“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.” – Mother Teresa
Growing up in Mississippi, I grew up with some different things than most from big cities. Instead of sky-scrappers that shadow all in sight, I grew up with pine trees. Instead of concrete that covers everything, I grew up with grass and dirt. Instead of heavy traffic at 5 o'clock, I grew up with back country roads that are perfect for those days when you want to drive with the windows down. And instead of masses of homeless people, I grew up with a few sprinkled here and there [though I know there were more than what the eye saw].
I'd love to be able to share a story of an experience I've had with the homeless from the past. Truth is, I don't have any stories to share. Or at least good ones. My run-ins with the homeless usually consist of driving right past them or walking by them as I go to spend money on useless things in Wal-Mart. I would always justify it by saying, “Oh, that's only one person. Somebody else will help them.”
Way to be like Jesus, right?
If we were all to be honest right now, we've all done exactly the same. Sadly, I've probably done it more than others…
The other night my team and I got to go to San Jose for the evening to attend a church service at New Life – New Glory. I'm sure I could write a blog about the church service itself and the people there, but it was after the service where God decided to speak to me in the biggest way. You see, every two weeks or so the people of the church go out and feed the homeless and share their hearts with those they come in contact with. They aren't just giving food and walking away like it's charity, they are building relationships with them. Being intentional. Asking them questions. Hearing their stories. Making a difference. Being a light.
As we paired off into groups of 4-5, we began to walk the streets of downtown San Jose to gather some homeless for the feeding, it became a harsh reality that there are way more homeless people in San Jose alone than in Mississippi.
We walked around the first corner on our route, we saw a group of four men sitting on a bench. Each face looked as if they needed attention. Needed hope. Needed love.
We gathered [by we, I mean our translators] the men and started walking with them to where the food was. As they sat and we began to feed them, we started to pray over and start conversations with the men. One man in particular, Joshua, was the person I engaged with the most. He began to tell his story. His story of hurt. His story of pain. His story of bondage.
Joshua shared how he had been homeless for a while now and that the other 3 men were his best friends. He told us how when he was a kid, both his parents were alcoholics. Joshua began to drink at age 6 because of that's all they gave him. Think about that for a minute…let it soak in. Joshua wasn't drinking chocolate milk and watching Saturday morning cartoons like most of were growing up. Joshua was drinking whiskey and watching his father beat his mother to a pulp before being beat on himself.
With each example of hardship Joshua shared, I could sense how much oppression he had been dealing with. He told us of how he had a Bible at one time, but every time he got one that Satan would make sure he lost it or it was stolen within a week or two. He also told us of how his family has now disowned him. How he goes home every once in a while for a change of clothes, but it has to be fast. He told us those who used to love him now don't accept him and that the streets accept him for who he is.
As Joshua finished his story, John [translator] and myself prayed over him. Joshua wanted us to pray that chains would be broken. Chains would be lifted. That he could put Satan in a chain and be free from all the things that have kept him from being the man he should. As heartbreaking as his story was, to see a man who understood that there was more out there and NOT frustrated at God was an encouragement. If that's not the power of the Holy Spirit then I don't know what is.
While the time I spent with Joshua was nothing more than a few blinks in my lifetime, the truth and raw vulnerability in his story will last a lot longer. The truth that it's not about not having money or a place to live, but that it's far worst to be unwanted and unloved…
So I challenge you who read this to step out of your comfort zone. Step out of the boat like Peter. You don't have to go and feed the homeless, but don't be closed minded enough to think that somebody else will do it because you don't have time. When God says move…move. After all, God will never do extravagant things through you if you aren't willing to recognize when an extravagant moment is right in front of you. God wants to bless you.
"Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him" – Isaiah 30:18
