There are some days when I get frustrated because I feel like I am never going to be able to beat the endless cycle of homelessness that these men and women that I interact with have to face every single day. How much do I really help when I hand them a sinus pill or fill their prescriptions in the grand scheme of things?
But then I sit in the day room and I get to talk with people...I get to be in relationship with them, whether its learning a new card game or just talking about the Titans. When someone sincerely thanks me, just for listening to them, I remember what really matters. The most important part about my time at The Campus is building relationships with people who most of the time get overlooked. Its hearing their stories and reminding them that they, too, are children of God, full of gifts, and stories, and insights. They are valuable. Making them remember that this is true is enough to make my job completely worthwhile.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Around the World
It's so strange how much life can change in a year, particularly reflecting back on this exact weekend, the 2nd weekend in November...
*2nd weekend in November, 2007: I was in Budapest, Hungary, with Anne, exploring the great oriental markets, eating delicious Hungarian food (yum, breaded camembert), and relaxing in the Turkish bath.
*2nd weekend in November, 2008: I was in Granada and Cordoba, Spain, with Dannie, visiting the 2nd largest mosque in the world, wandering down quaint southern Spanish streets, and enjoying delicious *free* tapas.
*2nd weekend in November, 2009: I spent a relaxing weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, taking advantage of beautiful sunny weather, hanging out with my roommates, and watching some good old American football.
I'm so happy with where I am right now, and where I have been to get me to this point. However, the travel bug doesn't go away, and I am wondering how long I can suppress it before I have to jump on a plane for another adventure...
*2nd weekend in November, 2007: I was in Budapest, Hungary, with Anne, exploring the great oriental markets, eating delicious Hungarian food (yum, breaded camembert), and relaxing in the Turkish bath.
*2nd weekend in November, 2008: I was in Granada and Cordoba, Spain, with Dannie, visiting the 2nd largest mosque in the world, wandering down quaint southern Spanish streets, and enjoying delicious *free* tapas.
*2nd weekend in November, 2009: I spent a relaxing weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, taking advantage of beautiful sunny weather, hanging out with my roommates, and watching some good old American football.
I'm so happy with where I am right now, and where I have been to get me to this point. However, the travel bug doesn't go away, and I am wondering how long I can suppress it before I have to jump on a plane for another adventure...
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Silver lining
I have witnessed some pretty intense things over the past week at work...one of the sweetest participants I know was taken to jail because he couldn't pay his child support (how can he?!).
Two huge sheriffs came in and took him away in handcuffs, which completely broke my heart.
There was a fight that broke out later that day which resulted in another really nice guy getting hurt from a suspended participant.
I am hearing more and more about the life stories of people and how they ended up where they are today. Fascinating (to use Diana's word), and heartbreaking at the same time.
In the midst of all of these things that distress me, though, something really remarkable happened today. We serve lunch at the Campus on Thursdays to over 140 people each week. Everyone needs a ticket to eat, though, and by 10:30, they were already gone. A man walked up to me at the support desk asking about a ticket, and I had to tell him that we were out. As the man was about to walk out the door out of luck, John, another participant, called out to him to get his attention. "Here you go, man," John said to the complete stranger, and handed him his own lunch ticket without a second thought. It was a moment of God's light shining in the darkness, always when I least expect it.
Two huge sheriffs came in and took him away in handcuffs, which completely broke my heart.
There was a fight that broke out later that day which resulted in another really nice guy getting hurt from a suspended participant.
I am hearing more and more about the life stories of people and how they ended up where they are today. Fascinating (to use Diana's word), and heartbreaking at the same time.
In the midst of all of these things that distress me, though, something really remarkable happened today. We serve lunch at the Campus on Thursdays to over 140 people each week. Everyone needs a ticket to eat, though, and by 10:30, they were already gone. A man walked up to me at the support desk asking about a ticket, and I had to tell him that we were out. As the man was about to walk out the door out of luck, John, another participant, called out to him to get his attention. "Here you go, man," John said to the complete stranger, and handed him his own lunch ticket without a second thought. It was a moment of God's light shining in the darkness, always when I least expect it.
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