Homelessness: A Jesus Perspective

All Homeless Are Criminals

2012-01-25T16:33:00.000-08:00

If you are homeless and you live in an urban area in the United States, you are a criminal. It doesn't matter whether you have ever stolen anything, whether you have hurt or threatened anyone, whether you have vandalized anything or not, you are a criminal. Because simply living in any city without a roof over your head makes you a criminal. By living, you are against the law.

The reason for this is a policy that has been adopted by almost every city in the United States-- an anti-camping ordinance. This is a policy designed to keep people from camping within an urban area. (Here is a sample of one from Portland, Oregon) However, in practice, it is simply a way for a city to tell their police to harass their homeless as they determine it is necessary. Such an ordinance is not enforced on children who sleep in their backyard, although they are technically in violation of it. Nor was it enforced against many of the Occupy groups that sprouted around the nation, until they were determined to be a nuisance. But it is enforced against the homeless whenever it is necessary.

To break such an ordinance is to be a criminal. Thus, to participate in sleep-- a necessary human activity-- within an urban area, without a roof, is criminal. To fall asleep on a bench while looking homeless is enough to be treated as a criminal by any officer who determines that it is his duty to do so. Many officers do not. Many treat the homeless with respect. But enough do not, and actually use the ordinance as an opportunity to let the homeless know they are not wanted.

And this is because the homeless are criminals. If they are breaking the law, they deserve to be treated as law-breakers. Not only so, but any implements that they use in breaking the law are no longer theirs, but can be confiscated immediately by police officers. This means any sleeping bags, tents, blankets, tarps-- often generously given by hard working non-criminal types-- can be taken from these individuals, ripped up and thrown away.

It is also assumed by many (especially some of the police) that if a person is breaking one law, then they are breaking others. Many homeless are accused of stealing, selling drugs, violence, without sufficient evidence. Some have been arrested and even sent to prison for criminal acts that there was not sufficient evidence to convict them of.

Many of the homeless then do participate in criminal activity-- after the accusations and harassment, not before. After all, why not? If a person is treated like a criminal, then they have gained some credit that they could use up. They don't want to actually harm anyone. But since they are being punished and harassed and even arrested as criminals, if there are some large corporations they can gain benefit or survival from, then why not?

And then we do have a criminal element. Not because the homeless are naturally criminals, but because they are assumed to be criminals.

All the more reason why Marlin Anderson, Mary Bailey, Jack Golden and Matthew Chase are so bold and important. They are challenging Portland's anti-camping ordinance in federal court. It has moved to be settled, but part of that settlement is the changing of the anti-camping ordinance of Portland. Such changes will not be known until the end of February, but we assume the change will reduce the prejudice and irrational harassment against homeless families, women, men and teens.

I applaud you and thank you for your diligence. Don't give up on the rest of us.

"In the absence of proper shelter, it is the right of any individual to construct one"- Homeless man in Nicklesville, Seattle

Why The Homeless Should Have A Voice in Your Church

2011-12-13T15:47:00.000-08:00

From a paper by Alex Cole, "Church On the Streets", a student at Ambrose University College

In the Bible, the descriptions of the homeless indicate that theyare generally there to be helped, and that helping them brings blessing. Isaiah 58:7 “Give shelter to the homeless.” Matthew 25:35: “I was a stranger, and youinvited me into your home.”[1] There are few passages that speak directly ofthe homeless having leadership roles. However, although many Biblical leaders were rich or powerful,[2] many of God’s leaders aretaken from those who are poor. TheIsraelites were slaves and then refugees in the desert. Gideon was the least important member of theweakest clan in his tribe when he was called (Judges 6:13-15)[3] and Jephthah was the sonof a prostitute and his half brothers’ chased him off his land to deny him hisinheritance.[4] David started life as a shepherd, and Amoswas a shepherd. Jeremiah found himselfin destitute circumstances. Peter,Andrew, James and John were all fishermen. John the Baptist adopted a life of poverty in the desert, and shepherdswere chosen to witness the news of Jesus’ birth. Jesus himself came from a poor family.[5] This indicates that poverty and even lack ofa stable home (the Israelites were refugees in the desert) are no barriers toleadership.

Some biblical passages validate ahomeless person assuming a leadership role. Jesus was homeless for periods of time,[6] as was Paul.[7] God chooses those who are powerless and despisedand uses them to shame the powerless and to bring to nothing what the worldconsiders important.[8] James 2:5 says that God has chosen those whoare poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and it is good to havesomeone who is rich in faith in church leadership. Jesus spent a lot of time with the poor[9] and he even says that whenpeople shelter those with no homes, then they are sheltering him.[10] Therefore the poor are close to, or evenidentified with Jesus – and closeness to Jesus is also an admirable quality forthose in leadership. The kingdom ofheaven will be inherited by the poor[11] and so presumably theywill have a leadership or at least stewardship role there. Jesusencourages not just the rich young ruler but all Christians to “sell yourpossessions and give to those in need”[12] and he himself “becamepoor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.”[13] In fact, some parts of the Bible almost militateagainst having rich people in leadership, because they foresee those who arerich “fading away”, and thus would foresee those in leadership naturallybecoming poor. [14] For all these reasons, it seems that theBible would not be, as such, against having a homeless person in the leadershipof a church.

In fact, in some ways, there are advantagesto having homeless people being involved in the leadership of a church. As part of the leadership, they would beresponsible for teaching and preaching, and might have a significantlydifferent perspective on Scripture from that of other populations. In this way, another voice will be powerfullyreleased in the church, speaking the gospel back to the rich so that the richmight hear the gospel anew.[15] For example, the ‘gospel according to thehomeless’ is more multi-faceted than many gospel presentations I have heard, maycontain a clearer recognition of the reality of evil than other presentationsof Christianity,[16]and may expose the nature of the spiritual “powers” described in Ephesians 6:12more clearly.[17] Homelesspeoples’ analyses may elucidate the contents of biblical books more clearly.[18] Justo and Catherine Gonzales paint a pictureof the writers of the Bible being amongst those who are weak and powerless, andtherefore “a more accurate interpretation of the biblical word can be gained bythose who currently stand in a parallel place in our own societies [to theoriginal biblical writers.”[19] For example, whereas sin has become seen assexual sin by some churches, they argue that the poor see social injustice asmore blatant sin.[20] Finally, some have even cast the entire biblein the framework of homelessness. Theydescribe God as creating a home (Eden) which the home-breakers (humanity) thenwrecked and were cast out of (to become homeless). Jesus then creates the possibility for God tobe at home in our hearts, and God creates a renewed home for us after hissecond coming.[21] In this way the voice of homelessness addsanother perspective to read the Bible from. To sum up, the Bible being taught by homeless people in the leadershipof a church could encourage a voice that would help other churches to see theBible and the gospel more clearly.

