day two-sunday
remember anthony and the stories he told.
no socks no hats no jackets no electricity no roof and yet so rich in Jesus
im not sure how to handle everything. so much has been given to me and so much is expected of me and i haven't been upholding my end of the bargain or the life in Him which i have chosen. they aren't "those people on the streets" the homeless shave names and faces and incredible stories. stories just like you and i. and we often forget that Jesus didn;t have a home but in heaven so on earth he was homeless as well.
these two guys had the same God as i and were passionate about the word. they memorized scripture because that is what helped them and now im not sure what is next for them or myself but surely they have been blessed beyond measure despite circumstances because their faith shines for miles and miles, and radiates the streets of atl. william is buying an alarm clock with his first pay check and i have 4 that i dont even use because of my cell phone. 5 alarm clocks i hold as william spends his pay check on one that already has more value.
and then i spoke with anthony who has totally changed my outlook on everything. can i do something? anthony has challenged me to do something-and God has been challenging me forever to do something but i cant figure out that next step and im not sure if peopel realize where i am coming from. homeless people in atl mostly black, about 80% of black people are in jail and i look at these stats and want to know what went wrong. and i look at where stats tell me i could be if it werent for the grace and mercy of a wonderful God. and i thank God but that i have learned is not enough i need to be acting.
it is not enough on the streets of atl to meet the needs we need to equip others so that they may turn around an do it to someone else. circumstances are never so bad that you can't praise God but better circumstances help...
the injustices of our country facing these 300 some people just at safehouse but so many others in atl and the nation and the world.
we took a tour of the city in the van as it snowed. we went to jurassic park, and some other places in midtown, most of the homeless were else where because of the snow but still...shelters full, stooops covered, drug attics, prostitutes, homosexuals they are all here on the streets looking for someone to solve the problem not just meet the need.
'i dont know what that looks like yet" i told anthony with the red cap and the white cursive "k" on it. "And how is that going to help me " he said. "ill be dead before you and your generation can solve the problem and it seems that people are doing a whole lot of talking and planning and not enough acting you need to act."
do i need to act...and how no i can't save everyonebut shouldnt i be in the mindset that i can dream big and that God would do the impossible if we'd just let them. and yes the poor will always be among us but what we could get it down to just 1 or 2 people : ). solve the problem to meet the needs.
this doesn't even begin to cover the handing out of clothing items-because everybody wanted something and such ohhhh. pure craziness. jackets, hats, scarfs, and people asked and asked for socks. i had some on my feet i could have given away we all did.
i have learned a lot about myself and the "homeless" for lack of a better term but life changing.
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