" You are Sweet and Lovable and you deserve to be told that every day" ~Bob
I stopped by the shelter today to drop off some papers and I saw Bob.
He told me " Now you remember where ever you go and what ever you do, I am right here behind you cheering you on. And I'll always think you're sweet and lovable and that you deserve to be told that every day".
It's funny to me that Bob says things like this because he has dementia. Yesterday he was telling me how he thinks its okay to hit women if their pregnant and but every day he tells me I am sweet and lovable!
Sometimes they call Bob Robert.
Bob spends most of the day alone playing solitaire. I think I'd go crazy if I was alone all day playing solitaire.
I wish there were Christians out there who would adopt these crazy people and feed them and love them. Bob is old and he walks really slow. All he has is a kitty.
I waved goodbye to Bob and he saluted me. Haha.
I drove away from the Salvation Army for the last time this summer!
At Christmas I shall return, hopefully to find that people have moved on with their lives and found homes and jobs and people to love them.
THE END
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Last Day
Today was my last day!
It was very sad! I shall miss every one very much.
My internship definitely was interesting and things went very unexpectedly.
I don't feel like I progressed much on the professional level as far as keeping up with responsibilities and learning a lot about social work. I learn a lot about the people and what makes them tick.
I think it was good for me to be on the other side. I got to be friends with the people I one day hope to help. I don't think I will ever be able to look across a desk and be deceived or prejudice towards the people I work with.
Being with these people who run free in society, people who almost have their own society, I will never group them or classify them. I hope they will always remain people to me with real needs and real stories.
If anything I learned that God is at work in their lives and in their situations and it is my job to live with these people and walk along side them and point him out.
The word says we will always have the poor among us, so I know there will always be homeless people and there will always be people who work the system.
But now more than ever I see how important it is for people to be treated with respect and kindness no matter what condition they may be in, because all people have worth and value because they are created in the image of God.
I know that I spent my time with people who will remember me.
I hope when I come back a few years from now I run into them again, but I hope they are helping in the cafe and I hope they have jobs. I hope they overcome their addictions and know Jesus for who he really is.
It was very sad! I shall miss every one very much.
My internship definitely was interesting and things went very unexpectedly.
I don't feel like I progressed much on the professional level as far as keeping up with responsibilities and learning a lot about social work. I learn a lot about the people and what makes them tick.
I think it was good for me to be on the other side. I got to be friends with the people I one day hope to help. I don't think I will ever be able to look across a desk and be deceived or prejudice towards the people I work with.
Being with these people who run free in society, people who almost have their own society, I will never group them or classify them. I hope they will always remain people to me with real needs and real stories.
If anything I learned that God is at work in their lives and in their situations and it is my job to live with these people and walk along side them and point him out.
The word says we will always have the poor among us, so I know there will always be homeless people and there will always be people who work the system.
But now more than ever I see how important it is for people to be treated with respect and kindness no matter what condition they may be in, because all people have worth and value because they are created in the image of God.
I know that I spent my time with people who will remember me.
I hope when I come back a few years from now I run into them again, but I hope they are helping in the cafe and I hope they have jobs. I hope they overcome their addictions and know Jesus for who he really is.
The End is Near
Well the end is near!
I am almost finished with ten weeks at the cafe. Well... more than that.
In full days I have been there for ten weeks, but in weeks I have been there for three months!
I keep telling every one I'll be leaving soon and they don't really care for it.
Today I found out another one of the guys who has been doing really well, isn't actually doing very well. That only leaves one guy left.
That is pretty discouraging. We already lost one.
I just saw Larent the other day and visited him while he was working! He just recently got a job on the weekends advertising for a grocery store that is going out of business. I guess he used the money to buy alcohol which quite frankly... SUCKS. He didn't even come to the cafe yesterday because he was " in no condition to come in ".
I hope in this case, the people at the cafe can continue to love him and help restore him back to good health. There is so much shame involved in the homeless life style and I hope no one brings any more shame to Larent.
On the other hand another lady Debbie is doing really amazing.
I think my parents are going to take her to church on Sunday!
It will be strange not going to the cafe any more.
I will miss it!
I am almost finished with ten weeks at the cafe. Well... more than that.
In full days I have been there for ten weeks, but in weeks I have been there for three months!
I keep telling every one I'll be leaving soon and they don't really care for it.
Today I found out another one of the guys who has been doing really well, isn't actually doing very well. That only leaves one guy left.
That is pretty discouraging. We already lost one.
I just saw Larent the other day and visited him while he was working! He just recently got a job on the weekends advertising for a grocery store that is going out of business. I guess he used the money to buy alcohol which quite frankly... SUCKS. He didn't even come to the cafe yesterday because he was " in no condition to come in ".
I hope in this case, the people at the cafe can continue to love him and help restore him back to good health. There is so much shame involved in the homeless life style and I hope no one brings any more shame to Larent.
On the other hand another lady Debbie is doing really amazing.
I think my parents are going to take her to church on Sunday!
It will be strange not going to the cafe any more.
I will miss it!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Beginning of the Month
At the beginning of the month the cafe is empty because every one gets their check.
So no one was there today.
Dennis informed us that he has 11 days of freedom and then he is going to jail.
That's kind of frustrating.
I don't like it when my friends go to jail.
So no one was there today.
Dennis informed us that he has 11 days of freedom and then he is going to jail.
That's kind of frustrating.
I don't like it when my friends go to jail.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Life on the Outside
So, I have been reading this book called Jesus for President.
You might want to add it to your list. It's good. Challenging. Maybe even dangerous.
All summer I have been wondering how I can wake up each Monday, drink my expensive fair trade coffee, drive in my shiny car away from my comfortable home in a good neighbourhood and then proceed to sit across from HOMELESS people and try to convey to them that Jesus loves them.
Well, if I am trying to be the body of Christ to these people what the heck am I doing living in a three bedroom two bath with a pool house on the other side of town? Why don't I sell all my possessions and join the poor and live with them every day? How can I have so much and they have so little?
These questions plague me every day. Especially on days like today when I see three guys I know from the cafe while I am coming back from a gourmet meal with my family.
One was selling papers, another was advertising for a grocery store going out of business and the other was sitting on a bench with a can of beer.
These people are all around me all the time. The only difference between my life before the cafe and my life now is that I know the people. I know names and faces and stories. There were always there before, I just didn't have eyes to see them.
Now, I know I can not sell all my possessions and move into a drama and drug infested world, single white female on her own to live among the poor... not the brightest idea I ever had.
But what should I do?
Jesus didn't live in a house or have things. He didn't even have a place to rest his head.
So if I am called to take up my cross and follow Jesus ... where exactly do I go?
People are always using vague phrases like " just follow the Lord's leading" and " pray about it, go where you feel called". Well I am pretty sure that Jesus, the Lord, lead his disciples down pretty intense road ending in persecution and martyrdom. And the entire book of James screams out to every believe to take care of the poor and the orphan and the widowed.
I'm pretty sure that's where I am called. I'm pretty sure that's where every person who follows Jesus is called.
So, the question of the summer time, college student internship: Do I separate career from ministry? Do I keep the worlds separate? Or do I let them collide? The first is easier. The latter could be dangerous.
Who do I follow, what the world tells me : have your career, keep your boundaries and have your house is the Suburbs. Or do I follow Jesus who poured his life out to other people...
Because can I really talk about poverty over a $ 30 meal ?
The more I think about it, the less possible separating the two worlds becomes.
Because if I am really loving people and respecting each face I see every day I will always know the names on the shirtless men on benches drinking a Bud. I will know why that lady stands on the corner every day and begs with her cardboard sign.
If I live how I'm supposed to those people will always have names and faces, and the worlds will always collide.
You might want to add it to your list. It's good. Challenging. Maybe even dangerous.
All summer I have been wondering how I can wake up each Monday, drink my expensive fair trade coffee, drive in my shiny car away from my comfortable home in a good neighbourhood and then proceed to sit across from HOMELESS people and try to convey to them that Jesus loves them.
Well, if I am trying to be the body of Christ to these people what the heck am I doing living in a three bedroom two bath with a pool house on the other side of town? Why don't I sell all my possessions and join the poor and live with them every day? How can I have so much and they have so little?
These questions plague me every day. Especially on days like today when I see three guys I know from the cafe while I am coming back from a gourmet meal with my family.
One was selling papers, another was advertising for a grocery store going out of business and the other was sitting on a bench with a can of beer.
These people are all around me all the time. The only difference between my life before the cafe and my life now is that I know the people. I know names and faces and stories. There were always there before, I just didn't have eyes to see them.
Now, I know I can not sell all my possessions and move into a drama and drug infested world, single white female on her own to live among the poor... not the brightest idea I ever had.
But what should I do?
Jesus didn't live in a house or have things. He didn't even have a place to rest his head.
