Cathy come home...again and again and again!

CATHY COME HOME was a ground-breaking television drama featured in the controversial BBC ‘Play for today’ slot on a Wednesday evening.

The play (first shown in 1961) highlighted the terrible plight faced by young homeless families 40 years ago in the UK. It also drew attention to the irresponsible and dishonest practices of slum landlords operating at the time and the complete disregard and contempt shown to homeless people by the bulk of ‘respectable’ society. Things have improved but the plight of the single homeless (or near-homeless) remains bleak.

Ryan has been coming to the Army at St Mary Cray for about three years. He has a drink and drug problem and is a regular guest of her majesty. The last time he came out of prison he was given a bungalow by the local housing association – it has taken us 4 months to get the gas and electricity connected! He has been largely ignored by those who ought to be helping him. On Tuesday an electrician is coming around to rewire his 3-room bungalow so we can get a meter installed. Without our help and persistence I think he would have been ignored.

Is it any surprise these people find it hard to kick their habits and settle down? Is it any wonder that they re-offend and go to prison ‘in and out, in and out’?

Ryan came to the Mercy Seat about four weeks ago and asked God to ‘forgive him and change him’ God will honour that prayer but in the meantime it seems that every organised body he comes into contact with (apart from TSA) conspires against any effort he makes to improve himself.

Please pray for Ryan (that’s not his real name but God will know who you mean.)

May we who call ourselves Salvationists love God and make known his love through our living.

Amen.

A