[1] Other scriptures that relate to the poor are that Godprotects the poor (Ps 12:5), provides a refuge for them (Ps 14:6), saves themwhen they pray (Ps 34:6), rescues them from those who rob them (Ps 35:10),helps them, thinks of them (Ps 40:17), provides for them (Ps 68:10), helps themto see him and hears them, (Ps 69:32-33), satisfies the thirsty and fills thehungry with good things (Ps 107:9), raises them from the dust and from the ashheap (Ps 113:7), secures justice for them and upholds their cause (Ps 140:12),watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and widow (Ps 146:9),provides a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat (Is 25:4), andre-creates the environment so they can find water and food, planting trees,turning desert into pools of water, making rivers flow, (Is 41:17 – 20). The Bible also speaks of those who help thepoor being blessed, for example: “If you … spend yourselves on behalf of thehungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in thedarkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide always, he will satisfyyour needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, likea spring whose waters never fail. Yourpeople will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the gage-oldfoundations. You will be called repairerof broken walls, restorer of streets with dwellings” (Is 58:9-12).)

[2] , Forexample Moses, Saul, Solomon and all the Judahite and Israelite kings,Nehemiah, Ezra, Isaiah, Matthew, and Paul.

[3] When he was called he was threshing wheat inthe bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites, indicating apoor situation.

[4] Judges11:1-2.

[5] Hisparents brought two turtledoves or 2 young pigeons to sacrifice in the temple(Luke 2:24), which Lev 12:8 indicates were for those who “cannot afford tobring a lamb.”

[6] “Theson of man has nowhere to lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20).

[7] “Wehave been homeless.” (1 Co 4:11).

[8] 1Corinthians 1:27-28.

[9] Forexample, lepers, poor women (Mark 12:42), prostitutes, women with immoralmarital pasts, the blind, and the sick.

[10] Matthew25:36,40.

[11] In theGreek: πτωχός (Luke 6:20) –although notice that Matthew 5:3 says the “poor in spirit” so Luke 6:20 can’tdefinitely be used as a proof text that this verse is referring to thematerially poor.

[12] Luke12:33.

[13] 2 Co8:9.

[14] Part of the Bible’s teaching on money indicates that “therich will fade away.” (James 1:11). Paulstarted with status as a Pharisee but lost everything for Christ. Barnabus laid the profits from his field atthe disciples’ feet. Many losteverything for the sake of the gospel, for example those mentioned in Hebrews11:37 who became “destitute”.

Many of theearly church fathers also spoke against private property and condemned therich.[14] Ignatius and Hermas instructed Christians tocare for the widow and respond to those in need. Ambrose wrote “Why do the rich claim foryourselves the right to own the land … When you give to the poor what is theirs you return it, not giveit.” He condemned the few rich peoplewho claimed everything for themselves “not only the land, but the sky, the air,the sea …. every day are the needy murdered.” Basil the Great wrote that the bread that we hoard belongs to thehungry. “Those who attain a certainlevel of power use those whom they have already enslaved in order to gain morestrength to commit every greater iniquities, and by using them they enslavethose who were still free. Then theirgreater power becomes a new weapon for evil. And as a result those whom they just injured now have no other optionbut to help them, and thus collaborate in the evil and iniquity committedagainst the others.” Augustine, Cyriland Gregory the Great didn’t believe in private property. John Chrysostom wrote that “the earth is theLord’s: … nothing is to be held by any as privately owned. The rich are not really such, for what theyhave belongs to others. Anything thatone might have, even though legitimately earned in truth belongs to the poor.”These quotes are taken from Justo Gonzalez and Catherine Gonzalez, Liberation Preaching, The Pulpit and theOppressed (Nashville: Abingdon, 1980), 55-57. Basil the Great said that if I have a chestfull of shoes that I cannot use, while the poor walking in front of my houseare unshod, I am committing theft just as much as if I had actually taken theirshoes off their feet. Chrysostom went further, declaring that allowing someoneto die of famine is committing murder. Information taken from Justo González, "Faith and Wealth : TheEarly Church and Ours," Living Pulpit 6, 3 (1997): 12.

[15] Anidea put forward in Lesslie Newbigen, Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospeland Western Culture. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986), 196. “The only way in which the gospel canchallenge our culturally conditioned interpretation of it is through thewitness of those who read the Bible with minds shaped by other cultures. Wehave to listen to others. This mutual correction is sometimes unwelcome, but isnecessary and it is fruitful.”

[16] Iconducted interviews with four different homeless people at the Mustard Seed inFall 2011, simply asking them “Who is God to you? And “How do you understand thegospel / how are we saved?” Theirexplanation of the gospel drew on the classic Christus Victor approach, and thesubstitutionary atonement perspective. The real presence of evil was a strong theme that came through, becausemany of them had directly experienced the effects of evil on their own life.

[17] WilliamStringfellow, a lawyer who practiced street law in East Harlem for seven years,realized from those he spoke to that these “powers” are often, to thedestitute, the economic powers of thosein charge of labor pools, landlords, police agencies, the city administration,and so on. In this way these powersseemed more recognizable and insidious, in their effects on human lives. This description is taken from StanleySaunders and Charles Campbell, The Wordon the Street, (Grand Rapids, Mich: William B. Eerdmans, 2000), 62-81.

[18] Saunders and Campbell (2000: 52-3) argue thatRevelation can only be understood properly by the poor, because Revelationdescribes the overthrowing of earthly political rulers, who are happy to keepthe world poor. The powers described inRevelation are those economic powers that have crushed the faces of the world’spoor in the dust. So, for example,Revelation 7:16 says “they will never again be hungry” in reference to thosewho die in the great tribulation. Inother words, God’s redemption of his people shows that his persecuted saintsare the poor, who will be cared for.

[19] Theirarguments are that Israel was a weak and generally powerless nation, sandwichedbetween other, more powerful nations, and because they were at one point slavesand refugees, and later they were exiles. It could also be pointed out that the early church was often, though notexclusively poor (1 Co 1:26: “few of you were wealthy”) (Gonzalez, Liberation, 16).

[20] Gonzalez,Liberation, 23.

[21] Thisdescription is taken from Steven Bouma-Prediger and Brian J. Walsh, Beyond Homelessness: Christian Faith in aCulture of Displacement (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2008). This is an outstanding Biblical look athomelessness throughout the Bible.

The Mark

2011-10-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

Cain killed Abel. Apretty well known fact, it’s true. Andmost of the time we focus on the “why” of it. The text doesn’t really give a good answer for that. Cain had a problem, I suppose, withcontrolling his anger. But while Genesisdoesn’t give a “why”, it does explain a “therefore.” What happened to Cain because of his pastsin? He was eternally marked. He displayed for all, for the rest of hislife, a mark that showed his sin. Why isthat? Because he refused to repent ofhis sin. Just like his parents beforehim, he offered excuses, refusing to admit his sin. So he was marked.

Thehomeless are also marked. They aremarked by their peculiar style of poverty. By the layers of clothes, by the long beards and hair, by the daypacksand shopping carts. They aremarked. And just like Cain, they arerejected by other due to these marks. They stand out as “the Other” and so they are repulsive to the rest ofsociety. When the police see them, theymake sure to take down their names to see if they have any records. When shopowners see them, they make sure theyget what they want and leave quickly. When they come into churches, certain members cringe inwardly, avoidcontact with them and hope that being ignored will keep them from contactingany of them.

Why dothe homeless have such a mark? This markis the mark of the society they have joined, the fellowship that they arepartnered with. But such a fellowship isnot often sought or hoped for. How didthey join? Different reasons…

Sam became homeless because his mothercommitted suicide while he was still living with her. The trauma caused him to lose his job and hishousing. He’s been homeless for morethan ten years now, nursing his wounds, wandering from meal to meal, because hehas no energy or reason to do anything else.

