhard Brunner, I come from Austria and I am a social worker there. In my home town, I am in charge of a drop-in center for young people who have been thrown out their homes.

Through a TV report, I heard about the work of HELP International in Mongolia and got in touch with the main office in Lüdenscheid (Germany). I was very interested to learn more about the diffenrent ministries of HELP around the world and so I followed an invitation to a so called "Vision for Mission" - weekend.

Here I met the people behind the ministries. I had a growing desire to join one of HELP's ministries and experience first hand what the Lord is doing among them. Guided by my faith in God, I threw all my plans for my long-awaited vacation over board and asked for a possibility for an outreach.

I wanted to go where I was needed most (well, honestly, I had sent a quick prayer to heaven, anywhere but not to Texas...). A few days passed. I was back home and had already some doubts. Maybe they did not need my help after all. These thoughts came to an abrupt end when I found a message on my voicemail.

My knees shook when I heard what was on the tape. I listened to it several times but still could not believe it, they offered me an outreach to Texas! I think, we have to be receptive and listen to the words that God speaks into our lifes and for me that was God.

When I accepted it, I got a deep joy in my heart. I felt, that the Lord was leading me this way. A few days later I was on my way to Texas. In this ministry, God works in many ways, and it seems to me that it has a special blessing.

As few examples are the good contacts, friendships, connections and the way they serve the young homeless. Full of joy, I am excited and grateful and I am looking forward to my remaining time here.'
More about HELP Texas >>

HELP Texas - The New Ground

On Monday, May 11 2009 we finally got a permanent facility for our ministry. By God's grace, we are moving to a 10 acre property in the greater Austin area.

We are calling it: LIFEHOUSE.

This property will enable us to fulfill the vision that the Lord has placed on our hearts. It will provide facilities for our LIFE Training program and also housing for staff members and interns.

LIFE Training provides an environment where young homeless people can begin their journey off the streets, receive personal healing, grow in their relationship with God and discover God's calling on their lives.

A key to LIFE Training is that young people who used to live on the streets stay with us, become a part of our fellowship andparticipate in our daily activities. We encourage them to embrace the Christian faith. When they do so, their lives are transformed and they find true meaning and purpose. All those who have participated in LIFE training have seen a tremendous change in their lives and relationships.

LIFEHOUSE will be our ministry's headquarter, where in addition to our administrative offices we will train short team outreach teams that will be sent to other US cities as well as to foreign countries.

We are excited about all the wonderful things that are happening, and to see that the vision that the Lord has given us many years ago is becoming a reality.
However, there is still a lot of work to do. The existing buildings need repair and renovations. We plan to purchase additional mobile homes for housing LIFE Training participants, as well as staff members.

For detailed information of how you can help, go to http://www.hfan.org/lifehouse

Christmas On The Street

From HELP Texas: "On December 25th we had our anual Christmas Party for our homeless friends. Held on the Renaissance Market in Austin, this is always the highlight of the holiday season for them. 
This is also a very special day for us. Instead of unwrapping Christmas Presents, we get together to prepare goulash soup (a hearty and spicy beef and vegetable soup) for about 80 people. 
It is a special and even odd feeling to drive into town on Dec. 25th because there is no traffic at all. All the usual crowds are home. No people are walking around. You wait for what seams like ages at a stop light and there isn't another vehicle in sight. Austin is like a ghost town.
However when we roll up to the square there is always a huge crowd of homeless friends waiting for us. One Lady told us many years ago:

"If you really want to find out who is homeless and who not, just come here on Christmas day and see for yourself."

Everyone sat all over the square in small groups and were very open to conversation. Normally, the homeless are crowded into the back corner of the square because of foot traffic and vendors, but on Christmas day they could sit where they liked and spread out all over the area. It was a diverse crowd of beautiful people very much at ease. The young travellers in their Carheart overalls with their huge backpacks and dogs, older homeless people and some folks who just seem to have nothing else to do, no place to go. Besides our Cream And Sugar Trailer (which only served as a base station that day because we also could spread out all over the square) we brought a couple of tables to serve, soup, donuts softs drinks, cookies and hot chocolate to the people as well as a Christmas tree. Unfortunately we had not received many donations of clothes so we were just able to give away a couple of blankets and socks. 
Every year we give away a Christmas present to everyone who is there. We always look for something that is useful, that can make being on the street a little easier for our young friends. This year we gave each of them a small LED flashlight and a P38 can opener. These famous and popular can openers fit on a key chain and are referred to as "The Army's best invention." No need to mention that the people were very excited about these special gifts. 
While the people were eating, one of our staff members shared a encouraging message about how the Lord want's to surprise us with his goodness and love even when we don't expect it. The guests listened very quietly and attentive. It has always been like this. Every time when we shared God's word during this event, the people have been very respectful and opened their hearts and listened to what we have to say. 
During the afternoon there were always people coming and going and it was good that we had enough food for everyone. People were sitting all over the square in little groups and talking. Some received prayer, and everybody was in a pleasant and festive mood.
As we left the square in the early evening, many people expressed their gratefulness and gratitute. We did bless them indeed by bringing God's love to the streets on Christmas day. 
Lastly, we would like to thank the many volunteers who joined us for this event. About 15 people from all sorts of Austin churches and groups joined us. These volunteers were of great help and made everything go smoothly. We are sure their Christmas was made a little more special by taking the afternoon to serve the homeless in Austin."