So if I am called to take up my cross and follow Jesus ... where exactly do I go?
People are always using vague phrases like " just follow the Lord's leading" and " pray about it, go where you feel called". Well I am pretty sure that Jesus, the Lord, lead his disciples down pretty intense road ending in persecution and martyrdom. And the entire book of James screams out to every believe to take care of the poor and the orphan and the widowed.
I'm pretty sure that's where I am called. I'm pretty sure that's where every person who follows Jesus is called.
So, the question of the summer time, college student internship: Do I separate career from ministry? Do I keep the worlds separate? Or do I let them collide? The first is easier. The latter could be dangerous.
Who do I follow, what the world tells me : have your career, keep your boundaries and have your house is the Suburbs. Or do I follow Jesus who poured his life out to other people...
Because can I really talk about poverty over a $ 30 meal ?
The more I think about it, the less possible separating the two worlds becomes.
Because if I am really loving people and respecting each face I see every day I will always know the names on the shirtless men on benches drinking a Bud. I will know why that lady stands on the corner every day and begs with her cardboard sign.
If I live how I'm supposed to those people will always have names and faces, and the worlds will always collide.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Turn Over
I have been working at the cafe for almost ten weeks. About three months time.
In this amount of time I have seen two of our ladies have four boyfriends each.
The love triangles that form when you live with the same people for 24/7!
It's CRAZY!
The past few days Rodger has been missing. Roger is one of the guys who was on the street but wanted to get his life straight again.
He got into the shelter and started volunteering at the cafe. He went to conferences with us and was working hard to get his life back together. About two weeks ago Rodger got really quiet and quit talking. This morning David, one of our other volunteers, found Rodgers ID card and volunteer pass laying on his bed. All of Rodgers stuff was gone. He hit the high trails.
We hope he comes back. Its sad to loose him. We all spent a lot of time talking to him and encouraging him to do the right thing.
Lesson numero uno: Some times when you help people and do all you can for them they leave and go back to their old life.
Lesson numero dos: It's okay
In this amount of time I have seen two of our ladies have four boyfriends each.
The love triangles that form when you live with the same people for 24/7!
It's CRAZY!
The past few days Rodger has been missing. Roger is one of the guys who was on the street but wanted to get his life straight again.
He got into the shelter and started volunteering at the cafe. He went to conferences with us and was working hard to get his life back together. About two weeks ago Rodger got really quiet and quit talking. This morning David, one of our other volunteers, found Rodgers ID card and volunteer pass laying on his bed. All of Rodgers stuff was gone. He hit the high trails.
We hope he comes back. Its sad to loose him. We all spent a lot of time talking to him and encouraging him to do the right thing.
Lesson numero uno: Some times when you help people and do all you can for them they leave and go back to their old life.
Lesson numero dos: It's okay
Monday, July 28, 2008
Debbie
Today we gained a new volunteer.
Her name is Debbie. She has been hanging around for about a month now.
She is really sweet. Larent, our new cup washer, water fetcher , is good friends with Debbie.
Every morning when she comes in he sneaks over and hands her three Sweet n' Low because hs can't have sugar. Its pretty romantic.
I told Debbie I would be leaving soon and she needed to take my place. I told her sometimes people just need some one to talk to and that she had a lot of offer the people. Even if it was just hugs. I think she will stick around for a little while. She lives in the shelter that is right next door to the cafe. I am excited to see what happens with her.
We are loosing a lot of people to tent city. Tent city is a homless village with showers, tents that lock, and washers and dryers. You have to have a voucher to get in. Once you get in you are given a bus pass and a free place to stay. Its a pretty sweet deal. The police don't even interfere with the drug trafficking that goes on there.
It is not a place I want any of the people in our cafe going too.
I've really grown to love the people there and it will be sad not to see them every day.
I think I will wonder what becomes of all of them.
Her name is Debbie. She has been hanging around for about a month now.
She is really sweet. Larent, our new cup washer, water fetcher , is good friends with Debbie.
Every morning when she comes in he sneaks over and hands her three Sweet n' Low because hs can't have sugar. Its pretty romantic.
I told Debbie I would be leaving soon and she needed to take my place. I told her sometimes people just need some one to talk to and that she had a lot of offer the people. Even if it was just hugs. I think she will stick around for a little while. She lives in the shelter that is right next door to the cafe. I am excited to see what happens with her.
We are loosing a lot of people to tent city. Tent city is a homless village with showers, tents that lock, and washers and dryers. You have to have a voucher to get in. Once you get in you are given a bus pass and a free place to stay. Its a pretty sweet deal. The police don't even interfere with the drug trafficking that goes on there.
It is not a place I want any of the people in our cafe going too.
I've really grown to love the people there and it will be sad not to see them every day.
I think I will wonder what becomes of all of them.
Pride
Today I asked George if he planned to stay homeless.
He told me he didn't, but he doesn't seem like he is in any huge hurry to get things together.
He had appointments with the counselors today to look at his resume so hopefully he'll find a job soon. I asked him if he would consider working at a crappy job for a little while to save some money. He said " What like McDonalds! You have got to be outta your mind!".
I meet so many people who won't take jobs because they are more qualified than the jobs require.
There is this sense of pride among the homeless that says there are some things I just won't do.
But would I do them? I can't imagine being a software engineer for a huge company, having a stroke and then ending up homeless and working at Taco Bell.
But it's work right? So maybe I would.
Some times I wish I had a frying pan to carry around. I could just thump people over the head and then they would magically realize that they have to work.
Maybe George will get the job he is looking for.
He has only been homeless for three months. Maybe if he doesn't get a job he wants he will work some where crappy to get ahead.
I think I would have that pride as well. But then again the poorest of the poor in the world live off less than a dollar a month or something crazy like that.
So any American working at McDonalds is still in the very small portion of the world that RICH.
He told me he didn't, but he doesn't seem like he is in any huge hurry to get things together.
He had appointments with the counselors today to look at his resume so hopefully he'll find a job soon. I asked him if he would consider working at a crappy job for a little while to save some money. He said " What like McDonalds! You have got to be outta your mind!".
I meet so many people who won't take jobs because they are more qualified than the jobs require.
There is this sense of pride among the homeless that says there are some things I just won't do.
But would I do them? I can't imagine being a software engineer for a huge company, having a stroke and then ending up homeless and working at Taco Bell.
But it's work right? So maybe I would.
Some times I wish I had a frying pan to carry around. I could just thump people over the head and then they would magically realize that they have to work.
Maybe George will get the job he is looking for.
He has only been homeless for three months. Maybe if he doesn't get a job he wants he will work some where crappy to get ahead.
I think I would have that pride as well. But then again the poorest of the poor in the world live off less than a dollar a month or something crazy like that.
So any American working at McDonalds is still in the very small portion of the world that RICH.
Friends
Time has passed quickly and I find myself among friends when I arrive at the shelter.
We are always happy to see each other after a long weekend.
Its strange because I feel like I need to view the people I work with more as clients and less like friends. But they are more friends than anything.
Today I had an interesting encounter with Miz Mathis. She was talking about some pretty crazy things and I realize more and more that she really needs help.
I want to find a way to get her help, but I don't think she would take it. She would choose her crazy life of freedom over a safe, non-violent life where she was trapped inside buildings.
That is probably the hardest part. So many of the homeless people don't take help when they can get it.
I think shame and pride stops them the most out of anything.
I have to check myself because that makes me angry. I am always thinking that they should do whatever it takes to get out of their situation no matter what kind of help they have to take to get out.
I have to constantly put myself in their shoes and think what I would do.
I think I've come to the conclusion that some people just aren't that desperate. The ones who are do what ever they can to get back on their feet and they do.
So how do we enable the rest of the group to move on and see a better way of life and achieve it?
We are always happy to see each other after a long weekend.
Its strange because I feel like I need to view the people I work with more as clients and less like friends. But they are more friends than anything.
Today I had an interesting encounter with Miz Mathis. She was talking about some pretty crazy things and I realize more and more that she really needs help.
I want to find a way to get her help, but I don't think she would take it. She would choose her crazy life of freedom over a safe, non-violent life where she was trapped inside buildings.
That is probably the hardest part. So many of the homeless people don't take help when they can get it.
I think shame and pride stops them the most out of anything.
I have to check myself because that makes me angry. I am always thinking that they should do whatever it takes to get out of their situation no matter what kind of help they have to take to get out.
I have to constantly put myself in their shoes and think what I would do.
I think I've come to the conclusion that some people just aren't that desperate. The ones who are do what ever they can to get back on their feet and they do.
So how do we enable the rest of the group to move on and see a better way of life and achieve it?
Rain
What do homeless people do when it is raining and they have to walk everywhere?
I wondered this a few weeks ago, and today I found out!
