A Heart for the Homeless
by Carolee Thomson
They line-up, empty bags stretched open, waiting for the canned and packaged food that will get them through another few days. Some banter with those handing out the tuna and ramen, like old friends. Others discuss how they’ll deal with the oncoming snowy weather – there are rumors of an overnight shelter opening up. Most wait patiently, as if they have all the time in the world.
What they don’t have are homes. Cowboy, Mustache Dave, Robo, Alicia, and Corey: these are just a few of the men and women aided by the homeless ministry Crossroads staffs every Tuesday morning in Auburn. Together with What Would Jesus Do?, a nonprofit organization, they offer food, friendship, and a way to connect with government resources, to those living on the margins of life.
“Some have just lost a job and are struggling,” says Jeff Alaways, who heads up the ministry for Crossroads. Those are the easiest to help, he says. They are looking to plug back into conventional society, eager to find employment and to have a roof over their head.
“Others – maybe the majority – have chosen this path,” Jeff goes on to explain. “They don’t want to live under society’s rules, or to answer to anyone.” Often, addictions or mental illness prevent them from doing so.
There’s Robo: He’s been on the street for 20 years. He once owned a farm in the Sacramento Valley. Then he lost everything, and got accustomed to life without obligations. He gathers plastic and cans, using the money from recycling to buy food, beer, and newspapers: his essentials. He sleeps in a tent and sleeping bag given him by the Tuesday ministry. When it’s cold, he gets a second sleeping bag, or invites a friend to share his tent.
But something happened to Robo that may permanently get him off the street. A recent severe beating – where the perpetrator left him for dead – has made the homeless life lose its appeal. Adult Protective Services has hooked him up with social security payments and an apartment. It looks like Robo has a new lease on life.
Then there’s Corey. “Another farmer, he lost his livelihood and his house, and hid in a bottle of vodka,” remembers Jeff. “He was a scary-looking guy: filthy hat, busted nose – looked like a down-and-out boxer. He had a messed-up life: he went to jail 2-3 times a week! We got him into a 6-month sobriety program. He re-dedicated his life to the Lord, and is plugged into a church. Now he’s living in Lincoln with his wife. He’s all cleaned-up; looks like a business man. You’d never guess what his life was like a year ago.”
A couple, Kido and Desiree, are another success story. They have gotten off the street and are living in a trailer park. They regularly attend church. She works at a delicatessen, he is looking for a job and volunteers serving the homeless.
Perhaps surprisingly, many of the homeless who come to the outreach Tuesday mornings have a history of church attendance or are well-read in Scripture. “Most have heard the Gospel, and say they believe,” says Richard Powell, a frequent participant in the homeless ministry outreach. “They are just in a bad spot, or in a weakened state of the flesh. I don’t judge them; I just try to love them.”
A mobile van greets the homeless Tuesday mornings in Auburn, stocked with toiletries, clothes, food, and coffee. To get there, they walk or catch a bus to the parking lot at the Seventh Day Adventist church. A few have cars. All seem grateful for the help given them. There are hot showers available, clean coats, socks, even dog and cat food.
Beyond the material goods, other help is offered. The homeless can get referrals for medical care. “Mustache Dave just had eye surgery to have cataracts removed,” says Jeff. “He came to the last outreach praising God. And he is not even a Christian!” WWJD connects the homeless with the county health clinic or other government agencies which provide jobs and temporary housing, social security income, food stamps, and sobriety programs.
Of course there are not happy endings to every personal story. “Of the homeless people I have met there in the last year and a half, six are now off the street, and four have died,” Jeff explains. “The rest are just living day-to-day.” But Jeff affirms it is great to be able to minister to people who are hurting – and once in a while – to see lives dramatically changed.
Asked what has surprised him in the 18 months he’s been working with the homeless, Jeff thinks awhile. As a former police officer, he has seen the gamut of human nature and behavior. Finally he says, “What surprises me is their hearts. They are sweet people, just messed-up a little. They look gruff on the outside, but inside they are not. They just need a little helping hand.”
“In 18 months, no one has ever asked me for money,” he reflects. “What they are asking for is a to be treated with dignity, like any human being.”
If you would like to help out with the homeless ministry, contact Jeff Alaways at the church office. Currently, the Prime Timers at Crossroads have stepped-up, knitting scarves and beanies, and helping to staff the Tuesday morning outreach. If Jeff gets enough additional volunteers, he would like to add a second outreach day on Mondays. And of course, the ministry could always use donations: new socks, clean used clothing, tents and sleeping bags, gloves, scarves, and beanies for cold weather.
Richard Powell, who is also involved in the foreign missions ministry at Crossroads, likes to think of the homeless ministry as part of the Great Commission. “Missions are a big part of my focus, these days. We are supposed to take the Gospel to “the uttermost”; but we are also supposed to bring Jesus into our own neighborhoods. That’s what this homeless ministry does,” explains Richard, who said rather than preach, the ministry volunteers let the subject of God come up naturally in conversation. “Jesus always had compassion for the needy multitude. Anyone can do this. Just come and bring your compassion.”
