He shouldn’t have to live like this

My friend in this picture has been homeless for over twenty years. He lived in a small shack in an illegal dumping ground. He didn’t dump the trash, but he did live in it. He tried shelters to no avail.

They have crazy rules that sometimes change daily. They treat you like children telling you when to go to sleep and when to wake up. Shelters herd us like animals which makes us feel less than human…
People are homeless because of deep problems. Some have drug or alcohol problems, but others have social problems or problems that started at childhood. Out here, no one tells you what to do.

His choice to live at a remote camp also comes with challenges. Where do you get food? What about health and safety concerns? There are extreme challenges that accompany the freedom of the streets.

But why would anyone choose to live out there? That’s as difficult as why someone would live in a neighborhood that they can’t afford in order to impress people they don’t like. People live – where they live. Sometimes it’s by choice and sometimes it’s because there are no other options. Where should the thousands of homeless people on the streets go? The shelters are full, many are unemployable and most don’t have the stability to maintain a “free” apartment.

Then we are slapped in the face with a difficult question : What would Jesus do? Or better, what did He do? He went out to the masses and introduced them to the God who rescues. He pointed people to a relationship with God and united people into a community of faith who would come beside and help those in need. He fed the hungry and met tangible needs of the community to whom He ministered. Under His example, the early church served the poor, the widows and orphans. The Apostle Paul raised money for the poor in Jerusalem. And today, men and women unite to be the church to those in need.

My friend in the picture did live in that shack. But recently, utility workers tore his home apart, cleared the brush and disposed of all of the “trash”. He has found a new campsite and we continue to visit him and the dozens of people in the same situation at that location. There are hundreds of similar campsites around Dallas. We can’t meet all of their needs, but with a meal and a warm handshake, we can begin a conversation that will change his eternity. Will you join us?

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