They strip down to their bottoms and their undies and they wear trash bags. The men wear clear trash bags and the women wear your standard black.
They are pretty genius.
Rain complicates everything because it ruins their place to sleep, their travel and their work if they have any. You always see those poor souls on the side of the street getting drenched by mini tsunami's from cars driving by. This has been the talk of the cafe.
" How many times did you get soaked yesterday?" Joe asks.
" Twice, I beat the bast**ds yesterday. They can't soak me. I know how this thing works" says Frank.
" Yeah. I hate the rain"...
Its crazy how I think walking to my car in the rain is so annoying and those people have to walk for miles in the rain.
Today we also had a crazy moment. A guy came in from off the street, immediately walks into the cafe and starts cussing at every one.. during devotions. So of course immediately three guys stand up to defend Cory ( who is giving devotions) and I just sit and stare, deer in the head lights style and wait to see what happens. Cory jumped up and talked to the guy and he ended up getting some coffee and sticking around.
I have no clue how I would have handled that situation if I was the one giving devotions!
I wondered this a few weeks ago, and today I found out!
They strip down to their bottoms and their undies and they wear trash bags. The men wear clear trash bags and the women wear your standard black.
They are pretty genius.
Rain complicates everything because it ruins their place to sleep, their travel and their work if they have any. You always see those poor souls on the side of the street getting drenched by mini tsunami's from cars driving by. This has been the talk of the cafe.
" How many times did you get soaked yesterday?" Joe asks.
" Twice, I beat the bast**ds yesterday. They can't soak me. I know how this thing works" says Frank.
" Yeah. I hate the rain"...
Its crazy how I think walking to my car in the rain is so annoying and those people have to walk for miles in the rain.
Today we also had a crazy moment. A guy came in from off the street, immediately walks into the cafe and starts cussing at every one.. during devotions. So of course immediately three guys stand up to defend Cory ( who is giving devotions) and I just sit and stare, deer in the head lights style and wait to see what happens. Cory jumped up and talked to the guy and he ended up getting some coffee and sticking around.
I have no clue how I would have handled that situation if I was the one giving devotions!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Prayer in Closets
Today we started decorating our prayer closet.
There weren't that many in the people in the cafe today. I think that had a lot to do with the fact we didn't have any snacks.
The prayer closet is exciting. At previous cafe's that have been started with the Salvation Army there have been 24hr prayer rooms.
As we started to decorate we got one of the girls who has been coming to the cafe for some time to come over and help us decorate. At first she was hesitant but after a few minutes she got excited and looked like she was a little more comfortable.
I think the lady might be a lesbian and she gets a lot of flack about it out on the patio where she sleeps. She was a victim of hurricane Katrina and has been displaced ever since the storm hit.
There are a lot of frustrated people at the cafe.
One of the sweetest ladies has been going out every morning at four am. to try and get into the day labour pool but every day she comes back with no work. I wish I could find a job for her. She is the sweetest lady. I wonder what she thinks about Jesus too.
I don't know but its really frustrating for me to see some one who is trying so hard to do the right thing and she cant get ahead at all. Other people are working the system and abusing the gifts they have been given.
I hope people pray in our prayer closet.
It has stars in it!
There weren't that many in the people in the cafe today. I think that had a lot to do with the fact we didn't have any snacks.
The prayer closet is exciting. At previous cafe's that have been started with the Salvation Army there have been 24hr prayer rooms.
As we started to decorate we got one of the girls who has been coming to the cafe for some time to come over and help us decorate. At first she was hesitant but after a few minutes she got excited and looked like she was a little more comfortable.
I think the lady might be a lesbian and she gets a lot of flack about it out on the patio where she sleeps. She was a victim of hurricane Katrina and has been displaced ever since the storm hit.
There are a lot of frustrated people at the cafe.
One of the sweetest ladies has been going out every morning at four am. to try and get into the day labour pool but every day she comes back with no work. I wish I could find a job for her. She is the sweetest lady. I wonder what she thinks about Jesus too.
I don't know but its really frustrating for me to see some one who is trying so hard to do the right thing and she cant get ahead at all. Other people are working the system and abusing the gifts they have been given.
I hope people pray in our prayer closet.
It has stars in it!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Spagetti
Raspy Voice Ron has a Spagetti Run!
Every Monday night, Ron who lives in the slum, goes out and buys noodles and sauce. He cooks it and serves it to the homeless downtown. And they love him.
Ron is so rich in love. He does a great job caring for the people on the street.
He lives in a slum yet he takes time and puts forth the effort to feed those who are worse off than he is. Ron amazes me! He doesn't even have the money to pay for enough water to shower every day, yet he spends his money on feeding people.
The more and more I am at my internship I am beginning to realize that maybe God hasn't called me to just go to work and help people and then go home. Perhaps he is calling me to give of myself and my money and my time.
Maybe I need to live life in a different way. I'm not sure what that looks like. But when I see people from the cafe out on the street selling papers on Sunday mornings or sleeping in a park down town, I can't help but see them and think, " hey, that's my friend". Details about their life and who they are come to my mind and they aren't just homeless people or people I talk to at a cafe from 8:30 to 1:30 Monday through Friday.
They are Raspy voice Ron who would give you the shirt of his back and Keith the news paper guy who sleeps on his sail boat.
They are the least of these, the beloved, the bride of Christ.
Why don't I make spagetti for the homeless every Monday night?
Every Monday night, Ron who lives in the slum, goes out and buys noodles and sauce. He cooks it and serves it to the homeless downtown. And they love him.
Ron is so rich in love. He does a great job caring for the people on the street.
He lives in a slum yet he takes time and puts forth the effort to feed those who are worse off than he is. Ron amazes me! He doesn't even have the money to pay for enough water to shower every day, yet he spends his money on feeding people.
The more and more I am at my internship I am beginning to realize that maybe God hasn't called me to just go to work and help people and then go home. Perhaps he is calling me to give of myself and my money and my time.
Maybe I need to live life in a different way. I'm not sure what that looks like. But when I see people from the cafe out on the street selling papers on Sunday mornings or sleeping in a park down town, I can't help but see them and think, " hey, that's my friend". Details about their life and who they are come to my mind and they aren't just homeless people or people I talk to at a cafe from 8:30 to 1:30 Monday through Friday.
They are Raspy voice Ron who would give you the shirt of his back and Keith the news paper guy who sleeps on his sail boat.
They are the least of these, the beloved, the bride of Christ.
Why don't I make spagetti for the homeless every Monday night?
Return
Today, Dennis returned.
George and Dino are still gone, but Dennis is back.
I saw him briefly and I told him we missed him and were glad he was back.
He told me that he will be going to prison on Saturday for 18 years for possession of illegal substances. He says he has a lot of felonies so they want him in the slammer.
It makes me really sad because I like Dennis. Some where deep down I know he has a heart. I don't think I have ever seen him when he wasn't high. I know his heart aches for a better life.
But he won't take the hard walk to freedom and get clean.
So now he will go to jail.
Conclusion: You can't help people who don't want to get better.
George and Dino are still gone, but Dennis is back.
I saw him briefly and I told him we missed him and were glad he was back.
He told me that he will be going to prison on Saturday for 18 years for possession of illegal substances. He says he has a lot of felonies so they want him in the slammer.
It makes me really sad because I like Dennis. Some where deep down I know he has a heart. I don't think I have ever seen him when he wasn't high. I know his heart aches for a better life.
But he won't take the hard walk to freedom and get clean.
So now he will go to jail.
Conclusion: You can't help people who don't want to get better.
Norm
Norm. Animaited. He can only hear out of one ear.
He rides a bike every where. He plays the piano at a church on Sunday.
Whenever I see him he is wearing bermuda shorts with a man-tank top.
His best friend just went missing and he has lost all the family he ever had.
It's really hard to talk to Norm because he gets really close to you and he some times spits when he talks. He also gets upset very easily when you disagree with him.
It takes patience to sit with Norm and listen. He is awkward some times.
He is not very love-able.
He is always interested in other peoples lives. He wants to know where you are from and how old you are. He likes to find out what bothers you and what you think about the weather.
If you don't show up one day he was worried about you and wondered where you were.
How do I love Norm? I think probably just sitting and listening to him means more to him than anything else.
I am wondering what the people at the cafe need more, treatment for their problems or love.
If I could love Norm like Jesus would, I wonder how his life would change.
I wonder how my life would change.
How do you love some one professionally? I don't know if that can work.
He rides a bike every where. He plays the piano at a church on Sunday.
Whenever I see him he is wearing bermuda shorts with a man-tank top.
His best friend just went missing and he has lost all the family he ever had.
It's really hard to talk to Norm because he gets really close to you and he some times spits when he talks. He also gets upset very easily when you disagree with him.