Frank was a methanphetamine abuserfor many years, from his childhood. Hepulled himself together long enough to get married to someone who nominallybelonged to a restrictive cult. They hadtwo children. As he became stronger in the Lord, he began to teach his kidsabout the Lord and what the Bible says. Their mother got deeper into the cult again and eventually the cultforced her to divorce her husband and not allow the kids to ever see himagain. This event drove him back deeperinto drugs. Now he’s been clean for ayear and a half, but because of the damage the drugs caused him for so manyyears, he is unable to stay at any one job, wandering from ministry toministry, seeking to serve and to hear the word of the Lord.

Joe had various jobs throughout hislife—construction worker, volunteer fireman, shopkeeper. He loves to quote his father’s pithyquips. But the main thing he learned fromhis family is drug abuse. Both of hisbrothers died due to some combination of drug abuse and cancer. He is proud that he uses no illegal drugs,but he freely admits that he is an alcoholic. He also has cancer. He can’thandle regular treatment, and so he doesn’t know how long he’ll live. So he doesn’t bother trying.

The stories go on and on. Trauma. Hopelessness. Disconnection. Lack of trust. Just like Cain. And they are marked like Cain, by the societywe are a part of.

How did Jesus treat those who weremarked? Because many in his society had the markas well. In Jesus day, prostitutes andtax collectors, Gentiles and “sinners”, beggermen and cripples, they all had themark. The mark of separateness. The mark of not belonging to “righteous” society. How did Jesus treat them?

Jesus ate with them, a culturalsymbol of partnership. Jesus called themto repentance. Jesus healed their woundsand cared for them. Jesus gently offeredthem hope. He offered them God. He offered them himself. He was the servant to those with themark. And that is what Anawim does. They minister to one of the groups in oursociety that have the mark of Cain. Theyfeed them. They clean and dress theirwounds—both physical and emotional. Theyoffer hope in the midst of misery and tell the marked, “Jesus is for you. Jesus came for you, more than for the peoplein the churches. Jesus has strength foryou. And Jesus will bring you close toGod. And God will heal you of who youare and where you have come from.”

The question is not: "How do we get rid of the mark?" The question is whether we will forgive them for that which is not a sin.

Paintings by Michael Sherriffs Hall. Find more here.

Permitted To Be Nowhere

2011-10-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

The cities of Multnomah County are like a lot of other cities throughout the United States. They like to look like they are helping the homeless when they are actually oppressing them.

According to The Oregonian, the owner of some private property has decided that he would temporarily allow the homeless to camp on his unused property in downtown Portland until he sells it. "I'm willing to let them out of doorways," says Michael Wright, pointing out the benefit to the community.

The city of Portland, however has a problem. There is no permit for it, they say. And no one is allowed to camp, not even on private property. Of course, that is the city ordinance. That camping outdoors without a permit is illegal in Portland. Remember that when your kids decide to camp in your backyard.

Or, perhaps, the activists of Occupy Portland should be informed as well. They have been camping in public areas, not just private. I want to make it clear, I am not opposed to protest. I am opposed to the city's hypocrisy.

Or let's take Gresham. There is at least two police officers, on city time, that have been going to homeless camps and ripping up their tents, sleeping bags and tarps. They are vandalizing private property. This is nothing new to the homeless in Gresham. Those that lived on the Springwater Corridor would have their personal possessions ripped up and thrown in a dumpster by a county paid official. Or there is the camp under a bridge in Gresham that came back to find their possessions thrown into a pit and burned up.

Many of the homeless are given tickets by a variety of Gresham police. These tickets are sentences to leave Gresham and not come back. Yes, they aren't binding by a court, but some homeless just follow it so as not to cause more trouble for themselves. Many homeless claim Gresham as "home" and have no where else to go.

Okay, okay. The homeless get the idea. They aren't wanted here. Somehow they are considered criminals just for living outside and trying to survive. Look, if you can arrest them for drug use or for violent activity, no one is really complaining. But the fact is, the homeless are being targeted as criminals because of what they don't have, not what they do. They don't have four walls and a roof and that makes them criminals.

Oh, sorry, the camp in downtown Portland on Mr. Wright's property DOES have walls. Made out of doors. The City of Portland says that it is not according to code and must be torn down.

Look, here's the point. You don't want the homeless to be hanging around on the streets? THEN GIVE THEM A PLACE TO GO! It is not enough to deny someone a place. A body takes up room and space. The cities of Multnomah County have basically denied the homeless the right to exist. Can this really be legal?

The city of Portland just built a facility that houses 130 homeless and shelters no more than a hundred more. Where are the thousands of other homeless supposed to go?

Let's be completely frank. The majority of homeless in Multnomah County have lived in the county since before they were homeless. They became homeless here. This means that these homeless are our responsibility. We cannot deny them the right to exist. The right to sleep. The right to live.

We must work on a plan to live with the homeless because they aren't going anywhere.

A Worst Case Senario

2011-10-05T11:40:00.000-07:00

A month ago I met a couple named Rian and Kim. Like many people, they were moving from Texas to Oregon in order to have a better shot at jobs and a better life. And like many people making that move, the cost of housing and the difficulties finding economic stability surprised them. They thought they could get housing easily, but it wasn't so easy. So they ended up homeless.

The difference between them and others is that they are deaf.

This may not be such a big deal, but think about it. In the middle of the night, you can't see anything and you can't hear who's coming. This couple could only communicate through sign language and writing, so they couldn't get information easily. If the police caught them in the middle of the night, what would happen to them? What if someone attacked them? They were especially vulnerable.

But at least they were in a car. Oh, until it got taken from them as a repo.

We were able to bend a couple rules and let them in a house over the weekend, and they were certain that they could get housing on the Monday after through disability services. However, on that Monday, the apartment manager (to whom they have already paid application fees, been accepted, and given a deposit), refused to give essential, basic information so they could get the apartment. Disability services couldn't pay their rent if the apartment wouldn't give this information. So they were stuck homeless for the rest of the month until they received their next checks, for two and a half weeks.

What were we to do? So I wrote a letter (which I almost never do) giving them permission to sleep on our property for the rest of the month. Then I left for two weeks on a long planned trip to Pennsylvania, praying that they be safe and that they don't take advantage of others.

In the middle of the first week, they did have to move from the hidden porch I put them on to the back of the church building because the rain on the porch flooded them out. But when I saw them again, they were safe, healthy, and had just moved into their new apartment. The two weeks they had spent at Anawim they were very helpful, cleaning up and assisting Linda when they could.

It was a terrible situation, but all worked out in the end. Praise God.

The Poor and the Rich

2011-08-17T17:41:00.000-07:00

Who are the poor? They aren't just people who are hungry or house-less or dirty. They are people who are seen as being socially inadequate because of their poverty. They are the people who are called "lazy" and "untrustworthy" and "hopeless" because of various social factors, but partly because they are hungry or house-less or dirty.

Who are the wealthy? There are lots of different definitions of that. They are the people who not only aren't hungry, but they don't ever have to wonder where their food and housing and clothing is going to come from. They can't be measured simply by income, but by the confidence with which their maneuver through their society. Some people, even if they don't have much financially can be powerful in their cultural circles.

