We had to weave around a lot of traffic to get to Franklin Park in Washington, DC on a chilly Saturday morning. The youth group from Bethany Community Church was making its first trip with Teens Opposing Poverty’s Street Ministry. When we arrived, the crowd was relatively small, which we expected. It was a better situation for a group on their first trip.
The youth unloaded the well-organized clothes and set up lines for each type of clothing. As homeless people rummaged through the clothes, the conversations and connections between them and our volunteers (both youth and adult) began happening.
I soon found myself in a conversation with Marcell, who began sharing his problems with me. He worked all his adult life as a concrete finisher, but was laid off. Despite his best efforts, he hadn’t found a new job in over three months. His profanity-laced story revealed his discouragement, anger, and self-pity.
One of the girls from the youth group, an adorable little sprite who looked no older than 11, came up and handed Marcell a picture she had drawn. She was effervescent as she explained that she was giving out the pictures just to cheer people up. Then she told us that she had prayed with two people already. I was impressed. Most youth are uncomfortable praying out loud.
Marcell took the picture and gazed at it with a smile. Then he gently folded it and put it in his pocket. The two exchanged a warm smile and Marcell said, “If I had a refrigerator, I’d put this on it.” Then he looked at the rest of us and said, “Y’know, here I was feeling sorry for myself. But I see these kids taking the time to come serve us and talk to us. My situation’s no good, but I still have a lot to be thankful for.”
We prayed with him and, as we finished, I saw him wipe the tears from his eyes.
Marcell’s heart was changed, not by any adult, but by a young girl with a hand-drawn picture and a contagious smile. If you don’t think young people can make a difference. think again.