It takes patience to sit with Norm and listen. He is awkward some times.
He is not very love-able.
He is always interested in other peoples lives. He wants to know where you are from and how old you are. He likes to find out what bothers you and what you think about the weather.
If you don't show up one day he was worried about you and wondered where you were.
How do I love Norm? I think probably just sitting and listening to him means more to him than anything else.
I am wondering what the people at the cafe need more, treatment for their problems or love.
If I could love Norm like Jesus would, I wonder how his life would change.
I wonder how my life would change.
How do you love some one professionally? I don't know if that can work.
Miz Mathis
Miz Mathis lives in a whole 'nother world.
She usually comes in every day to get her coffee.
She wears 4 crosses and one medallion of the virgin Mary and one crucifix for "sinners".
Today she came in and sat down at her usual table and instead of getting coffee like she usually does, she got lemonade. Everything was completely normal until she started to put cream and sugar into her lemonade. Once she had measured the proper amount into her coffee mug, she began to furiously whip her lemonade concoction.
I walked over and asked her what she was making " Ice cream" she told me.
" This is how them Italians do it, yes. Yes sir..." And she just kept whipping away.
She is probably one of the craziest ladies I have ever met. She is hilarious.
Miz Mathis has two sons and we aren't quite sure how old they are but they are out there some where. I wonder if Miz Mathis is out at the shelter on her own accord, or if she is because of her mental incompetencies. I wonder if her sons are looking for her or care where she is.
I like talking to Miz Mathis and half the time she talks about things that don't make any sense. Some times she comes in all beat up. She says that she starts the fights and she jumps on people. Some how I doubt that's true.
I wish I could do more for her or help her some how.
But a life on the street where she is free to go where she wants almost seems better than a life in a metal institution behind bars where she would live her life in a medicated fog.
The new helpers continue to be amazing in taking on the coffee making duties!
I like it because I spend less time washing cups and more time talking to people.
One of the guys has even opened his own community house. He rents out different parts of his old house to the homeless and has bible study. He just got engaged and is buying a house. He just got a truck! He is doing amazing!
It's awesome to see two men who have gotten out of the life of homelessness and now live their lives for Jesus who saved them. Now in turn they are giving their lives back to the people they used to sleep next to on the street.
I think this is how it's supposed to go .
She usually comes in every day to get her coffee.
She wears 4 crosses and one medallion of the virgin Mary and one crucifix for "sinners".
Today she came in and sat down at her usual table and instead of getting coffee like she usually does, she got lemonade. Everything was completely normal until she started to put cream and sugar into her lemonade. Once she had measured the proper amount into her coffee mug, she began to furiously whip her lemonade concoction.
I walked over and asked her what she was making " Ice cream" she told me.
" This is how them Italians do it, yes. Yes sir..." And she just kept whipping away.
She is probably one of the craziest ladies I have ever met. She is hilarious.
Miz Mathis has two sons and we aren't quite sure how old they are but they are out there some where. I wonder if Miz Mathis is out at the shelter on her own accord, or if she is because of her mental incompetencies. I wonder if her sons are looking for her or care where she is.
I like talking to Miz Mathis and half the time she talks about things that don't make any sense. Some times she comes in all beat up. She says that she starts the fights and she jumps on people. Some how I doubt that's true.
I wish I could do more for her or help her some how.
But a life on the street where she is free to go where she wants almost seems better than a life in a metal institution behind bars where she would live her life in a medicated fog.
The new helpers continue to be amazing in taking on the coffee making duties!
I like it because I spend less time washing cups and more time talking to people.
One of the guys has even opened his own community house. He rents out different parts of his old house to the homeless and has bible study. He just got engaged and is buying a house. He just got a truck! He is doing amazing!
It's awesome to see two men who have gotten out of the life of homelessness and now live their lives for Jesus who saved them. Now in turn they are giving their lives back to the people they used to sleep next to on the street.
I think this is how it's supposed to go .
Gone
Well, Dino the painter has left us! Word on the street is that he went off to California!
He was such a nice old man and he really needs a family to take him in.
I wonder what would have happened if some one would have done that already. He would have a place to live and a home and a place to share his art and be a part of a family.
I hope he finds what he is looking for in California and some one there takes him in.
This week in the cafe we are studying Exodus. The book of the wandering people under oppression. Its taken us one week to get through the first 3 verses. The text is rich in stories and we have been going back through Genesis to learn who the Israelites were.
We have quite a few people coming to class now! Even a few regulars.
I do wonder if these people will ever get it. When will the Gospel click for them?
We have two more helpers this week!
One of the sweetest old men has come into the shelter and has joined in with us to help run the cafe. He is skinny, skinny old man and he wears the same hat every day!
He is good at busing the tables and refilling the coffee.
I'm starting to think that if we took these men, and a few of the women who were really committed to turning their lives around and opened a small business it could be phenomenal!
They work hard. They have skills.
This could be great.
He was such a nice old man and he really needs a family to take him in.
I wonder what would have happened if some one would have done that already. He would have a place to live and a home and a place to share his art and be a part of a family.
I hope he finds what he is looking for in California and some one there takes him in.
This week in the cafe we are studying Exodus. The book of the wandering people under oppression. Its taken us one week to get through the first 3 verses. The text is rich in stories and we have been going back through Genesis to learn who the Israelites were.
We have quite a few people coming to class now! Even a few regulars.
I do wonder if these people will ever get it. When will the Gospel click for them?
We have two more helpers this week!
One of the sweetest old men has come into the shelter and has joined in with us to help run the cafe. He is skinny, skinny old man and he wears the same hat every day!
He is good at busing the tables and refilling the coffee.
I'm starting to think that if we took these men, and a few of the women who were really committed to turning their lives around and opened a small business it could be phenomenal!
They work hard. They have skills.
This could be great.
Missing
This week many of our usual cafe patrons have gone missing!
This could be good or bad. I can only help to think, at least some one realizes they're gone.
It's a weird feeling to spend the majority of your time with homeless people. I spend more time talking and listening to these people than most of my friends.
So the concept of separating work from your personal life and your ministry is very strange to me. Especially when you are investing in lives and hoping for change. When you tell people about Jesus and do as much as you can to help get them on their feet and away from a crappy life style, its pretty huge when they go missing.
As a Christian am I really called to separate myself from these every day situations and these people or am I called to live among them and share life with them?
This could be good or bad. I can only help to think, at least some one realizes they're gone.
It's a weird feeling to spend the majority of your time with homeless people. I spend more time talking and listening to these people than most of my friends.
So the concept of separating work from your personal life and your ministry is very strange to me. Especially when you are investing in lives and hoping for change. When you tell people about Jesus and do as much as you can to help get them on their feet and away from a crappy life style, its pretty huge when they go missing.
As a Christian am I really called to separate myself from these every day situations and these people or am I called to live among them and share life with them?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Visitor from another world
Yesterday my friend ( client?) Dino from the cafe came to visit me at work.
He is a dear old man and he was with man who he has become friends with recently. I think the man has taken him under his wing and is working to get Dino housing and maybe even a meal or two here and there. This is great to see happening because it is essential of the community to get involved in helping people. What ever D's problems may be, he has a huge need for people in his life who do not live, talk, or think like a homeless person.
Later on I got to thinking, is it weird that he came to see me? I told him where I worked. He is the only person I have told because I think D is harmless. And it did not interrupt my work and I felt safe. So I think it was ok.
My supervisor Cory is very wise about who he lets into the other part of his life. The part outside the cafe. He actually has a man living with his family that used to be homeless. The man has come light years from where he was when Cory first met him. It all started with Cory asking is the man wanted to stay on his couch. One night turned into almost 2 years now. And now the man helps us run the cafe.
With the Salvation Army it is very evident that life and work are ministry and the two are not separate.
I see the value in that because our lives need to be a ministry. But it is good for me to realize as well that many times in the kind of work I will go into that will not be the case.
I am reminded that I need to be very cautious of with whom I share information.
I do not regret telling Dino where I work and I hope he comes to visit me again. It did remind me that not every one is a 70 year old man.
Lesson: When confronted with visitors from the "world of work" be kind and professional. Choose wisely to whom you will reveal personal details.
He is a dear old man and he was with man who he has become friends with recently. I think the man has taken him under his wing and is working to get Dino housing and maybe even a meal or two here and there. This is great to see happening because it is essential of the community to get involved in helping people. What ever D's problems may be, he has a huge need for people in his life who do not live, talk, or think like a homeless person.
Later on I got to thinking, is it weird that he came to see me? I told him where I worked. He is the only person I have told because I think D is harmless. And it did not interrupt my work and I felt safe. So I think it was ok.
My supervisor Cory is very wise about who he lets into the other part of his life. The part outside the cafe. He actually has a man living with his family that used to be homeless. The man has come light years from where he was when Cory first met him. It all started with Cory asking is the man wanted to stay on his couch. One night turned into almost 2 years now. And now the man helps us run the cafe.
