(The following is written by Erin K., one of the Justice Project team volunteers.)
Recently a large group from the Justice Project team hit the city streets of Seattle. We didn't go in blind. We knew the types of things we'd see. But, that doesn't always make it any easier... There were people curled up in sleeping bags on the sidewalks pressed against the city buildings, in freezing temperatures. There were men and women digging through dumpsters for any morsel of food, right along side the rats. There were hundreds of people just wandering, with no place to go.
We invited everyone we found to join us at McDonald's, where we would buy them a meal. Some respectfully declined because it meant the difference between a safe place to stay, or a warm meal. (The local missions had already filled every bed, and were cramming as many people as possible onto the floors.) On this particular night, whatever need was greatest in their lives won... and for some, they were left with no other option. So many people came with us. We were able to give away nearly 100 burgers, fries, and ice cream cones - as well as a bit of love.
The Seattle McDonald's on the waterfront was packed - mostly with people who were used to not belonging. As they arrived, they politely waited outside for a quick bite, and each time were met with genuine surprise when we invited them in to sit down, get warm, and eat their fill. This was completely out of their ordinary. The room quickly grew into talking and laughing. We also heard a lot of their stories.
I think a lot of times we expect to see a lot of mental illness or addictions that brought people to the streets. It definitely does happen, but there's also so much more. One man went through a bad divorce - he told us how some bad choices can lead to losing it all. Another young guy was left here by his uncle when he was 15, without a thing. For years, this is all he's ever known, and at this point, he doesn't know how to live another way.
We met a lot of foreigners who have made their way here from across the globe, all in search of the great "American dream". This is all they've found. And what gets me even more, is that this life they're living on the streets of our city is still better than the life and cities that they left.
Lately there have also been a lot of circumstances out of people's control. Job loss is widespread. These are people who with a lack of income have lost everything. Unfortunately they are having trouble in finding their way back out, and homelessness has left them on a downward spiral and a loss of hope. Just surviving another day, another night on the streets is about all they can focus on.
All of these people- their names and faces are now on our hearts. We were only able to give them one meal and a little bit of time, but the small amounts that we did give left them grateful beyond words. Also, the love that we gave not only impacted them, but it also became contagious. Many strangers stopped and asked us questions about what was going on because this is not a normal sight to see. Every single one of them left with smiles. A few of them even emptied their pockets to help us. The McDonald's workers were extra excited to have a small part in the night. You could feel the love- and the hope that lifted in those moments.
One of our team members got to talk with a few of Seattle's employees. One in particular was from Ethiopia. So was one of the guys we found on the street. It touched this worker's heart so much. He told how he was one of the lucky ones - his parents adopted him and brought him here from Ethiopia - they gave him a chance at a life that he never would have had otherwise. And now, it's his job to ask these people without homes to get up from the park benches in the city. He says this is the greatest need he sees - day in and day out. And he was beyond appreciative for all that we were doing.
A few of us got to talking on our way home- just thinking out loud about how none of us is really that far from being in their shoes. Some of us are facing challenges like these people- but the difference is that we have strong support systems around us - family and friends who are willing to do anything to help- none of these people did. What if you didn't have that support system? Where could you be at today? I know I for one, would be a lot worse off than I am. The company I worked for closed down last year. I'm a single mom. I've also had numerous other challenges thrown my way in recent times. Thank God for the people I have around me.
We are the lucky ones. God didn't give us this life for nothing. We are loved in order to love. We are rescued in order to rescue. We are blessed to be a blessing. No matter how bad our circumstances can look or feel, there's always SOMETHING we can do. There's always somebody with less. There's always somebody that could just use your love and support. There's always somebody that's looking for some hope. Do your part today. We are the light. We are the hope. We are the difference. Imagine the possibilities.
