Wanted and Not

The last Live Love event that our student ministry, The ConneXion, had (September 13th) was so full of stories, it has taken me almost a month to sort it out (okay, so I procrastinated, too). I will break it down into several posts so that they are more digestible. Enjoy.

To say that extremes rule the day of our visits to the homeless, and this day in September was a real winner. It has amazed me how we can tell our homeless dinner guests when we'll be back and they remember. After we'd parked and unpacked the grill and tables and cooler, Ronnie, one of our regular guests ambled up and reminded us that we were a week early, that we had told them we would be back on the 20th. It seems that those who know us make their plans to be there to enjoy the time of fellowship and a dinner, too. 

Ronnie had heard the back-up alarm on the bus and realized it was us so he made his way over. His is always a welcoming face when we arrive. He usually makes sure that those who follow behind him have let others know and if they haven't, he sends them off to tell others who come readily. Before long we have a gathering of about 30 or so who are happy to see this bunch of students ranging in age from 12 to 20. This night was a bit different, but that's another story. 

The extreme to this beginning was our ending. We had fed our guests and shared hope with them, given hugs and said our good-byes. We had loaded up the grill, the tables, the cooler and the kids. Suddenly a man ran up to the truck yelling at us. His agitation was such that his words were almost unintelligible. We finally understood that he was telling us that he had not called the police, but that we had better leave before he did because we were trespassing. 

The next day I contacted the owner of the business he was sleeping in the yard of to learn that the man who approached us is a homeless man, hired by this company as their grounds manager and parking manager. He is permitted to "live" in the fenced-in storage area of the business and the company owner stated that if we set foot on his property again, the police would indeed be summoned. We were definitely not wanted.

I don't understand this man's reasons, I don't have to. We are currently seeking a different place to set up to serve. We will be livin' love. 

No related posts.