With the Salvation Army it is very evident that life and work are ministry and the two are not separate.
I see the value in that because our lives need to be a ministry. But it is good for me to realize as well that many times in the kind of work I will go into that will not be the case.
I am reminded that I need to be very cautious of with whom I share information.
I do not regret telling Dino where I work and I hope he comes to visit me again. It did remind me that not every one is a 70 year old man.
Lesson: When confronted with visitors from the "world of work" be kind and professional. Choose wisely to whom you will reveal personal details.
Tactics of ... Avoidance?
So, what do you do when you get hit on every day?
How do you prevent it? How do you dress professionally yet not too attractively?
" How old are you?" they ask me.
I have developed various answers to that question " It's not polite to ask a lady her age!"
or my favourite " How old are YOU?" When they hesitate I usually say " excuse me, I need to refill my coffee..."
This could be a huge issue in working with adult men. I have been asked for my phone number probably fifty times in the course of 8 weeks or so.
Also one of the guys who volunteers at the shelter is always flirting with me and he has even touched my hair a few times... AWKWARD. I feel like approaching him about the matter would create huge, unnecessary drama( he is a really dramatic guy) so I have developed a tactic of avoidance. Tactic of Avoidance: Do not give more than a slight smile, do not have conversation, avoid the person , seek the company of of others and stay in conversation with others, NEVER BE ALONE WITH THEM!
It never really occurred to me that this could be an issue. The challenge: keeping Godly femininity in tact while being as professional as possible.
This could be an attitude and a way of speaking more than a way to dress...
How do you prevent it? How do you dress professionally yet not too attractively?
" How old are you?" they ask me.
I have developed various answers to that question " It's not polite to ask a lady her age!"
or my favourite " How old are YOU?" When they hesitate I usually say " excuse me, I need to refill my coffee..."
This could be a huge issue in working with adult men. I have been asked for my phone number probably fifty times in the course of 8 weeks or so.
Also one of the guys who volunteers at the shelter is always flirting with me and he has even touched my hair a few times... AWKWARD. I feel like approaching him about the matter would create huge, unnecessary drama( he is a really dramatic guy) so I have developed a tactic of avoidance. Tactic of Avoidance: Do not give more than a slight smile, do not have conversation, avoid the person , seek the company of of others and stay in conversation with others, NEVER BE ALONE WITH THEM!
It never really occurred to me that this could be an issue. The challenge: keeping Godly femininity in tact while being as professional as possible.
This could be an attitude and a way of speaking more than a way to dress...
The Miracle Question
In counseling there is this technique called "The Miracle Question".
I think it is my favourite question to ask people because it tells you where they are and where they would like to go.
Today I asked my friend Dennis the miracle question. Dennis is probably the most unlovable person I have ever met, yet still lovable at the same time.
A little while ago we had some hair stylists volunteer and give free hair cuts to all the people who live outside on the porch as well as the people who live inside the shelter. A hair cut can make a world of difference.
After Dennis got his hair cut he some how looked more human. Instead of just seeing a homeless junkie when I looked at him, I could see a young university student and a businessman. He even seemed to hold his head up higher. He stopped wearing a hat every day.
So, the miracle question. I asked him " If a miracle happened tonight while you were sleeping and you woke up tomorrow and everything was fixed what would be the first thing that would be different from now?" He didn't even hesitate and while looking down at his hand full of cards he said " I would be off drugs. That would fix my whole life probably".
Imagine that. The guy who comes in every day high, talking about what drugs he did last night or what he has in his pocket. Even Dennis wants his life back. How human is that?
I knew it was in there some where.
I think the challenge in this situation is to keep a distance and not get too emotionally involved.
Its good for me to see the heart in people. Rough people still have hearts.
I need to start assuming every one has a heart even if it's layered under 1o years of
life on heroine, disappointment and cynicism.
Yeah.
I think it is my favourite question to ask people because it tells you where they are and where they would like to go.
Today I asked my friend Dennis the miracle question. Dennis is probably the most unlovable person I have ever met, yet still lovable at the same time.
A little while ago we had some hair stylists volunteer and give free hair cuts to all the people who live outside on the porch as well as the people who live inside the shelter. A hair cut can make a world of difference.
After Dennis got his hair cut he some how looked more human. Instead of just seeing a homeless junkie when I looked at him, I could see a young university student and a businessman. He even seemed to hold his head up higher. He stopped wearing a hat every day.
So, the miracle question. I asked him " If a miracle happened tonight while you were sleeping and you woke up tomorrow and everything was fixed what would be the first thing that would be different from now?" He didn't even hesitate and while looking down at his hand full of cards he said " I would be off drugs. That would fix my whole life probably".
Imagine that. The guy who comes in every day high, talking about what drugs he did last night or what he has in his pocket. Even Dennis wants his life back. How human is that?
I knew it was in there some where.
I think the challenge in this situation is to keep a distance and not get too emotionally involved.
Its good for me to see the heart in people. Rough people still have hearts.
I need to start assuming every one has a heart even if it's layered under 1o years of
life on heroine, disappointment and cynicism.
Yeah.
Raspy Voice Ron
So Ron is this guy with one tooth. He is hilarious! His voice sounds like the raspyness has been developed over 30 years of smoking and alcohol consumption. It sounds like it hurts when he talks. Naturally being very curious about the raspyness of Ron's voice I finally got the nerve to ask him about it. It turns out that Ron has esophageal cancer!
I freaked out on him and all he would say is " Ahhh ( think raspy voice here...) I got the big man upstairs takin' care of me. I'm not worried".
The thing that gets me is that Ron still smokes. !!!! What is he THINKING! I think this is the general attitude I find myself having about most of the people: What are you thinking?!?!
I have to stop myself and ask, what are you thinking?
Today we watched some videos on youtube and the response was interesting to say the least.
We watched various salvation army commercials and then we watched a music video by Sarah McLachlan called world on fire. The video was made for 15 dollars and the rest of the 15,000 dollars was sent to places that desperately needed the money. The whole video was about ways you could spend the money. It was crazy to see people really thinking about the reality that some one could be poorer than they are. You could literally see their wheels turning and for a good minute the whole room sat in complete silence.
I am really seeing that in order for people to become well, many times it takes broadening their world view. I think the idea of introducing these very poor, yet very rich homeless to the desperate and dying people of the rest of the world is essential.
Many of the people at the cafe have attended college. They are part of that slim one percent of the world that has college education!
They are being fed, they have clothes, they have opportunity. I want them to realize how rich they are. I want to realize how rich I am .
I freaked out on him and all he would say is " Ahhh ( think raspy voice here...) I got the big man upstairs takin' care of me. I'm not worried".
The thing that gets me is that Ron still smokes. !!!! What is he THINKING! I think this is the general attitude I find myself having about most of the people: What are you thinking?!?!
I have to stop myself and ask, what are you thinking?
Today we watched some videos on youtube and the response was interesting to say the least.
We watched various salvation army commercials and then we watched a music video by Sarah McLachlan called world on fire. The video was made for 15 dollars and the rest of the 15,000 dollars was sent to places that desperately needed the money. The whole video was about ways you could spend the money. It was crazy to see people really thinking about the reality that some one could be poorer than they are. You could literally see their wheels turning and for a good minute the whole room sat in complete silence.
I am really seeing that in order for people to become well, many times it takes broadening their world view. I think the idea of introducing these very poor, yet very rich homeless to the desperate and dying people of the rest of the world is essential.
Many of the people at the cafe have attended college. They are part of that slim one percent of the world that has college education!
They are being fed, they have clothes, they have opportunity. I want them to realize how rich they are. I want to realize how rich I am .
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Boats
For the past week a woman with three young children has been coming into the cafe.
The youngest is seven months, the next is 3 yrs and then 6 yrs. The children are beautiful.
They are being raised by a rare tribe; the homeless. It's not unusual for one of the children to walk up to a rough looking man and crawl into his lap or eat someone else's snack.
Everyone sleeps together outside on a covered porch so the children are pretty familiar with
their surroundings and the people at the cafe.
It makes me smile to see a three year old little boy walk up to a dirty tattooed old man and crawl right up into his lap. Who can resist little boy giggles and hugs?
Having the children at the cafe brings a different side of life to us. Most of the people have lost their children to the state or have given up their parental rights because of addictions or poor choices. They love having the kids around, it's good for them.
I'm not sure how good it is for the kids.
Today I got inspired to colour with the babies so we found some markers and set out to
drawing boats. The three year old little boy looked at me with his big brown eyes and said "One day I gunna have a boat". Then he put a blue marker in his mouth and sucked the ink out of it, leaving him with a blue teeth to accompany his adorable smile.
