By:  William Henry Jackson III

(Some of the names have been abbreviated to protect the blessed)

I had been availing myself to various benevolent situations for a number of years at times from my home, the last place for over two and half years, 2-3 sometimes 5 days a week during holiday seasons. 
The last ministry we fed 275 families with enough food for a week, every week. 

The homeless population was peripheral due to the structure of this ministry and workers being largely women.  This posed possible security and personal safety issues.  Face it the homeless people had kind of a “rough texture” outside.  Despite this “rough texture” I had an over whelming drive to serve this small cross section of our population.  To help fill the areas of their needs spiritually, physically, mentally and socially. There was a strong affinity and easy two way dialog between them and I.
There was joy in doing what I could to give them what they deserved and at times had already earned.

Through the years I tooled up so to speak for what was to come both by observation and work.  I also was homeless for a period of time early in my life with various afflictions of body, soul and social sorts, which now I draw from.  These all gave me a softness of heart and keen understanding of homelessness and the causes, which brings me to the place from which came the understanding of my anointing from God and need for a special type of place for the forgotten on our doorstep. 

I’ll tell you how Tim’s Oasis Homeless Outreach Ministry started and runs, but first some homeless statistics gained by a two year homeless census assessment done by the county of Riverside done in 2005.  I gained this information while attending a homeless summit in 2006.  There were representatives from Washington D.C., Sacramento, Riverside and people committed to help  homeless men and women.

First there were in 2005 on any given day 4,785 homeless persons in Riverside County. 
Keeping in mind these were only the ones they could interview.  
85.7% Male, 14.3% female, 24% Sheltered, 76% unsheltered, 23% veterans.  67.1% of homeless women have experienced domestic violence in their lives.  35% of all homeless persons are chronically homeless.  49% of homeless adults on any given day have been homeless for one year or more.  23% of homeless adults have been homeless 3 months of less.  11.2% have been in foster care and 25% of them became homeless upon discharge from foster care.  40.7% have persistent health needs. 
Alcoholism or drug use was found not to be necessarily the cause but a lot of the time an effect of homelessness.  50% have no consistent monthly income, 59% were born in California. 
This sadness staggers me, I had to do something which brings me to how I made the vow to make a difference.

One evening I was sitting at a table breaking down 50 pound bags of rice to combine with other foods to pass out that evening to needy persons as they came.  At least a grocery bag or more if the family had more than two people in it.  In this building to my left was a door.  To my right a window through this window I could see the parking lot where the food was to be passed out.  To get to the parking lot I would exit the door to my left, go around the building and finally get to the parking lot.  There were four youth from another church based group that volunteered to pray or give the word to who ever asked or that they approached, a very zealous group of boys.  Three days prior to the food give away a homeless man who lived under a tarp by the gravel pits against the foothills came to me, we cheerfully greeted each other and gave each other a warm hug, the man’s name was Tim.  Tim was about 34 but looked 44, weather beaten, darkly tanned too old for his years.  Tim was soft spoken and a warm person, gentle despite the effects of his life.  Tim asked me, “brother, do you have a tent or a tarp or something?  It is a little wet out and my tarp has holes in it and my stuff and I are getting wet.”  I said “not right now, but in three days, in the evening we will be here blessing people with food and if we don’t have something by then I will take a collection from the workers and pastors and we will go and get something.”  Tim said, “I’ll be there.”  Well back to the night of the food give- away.

As I glanced through the window to my right, the halogen lights making a sharp contrast between the parking lot and the street where it was dark, through the parking lot came Tim. 

I found out from my wife that before I had seen Tim, my wife was in the far end of the parking lot, the dirt end and observed Tim between two cars, on his knees, his arms stretched upward, privately praying.   As Tim came into view from that window, the four youth approached Tim.  The zealous youths boxed Tim in, on four sides, the largest of the four in front of him all very close.  I heard from that open window, loudly, those harsh condemning words I will painfully never forget. “What is that smell?  Is it beer?”   “Who are you going to win to the Lord with a can of beer between your knees sitting on a curb?”  “You are nothing but a stench in the nostrils of Christ, a dirty rag in Jesus’ face, you are a disgrace, nothing, worthless.”  I was frozen, shocked.  Tim ran for the street, I ran for the door to get around the building just in time to see Tim disappearing into the dark, tears streaming down his face glistening on that too rugged face as he turned his head half way in the light proclaiming his love for Jesus Christ.  I ran towards the zealots and yelled, “What have you done?”  “Do you know what you need to do now?” I yelled.  “Chase Tim down and wash his feet!”  The zealots only laughed haughtily.  Tim was never seen again.

I made a decision right then that I knew what was right and I had better do it.  Use my tools I had gained and serve that narrow cross-section of human beings.  This brings me to the beginning.  I will do it myself with the help of God.  It will be named Tim’s Oasis.  First off because my name is Bill and I have to stay humble, a proper servant, and for Tim. There will be no condemnation, only uplifting, identifying needs, love and a positive movement toward God, social redemption and self worth.  Oasis named for God’s promise of taking care of us dependant on our faith and obedience like the manna.  Important enough to be carried as a lesson in the Ark of the Covenant along with Arron’s budding rod and Moses’ tablets of the Ten Commandments.

