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The Journey Continues: The Soup Kitchen

Sunday, October 21, 2018

My journey this week takes me to the Austin Baptist Chapel, referred to as “the Angel House” or “Soup Kitchen” on E. Caesar Chavez Street in Austin.

For the past 25 years, Redwood Baptist Church in San Marcos has provided a ministry team on the first Wednesday of the month to assist in serving the noon meal to the homeless. Our job is to make sandwiches, wrap plasticware and prepare serving trays in an assembly line fashion, then complete with a bowl of hot soup to serve – and seconds are provided on soup.

Jose Bricenyo, an employee since 1993, is the door monitor and as he issues a ticket, he says to each guest: “I wish for you to be in harmony to God with Jesus.”

Other staff includes supervisor Dana Hoth and Richard F. Williams, former Marine, who since 2007, is the kitchen master.

On our visit, 268 meals were served to guests with dignity. The Soup Kitchen operates daily except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In 2017 153,823 meals were served. Since its inception in 1986 under the ministry of Frank Deutsch and the Austin Baptist Association, over three million meals have been served.

From my observations over the years, I have seen a cross-section of life, often broken and hurting. This is probably the most integrated place in town with age, sex and race making no difference. I could feel the pain caused by lost love, lost job, lost sobriety and physical hunger. Whatever their situation, there was a universal sweet spirit of cooperation and common bonding as they broke bread; eating together offers great comradeship.

I offered a short devotion and blessing – John 16:33 – prior to the meal.

“I (Jesus Christ) have come to tell you these things so you can have peace. In this world you shall have trouble, but be not afraid, I have overcome the world.”

Overcoming the world means He overcame death and if God has done it once, he can do it again for you. Christ knows your life and can bring peace and salvation.

On the dining room wall are several signs including this one: “The ABCs of Life – accept differences; be kind; count your blessings; dream; express thanks; forgive; give freely; harm no one; imagine more; jettison anger; keep confidence; love truly; master something; nurture hope; open you mind; pack lightly; quell rumors; reciprocate; seek wisdom; touch hearts; understand; value truth; win graciously; xeriscape; yearn for peace; zealously support a worthy cause.”

A banner states: “Jesus Christ gave of his life for you; how might you more deeply devote your life to him?”

Another sign was the 23rd Psalm in its entirety.

Prior to leaving San Marcos, our monthly team has a devotion based on Matthew 25:35 –the words of Jesus:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink....The King shall reply I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

On our way home, the verse came alive when I overheard this comment, “Well, today in the soup line we saw Jesus.”

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666