The poor envy the wealthy. This isn't always true, but it is true enough to make it a force in any society. The poor want the prestige and resources and wealth and power that wealth accumulates. Many of them think that if they win the lottery or obtain money by some other magical means that they would be of the wealthy. That simply isn't true. This doesn't mean the poor must live an impoverished existence. Absolutely not. Most people have the possibility of having all of their needs met. But having money doesn't make one wealthy.

The wealthy distrust the poor. They think that they use their resources badly. They believe that their power and abundant resources come from hard work and that they deserve all they obtain. They don't realize that most of their resources comes from luck-- the luck of birth, the luck of relationship, the luck of personality traits that work toward a narrow minded concept of success. They think that anyone could do what they have done. They don't understand the social barrier that keeps the poor from having enough resources to live on.

The poor need the wealthy. They need the resources that the wealthy provide. Not just the money, but the relationships, the jobs, the social know-how, the education, the authority that comes of being wealthy. With these resources, the poor might no longer be poor.

The wealthy need the poor. The wealthy think they need no one, but they need people to focus on details so they can focus on bigger projects. The wealthy need to use their resources for others so that their compassion and empathy may grow into a full human soul. They need the poor to grant them the joy of giving to those truly in need.

The poor would like the wealthy, if they got to know them. The wealthy are nice people, if perhaps a little naive about real life.

The wealthy would trust the poor, if they got to know them. The poor are hard working, friendly people.

We need to get these people together.

Applied Bible Passages

2011-08-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

You have heard that it was said, "Do not oppress the poor." But I say to you, if you have as much as voted for one who
would kill an innocent person, then you are complicit.

Iraq Body Count

Afghani Civilian Deaths in 2011

If you take a poor man's tent or sleeping bag or coat, even in the name of a government, that poor one will cry out to Me and you shall be homeless and helpless. For what else are they to keep warm in? (Exodus 22:22-27)

God takes his stand among the judges, police and council members. "How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Vindicate the mentally ill and homeless, do justice to the afflicted. Rescue them out of the hands of the wicked, those who are willing to harm the ill and pitiful for the sake of themselves."(Psalm 82)

‎"The outcry against them is very great. I shall go down and see if they have done according to the outcry, and I will know if it is true"

Why the Poor Don't Vote

2011-07-28T20:27:00.000-07:00

Some reasons why poor people don't vote as much as wealthy people:

Because there really isn't much difference between voting for one prep school grad or another.

Because the discussed issues aren't really significant enough. Sure, there a talk of "more jobs" but the poor know that they won't see a whiff of it.

Because felons aren't allowed to vote. And because a percentage of the poor are in jail or prison, whether misdemeanors or felonies. They don't get to vote, either.

Because working and cooking for one's family and helping the kids with homework seems like a better use of time.

Because many of the issues are esoteric and require education as well as the ability to be functionally literate. Almost no one wants to vote on what they see on the TV or hear on the radio.

Because when the poor do vote, and their candidate wins, nothing changes. So why vote next time?

The Bud Clark Commons

2011-07-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

Pretty, isn't it? It's the Bud Clark Commons, and it is a fine-looking addition to Portland's downtown area. It has a day shelter, a 90 bed shelter and a hundred and thirty single resident apartments. Those hundred and thirty apartments went to the most needy homeless residents of Portland, mostly to folks who struggle with both mental health issues and addictions. This has been and is a noble project. The idealism and care for the most needy is truly inspiring.

What is also inspiring is the price tag. Altogether, it cost the city fifty million dollars to build it. I don't know how much it will cost to maintain it, but that's got to be a pretty penny. The city plunked down 29.5 million dollars for it and they obtained other grants for the balance. *Loud whistle* That's a chunk of change. It must show how much Portland cares about homelessness.

That's certainly what Steve Rudman, Excecutive Director of Home Forward said: "This new building underscores that homelessness is at the forefront of our community's priorities. We are excited to be part of the solution that continues the city's momentum towards ending homelessness."

Hmmm. That's interesting. The goal of the city is to end homelessness? And this is part of the solution? Wow, that's really generous of the city. So their goal to end homelessness is to provide housing like this? That's great. However, that comes with quite a price tag.

In Multnomah County, according to the latest street count, there were 4655 people sleeping on the street or in shelters on January 26. Of course, there are less people homeless in the winter than in the summer when people don't feel as guilty putting family members on the street, but let's just work with that figure. If the city was going to spend as much money on all the homeless as they did on the 220 people they just provided housing and shelter then that would be... $1,057,955,815. A billion fifty eight million dollars. That's more than half of Portland's annual budget.

That doesn't seem rational, especially in these times of tight budgets and frugal spending. This must not be Portland's plan to help the homeless, to provide them all with housing. Perhaps what Steve Rudman said is completely accurate: Homelessness is a focus of the city, not the actual population of homeless people.

I suspect that the Bud Clark Commons wasn't developed at the request of homeless people. Frankly, homeless folks are pretty frugal as a group. If the city were to ask them-- the actual people who are homeless, not the "experts" on homelessness-- how to help the homeless, they would have gotten a lot of answers. "Tell the police to leave us alone," some would have said. Others would say, "Get us jobs." Some would say, "Let us have our own space to build up and to keep secure." Perhaps some of the less thrifty would say, "Rent us all apartments."

However, not a single homeless person would say, "Spend fifty million dollars on a facility to house 220 of us."

The Bud Clark Commons only makes sense if you take actual the actual homeless population of Portland out of the equation. It seems like a great opportunity for the city to show that the city of Portland has the issue of homelessness as a focus. But more than 95 percent of the homeless population aren't touched by the fifty million dollars spent.

I think next time the city wants to spend fifty million-- heck, even 29.5 million-- dollars on the homeless, they should get together the leaders of the various homeless communities in Portland (yes, there are leaders), and create a series of project that could help literally thousands of homeless folks. When we see that happening, perhaps I would believe that Portland is actually interested in helping the homeless instead of just creating an expensive facade of care.

How Much Is A Dollar Worth?

2011-07-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

A great post by Pad's Chicago Blog, which can be found at this link.

How much is a dollar worth? Just ask a homeless person.

For just $1.00 to $5.00 a homeless person for 1 to 2 hours can:

Drink a coffee or eat a meal.
Sit indoors.
Have access to a clean bathroom and sink to watch hands and face.
Be out of the rain.
Be safe from severe weather.
Watch a movie matinee.
Buy a ticket and ride the bus or train.
Do laundry.
Make calls on a pay phone.
Put a small amount of gas for the day in their car’s gas tank.
Access pool and shower facilities at a local park.

What a person can get out of it:

Food.
Shelter.
Clean clothes.
Hygiene care.
Entertainment.
Transportation to shelter, an interview, a job, and other appointments.
Access to a toilet and facilities to do hygiene.
A visit with family and friends, call to schedule a job interview.
Social interaction and networking.
A sense of normalcy (whatever normal is)
Happiness.
A love and gratitude for fellow man.

What you get:

Happiness.
God’s love and blessing.
A love and gratitude for fellow man.
Social interaction and networking.
Increased self-satisfaction, self-love, self-worth, self-value

Pulling It Together

2011-07-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

It is a great thing to see a community at work.

