Marie we live in similar situations but out here in the W. Tx mountains there are fewer people (and probably no one is homeless...heck, I don't see how anyone homeless would survive out here what with the mountain lions). I, too, stay home with the kids (to homeschool, among others). The pastor out here brings up that question a lot, about how to serve others thereby serving God. Up until a couple of months ago I had no transportation (my husband uses our 1 vehicle to work) except my feet (and, at 53, they'll only take me so far) on these dirt roads. There have been numerous occasions where I wanted to bring food to sick people, but being 3, 4, 5, or more miles away (on foot, and then the return trip), I simply couldn't do it. But when my mother-in-law got a new vehicle she gave me her old one. Now if folks are sick I can bring them food or whatever. tyhe thing is God knew I felt bad about not being able to help, knew what was in my heart to help, and eventually He provided.
This business about faith and works always reminds me of the "chicken and the egg" argument. Faith without works is dead, but so is works without faith. Know that God knows what's in your heart (He put it there!) and in love He will enable you to pursue your choices in His will.--snorky