If you are looking for an opportunity to get involved in a ministry like ours please let us know. You will find more information at www.hfan.org/volunteer/.

HELP USA - Thankful for Grace

From HELP Texas: "Mark was sitting on the bench of the trailer when I went in. He was an older man, rough and rugged looking, but very thin and slight. He smiled but didn't say much to me. He followed the conversations but didn't tell any stories of his own.

When it was time for him to go, he asked for prayers. Everyone else was working to clean the trailer at closing time, so I asked Mark to step outside. I asked him what he would like me to pray for. He answered that his children needed prayer. One was about to lose his home. One was about to have a baby. And one was not in touch.


He asked that the parents-to-be would be a better parent than he had been to his children. I asked Mark if he was Christian, and he responded yes without hesitation. I asked if his kids were Christian, and he confirmed they were. So I laid hands on Mark, and he grabbed my hand as I prayed. I first prayed as he had asked me to, but I was overcome with the need to pray for Mark to forgive himself and to receive healing.
As I prayed about how Jesus has forgiven Mark of his troubled past as a parent, he began to cry openly. I prayed for reunification within his family, for strength and protection, and most of all for forgiveness and healing between them all -- grace enough to cover them all. We finished and he gave me a big hug.

I heard yesterday that his daughter unexpectedly called Mark and that he is on his way to see her!

I am thankful for the grace of God, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the gift of the Holy Spirit -- they are all that separate us from disaster. And they are what brings joy into our lives, making it more than survival but true living."
More about HELP Texas >>

HELP USA - Environment for young homeless people to come off the streets

From HELP Texas: "In the last few weeks we have made a lot of progress in the search for a permanent facility for our Ministry. By God's grace, we have been able to raise the funds to purchase a 10 acre property in the greater Austin area. It will be called LIFEHOUSE.This property will enable us to fulfill the vision that the Lord has placed on our hearts. It will provide facilities for our LIFE Training program and also housing for staff members and interns.

LIFE Training provides an environment where young homeless people can begin their journey off the streets, receive personal healing, grow in their relationship with God and discover God's calling on their lives.

A key to LIFE Training is that young people who used to live on the streets stay with us, become a part of our fellowship and participate in our daily activities. We encourage them to embrace the Christian faith. When they do so, their lives are transformed and they find true meaning and purpose. All those who have participated in LIFE training have seen a tremendous change in their lives and relationships.

LIFEHOUSE will be our ministry's headquarter, where in addition to our administrative offices we will train short team outreach teams that will be sent to other US cities as well as to foreign countries.

We plan to purchase additional mobile homes for housing LIFE Training participants, as well as staff members. We are expecting each unit to cost between $30,000-$40,000. We have more detailed information on our line-item budget plan.Our total fundraising goal is to raise $120,000 for a fully developed property.

We are excited about all the wonderful things that are happening, and to see that the vision that the Lord has given us many years ago is becoming a reality. To reach this goal, we are looking for people who would like to partner with us for funding and preparing our future facilities.

If you are interested, please visit http://www.hfan.org/lifehouse/ for detailed information."

Ike Relief

From HELP Texas: "The house had been nine feet under water and everything was damaged and full of mold. Our job was to tear down and remove all the inside drywall and spray the frame with mold treatment."
As I stared in disbelief at the piles of rubble in this house that had once been a home, I wondered what I had gotten myself into!
On October 17 to 19, our team went to the Houston area where Hurricane Ike did the greatest damage and supported an organization called CORE. CORE coordinates volunteers from throughout the United States for disaster relief and is referring them to owners of destroyed houses.


At midday, we arrived in Nassau Bay, where CORE uses a Lutheran Church as a base of operations. We were equipped with tools and a coordinator accompanied us to a house. The owner was a retired widow, about 65 years old, she had been evacuated before the hurricane struck. When she was able to return to her home, she was obviously overwhelmed with all the damage. She was particularly concerned because, like many Americans, she was not insured. We were able to help her by doing the groundwork for the construction workers, who will repair her house in the next few weeks.
That was really an exhausting job, but at night we had a good time in the camp. We had two other groups were there with us, so this added to the fellowship and fun. One group was from Baylor University (in Waco, Texas) and the other was from Mississippi.
The next day we spent with a family whose house in Galveston Bay had been completely under water. We removed plasterboard from the wall and then sprayed the frame with chemicals. When we finished only the frame of the house was left. It was an amazing transformation down to the bones of the house. Ordinarily, it would seem depressing to see a house like this. However, knowing what the house looked like when we arrived, you would have to say it was a happy sight!
The owner was an amazing man and showed such a great attitude. He is sailor; his boat was about 200 meters away from the house, next to the harbor. It was tossed from the water onto land! He was so grateful to have our help that he prepared some real Texas food for us. In the middle of the construction site with the garbage piled around, he made turned the radio on, listened to his music, and prepared spareribs and beans.