Yesterday, we had two homeless men and two people who moved into our community house and two of my children all working together at Anawim's facility in Gresham: improving gardens, spreading wood chips, getting rid of termites, organizing our online message, playing with a baby: all for the glory of God and the benefit of the poor!

Last week our vegetable garden was planted, the huge lawn was mowed and blades were sharpened. And, of course, hundreds of people were fed, dozens of showers provided and people worshiping, same as every week.

Today, we have our homeless sponsored BBQ at 4pm.

Anawim is just so cool!

Answering a Phone Call

2011-07-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I received a phone call from a nervous neighbor. She was polite enough, "I'm glad that someone is helping these people," she said, meaning the street folks. However... yes, when we get a call from the neighbors there's always a "however". She saw some folks pushing each other out in the street, cussing up a storm. For herself, she might have been irritated, but her young daughter was there "and she could have been watching through the slits in the fence". And she certainly heard the language.

Investigating the situation, it turns out that there was a person who was not a regular who was drinking in the church. He was also lightly groping a couple of the girls. Because he refused to desist, he was asked to leave. He also refused to do this. So they had to work with him, getting him out, and this led to the front of the church, next to the street, where I guess it devolved into a pushing and cussing match, where at least one person was almost pushed into traffic.

Not good. We need to do something about it, and we must. And I told the neighbor this.

But she was not satisfied. She said, "Why can't these people act better when they are at the church? Are they receiving this help for free or do they have to work for it? My daughter said that she saw a drunk person vomiting on the church grounds while she was at the park a couple years ago? Are people sleeping there? How many people do you have there, anyway?" No matter what I said, I couldn't ease her upset about the fact that she is in a community that has an unwanted population that our church is pulling in.

What I couldn't say is that if we weren't creating a place for folks that has rules and food and people to watch over, then they'd be out in the community, without rules, hungry and with no one they trusted to suggest they act differently. They'd be in someone's front yard or street-- if not yours then someone else's.

Instead, with the day shelter, they are in a safe place-- safe for themselves and safe for others. They have a place to cook their own food, to connect in a non-violent place. They can be respected and so not find any reason to be violent or dangerous in any way. Sure, a few of the people will occasionally act out, but the community as a whole teaches them that such behavior isn't welcome.

Very rarely we have situations like yesterday when those who are helping snap and act in a way that in not in accord with the church atmosphere. But that's rare, very rare. The fact is, without the day shelters, the community would be in a worse state.

I want to keep everyone safe, and I'd like to have the neighbors be content with our work. I am hoping that we will all be working together to create a unified community of peace and everyone working together. I heard today that the police are directing the homeless to the day shelters to keep them out of the community at large. That's fine with everyone. Praise God there's a place for everyone to go. It is our hope that our folks will eventually work for these neighbors who have problems with them now. Maybe even to be paid.

Vital Statistics: A Summary of Portland's 2011 Street Count

2011-06-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

Some facts from the “2011 Point In Time Count ofHomelessness in Portland/ Multnomah County, Oregon”

All statistics reflect the state of homelessness on January26, 2011. This doesn’t give an accurateoverall picture of homelessness in Multnomah County for many reasons, but the threeprimary reasons are:

-January is one of the lowest counts of homelessness of theyear

-It is very difficult to find all the homeless.

-Many homeless ask not to be counted

Even so, this count is important because it gives a generalidea of homelessness in the county, it is helpful in comparison to other citiesand it helps us see the trends of homelessness.

To read the full report, please go to this link and download the free file

The Statistics:

2,727—People counted who are sleeping on the street or invehicles or in shelters on the night of January 26.

1,928—People in temporary transitional housing on thatnight.

35—The percentage of increase of families who becamehomeless since 2009

751—Homeless children

9—The percentage of increase of homelessness since 2009

12—The percentage of veterans who are homeless

More than half of those living on the street were living onthe street two years ago.

The count in East Multnomah County (East of 182^nd)increased to 92 from a single individual in 2009. (A personal note: this isbecause of the participation of the day shelter programs in East County)

11- Percentage of homeless in all of East County (East of 82^nd),where services for the homeless are scarce.

46—Percentage of homeless that have been homeless for morethan 2 years

69—Percent of homeless that have been homeless for more than1 year

52—Percentage of the homeless who have lived in MultnomahCounty for more than 10 years. However,the majority of the general population of Oregon do not originate from Oregon.

101—Increase of beds in shelters from 2009

53—Percentage of the homeless in shelters who are a part ofa homeless family

37—Percentage of homeless women

35—Percent of homeless woman affected by domestic abuse

46—Percent of communities of color (non-white) on thestreet. In the general population, 29percent are communities of color. African Americans and Native Americans aremore represented on the street than other groups.

Teach How to Fish Revisited

2011-06-29T10:28:00.000-07:00

Probably the most popular blog post here is the article by Pam Wilson of Operation Mercy about the phrase "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." It's a great article you can read here if you like.

Even though I have a lot of questions about this proverb, people have been quoting it a lot to me lately. A friend of mine recently posted on my Facebook page, "We need to teach the homeless how to fish." This is a summary statement, which really means, "We need to train the homeless so they can get jobs." Getting the homeless work is essential, no question. Labor is a big issue among the homeless, especially with the increased competition as many people are losing jobs.

But do the homeless need to be retrained? Sure, some could benefit from some training. But frankly, almost all of the homeless have skills that could be used in jobs today. I know mechanics, landscapers, carpenters, roofers, painters, bike mechanics, general handymen, and many other occupations. These are jobs that need to be done and there is a lot of work for this kind of work. Perhaps having regular work this way takes some time, but our folks are ready to build up a clientele. They've got time and aren't in a hurry. But they'd like work. Today, if possible.

So why don't they work? Because no one will hire a homeless person. Employers are looking for people who are already settled. They don't want to hire someone who might be difficult. Even people looking for work for a day are nervous about hiring a homeless person to do work. Or perhaps they think that a homeless person would do shoddy work.

Let's face it, the homeless don't need to "learn to fish." They need to be given a chance. They need to be given jobs, or at least some day labor.

If you have ever even thought about a homeless person, "That person needs to get a job," then stop and reprimand yourself for your hypocrisy unless you have hired and paid a homeless person for work. Do you want to have a church ministry? Hire the homeless to care for your church property, even if only for a day.

Don't know where to find homeless people to hire to do work for you? If you are in the Portland area, contact me. I'll get you a worker. They can clean your house. They can clean up your yard. They can repair. They can build wood tables. Don't think that the homeless are inadequate. Most of them aren't. They just need a chance. And maybe a little patience.

Perfect Joy

2011-06-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was my last day in leadership at Sunnyside Coffee House. My church would still be a part of cooking and serving food, once a month, but my bi-weekly visiting and praying with and serving the mentally ill and homeless of SE Portland is over. For now.