I hope he does have a boat one day, but what are the odds of that?
I struggle between wanting to keep families together and wanting a safe, stable environment for children.
One thing is for certain, in the homeless community when the focus is taken off the drama at hand ( and there is TONS!) and affection and love and attention is placed on something else, the community is changed.
We all need something to live for. We all need something to belong to, a war to fight and people to love.
You cannot live life well if you have nothing to live for.
I hope the people in this community can find something to live for.
The youngest is seven months, the next is 3 yrs and then 6 yrs. The children are beautiful.
They are being raised by a rare tribe; the homeless. It's not unusual for one of the children to walk up to a rough looking man and crawl into his lap or eat someone else's snack.
Everyone sleeps together outside on a covered porch so the children are pretty familiar with
their surroundings and the people at the cafe.
It makes me smile to see a three year old little boy walk up to a dirty tattooed old man and crawl right up into his lap. Who can resist little boy giggles and hugs?
Having the children at the cafe brings a different side of life to us. Most of the people have lost their children to the state or have given up their parental rights because of addictions or poor choices. They love having the kids around, it's good for them.
I'm not sure how good it is for the kids.
Today I got inspired to colour with the babies so we found some markers and set out to
drawing boats. The three year old little boy looked at me with his big brown eyes and said "One day I gunna have a boat". Then he put a blue marker in his mouth and sucked the ink out of it, leaving him with a blue teeth to accompany his adorable smile.
I hope he does have a boat one day, but what are the odds of that?
I struggle between wanting to keep families together and wanting a safe, stable environment for children.
One thing is for certain, in the homeless community when the focus is taken off the drama at hand ( and there is TONS!) and affection and love and attention is placed on something else, the community is changed.
We all need something to live for. We all need something to belong to, a war to fight and people to love.
You cannot live life well if you have nothing to live for.
I hope the people in this community can find something to live for.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
The Secret to Making Bread
Today was an interesting day.
The first day I arrived at the cafe I noticed a well groomed man with salt and pepper hair, more salt than pepper if you know what i mean. He is tall which is strange because most of us at the shelter are on the shorter side. He is well mannered and kind and seems out of place at the cafe. I think that is why he first caught my attention.
Today I got to hear all about his life. Tall S n' P guy is now George from Detroit. He was a cook in the merchant marines for most of his adult life and he has traveled all over the world.
A few years ago he had a stroke and lost his job . He was in the hospital for a month and then he went to rehab for another month. After he got out he was out of a job.
I asked him how long had he been homeless and he said for about two months. " I've never been homeless before" he told me. " It's scary".
George is a kind soul. He is one of those people you spot out in a crowd. You know he would talk to you on the bus. If you were an old lady he would carry your groceries home for you.
George asked me all about my life too. During out 10 minute devotions at 9:30 every morning he is always present and at attention.
We have had three classes so far this week and today was his second time to come. " It fascinates me, everything Cory ( my boss...) talks about. He doesn't talk about Jesus like I have heard all these years". George has my attention now. I ask him to tell me more about that. " I have been searching for a while now. I almost converted to Buddhism because it made sense to me." George is definitely in the right place to be searching.
During our class this afternoon he took notes and listened wide eyed and anxious for the next word. This is the stuff right here.
The rest of the day followed as usual. John and his Amen's and Yes Lords echoed through the room ( It's a bit more echo-y since the remodel, we have tile instead of carpet!). Boundaries are always being pushed and its a struggle to maintain the appropriate amount of distance.
Then there is the being hit on ( why do I only get asked out at the homeless shelter...), the occasional profanity, the regulars, including Bob and his room mate Ron. Ron comes every day with a smile. He has one tooth and is balding with a pony tail. And then there are the new comers who always ask for two snacks when we can always only give them one.
We have added a new element to our routine! Because of our new tile floor we no longer have to worry about spilling coffee on the carpet, but this produces coffee stains on blue tile. We have taken to throwing a few Clorox wipes on the ground and moping by foot. Who needs a mop when you have Clorox wipes?
We have the cleaning ladies come in and get coffee and the occasional Case Manager.
And then there was Dennis wanting to roll a fatty in the men's room. Ha ha.
I didn't see Deborah today at the cafe but I did see her walking down the road.
In all my conversations today something that George said has stuck with me all day.
I asked him what his favourite thing to cook was and he replied right away with a HUGE smile: Bread. What is t he secret to making bread? I ask him. He looks down at his hands for a fraction of a second, still smiling, and then he looks up at me again his eyes dancing and replies:
" Patience".
So maybe people and bread have something in common. Who would have thought!
The first day I arrived at the cafe I noticed a well groomed man with salt and pepper hair, more salt than pepper if you know what i mean. He is tall which is strange because most of us at the shelter are on the shorter side. He is well mannered and kind and seems out of place at the cafe. I think that is why he first caught my attention.
Today I got to hear all about his life. Tall S n' P guy is now George from Detroit. He was a cook in the merchant marines for most of his adult life and he has traveled all over the world.
A few years ago he had a stroke and lost his job . He was in the hospital for a month and then he went to rehab for another month. After he got out he was out of a job.
I asked him how long had he been homeless and he said for about two months. " I've never been homeless before" he told me. " It's scary".
George is a kind soul. He is one of those people you spot out in a crowd. You know he would talk to you on the bus. If you were an old lady he would carry your groceries home for you.
George asked me all about my life too. During out 10 minute devotions at 9:30 every morning he is always present and at attention.
We have had three classes so far this week and today was his second time to come. " It fascinates me, everything Cory ( my boss...) talks about. He doesn't talk about Jesus like I have heard all these years". George has my attention now. I ask him to tell me more about that. " I have been searching for a while now. I almost converted to Buddhism because it made sense to me." George is definitely in the right place to be searching.
During our class this afternoon he took notes and listened wide eyed and anxious for the next word. This is the stuff right here.
The rest of the day followed as usual. John and his Amen's and Yes Lords echoed through the room ( It's a bit more echo-y since the remodel, we have tile instead of carpet!). Boundaries are always being pushed and its a struggle to maintain the appropriate amount of distance.
Then there is the being hit on ( why do I only get asked out at the homeless shelter...), the occasional profanity, the regulars, including Bob and his room mate Ron. Ron comes every day with a smile. He has one tooth and is balding with a pony tail. And then there are the new comers who always ask for two snacks when we can always only give them one.
We have added a new element to our routine! Because of our new tile floor we no longer have to worry about spilling coffee on the carpet, but this produces coffee stains on blue tile. We have taken to throwing a few Clorox wipes on the ground and moping by foot. Who needs a mop when you have Clorox wipes?
We have the cleaning ladies come in and get coffee and the occasional Case Manager.
And then there was Dennis wanting to roll a fatty in the men's room. Ha ha.
I didn't see Deborah today at the cafe but I did see her walking down the road.
In all my conversations today something that George said has stuck with me all day.
I asked him what his favourite thing to cook was and he replied right away with a HUGE smile: Bread. What is t he secret to making bread? I ask him. He looks down at his hands for a fraction of a second, still smiling, and then he looks up at me again his eyes dancing and replies:
" Patience".
So maybe people and bread have something in common. Who would have thought!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Nooma Nooma
So we have started afternoon classes with the people from the cafe.
We are going through the book Purpose Driven Life and watching a few Nooma videos( by Rob Bell).
The videos are really key for catching the attention of the group.
There are eight of us and four of us are staff. The other four of us are the most unlikely assortment of men, one of them being Dennis. For the two days we have been doing classes he has only stayed for the video. As soon as we start talking about Jesus he leaves, but he keeps coming.
Today I started realizing that people many times live out of experiential knowledge instead of logical reasoning. It doesn't matter how many times people are told the truth or if they know it in their heads. They have to believe the truth.
So, I wonder how do you help people believe the truth. How do you provide experiences for them where things turn out differently and they can see the truth?
If we can help people believe the truth in their hearts and have good experiences will they be more motivated to make wise choices and change their lives?
I don't know. I wonder...
We are going through the book Purpose Driven Life and watching a few Nooma videos( by Rob Bell).
The videos are really key for catching the attention of the group.
There are eight of us and four of us are staff. The other four of us are the most unlikely assortment of men, one of them being Dennis. For the two days we have been doing classes he has only stayed for the video. As soon as we start talking about Jesus he leaves, but he keeps coming.
Today I started realizing that people many times live out of experiential knowledge instead of logical reasoning. It doesn't matter how many times people are told the truth or if they know it in their heads. They have to believe the truth.
So, I wonder how do you help people believe the truth. How do you provide experiences for them where things turn out differently and they can see the truth?
If we can help people believe the truth in their hearts and have good experiences will they be more motivated to make wise choices and change their lives?
I don't know. I wonder...
