Melting the Ice
Reggie stood beside the pulpit after sharing his story of homelessness. The tall, muscular African-American stood in stark contrast to the all-white congregation. Their eyes were fixed on him as he paused to look around the sanctuary. He adjusted his posture to stand a little taller just before he spoke. “Take the hand of the […]
The World in a Backpack
When you’re homeless, chances are you carry all of your worldly possessions in a backpack. If you’re lucky, you have a place to store or stash some extra things. All too often, everything you own gets stolen, ruined by foul weather, or thrown away by city or park employees. After over 37 years in ministry, […]
3 Things Homeless People Need to Break Free
Preview in new tab It’s not easy to “beat the street.” The road to a better life is full of obstacles and setbacks. I know dozens of people who have succeeded in moving out of the homeless life. They faced the same setbacks as others, but they never gave up. Lots of people throw up […]
Beautiful Connections
When I initially approached Miranda, the 34-year old sat alone on a bench. She greeted me with a cold stare and refused to introduce herself. Headphones intentionally shut her away from any interactions with the strangers surrounding her in Monroe Park. After an unsuccessful attempt to start conversation, I sat quietly next to her for […]