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this not a homeless ministry

I get asked sometimes whether this is a “homeless outreach” — more often, it’s just assumed. Or that it’s a project to “feed the homeless” in Eugene. While we could be called a ministry without a home, we are not at all a “homeless ministry”.

Our agenda is not to feed anybody, and it’s not to solve the problems of the folks we meet who don’t have houses. Our task is to grow in love.

In doing that, we do share food, and we do help solve problems. Friends do that for each other. We solve problems and share food with our rich friends, too. We aren’t “feeders” or “solutions.”

I want to be especially clear: loving people is not about picking out some special group of “disadvantaged” or “victimized” people, and loving them. Everyone is hurting, and everyone is worthy of love.

Here are some ways people have been hurt:

• Some have been born poor, to drug-addicted parents, and have lived outside since they ran away at age 11.
• Some have been abused, and never known, until now, that they could escape.
• Some have been rich, and felt scared of losing it and guilty for having it, and unworthy of love.
• Some have been so afraid of their world breaking down that they became defensive and angry.
• Some have been told God hates them because they’re gay.
• Some have been kicked out of church for not fitting in.
• Some have come to this point in life believing that God can hate someone.
• Some know no other way to solve problems than to become violent or judgmental.
• Some have taken a life, and have to live with that knowledge.
• Some do things every day that hurt them or other people, and don’t know how to stop.

(That last one may apply to everyone. It certainly applies to me.)

You don’t have to be homeless to be broken and in need of love and grace. And you — no matter who you are, you have value. Whether you’re homeless or housed, angry or gentle, judgmental or a saint. Whether you’re a monk, a sex-worker, a middle manager, or someone who commits violent acts for a living, you have value.

• You sometimes find hope when things seem very dark.
• You get inspired… maybe it’s when you see a sunset over the river, or a beautiful building.
• Your heart sings… maybe when you see a baby laugh, or feel the sun on your skin, or hear a bird.
• You get scared… and you want to feel safe.
• You get lonely… and you want human connection.

Everyone is welcome at this table. No exceptions.

Posted by Angela under about us
Wednesday, July 22, 2009