Friday, April 22, 2011

Night Strike

Last night, for my 21st birthday, I went to Night Strike in Portland with the family, Berry, and Daimian (see last post for a description of Night Strike). Getting to minister to the homeless was obviously to help them, but goodness, I think it was more beneficial to me than the homeless.

I talked to a guy who served in the Marine Corp. and fought in Vietnam. Now he lives on the street. 

There was a young mom with her baby. He was about 1. Sometimes they got to stay in the shelter, but staying in the shelter is like winning the lottery. If your name doesn't get drawn, you get the sidewalk... even with a baby.

There were boys and girls my age and younger. Teenagers that should be in high school, worrying about a crush on a boy, if they're going to get a spot on the team, or what to wear to Prom, not where dinner is coming from. 

I got to have a nice dinner surrounded by people who love me and then go home to a warm bed and nice house with food in the fridge. It was a hard pill to swallow. I couldn't help but feel guilty. 

Now, obviously, we all see homeless people. We all feel sorry for them. But how many veterans, men and women that fought for my freedom, are on the street? How many young moms have absolutely no where to go, and their children are freezing cold in the rain on the sidewalk? 

It was just another wake up call, another opportunity to be thankful. My heart longs for Africa, but while I am here in America, there is so much I can do in my own backyard. I don't want to waste time anymore.


No comments:

Post a Comment