Operation Joy started in response to the isolation of the homeless...

Paul Winter has recently been sharing the history of Operation Joy with a member of the Street Population and their partner.

Paul picks up the story;

Operation Joy effectively started with my attendance at the funeral of a lady called Joy on 4^th June 1997, when I was the only one there. Around the time of this anniversary, I sometimes tell people about the event and how sad it is for individuals from the streets to die in such isolation.

I was talking to T in Bolton about this knowing that two members of the Street Population were being cremated during the following week. Thankfully both funerals were well attended by family, although in one of these cases an appeal had to be made in the paper to find them.

I met T again after the second funeral and we talked about the need to get right with God. However, T's partner M insisted that he did not believe in God, so I am praying that Jesus will be revealed to him.

Paul himself is now a volunteer with Manchester City Mission, just one of the ways in which we can make a difference in the lives of people in Greater Manchester. Take a look at our website to see how you can make an impact by supporting Manchester City Mission projects.