The Homeless Interviews #13

Today's interview is with a volunteer, Robin:

ROBIN:

1.  What is your first/earliest thought when you heard the word "homeless".  What do you think now?

Unfortunately, probably the word that used to come to mind was "scary".  Now . . . when I hear the word "homeless", I think "compassion" or "unfortunate circumstances."

2. How did you get involved with ministering to the homeless and why?  

In the summer of 2008, I started reading "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne. It really started to change my view of Christianity and how I was living my life. The one quote that really stuck with me was: "God comforts the disturbed, and disturbs the comfortable."

That completely changed the way I started to think about my life, and I needed to get outside my comfort zone.  Inside the comfort zone . . . I don't really need to trust God and rely on the Spirit to get me through.  

Just before reading that book, I had felt the need to do some research on the internet regarding some homeless ministries. Nothing had come out of it - I researched for one night, then got busy with other things. After reading that quote in the book, I remembered a friend of mine talking about going on Thursday nights with her church family to feed the homeless in downtown Orlando. The next day, I called her to see if she was going that Thursday, and she was. So, I met her there, befriended a homeless woman I met, and thus began my journey of getting to know the homeless.  :) 

3. Describe how you felt when you first came to KNOW a homeless person.

My initial feeling was that I wanted to help provide for her needs, and FIX EVERYTHING.  I didn't say too much, but I wanted to at least provide for immediate physical needs, knowing that would not help long-term, but would show love in the present.  I felt very humbled and also felt a great deal of responsibility and accountability for what God has blessed me with and put in my possession to manage . . . HIS money and resources.

4. What has been the most difficult part of working with the homeless?  Easiest?

I think the most difficult thing is wanting to "change them" or make their life how we think it should be.  I think the easiest part is just being able to be "real" with them, and not have to sift through whether they are pretending to be something they are not, like we tend to do in the church - acting like we've got it all together, when things at home or with our family may be falling apart.  They are pretty transparent, which is actually quite refreshing.

5. What is the one thing that the typical homeless person who comes to MH want?

I haven't gotten to do much with Matthew's Hope other than helping as an Overnight Monitor with the Freeze Warning, and a few events here and there, but I'd say probably they want help, even if it's just temporary, immediate needs.  They want food, clothing, services . . . (and know that it's free, too.)  I think deep down, though - they just want to know that someone cares about them.

6. Do they want to know Jesus? Do they think their life will be "normal" if they become a Christian?

Most of my experience has been that they don't care too much about Jesus at first.  Many already "know of" him, but feel like that hasn't gotten them anywhere.  They have to "see him", before they want to know him.  I don't think they are under the impression that things magically change when you become a Christian, though, and some have a pretty poor image of Christians in their head -- that they are hypocritical and judgmental and unwilling to help those in need . . .due to fear.

7. Tell me the most encouraging story you personally have been a part of.

Scott would be able to share in better detail the stories I am thinking of. One night, at the Freeze Warning, guys started going around the room, saying how many days they had been "dry", and how their lives had been changing.  One guy has been dry for 71 days . .. after being (in his words) drunk for 40 years!  Another guy was on day 40, another day 11 from smoking, etc.  They were encouraging each other just by their example of living differently.  Scott occasionally emails stories of "M.H. guest" being reunited with their families, getting jobs and off the streets, etc.  Good stuff!!

8. What has been the most discouraging?

The first homeless woman I met (that night downtown on a Thursday with my friend), I befriended and tried to help out for about a year and a half.  I began helping her financially until I got to know her enough to know she was not interested in "getting back on her feet" and that she had been lying to me.  I still continued to have her over for dinner, and bring her places, but no longer helped her financially, other than getting groceries for her sometimes.  She has had such a traumatic childhood, and still, a very difficult adult life, and was even beaten and raped in the time I was getting to know her.  What was discouraging, though, was that it was always just "take" "take" "take", and she almost never even asked how I was doing, anything about my life or my family.  She was not really interested in a friendship, and she always acted like she knew everything, and didn't need any advice.  I tried to "teach her to fish" instead of giving her a fish . . . we did professional resumes, I showed her how to get online and look for jobs - using Craigslist and other resources, we set goals, etc. but the desire was just not there for her to follow-through.

It was just really sad, because she wasn't that way intentionally, but she had not had any other example her whole life, and she'd lived in "survival mode" for 40 years - - only looking out for herself. 

9. If you could tell the world one thing about being homeless/helping the homeless what would it be?

They are people just like you and me.  God created them with talents and gifts and they have a very important purpose and place in his kingdom.  They need to be treated as equals and with compassion and love.

10. Have you talked to any homeless children? What are your impressions?

I have talked to a few, but not at any length - just small talk.  I really have not had much experience with the children.

11. How have you dealt with: those who are drunk, high, diseased/ill, prostitutes, wanted by police. In other words, what do you do when you feel in danger? I haven't really been in a situation like that.  I've felt uncomfortable a few times with comments men have made toward me, but I was able to just walk away.

