DOZENS of women, some with little children, stood in line for hours last week on the sidewalk outside the River of Life Mission, listening to voices singing Christmas carols inside and waiting patiently for a chance to do some holiday gift acquisition.
Throughout the year there’s usually a line for the free breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Chinatown mission. The buzz on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday was a bit different.
People were lining up for a chance to peruse tables overflowing with clothing, shoes, toys and a vast assortment of household items and knickknacks. There was even a table covered with holiday ribbons and wrapping paper.
About 200 people who frequent the mission for meals, showers, Bible study and various other programs signed up for the annual gift giveaway, said Shervelle Gardner, operations director of the Christian nonprofit.
"But even if they didn’t sign up, we’ll get everybody," she said.
On Wednesday, the mission’s designated day for women, Gardner and other staff members were tending to displays featuring pretty flower vases, cosmetics and other offerings with a bit of feminine flair.
Javonne Kahoalii found some things for her mother and sisters-in-law as well as some body wash and earrings for herself — all while carrying her year-old son, Kinohi. Being able to pick up Christmas presents without charge "helps me a lot," said Kahoalii, who is pregnant.
Everything offered during the event was free, courtesy of the River of Life, which operates year-round with the aim of easing the lives of the down and out. With the help of 45 churches, Gardner said, "We serve 300 meals per day at the beginning of the month and about 900 meals at the end of the month," when individuals and families living paycheck to paycheck tend to run low on cash.
The mission’s founder, Jack Stakus, turned over operations to Bob and Merrie Susan Marchant about 15 years ago. Since then the couple has renovated and significantly expanded a three-story building, in part by adding neighboring spaces, on North Pauahi Street to house River of Life and its "Chocolate on a Mission" factory, which provides jobs for "guests" and generates some revenue.
River of Life also runs two homes in Kalihi for men and women recently released from prison and in need of transitional assistance. The organization receives no state or federal funds, said Merrie Susan Marchant, who serves as the mission’s general manager.
"We may be a small mission, but we got a big heart," she said.
When she and her husband, who serves as the mission’s executive director, began managing operations, though, they had little sympathy for the homeless.
"Our philosophy was, ‘Hey, why don’t they just get a job and they won’t be homeless anymore?’ We had no idea at that point of all the intricacies of homelessness and the things that contribute to it, and trap people into it."
Over the years, the Marchants realized that the mission had to offer more than just three meals a day.
"Feeding people is like putting a Band-Aid on something that needs major surgery," she said. So they got to know their guests individually, and "we’re still doing it and we’re still loving it."
In some cases, she said, simply learning job skills, such as those offered through a mission program, is enough to pull people out of homelessness. In other cases, guests have histories of homelessness tied to drug or alcohol addictions.
Hilda Gibson, a former "ice" addict, works in the mission’s kitchen, where she shows potential as a chef. Four years ago, when she left prison, she had no idea that her future would include making the dean’s list at a culinary arts school.
"I had no place to go," she recalled. "I only had one pair of pants and shirt, not a bag, nothing."
She had no family or friends to turn to.
"I was really broken," Gibson said. "I felt I was not able to do anything."
Now a resident of the mission’s House of Hope for women coming out of prison, Gibson credits River of Life with helping her turn her life around.
"Pastor Bob is my spiritual father, and Merrie Sue my spiritual mother; these are my sisters, brothers and aunties," she said, referring to other members of the staff.
She paused to wipe away tears.
"They actually saved my life. I’m truly grateful."
Amid last week’s holiday music and bustling three-day giveaway at the mission, Marchant said that although homelessness can seem overwhelming, "some wonderful things are happening on the streets and right here."
She added, "We help people get jobs or get a doctor. We help somebody get a tricycle for their grandchild at Christmas."
And among the most wonderful sights to behold, Marchant said, are priceless glimpses of people rebuilding their lives.
"I think it’s a miracle when someone who is angry and bitter, broken and wounded, learns to smile and forgive and trust people again," she said.