Beating "IT"
Today I spent an hour and a half talking to a woman who is a prostitute. We sat at one of the small round tables in the cafe drinking coffee with another guy. She wears nothing but a sundress that is too short, and a fanny pack. Some how her hair is curled and she sports mascara. Her face is worn from hours of walking in the Florida Sun. Her nails are painted. The man wears jeans and a t-shirt. He is tatooed finger tip to forehead. He is missing his front two teeth and his bottom two teeth. He has green eyes and wears his sunglasses back wards when he isn't using them. Both of my friends are convicted felons.
The woman, let's call her Deborah, started the conversation asking me about my hair... The conversation then lead to the men who have "bought" her. Then we talked about her son. The 57 year old prostitute woman sitting next me to drinking coffee has a son?
Her son has also seen a few years of prison. " He can't get out of bet with out a joint and a big glass of mountain dew" she told me, "He doesn't know life beyond that".
Then she told me a story that I'll never forget.
One week from her son's release date he was out on the work crew and his supervisor called him over and told him he had a new job for him. He was told they were going to dig a grave for a homeless man that day. The bus came and then went to the field where they began to dig the grave. After the grave was dug, the body was lowered down into it, and they buried this man. The woman's son asked his supervisor "where is this guys family? Isn't any one gunna say a prayer". He had no family, no one to say a prayer. So the woman's son said a prayer for the homeless guy.
As she told me this story she began to cry. She said " I don't want my son to have to read about my death in the newspaper one day. I don't want to be some low life homeless crack person". Her mascara was running a little bit now and her tough exterior faded just a little bit.
Deborah wants to get clean and quit using. She hates the drugs and what they've done to her. "I have been able to beat so many things in my life. I used to be a lawyers wife. I was a real estate agent. I used to live in a nice house and get my nails done every week and look at me now. I'm a druggie. And I can't beat it".
I guess the question is how bad does she really want to get clean. Her pleas resonated with the cry of my own heart. I do what I do not want to do, and I don't do what I want to do.
Isn't this the struggle of all human life? Some where in all of our lives do we have one thing we do that we know we shouldn't? Just one more brownie, just one more coffee... I'll quit smoking after this stressful event in my life is over... Just one more mile.
We all have addictions. Some people's addictions put them on the street selling their body.
Today, I learned that in whatever capacity I work with people, what ever their problem may be, there is a little bit of that in my heart too. I am on the same level as they are, I need Jesus just as much as they do. It's my job to remind them that they can make the choices to go in the right direction. It's my job to tell them they are loved, that heaven is after them.
The woman, let's call her Deborah, started the conversation asking me about my hair... The conversation then lead to the men who have "bought" her. Then we talked about her son. The 57 year old prostitute woman sitting next me to drinking coffee has a son?
Her son has also seen a few years of prison. " He can't get out of bet with out a joint and a big glass of mountain dew" she told me, "He doesn't know life beyond that".
Then she told me a story that I'll never forget.
One week from her son's release date he was out on the work crew and his supervisor called him over and told him he had a new job for him. He was told they were going to dig a grave for a homeless man that day. The bus came and then went to the field where they began to dig the grave. After the grave was dug, the body was lowered down into it, and they buried this man. The woman's son asked his supervisor "where is this guys family? Isn't any one gunna say a prayer". He had no family, no one to say a prayer. So the woman's son said a prayer for the homeless guy.
As she told me this story she began to cry. She said " I don't want my son to have to read about my death in the newspaper one day. I don't want to be some low life homeless crack person". Her mascara was running a little bit now and her tough exterior faded just a little bit.
Deborah wants to get clean and quit using. She hates the drugs and what they've done to her. "I have been able to beat so many things in my life. I used to be a lawyers wife. I was a real estate agent. I used to live in a nice house and get my nails done every week and look at me now. I'm a druggie. And I can't beat it".
I guess the question is how bad does she really want to get clean. Her pleas resonated with the cry of my own heart. I do what I do not want to do, and I don't do what I want to do.
Isn't this the struggle of all human life? Some where in all of our lives do we have one thing we do that we know we shouldn't? Just one more brownie, just one more coffee... I'll quit smoking after this stressful event in my life is over... Just one more mile.
We all have addictions. Some people's addictions put them on the street selling their body.
Today, I learned that in whatever capacity I work with people, what ever their problem may be, there is a little bit of that in my heart too. I am on the same level as they are, I need Jesus just as much as they do. It's my job to remind them that they can make the choices to go in the right direction. It's my job to tell them they are loved, that heaven is after them.
" What I'm Sayin Is"
Bob: Long gray hair even though he's partially balding.
Long beard, some times he wears a helmet , sometimes he doesn't.
His eyes are bright most days but you can tell his intelligence and presence of mind has worn down after years of combat. He says the same thing to me every day " you are sweet and lovable and you deserve to be told that every day". Good thing I have Bob to tell me.
Sometimes Bob spits when he talks, especially when he drinks coffee and it gets stuck in his beard. I have mastered the art of discreetly wiping my arms down with Clorox wipes while he is talking to me. I have learned many things from Bob I never wanted to know.
He told me all about his life before he went to Vietnam, before Agent Orange.
Bob likes to interrupt me a lot and he also talks with out stopping. He gets really close to my face and I have to back away. This is great for me to practice listening to him, and hearing what he is saying while maintaining good boundaries.
Bob has challenged me to learn how to ask good questions. I have to remember what I was talking about and be able to bring it back up in a tactful way.
Bob told me about his " little kitty" and his 2 bedroom house with wall to wall carpet. " It's a palace " he tells me. " With running water and e-lec-tricty. I even have myself a stereo! "
Bob has dementia and PTSD. His room mate Ron says sometimes he finds Bob crawling through the house at night whispering to himself.
Bob is not homeless but he comes to the shelter every day any ways.
My first thought is that he needs help, and why don't guys like him have a case manager? What about counselling... what about life abundant for Bob?
Who will help him if he can't help himself.
It makes me a little ... pissed?
Long beard, some times he wears a helmet , sometimes he doesn't.
His eyes are bright most days but you can tell his intelligence and presence of mind has worn down after years of combat. He says the same thing to me every day " you are sweet and lovable and you deserve to be told that every day". Good thing I have Bob to tell me.
Sometimes Bob spits when he talks, especially when he drinks coffee and it gets stuck in his beard. I have mastered the art of discreetly wiping my arms down with Clorox wipes while he is talking to me. I have learned many things from Bob I never wanted to know.
He told me all about his life before he went to Vietnam, before Agent Orange.
Bob likes to interrupt me a lot and he also talks with out stopping. He gets really close to my face and I have to back away. This is great for me to practice listening to him, and hearing what he is saying while maintaining good boundaries.
Bob has challenged me to learn how to ask good questions. I have to remember what I was talking about and be able to bring it back up in a tactful way.
Bob told me about his " little kitty" and his 2 bedroom house with wall to wall carpet. " It's a palace " he tells me. " With running water and e-lec-tricty. I even have myself a stereo! "
Bob has dementia and PTSD. His room mate Ron says sometimes he finds Bob crawling through the house at night whispering to himself.
Bob is not homeless but he comes to the shelter every day any ways.
My first thought is that he needs help, and why don't guys like him have a case manager? What about counselling... what about life abundant for Bob?
Who will help him if he can't help himself.
It makes me a little ... pissed?
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Dennis
Dennis is the tall blond guy from day one.
Dennis is the toughest case we have at the cafe. He comes in every day we are open. He reads the comics, drinks coffee and shows us what variety of drugs he has in his pocket that day.
He is addicted to Heroine and probably other things as well.
The surprising thing is that he is more educated than the majority of people in the world. He has a masters in business administration and a bachelors in economics.
He has been in the Marines...
How does a guy like this end up where he is?
Dennis calls me young one, and I call him Bearded one. He has a 4 year old beard. Its pretty sweet. He wears hiking boots every day.
I like Dennis the best because he is so anti-Jesus. Its weird, I don't know why. I think I like him because he laughs when he reads the comics and when you dig deep enough he is upset about being addicted to drugs. He doesn't pretend to like things he doesn't like... He is rude. Ha Ha!
Dennis is the toughest case we have at the cafe. He comes in every day we are open. He reads the comics, drinks coffee and shows us what variety of drugs he has in his pocket that day.
He is addicted to Heroine and probably other things as well.
The surprising thing is that he is more educated than the majority of people in the world. He has a masters in business administration and a bachelors in economics.
He has been in the Marines...
How does a guy like this end up where he is?
Dennis calls me young one, and I call him Bearded one. He has a 4 year old beard. Its pretty sweet. He wears hiking boots every day.
I like Dennis the best because he is so anti-Jesus. Its weird, I don't know why. I think I like him because he laughs when he reads the comics and when you dig deep enough he is upset about being addicted to drugs. He doesn't pretend to like things he doesn't like... He is rude. Ha Ha!
