It was a busy day at Urban Haven as one of the regular ministries in the city that feeds people on the streets was out for the week so we knew that we would be busier than usual. With that comes the excitement of meeting new people. For the second time since opening back in October, we had people waiting to be seated for a meal. Strangely enough, there was some anxiousness in the air as we began our meal that we are not use to seeing. It was obvious that some people had come for more than just food and just wanted a chance to talk with someone….anyone.
There was one of our regular guest who paced back and forth waiting for a moment to speak with me. He seemed quiet and withdrawn which is the total opposite of his usual hyper, “Tasmanian devil” type personality. He let me know that his sister and only remaining blood relative had passed away in her sleep last evening. She had been slated for a lethal injection with a doctor assisted suicide as her ALS had become unmanageable. He was strongly opposed to this and came to me last week asking for prayer. What we prayed was that the Lord would take her home before her scheduled doctor appointment this Friday. This former Hell’s Angels biker, who also ran with a Montreal gang in his early years was reduced to tears over the loss of his sister but admitted that he was glad she didn’t go through with the suicide. For a guy that doesn’t like to show emotion, he just wanted to talk….to have some be a sounding board. It is good to talk these things out….that is when the healing begins. Keep W in your prayers.
I no sooner finish speaking with him that another man approaches me frustrated that his relationship with his long-time girlfriend is over. He could barely hold back the tears and was struggling to make sense of a situation that made no sense at all. Now he is left to find a new place to live within 3 weeks time in a city that has increasing rental rates and a poor vacancy rate. What he wanted most was to talk with someone so he could settle his anger of the situation. His girlfriend had been caught with another man….which wasn’t the first time and he was trying to take the high road by releasing her and moving on even though he is still in love with her. You can’t change anyone nor is it our responsibility to do so. It is best they both move on. Keep S and J in your prayers.
Between picking up, receiving and delivering donations I had time to help with one more crisis….that of homelessness. Together with a friend and volunteer of Urban Haven and my son who has been with me at the church this summer, we headed out on a hunch that more homeless folks living in the wooded areas were in need of supplies. We have been blessed with items to share with folks struggling to live outdoors in a city that claims to help those less fortunate. We met with a few folks and gave them sleeping bags, bottles, pillows and folding lawn chairs. The excitement on their faces to receive the chairs was humbling. We think we are in so much need until you meet others that get excited over the very basics in life.
My heart was really touched by a woman in her late-forties that holds a part-time job at a local fast food restaurant. I asked her how and where she changes into her uniform for work and she responded bluntly pointing to a large tree…” behind there.” Man, that just grabbed me. The people she works with have no idea that she lives in her car with three large dogs and her husband close by in a tent. Unreal! If that wasn’t humiliating enough this couple was visited by the parks and recreation staff telling them they could not remain in the area overnight, then proceeded to call the police. The police arrived shortly before we arrived and told the couple that they sympathized with them and asked them to keep a low profile. It is such a difficult call for both the parks and rec guys and the police, but bottom line we are talking about human beings here. They don’t want to be homeless and are trying to find affordable housing. The woman shared with us that even her long time friend had betrayed her by telling others of her plight and banning her from visiting her home because….after all, she was homeless and could bring all sorts of things into her home. Honestly, as if homelessness wasn’t bad enough now she had her long time friend treating her like a leper! She was devastated but tried to hide it. Her husband, on the other hand, was trying to make the best out of a desperate situation and proudly showed us the shelter he had carved inside of a bush of thick vines. “Look….we even have air conditioning” he smiled. He was concerned about his wife’s health and was trying his best to keep her comfortable. We left with a lump in our throats wanting to help them more than ever. Before we left we gathered right in that oddly remote area in the middle of the city and prayed. Keep B and K in prayer.
We are God’s hands and feet…. the question is, what are we doing about it?
Dan
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