Helpless
On Monday I met a guy at the Salvation Army. He's a father of a large homeless family (6-8 people) that was staying and eating at the downtown center. I had seen them for 3 or 4 weeks. They always sat together and then he made sure that they all cleaned up their space when they were done. While it's always sad to see families in that situation, especially children, it was cool (and rare) to see a whole family together and to see their father gently instructing them.

As we were serving breakfast on Monday, one of the little Hispanic girls from this family came to get some milk. As I was pouring, I asked her, "How are you doing today?" She quietly responded, "I don't feel good today." Then she went and sat back down with her family...which on this day wasn't able to sit at one table, but was spread out over two tables. My heart was breaking. What was going to happen to this little girl who was not feeling well when they were back on the streets? Breakfast for the homeless at the center is served for those who had a chance to stay there overnight, but at 7:00 AM they have to go back out on the streets until 4:30 when dinner is served. Some of course actually have jobs, others spend the day at Tulsa's Day Center where they get to shower and get a reprieve from the elements (either the Oklahoma heat or the winter cold). Homeless children in Tulsa can go to public school if they are of age (a school bus picks them up at the Daycenter--I always wonder how those students get treated at school), others can attend free preschool at Salvation Army if they are 4 or 5. The little girl was 5 or 6.

After we finished serving, I approached the father and introduced myself. I asked him, "What happens when one of your children is sick? What do you do?" He told me that he takes them to the free clinic, but he wasn't sure if she was really sick. He then told me that his wife had left on October 11th, and the girls hadn't been eating or feeling well sense their mom had left (3 or 4 of his children are girls). I asked him how he had ended up in this situation. He explained that he had worked in Illinois and lost his job. Someone told him there was work in Oklahoma, so he brought his family in hopes of finding work--but there was none. So now they were homeless and staying at Salvation Army.

I sat there feeling helpless. What could I do? How could I help him? How could I comfort these girls? All I could think of is the Kingdom of God...how much I wish I had a place, a community of people, who were committed, available, resourceful, and numerous enough to help this man and his family. So we could provide childcare and a safe place to go to school for his children and a job for him...a chance to get on their feet if they are willing.

Father, let your Kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven...

Image for this post is from the Jesus People USA website.


posted by Jimmy at 10:13 AM | |