I must admit that I love going out on the truck. Especially when I have the opportunity to take folks out that have not been out before. Last night was one of those powerful nights. On board were David Shiflet and Kay Dalton. We were brought together and accompanied by my bud and PR guru Brenda Thompson. Our first stop was the Sunken Gardens at Zilker. I ran into one of my good street friends Stack who I have known for close to 10 years. Locked into a life of addiction but once you pierce through his eyes and into the depths of his heart you can see the desperation and the desire to want to be out of this prison. He loves the Lord but does not know how to get out of his situation. I met him when he hung at Kurt's house. Kurt was stricken with MS and wheel chair bound. He needed help with everything from food prep to hygiene and there was my buddy Stack to always help. I learned from Stack the powerful servant heart of those locked in a place they wish not to be (addiction) but who regardless of this situation found themselves doing the extraordinary.
David Shiflet, Alan Graham, Brenda Thompson and Kay Dalton
Then it was on to a couple of weekly rate motels, The Tallows and the Belair. Both are run down wreckages of greed and at best are predatory towards those who have to live in these places. Rent is $180 to $200 a week for a couple of hundred square feet or so. Many times in the past I have had encounters there where people are literally begging me to help them find a way out of these places. Just seeing all of the children in these places is enough to rip your heart out.
By this time in our run David and Kay were clearly being impacted in a powerful way. Their impact was having a powerful impact on both Brenda and me. We were all witnessing the humanity of those we serve; that they are not worthless predatory bums. We were being God blessed all night and never god damned.
I witness often the profound loss of family that I see on the streets. How the systemic issues most associated with homelessness or near homelessness already exist in most of our families or friends but those who are afflicted are not homeless. If, as I believe, the single greatest cause to homelessness is the loss of family then what can we do to bring community to these beautiful brothers and sisters to help restore the sense of family? It is all nested in that word "love". Not the feeling "love" but the action "love". Let's do something.
What a great entry into the celebration of our independence. Thank you God for bringing Brenda, David and Kay into my life to see more clearly your will. Happy 4th of July. Gonna get some "Q" today in Llano at Cooper's.
Recent Comments