Like the great man that we as a nation pause to honor today, I have a dream, but before I share it, I’d like to take you back a just over 40 years.
In second grade, I came across the word “cancer” in my “Weekly Reader.” I didn’t know that word. When I asked, the teacher said, “Shhh.... It means someone is dying. We don’t talk about it.” Today, we have a different reaction to cancer. We ask, “Oh... what type? what stage? Is it operable? Will there be chemo? radiation?” We ask, “What type of support do they have? How can I help?” We ask, “How about their family? Do they have a support group?” Cancer is no longer a hushed-up word to avoid. We dissect it and talk of survival rates, of multiple bouts and battles, and of winning.
My passion lies with helping young homeless people in Austin. Homeless people come in all age groups, including high school and college. Young indigents have been hanging-out on the edge of the UT Campus for more than 50 years, and they’re still coming. Each week I see about 10 new faces, an average of about 80 individuals per week. That’s more than 1500 in the past three years, the vast majority 17 to 26 years old. There are as many paths to the street as there are individuals, but about half were in foster care. Four of ten have mental health issues. One in four are women. Almost all have been abused. Many, but not all, overuse alcohol or drugs or both. Most street youth were churched in one form or another as children. And most have concluded that church and Christians are judgemental, hypocritical, and simply not relevant to their lives. They have nailed the church doors shut. Street Youth Ministry seeks to change that.
We offer Christian services every day. We meet street youth non-judgementally, transparently, and on their own terms. Partner churches open facilities to us. Volunteers prepare and serve meals, sit at tables with them, pray with them and simply talk. Donors gather things so we can provide for some of their needs. We make referrals to local agencies, shelter, and partner social workers who help them access limited but complex help available in our community. Our role in the midst of this care is to bring the the abundant love and grace of Jesus Christ every time and every day. And street youth have responded. They have shown they are hungry to be treated this way and for meaning and significance in their lives.
One late afternoon, I prayed in an alley with the self-confessed angry alcoholic. “Lord, you made this precious child. He’s hurting and doesn’t know what to do. Help him to lay these troubles at your feet and, together, you and he can begin to deal with them.” Tears rolled down his cheeks and onto our joined hands. During the counseling that followed, he imagined tearing away the dark tarball that surrounds his heart and keeps him numb. He allowed himself feel for the first time in years and imagined a future where he helps people like himself. We closed in prayer, “Lord, this is but one step of many. Help this young man to turn past pain into strength. Help him to find his path to recovery and be able to help many others.” He left with new found hope.
When it’s too cold to sleep outside in Austin, we go out and help the youth figure out their options: “Do you have the right gear to survive the night? Can you call a friend to sleep on a couch? Can you go to a shelter?” We give out warm clothing, we serve hot cocoa and food, but the most important thing we do is to stand with them. We see them, meet them, and treat them with love, respect, and grace in a time a great difficulty.
Back to my dream. In it there is no outcast. There is no more throw-away young people. No more do we walk by silently. No more... “Sh! She’s a street kid. Such a waste.” We will talk of homelessness like we do today about cancer... churches will lead the charge to ask “What kinds of challenges and set-backs?” “What kind of abuse, neglect, addiction, developmental issues?” What kind of help and support are needed?” “For how long?” “What can we do?” Yes... I have a dream. And I know that God is taking action in that dream. And the future will be different. One day we will frequently talk of winning, of preventing, and of finding stability for those who are homeless. Every Christian will know the blessing of personally caring for the poor and homeless in our neighborhoods and city. We will gratefully claim Jesus’ statement, “You will always have the poor.” We will understand He wasn’t making a scientific statement about our inability to find a fix. He wasn’t indicting the poor as hopeless. Our incarnate Lord, who has prepared everything good for us, was promising something of great value... that even as some have much and some have little, we are a blessing to one another. Our lives will be richer because we love and share and care for one each other as neighbors.
I invite you to get involved. We need people who provide food: sandwiches, snacks, and breakfast tacos. We need people who provide stuff: socks, coats, sleeping bags, blankets, dog leashes and collars. We need people who come be with our clients, helping to make them feel comfortable and loved. We need people who give money so we can focus even more on Christian ministry and less on fund raising. We don’t ask you to do everything, but we do ask you to do something. Won’t you consider our invitation? There’s more information at volunteer.StreetYouthMinistry.org. You will be blessed. I promise.
"To know, love and serve street dependent youth."
Who We Serve What We Do Get Involved Support Us News Publications Ministry Needs Speaking Service Projects Sign-up
Become a fan on Facebook!
Mobile? No problem: m.StreetYouthMinistry.org.
I'm a notary for benefit of clients and supporters. Ph: (512) 553-3796
Volunteer or donate (tax deductible) online
Arrange a meeting with me: tungle.me/terrycole
No comments:
Post a Comment