Last week I spent some time with a really cool homeless couple. They were seeking shelter from the rains under the overhang of the church and we invited them in for coffee, donuts and some hang time. Neat, neat folks! They shared a lot about how difficult it is living in the bushes around Santa Cruz trying to stay dry, trying to avoid assault and theft, trying to avoid illegal camping violations from the police, and how difficult it is to pull up from a downward spiral of homelessness. They shared how most people tend to treat all homeless as bad guys, drunks and dangerous undesirables to be avoided and I was thinking how easy it is to generalize people. Jesus seemed to be saying how we, His followers need to see all people homeless or housed, though His eyes and that every human being is created in God's image and deserves dignity as his image-bearer
This week I met yet another homeless couple, they and their kids attend Elevation on Sunday nights. I met them after service last Sunday and prayed with them and did some problem solving with them. We also hung out on this Tuesday for an hour or so and God is continuing to speak to me and teach me through my new friends David and Jennifer. They are Christians who lost their home and now travel around living in a travel trailer that they pull behind their van. They park where they can and David looks for work, Jennifer home schools their four kids since they have no steady place to live. God uses us even in poverty- they regularly share the little food they have to feed other homeless people they meet on the street. They pray for folks they meet and share Jesus love with them. They told me of how God shows up over and over to provide for them at just the right time and how God is using them in the lives of other homeless folks. David and Jennifer are glad to share their story and allowed me to share it here but if you meet them at Elevation make sure you give them the ability to just worship in peace and not get mobbed or be treated differently. The Washington Post did a national story, and a 2 minute video about David, Jennifer and the kids --- watch it (below) and take some time to pray for them.
God is teaching me about generosity, faith, and dignity through some wonderful messengers these days.
The times are changing: how should churches reorient themselves to better care for the increasing number of poor and homeless in our midst?
The 1960's hippie generation held some groovy ideals like: Peace Joy Kindness Serving OthersGuess what...Jesus valued these ideals too! The Experience will explore the cosmic question how do you EXPERIENCE quality things in daily life? How do we get the groovy life Jesus intends? Come be encouraged and dig our funky psychedelic themed new series.
