homeless

Who knew a book could have such an impact?

I just finished the book, Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski. Wow. In a nutshell, Mike and Sam choose to become homeless for 5 months. They decide to spend roughly a month in each of these six cities: Denver, Washington DC, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego.

The book describes their experiences living on the streets and the people they met along the way. I couldn't put the book down. Just reading about what they had to do to survive - to get their daily bread, to find safe places to sleep - all just really put things in perspective. Reading about the people they met along the way, how they treated them and loved them, was also eye opening. They also came in contact with some Christians, and some churches, along the way to mixed reactions. It seems some of us are a long way from doing what we are actually called to do. In some cases, we are willing to wish them well and send them off - when all they really need is to be treated like humans, to be talked to, and have their current needs met - whether food, water, shoes, etc. There were many times in the book when they left the meeting with another Christian feeling really frustrated with the lack of help and true love they were given. That was hard to read because I started to wonder what my reaction would have been in each situation. Would I have been a help, or a hinderance to their journey?

Of course I'd love to believe I'd be the helper, doing what I could to encourage and lift them up. I'm not sure there is anything in my life currently to validate that though. It's not like I'm turning people away, or not giving what I can, but I'm definitely not going out of my way to seek people out, or going out of my way to help people when they do cross my path. These are things I've decided I need to work on, and look forward to what changes it will bring about in my life, as well as the life of those I may have the opportunity to bless.

Below are some links to web-sites with more information on the subject, including the new shelter in Ann Arbor (in case I'm not the only one feeling the need to find out more). Also, Mike (the author) has a web-site that facilitates conversation on the subject. If you click on the link to the book above, it will take you there. They have a few pictures of their trip, bios, etc.

SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center
National Resource and Training Center on Homelessness and Mental Illness
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County