I was pretty sad about the whole thing. We cooked and served spaghetti (fresh basil and beef in the sauce, which was great) and then stood up to lead prayer. I announced my leaving and that Mark Woodson would take over. Many people clapped. Now, Mark Woodson used to lead the coffee house years before, so it was probably just joy that he's coming back. But it felt like a slap across my face. I've regularly worked twelve hour days for these people, making sure that had enough to eat and stuff to take home. I've worked hard at creating a place of peace, so people would feel safe coming in, where there used to be people yelling and obnoxious shouting almost every week. I've been threatened, yelled at, cleaned up overflowing toilets, cleaned out a back storage room full of mouse feces. We have prayed people's healings in, we had two weddings there, we showed movies, laughed and loved together. And I was deeply shamed at the rejoicing of my leaving.

At that point I remembered a story of Francis of Assisi. It's pretty long, so I won't quote the whole thing, but the summary is Francis saying, "Perfect joy is serving and suffering for your brothers only to have them reject you." You can read it all here: The Perfect Joy of St. Francis

I said to myself, "Well, I guess no good deed goes unpunished. I just need to chalk this one up for eternal reward." I was being pretty self-pitying, really.

As the evening wore on, it was clear that it was two of us: Styxx and myself, cooking and serving and cleaning for the hundred or so people who showed up. It's a big job, but we were experienced and knew what we were in for. Pretty soon we had a number of people come up and thank us for the food, "This is some of the best food I've had." Wow. Many times people would come and complain about the free food they received. This was different. A couple came up and asked, "Could you use some help?" and I honestly replied, "Yeah, we should could." They came in and helped serve seconds to folks as I went into the men's room to mop up an overflowing toilet.

In another twenty minutes, others, who did not ask to help, voluntarily wiped down all the tables, put the chairs up and swept up. Behind the counter, the couple cleaned up the counters and stove. All this work probably cut an hour off of Styxx and my evening.

A bit later Joline came up. She's an older Native American woman who's lived on the street for many years. She wasn't doing well tonight. She was either a little drunk or sick or just depressed. She said, "Thank you for all you've done. Here's what I have." And she put in my hand her last eighty cents.

At this point I realized that Francis was wrong. Perfect joy isn't being rejected. Perfect joy is working to build community where there was none before. Perfect joy is seeing people act like Jesus, especially those whom people say could never be discipled. Perfect joy is seeing God at work.

Cause of Homelessness: Bad Past

2011-06-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

I have a family and a single person who have the money to get an apartment, but they can't. Is it because of a bad credit check? No. Because of a bad reference? Nope. It is because they have a five year old felony.

Most apartments won't take you if they can show that you have significant jail time in your past. One of my friends has a job and a beautiful ten month old daughter and wife, but once the apartment managers see the jail time, he's rejected. Even though he has had a clean record since he got out of jail and had voluntarily finished a rehab program and has a good paying job. No one will touch him.

Another of my friends has a serious injury. His hip is giving out and he is unable to walk very far. He could go to the store as needed, but he can't be homeless any more. He sleeps on one of my extra couches, but he has the money from disability to get an apartment, or at least to room with another person. But if he applies with another person, they will reject them both because he has a record, which is now six years old.

These are the people ready to get off the street. But a number of the street folks are looking and saying, If it is this hard to get off the street, why bother trying?

Jail or Homelessness?

2011-06-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

One of my formerly homeless friend and I were discussing the relative benefits of prison to homelessness.

Among the chronic homeless, jail is seen as a "vacation". Sure, it limits your freedom. But it also gives you three meals a day, which is more than you'd often eat on the street. You don't have to walk as much. You are less likely to be threatened by guards than you are by the community or the police outside. You have greater access to a toilet in jail. You have a much greater opportunity for sleep without being harassed.

Threat of violence: same
Religious freedom: same
Social/Isolation time: same

Frankly, in some communities, jail is much to be preferred. If you are in St. Petersburg or Las Vegas, those cities have taken away the rights of the homeless to be fed. Many communities don't provide public toilets. And most communities already treat the homeless as criminals (without proof), so the disrespect of being a criminal is the same.

So which would you prefer, jail or homelessness?

Living Rights

2011-05-28T09:42:00.001-07:00

A Mouse Story

2011-05-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

A favorite of Patty's:

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning. "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose"

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap-- alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife.

The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't
concern you, remember -- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.
We are all involved in this journey called life.
We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.
To do the right thing.And be all we can be with kindness & compassion.

Does anyone know who this is by so I can give credit?

Peace Seeds

2011-05-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Below is a poem by Harlan Young, a friend of mine who recently returned to do street ministry.

Jesus was marginalized for hanging out with the poor,
the gangbanging zealot and despicable whore.
He went to dark places, the ghetto and hood.
He didn’t need affirmation, he knew where he stood.

The peace seeds he sowed were ridiculously small,
like mustard seeds when planted, invisible to all.
But germinate they did and grow to this day,
proving redemption through relationships is the best way.

I’ve joined him in the work that leads not to fame,
if I endure to the end I’ll be glad that I came,
to enter dark places with the torch of the Spirit.
If I first live out the Gospel, I’ll have the right to proclaim it.

The homeboys who trust me might invite me to toke
(I hope I don’t get buzzed on the second hand smoke),
but I graciously decline and explain as I say,
“Thanks dude, but I’ve found a better way.”

This is so not the life I had planned,
back in my Humboldt hippie days, eco-groovy and grand.
Waging the war to preserve ancient forest,
in hope that such beauty endure untarnished.

But I’m in a transition I can’t figure out.
I look back on my life and ask, “What’s this about?”
I still dig the forest, but my values have shifted.
My contempt for the city is now being lifted.

Like Jonah I tried to run from my calling,
afraid of the slums and actually falling
in love with the broken God so passionately cherished,
refusing to care whether or not they perished.

So now I’ve repented, to the inner-city I’ve turned.
Since entering its gates, this is what I have learned.
There is actually beauty here, ‘though sublime and misunderstood.
I’m finding hidden treasure waging peace in the hood.

Harlan Young
4/28/2011

East Multnomah County Homeless Meeting 2011

2011-05-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

In April 2011 about 20 of the homeless community of Gresham met to discuss the current situation for the homeless and what services would be most helpful to provide. After a general list was created, the list was voted on to establish priority. The following items are listen in the order of the most votes.

1. Bus tickets
Transportation is a huge issue and the preferred solution is bus tickets
Either one zone or two zone tickets; bus passes would be wonderful, if possible
Tickets could be worked for; e.g. work at a church for an hour for two-four tickets

2. Pet health care
The number of pets, especially dogs, has increased considerably in the last couple years. Thus, the need for some care for the pets have increased.
Emergency care
On site clinic
Vaccinations
Licensing—obtaining free training
Raincoats for dogs
Look into donations from pet stores
Flea and worm treatments
Muzzles

3. Safe place to sleep overnight
This is not a shelter, but a place to camp or park safely. Shelters are not usually preferred unless the weather is particularly bad. The issue here is safety-- from anyone who wishes to harm the homeless or to steal their possessions.
A parking lot for cars
A safe camp where items can be permanently stored

3. Day labor site with phone—both ingoing and outgoing
There are many skilled laborers on the street but almost no opportunities to work. We could use the day shelter sites as places for day-employers to pick up and drop off laborers.
This can be done pretty simply using a cell phone we already have and a Craigs
Listing

3. Laundry facility or vouchers
There are currently no opportunities to do laundry for free in East County.
Check out store on Cleveland or 162nd and Glisan

6. Dental care
There is currently no dental care for the homeless in East County.

7. Permanent Night shelter

8. Community computer at the day shelters

9. Storage Lockers
These could be built and housed at Anawim.

The Beggar's Song

2011-05-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

This is a song I wrote in India in 1985. I was followed by a old woman, desperate for my money, which she knew I must have because I was clearly American. I went into a shop to escape her, but she waited for me for a half hour and then followed me for more than a mile. I don't remember if I gave in to the impulse to give to her (I was advised not to), but it had such an impact on me that I wrote this song, from her point of view:

Don't turn your eyes from me
Don't turn away
I see the wealth you hide within
Share it, I pray
You don't have to squeeze my hand
You know I am poor
I only want a little I don't
Ask you for more
My clothes tattered, my flesh torn
Flies fill my face
You reason I'm unworthy of you
I need your grace
Your wealth abounds and begs release
Please heal my sore
Your pockets full yet sewn with greed
Do you need it more?