Eventually I made a move to Crossroads Church and met with (Pastor Ted Miller).  I told him my vision of the Oasis and Pastor Ted agreed and said, “follow me”.  We went outside of Crossroads Church and around the corner of the building.   Pastor Ted showed me a piece of dirt where the building sides jogged.  I looked at the small piece of dirt and my heart sank.  I thought I was hopelessly stopped, for about 15 seconds, and then said in my heart “Praise God I have dirt.”  Very soon, a very few days later, God did it.  As I told my vision and dirt story to Don V. Don Said “Hey, I’ll help ya, I’m a carpenter.”  I replied, “praise God, and I have a hammer.”  Don’s reply was “we don’t use those, we use nail guns.”  Well I knew then I needed God’s hand more and more.

Ken G. a motorcycle shop owner went to a Four Square Church pastor in Perris and got 70% of the lumber for the Oasis donated.  Then came Sam S. and said “God said to give you this money,” I used it to buy the rest of the lumber, nails, paint, roofing and whatever else the Oasis needed except the siding which I was told I needed to match the block wall.  Don V. came through again with cedar siding, a door and hinges.

All these people volunteered these things and labor without being asked.  The ball was surely rolling and in great fashion.  Without these Godly people Tim’s Oasis could never got this far.  God truly spoke to them.

Now the task of filling the building was at hand.

As I attended the Homeless Summit, of which I spoke of earlier, I learned that in order to up-lift and have a positive effect on the development of the homeless individuals situation in a changeful, uplifting and personally changing way, the goods, being clothes, foodstuffs, hygiene products, Bibles, and whatever is given, be of first class shape and type.  This is in order to up lift and bring one toward a direction of personal worth.  Giving second class stuff only relays a message that the individual being served is only second class and will stay that way stained dented and not for main stream society’s world.  A proper servant to the homeless should try to instill personal worth, social worth and comfort of body, soul and spirit.  A rag is for a rag; a dented label-less can for a faceless unredeemable throw- away human being.  God loves this human being as much as and in a lot of cases more than us.  These people, (as scripture says in Hebrews 13.2 “do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some have unwillingly entertained angels,”) are a lot of the time more capable than we know or can see.

First thing that happened in filling the building was to petition the church for donations to the homeless, cash specific food items, clothes and bibles.  Things came slow, some acceptable, some not.  A food bank in Lake Elsinore “Hope Inc.”, helped Tim’s oasis with canned food and clothes a few times.  Donations came in and I bought high impact foods, portable and easy to prepare as a lot of times food is eaten cold or heated on a one burner stove.  I watched and saw which foods were eaten and I replenished them.  I bought some New Testaments and my Pastor friend Dave in Arizona gave me a case, Praise God.  Also there is much easy to digest information on God, good news as seemed good.

Big 5 Sporting Goods gave Tim’s a real good deal on 20-30 degree sleeping bags, dome tents and back packs.  They were real generous and helpful.

Tim’s also stocks antibacterial soap, razors, toothbrushes and paste, male and female personal care items, T.P., lotions and salves, water (cold water in the summer,) treats, new socks, shoes, pants, T-shirts, dress shirts, jackets, sweaters, hoodies, gloves, suits and whatever the homeless need to be like us, and also to soften their hearts a little.

Tim’s Oasis also has bus passes, to get to jobs or interviews, doctors and the like.  Tim’s has access to recovery ranches, discipleship ranches and homes, Veterans homeless rehabilitation housing, counseling, social service connections, SSI and mental health, lawyers, advocate lawyers and doctors, woman’s abuse homes, some work placement numbers, veterans advocates, proper forms to get discharge papers, conditions of discharge and any service related information.  Tim’s Oasis tries to supply anything or anyone (like drug or alcohol counselors) that the homeless might need to become part of society again.  A lot of times alcohol; drugs and other circumstances are a product of, not a cause of homelessness.

One on one personal dialog, care and prayer is important to identify each persons need and problems.  All but one person at Tim’s Oasis prays and asks to be blessed since the Oasis has opened.  Frequently there are bible discussions and reading.  Homeless men and women respond well to love.  Many have left the streets to happy situations off the streets with personal confidence, the seed of God, good news and love in their hearts.

This change took only a few kind words, some information and help in direction, letting them know that they are not a lost cause, unforgivable or un-retrievable.  Also showing a way out, God’s way, and society’s way.  These things help and promise that they will become, once again part of the social structure, comfortable, self assured and confident, and loved.

What a small thing to offer for another human being!   God does not ask us to do these things; God commands us to love in this manner.

God Bless America and each and every one of us!!

James 2:1-13

If this story has touched your heart and you would like to know more, donate, learn about starting a ministry like this in your area, or would like to talk to Bill you can email him.

We have seen such success in the last few years, sharing the Love of Christ with EACH man or woman that comes, leading them to the resources they need, working hand in hand with recovery ranches and mental health.  We have seen men and women change their lives, move into the fullness Christ desires for them.  Bill prays with EACH person that comes, they are given food, (good food, rich in protein, the food we all like to eat.  Meats, vegetables and fruits, not old dented cans that no one else wants) clothing, Bibles and personal needs items.  Bus tickets are available also.  Jesus Christ provides each person with a tent, sleeping bag, single burner stove and backpack.
We have learned that these people need and deserve new items, for if you give them old rag clothes and used things they feel that is all they deserve.  The Oasis provides high quality items.  The kinds of things you would purchase for yourself or your family.
Bill is a part of the "Partnership Towards Permanence" and attends County, State and Federal conferences to end the plight of the homeless. 
We ask that you would take a little time to Pray for this ministry.  That the work of Jesus Christ can continue in the valley here and that others will "catch the vision" and do similiar outreaches in their areas.
Thank you and God Bless You, it is because of the generous hearts of people like yourselves that this ministry contines to reach the lost.

© Tim's Oasis Homeless Ministry~2007-2009