12. How do you say no to someone in need?  I am just honest with them about what I'm able to do and how I'm able to help.  I have to also be honest with myself, about if I'm able to help them . . . if it's a matter of if I "want" to, or has to do with my own comfort and judgments.

13. In your experience, do the typical (what is typical???) homeless want a "quick fix" or do they want a permanent change?  How do you minister to each?

There are some that only want immediate needs met, and are perfectly happy living in the woods or wherever they are.  I've met a few who are quite proud of their resourceful-ness, and wouldn't have it any other way - - "off the grid" is how they like it.  But, they still need food and will gladly accept whatever you have to offer.  They still need friendships, and to know that they have value to others.  But, there are many that do want a permanent change and just feel very hopeless and don't know where to start.  It is helpful to just to get to know them, try to find their strengths and help them see how they do have hope, and break it down to taking baby steps, and how they can view the situation as not something that insurmountable. 

14. How many homeless that you have encountered are so because they want to be "off the grid"? Probably 3-4 that I've personally met, who are homeless by choice, and enjoy it that way.  One guy has a really good set-up - - a 16X16 tent with a king-size bed . . . makes regular stops to the grocery store dumpsters, knowing what time they throw out all of their good food, so it hasn't been in the dumpster very long.  He cooks steak, chicken, etc. and eats like a king sometimes . . . and boasts that he hasn't paid for food or shelter in 5 years and likes it that way.  :)

15. Any personal story you would like to share.

Again, Scott would be able to tell this in much better detail, but I will never forget the very first night of the Freeze Warning Ministry.  It was quickly thrown together, and I got a call that day, to see if I would be willing to come sleep at the building.  I went, and got to meet several people I didn't know - from various churches in the area.  So cool to see the body of Christ come together to meet a need.  Things just flourished and snow-balled from there, and the Spirit led one opportunity after another.  I remember when someone brought in a guitar, and a few of the guys just started playing here and there.  We would be sitting around, playing cards and singing along to classics.  Out of that came the "Boys in the Woods", who got to perform several concerts . . . received a donated car, place to stay temporarily . . . and eventually jobs, as both of them are now off the street. 

It's been amazing to see how one things leads to another, when you just surrender to what God says in his word, even and especially when you're uncomfortable.  That night when I went to Lake Eola with my friend let to many experiences with this homeless woman.  It led to a different perspective, and made God's word come to life.  I also met others at Lake Eola, and started bringing my Cornhole set there on Saturdays to play with them, and pass out sandwiches and water.  A friend of mine heard about that, and that is what ended up leading up to the phone call to come help with the Freeze Warning . . . knowing I was not intimidated by the homeless and would be willing to help. 

I never realized how much God's word speaks about the poor and needy.  It's EVERYWHERE!  In Matthew 25, it's actually quite clear that even our own judgment depends on how we treated the poor and those in need when we encountered them. That's pretty serious stuff, and something we take very lightly as a whole in America.

I've learned that in most cases . . . if you feel a tug to do something that is not only "uncomfortable", but also "inconvenient" . . . it's almost always something from the Spirit!  :)

Again, I feel like God's word speaks SO MUCH about this, but here are a few that come to mind quite a bit with me. 

Luke 6: 28-38

“If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1 Timothy 6: 6-8, 17-19

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

1 Samuel 16:7

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

A few other quotes from "The Irresistible Revolution" that stood out to me:

"Preach the Gospel always. And when necessary, use words."

"We are trying to shout the Gospel with our lives."

"It is a beautiful thing when folks in poverty are no longer just a mission project but become genuine friends and family with whom we laugh, cry, dream and struggle. John 15:15 says I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you. Servanthood is a fine place to begin but gradually we move toward mutual love, genuine“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1 Timothy 6: 6-8, 17-19

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

1 Samuel 16:7

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

A few other quotes from "The Irresistible Revolution" that stood out to me:

"Preach the Gospel always. And when necessary, use words."

"We are trying to shout the Gospel with our lives."

"It is a beautiful thing when folks in poverty are no longer just a mission project but become genuine friends and family with whom we laugh, cry, dream and struggle. John 15:15 says I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you. Servanthood is a fine place to begin but gradually we move toward mutual love, genuine “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1 Timothy 6: 6-8, 17-19

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

1 Samuel 16:7

"The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

A few other quotes from "The Irresistible Revolution" that stood out to me:

"Preach the Gospel always. And when necessary, use words."

"We are trying to shout the Gospel with our lives."

"It is a beautiful thing when folks in poverty are no longer just a mission project but become genuine friends and family with whom we laugh, cry, dream and struggle. John 15:15 says I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father I have made known to you. Servanthood is a fine place to begin but gradually we move toward mutual love, genuine relationships."

"If our lives are easy, we must be doing something wrong. Following Jesus is simple, but not easy. Love until it hurts, then love more."

"Love is a harsh and dreadful thing to ask of us, but it is the only answer. That love is not sentimental but heart-wrenching, the most difficult and the most beautiful thing in the world."