Nassau Bay is very nice, but it is really sad to know that many peoples retirement homes were literally washed away. Some areas in town have been cleared from debris or were not as badly devastated, but other places are totally wrecked. One woman had a jet ski lying in her backyard. When I asked her if it is hers she replied only: "No, this is my neighbors, he lives three houses down the road." The jet ski had been washed over garden fence. Unbelievable!
It has a high impact on me to witness such devastation with my own eyes. This is something you usually only know from television. However, more than the devastation, it is good to witness the fellowship and willingness of so many volunteers who have come to help out. You don't see feel that very easily on the television, either. Our work was a huge blessing for these people, since many will pay $5,000 U.S. dollars or more for the removal of the drywall. And doing the work was a huge blessing for our team. God is good!

Highway to heaven

A testimony from our HELP Team in Texas:

"We met Robert some years ago. He was a heroin and alcohol addict and he lived on the streets. 
We spent a lot of time with him and finally he made a new beginning, trusting God to help him with his life while his Buddy next to us listened to the AC/DC song   "Highway to Hell". 
Afterwards his life started to change and he somehow disappeared from the streets. We lost contact. 
Later we ran into each other. He looked good and healthy. He was very excited to see us and he told us what had happened in the meantime. He had been clean for two years then and he now had a family. His son had just turned 9 months and he had a job in a veterinary clinic.
Then he said:

"If you guys would not have been around for me back then, I would not be here now".

Rainbow Gathering - Coffee for the homeless

HELP USA (HELP for all Nations) is a ministry that reaches out especially to young homeless people and to drug addicts on the street. They report: "It is our hearts desire to lead those people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ that will change their lives.In Austin, Texas we are on the streets every weekday with our Cream And Sugar Trailer, providing a place to experience the power and love of God. People come to receive a coffee or some hot ramen noodles or cold water, but they also come to be accepted as they are and to be with people who are interested in their lives. This is how we share the Gospel.An essential part of our vision is to reach the whole sub-culture of young travelers and runaways with the Gospel.An important element of this sub-culture is an annual celebration known as the National Rainbow Gathering. The Lord has put on our hearts the people there, and we plan to serve as many of them as possible. Last year the Gathering was held in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas; we were blessed to be there and it was a huge success.This year we plan to take our Cream And Sugar trailer all the way to Montana to be at the National Rainbow Gathering 2008! We need your support and prayers to make this possible and successful."

Student and streetworker in Austin/Texas

From HELP Texas (hfan):

"Hey, I'm Patrick, a 4th year Architecture student at UT. God gave me a desire to serve the homeless, and the families of HFAN graciously welcomed me to partner with them.

It's a special opportunity to be a part of an established ministry and learn from great mentors instead of trying to do all this on my own." "Anything can happen on the street. One minute I'm listening to David play his new song, and the next minute Cameron comes in to literally cry on our shoulder. He just needed to be reminded God loves him in the midst of all his struggles and loneliness.

Praise God for what He's doing!" "Kurt, Daniel, and Gerald have loved me so well, and my time serving with them is a highlight of every week. Thank you to the families of 'Cream and Sugar' and to the people around the world who support them."

Neighbor says sorry for cursing at us

Gary used to be our neighbor. He was one of the few people who did not like us at all. When he was around he always cursed at us. At first we tried to talk to him andfind out what the problem was. This proved to be useless, and one year went by.Shortly before Christmas he approached us and asked if we were having a Christmas party on the streets this year. We were more than surprised. At the party he apologized for being so mean to us. Now he is a regular guest at the Cream And Sugar trailer.Last week he told us,
"Unfortunately I don't have a family any more. You are now my family."
The Lord has done an amazing miracle.

Good News from Texas

Our team in Austin Texas is helping runaways and homeless people. They were looking for a larger house for quite a while (and found one PTL), wanting to take people in. Recently they almost became homeless themselves: Their intended move was delayed to such an extent, that it looked like they had to leave their old home, before they could move into the new one. Just before the turn of the year they received good news: They are allowed to stay in their old place for another 60 days, thus having more time to look for an interim solution. They are still planing to move into the bigger house in order to extend the ministry. A local TV station filmed their Christmas party for the runaways and it was televised three times. They are in good contact with local churches and more and more people want to support their ministry.

More about HELP-USA >>