Don't give me pictures from your camera
Movies nor magazines
You have the life I need to live
Give me bread, don't give me jeans
You turn away from my sadness
But what would Jesus do?
Would he give me dust and say "Go away"?
Or heal me and say, "Be true"?

Reflection on Giving To Beggars

2011-05-04T10:45:00.000-07:00

This is a letter sent to Evangelicals for Social Action on a discussion about whether giving money to beggars is helpful or harmful. To find out more about ESA or to sign up for the e-pistle, the free ESA publication, please find out more Here.

Dear ePistle,
I made a few resolutions to stop doing bad stuff during Lent, which I failed spectacularly to uphold. I did make one positive resolution that I found easy to uphold, and which is relevant to the discussion of giving on the street in the 4/6 ePistle.

I live in NYC. When I first started living in cities in my 20s, I would sometimes make a personal connection with panhandlers, take them out for coffee or a meal, converse, etc. Over the years of living here, I gradually became hardened. I think this issue is so complex, that I'm not at all sure I would advise people NOT to become hardened. While it's true that we are to love others without concern for how deserving they are, I think it is spiritually problematic to respond to every stranger who comes to us, asking for financial help, with our whole heart, let alone by opening our wallet.

As an extreme case, I've had two muggings that began with similar requests. While I think these people deserved a loving response, my attempt at a loving response (in one case, by literally taking out my wallet) only made a violent encounter more likely. The code of behavior by which people look through each other in urban environments is not merely a symptom of our fallenness but in some cases is adaptive.

That said, for Lent I made the resolution to give to everyone who asked of me, even if their asking was fairly passive. I thought I had gotten a little too good at tuning people out. As a result, I lost some money—not much, in the grand scheme of things—but gained a series of encounters that were more humane than they would have been otherwise. A ministry at a local church provided me with cards that gave basic information about how homeless people could obtain needed services in NYC, which I would give along with money. Giving the card without the money may have been more practical, but smacks a little too much of Scrooge ("Here are the poorhouses! Go there!").

I think Ron Sider is right, but I also think that, by withholding my dollar (or whatever small sum I would give such a person), I am not preventing enough harm to make it an obvious choice. By giving the dollar, I do enable the individual to (most likely) abuse another dollar, but that dollar is buying me a moment where I can look them in the eye and have an interaction that is friendly. If I want to tell someone begging in the street, "God bless you," but without giving them the kind of blessing they are looking for at that moment, I'm not being realistic.
- Andrew Draper (Brooklyn, NY)

"Repentance"

2011-04-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

A poem by Diver, who lives on the street in Gresham and Portland:

I wanna follow Jesus
I wanna bear my cross
Repent what I have done
Regret what I have lost
Admit when I've done wrong
Confess all of my sins
I leave my worldly walk
My walk with God begins
I try to right my wrongs
In every way I can
First before my Father
And then my fellow man
Mend my relationships
With family and friends
Replace the bad with good
On this my soul depends
Reconciliation
Christ Jesus holds the key
To everyone's salvation
70 x 7
My sins are forgiven
Overcoming suffering
Pray I'm purpose-driven

Everyone is born to sin
I'm not judgin' I'm just sayin'
Good News! Jesus is comin'
We'll see everybody prayin'

God's Deliverance of the Suffering: What The Bible Says

2011-04-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

Genesis 16:11
The LORD has given heed to your suffering.

Deuteronomy 26:5-9
My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt and sojourned there, few in number; but there he became a great, mighty and populous nation. And the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us. Then we cried to the LORD, the God of our fathers, and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction and our toil and our oppression; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror and with signs and wonders; and He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.

Nehemiah 9:25-29
They captured fortified cities and a fertile land. They took possession of houses full of every good thing, Hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, Fruit trees in abundance. So they ate, were filled and grew fat, And reveled in Your great goodness. But they became disobedient and rebelled against You, And cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets who had admonished them So that they might return to You, And they committed great blasphemies. Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their oppressors who oppressed them, But when they cried to You in the time of their distress, You heard from heaven, and according to Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who delivered them from the hand of their oppressors. But as soon as they had rest, they did evil again before You; Therefore You abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they ruled over them. When they cried again to You, You heard from heaven, And many times You rescued them according to Your compassion, And admonished them in order to turn them back to Your law.

Exodus 22:22-24
You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

Psalm 10:17-18
O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.

I Peter 2:20-24
If you do what is right and suffer for it and you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

II Thessalonians 1:4-10
We speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed-- for our testimony to you was believed.

Romans 8:16-28
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to suffering, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

I Peter 5:10
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Reference Letter for Tim and Sam

2011-04-10T14:41:00.000-07:00

To Whom It May Concern:

Tim and Sam are people who have struggled to improve their lives. And they have succeeded.

Tim struggled through his addiction with drugs and homelessness. In the midst of his lowest points, he was in jail and he failed in treatment programs. In the midst of this, he remained cheerful and encouraging to his friends, but that doesn’t mean that internally he wasn’t fighting with the two parts of himself—addiction and self-control.

Tim has now been living in my house for over a year and he’s been clean and sober for almost two. He has had a full time job working for a printer for nine months. And this change is due to many reasons, but the two most important is his deep and abiding love for Jesus and his deep and abiding love for Sam and their daughter, Paloma.

Sam struggled with severe depression and a resulting addiction to alcohol. She lost her husband, her four children, and her apartment. She and Tim met each other in the midst of this time, introduced by a homeless friend, and they fell in love. They became homeless together for a short period of time, and Sam discovered that she was pregnant with Tim’s child.

Sam moved in with friends, and as the baby’s birth drew close, moved into my house. She is fully supported by Tim and she supports Tim. And now that Paloma is with them, no hardship, no difficulty, nothing will cause them to go back to addiction. Sam now has contacts and visits with her other children regularly, and she cares for her new baby. She works part time for Anawim Christian Community, a church supporting the homeless community in East Multnomah County.

Why am I writing this? Because I am hoping that you will give them a chance. Yes, they have made some mistakes—perhaps a lot of mistakes—but that doesn’t change the fact that you will not meet a more compassionate, faithful couple than this one. They need a chance and they deserve one. Please be the person that gives them that chance to start a new life together.

Steve Kimes
Pastor of Anawim Christian Community

How Your Group Can Help Anawim!