Day Three - Drama, Jamie and Tent City
Day three and I seem to have the routine down.
Hand out snack, fill the sugar shakers, say no to drugs. Got it.
Today I saw a huge insight into the homeless world. What happens when you live with a group of people 24/7, a group of people who cannot find jobs ( for what ever reason), can not shower regularly and have various mental disabilities? DRAMA. You get heaps of drama.
Cory's devotion today was about drama and how when we live with people we get stuck in a constant world of drama and sometimes we feel like we can't escape, but we can. It all starts with what each of us individually does with out mouth and with our time.
So the police came because there was a "fight"...
And then there was Jamie. Jamie is 20 years old and has been engaged several times. she claims she is pregnant and it kinds looks like she is, but no one is really sure. It makes me so sad to see some one my age who is homeless! I keep thinking there is so much hope for her and she still has a chance. I wonder what her story is.
I also learned about Tent City today. Tent city is the City's way of dealing with the homeless population. All the homeless have been given a tent and moved to a piece of land out of sight( out of mind...). And they exists there in a community of perpetual homelessness. Now you have people who need encouragement and help from people who are not like them all living with people who are in the same situation they are... The police do not enter Tent City, so you can imagine that there are quite a few shenanagins that go down there. Drugs, Sex and Rock n' Roll etc.
I think because these people live is such a state of drama all the time it has effected their way of thinking. It's like they live in an entirely different world now that consists of what little they have, and what is going on with every one in their circle. They don't think reasonably any more.
When I left today I saw one of the most precious ladies that comes to the cafe on the side of the road. I had no idea, but I guess she went back to work. She was standing on a street corner, waiting.
Hand out snack, fill the sugar shakers, say no to drugs. Got it.
Today I saw a huge insight into the homeless world. What happens when you live with a group of people 24/7, a group of people who cannot find jobs ( for what ever reason), can not shower regularly and have various mental disabilities? DRAMA. You get heaps of drama.
Cory's devotion today was about drama and how when we live with people we get stuck in a constant world of drama and sometimes we feel like we can't escape, but we can. It all starts with what each of us individually does with out mouth and with our time.
So the police came because there was a "fight"...
And then there was Jamie. Jamie is 20 years old and has been engaged several times. she claims she is pregnant and it kinds looks like she is, but no one is really sure. It makes me so sad to see some one my age who is homeless! I keep thinking there is so much hope for her and she still has a chance. I wonder what her story is.
I also learned about Tent City today. Tent city is the City's way of dealing with the homeless population. All the homeless have been given a tent and moved to a piece of land out of sight( out of mind...). And they exists there in a community of perpetual homelessness. Now you have people who need encouragement and help from people who are not like them all living with people who are in the same situation they are... The police do not enter Tent City, so you can imagine that there are quite a few shenanagins that go down there. Drugs, Sex and Rock n' Roll etc.
I think because these people live is such a state of drama all the time it has effected their way of thinking. It's like they live in an entirely different world now that consists of what little they have, and what is going on with every one in their circle. They don't think reasonably any more.
When I left today I saw one of the most precious ladies that comes to the cafe on the side of the road. I had no idea, but I guess she went back to work. She was standing on a street corner, waiting.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Day Two - Coffee Snack and Dignity
So, the cafe is an old chapel/multipurpose room with round tables and chairs.
It is getting ready to be converted into a real cafe so it looks a little strange to the new comer,
but I don't think any one else notices.
Today, I recognized the regulars. They read the paper, play yatzee or read books while they drink their coffee. The cafe opens at 9 am and closes at 11:30. At 9:30 Cory gives a devotion.
His very clear and loud voice catches the attention of the cafe goers as he tells them each day that " we take time to pause and pray and hear from God". He tells them that we don't want to shove anything down any ones throat and that he is going to pray so if any one wants to leave that would be the opportune moment to step outside.
As Cory started to bow his head to pray I saw a tall blond, bearded guy stand up. " I am gettin' the hell out of here..." I just smiled a little bit and looked at Cory. He didn't bat an eyelash and continued on with his prayer. Bearded guy I now know as Dennis, he is another story entirely.
Today people are remembering my name which is funny.
There is not a whole lot for me to do this week because we have extra help, so today I just sat and talked with people and tried to find out more about their lives.
What I realized most is that people are people and they have feelings no matter what shape their lives are in. Homeless people hurt too. Sometimes all they need is for some one to sit and listen to their life story, how they became homeless or which scar came from what.
As I meet people my mind in curious and always inquiring about peoples life situations or state of mental health. It has only been two days and I have seen a host of mental disorders.
Dignity. This word strikes me today. These people come in to get coffee. Fair Trade, excellently brewed coffee. They read the paper and catch up on current events.
I wonder how many suited business men around America are doing the same thing...
It is getting ready to be converted into a real cafe so it looks a little strange to the new comer,
but I don't think any one else notices.
Today, I recognized the regulars. They read the paper, play yatzee or read books while they drink their coffee. The cafe opens at 9 am and closes at 11:30. At 9:30 Cory gives a devotion.
His very clear and loud voice catches the attention of the cafe goers as he tells them each day that " we take time to pause and pray and hear from God". He tells them that we don't want to shove anything down any ones throat and that he is going to pray so if any one wants to leave that would be the opportune moment to step outside.
As Cory started to bow his head to pray I saw a tall blond, bearded guy stand up. " I am gettin' the hell out of here..." I just smiled a little bit and looked at Cory. He didn't bat an eyelash and continued on with his prayer. Bearded guy I now know as Dennis, he is another story entirely.
Today people are remembering my name which is funny.
There is not a whole lot for me to do this week because we have extra help, so today I just sat and talked with people and tried to find out more about their lives.
What I realized most is that people are people and they have feelings no matter what shape their lives are in. Homeless people hurt too. Sometimes all they need is for some one to sit and listen to their life story, how they became homeless or which scar came from what.
As I meet people my mind in curious and always inquiring about peoples life situations or state of mental health. It has only been two days and I have seen a host of mental disorders.
Dignity. This word strikes me today. These people come in to get coffee. Fair Trade, excellently brewed coffee. They read the paper and catch up on current events.
I wonder how many suited business men around America are doing the same thing...
Day One
I got out of my car and walked up to the Social Service Center of the Salvation Army. I saw a friendly face and asked where the cafe was located. I started to take notice of this man who was speaking to me. Mid 40's, weathered skin, tattoos , rolled bandanna around his
head in rock n' roll fashion. He kindly told me all about the rock concert he had been to the night before as well as pointing me towards the right direction and asking me for my number.
The beginning of a beautiful summer.
I went to the Salvation Army with one expectation, that we would be serving coffee to homeless people.
My first day was a bit awkward as I tried to figure out exactly where I fit in at the cafe.
I was assigned to hand out snack to our patrons and was informally educated on the Salvation Army and its history.
Cory and Laura: Founders of the Cafe. Cory is a preacher at heart and Laura usually hands out snack. Laura is great because she calls every one sweetie. She is amazing at keeping up with people and remembering names. Cory is great because he can talk over 30 people milling around while keeping his concentration.
John: The Coffee Guy. John keeps the coffee flowing and instructs me to wash cups or refill the sugar shakers. John is great because he is humble and he makes good coffee. John is Black and that also adds to his greatness. He "Amen"s and " Yes, Lord"s when we pray. It makes my heart glad.
The cafe is interesting to me because it is intertwining Social work and Ministry. I feel this is how the church should operate and in many places it does. So how do you do Social Work in a Christian setting among homeless people.
I guess I am going to find out.
head in rock n' roll fashion. He kindly told me all about the rock concert he had been to the night before as well as pointing me towards the right direction and asking me for my number.
The beginning of a beautiful summer.
I went to the Salvation Army with one expectation, that we would be serving coffee to homeless people.
My first day was a bit awkward as I tried to figure out exactly where I fit in at the cafe.
I was assigned to hand out snack to our patrons and was informally educated on the Salvation Army and its history.
Cory and Laura: Founders of the Cafe. Cory is a preacher at heart and Laura usually hands out snack. Laura is great because she calls every one sweetie. She is amazing at keeping up with people and remembering names. Cory is great because he can talk over 30 people milling around while keeping his concentration.
John: The Coffee Guy. John keeps the coffee flowing and instructs me to wash cups or refill the sugar shakers. John is great because he is humble and he makes good coffee. John is Black and that also adds to his greatness. He "Amen"s and " Yes, Lord"s when we pray. It makes my heart glad.
The cafe is interesting to me because it is intertwining Social work and Ministry. I feel this is how the church should operate and in many places it does. So how do you do Social Work in a Christian setting among homeless people.
I guess I am going to find out.
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