2011-03-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

Help Stop Starvation Sunday:
East County needs another meal on Sundays, or a place to host a meal. Covenant Connection is no longer able to serve at Zarephath Kitchen, and they were the only meal on Sundays two times a month. Covenant Connection is looking for another facility to serve, or if there can be another group that serves at
Zarephath. 503-888-4453

Grow, Grow, Grow:
Anawim has begun a community garden in its Gresham location. If anyone would like to participate in gardening, building a greenhouse, or general upkeep, please call Pastor Jeff 503-593-5379.

Keep a 25 Year Old Program Afloat:
Anawim has had to reduce their meals at Sunnyside Methodist on Fridays due to a lack of volunteers. If your group is willing to volunteer to cook, serve and clean up after a meal (food provided) in SE Portland, please let us know. 503-888-4453

Worship and Service Opportunity:
If your church would like to share your worship and serve a meal to our homeless and mentally ill members, we have opportunities available on Tuesday nights. 503-593-5379
And please remember the needs list!

Transportation Volunteers:
We need a list of people who would be willing to transport people to and from doctor appointments and social services appointments.

No, No... Not The Feet!

2011-03-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

Thank God that Gresham and SE Portland has free showers. The community is saved!

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 19626 NE Glisan, Gresham. (1pm)

Every Sunday and Tuesday at 1821 SE 39th, Portland. (4pm)

At Anawim Christian Community.

"Get A Job!"

2011-03-30T15:21:00.001-07:00

Closer Than A Brother

2011-03-30T15:20:00.001-07:00

Proverbs on Poverty

2011-03-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Below are quotes from the book of Proverbs concerning poverty. As true today as they ever were:

16:8
Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

19:1
Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

16:26
A worker's appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.

13:18
Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, But he who regards reproof will be honored

19:15
Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.

13:25
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, But the stomach of the wicked is in need.

21:17
He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

14:20
The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.

19:4
Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend.

19:7
All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

22:7
The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower becomes the lender's slave.

18:23
The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.

13:23
Abundant food is in the fallow ground of the poor, But it is swept away by injustice.

22:16
He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself Or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

28:3
A poor man who oppresses the lowly Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

14:31
He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

21:13
He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

22:22-23
Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate;
For the LORD will plead their case And take the life of those who rob them.

28:27
He who gives to the poor will never want, But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses

19:17
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed

29:7
The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern.

24:10-12
Deliver those who are being taken away to death, And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.
If you say, "See, we did not know this," Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?

15:15-17
All the days of the anawim are bad, But a cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.
Better is a dish of vegetables where love is Than a fattened ox served with hatred.

30:7-9
Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die:
Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

22:2
The rich and the poor have a common bond, The LORD is the maker of them all.

The Rights of Sustained Living

2011-03-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

Every human without exception has the right to:

Eat food daily
Drink clean water daily
Access to a clean place for waste disposal
Cover their bodies appropriately for the weather
Have shelter from dangerous weather
Access to health care to treat life threatening or serious debilitating injury or illness
Associate with other human beings
Freedom from violence (especially from society's protectors)
Access to life saving knowledge (including literacy)

It should be the top priority of all societies-- whether led by governments, NGOs or churches-- to grant every person in every society access to sustainable life.

The Right To Living

2011-03-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves this statement: "We are endowed by our creator certain unalienable human rights: The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Something like that. It's a great statement because it gets down to what we all want. We all want the ability to survive (we don't want anyone killing us for any old reason); we all want freedom to live as we feel we should (we can't always get what we want, but we can try...); and we all want the freedom to go after our own kind of happiness (to get drunk after Rachel turned us down for a date, for example).

But we need to realize that this statement is, or should be, qualified. Not that these rights aren't all cool, or the statement isn't true, but that we all should realize that life is a little bit more important than the pursuit of happiness. And even liberty, when it comes down to that. We are all free when we are dead. But when we are dead, let's say that we can't really appreciate our freedom quite as much. There is no happiness when you are dead, so it's awfully tough to pursue. It's hard to pursue anything. Even Rachel.

So life seems to be the basis for any other right. If we don't have life, we really don't have anything. Really. This means that life should be a right more than any other. Again, not to say that the other issues aren't important, but life is just that little bit more important.

Now you may expect me to start talking about abortion or the death penalty or war because when we talk about life issues those subjects inevitably come up. Instead I want to talk about a subject we don't usually discuss when talking about the right to life-- that is, sustaining life.

Life is complicated, if you are human. Or any kind of mammal, but let's stick to humans. To sustain life you have to eat and drink everyday. And it matters what kind of food and drink you have because if it's poison-- like, for instance, cyanide in your water-- well, you don't live long. Also, if someone is going around beating you up on a regular basis, its tough to keep alive. Just as well, if you are so sick that you die... well, you're dead. And perhaps you are stuck overnight in a snowstorm without shoes. Or a shirt. That would certainly limit your chances of living.

This means that the right to life is not just no one coming in your bedroom to kill you, but it means having the ability to sustain one's life. To keep it going. Staying alive is a tough job and we have to do it every day. Without exception.

And everyone needs this, and, in our charter statement there, everyone deserves this. A human right is what we deserve just by being human. Just by being alive. Because we are human and we are alive, we deserve to live. This means that we deserve to have what is necessary to keep living.

And this is without exception. Sure, a newborn baby deserves to live and we'll pour thousands of dollars to make sure the baby lives. But a thief deserves to live as well. And the irritating neighbor. And the scary meth addict who lives down the street. And the bully who beat up your kid. Now, in your more angry moments you may think that some of these folks don't deserve to live. But in your heart of hearts you know that's not true. You'd feel the pain of the meth addict you know being knifed just as much as your cool neighbor (not the one who irritates you).

And so, if these folks deserve to have life, then they deserve to have their life sustained. Everyone, without exception, deserves to eat and drink everyday. Everyone deserves to have access to health care to keep them alive. Maybe not to see a doctor when they have a cold, but when they have a serious injury or illness, they should have health care. Everyone deserves to be free from violence. Everyone deserves to have shelter, especially when the weather is scary. Everyone.

Societally, we understand this (sometimes). When we throw someone into prison, we don't throw them into a damp hole with no roof and no heat in the winter. We make sure they are fed everyday, have clean water, some health care, shelter, safety from (most) violence, and more. We recognize a prisoner's right to keep living, even if we don't recognize their right for liberty. Even though for society's sake it was determined that some must be locked up, yet these at the bottom of societal ladder are given that which is necessary to keep living. The same with those in locked down mental institutions. They are even protected from themselves, if necessary, in order to sustain the life.

But we don't apply this to everyone. If you are homeless, then you may not have the right to go to the bathroom in a safe environment. If you are on welfare, you may not have the right to feed your kids enough. If you have a minimum wage job, you do not have the right to sustain yourself. If you have an undiagnosed mental illness, you do not have the right to have shelter. If you have a severe social issue (for instance, an excess of testosterone that causes uncontrollable anger at times) then you do not have the right to have a sustainable income. And if you live in certain places in India or Africa you do not have the right to clean drinking water. You do not have the right to immunizations that will keep your children well. You do not have the right to have medication that will keep your AIDS under control.

It isn't that there isn't enough help for you. There's plenty. There is so many resources in the world that humans have access to, sustainable life is something that could be available to everyone. But it isn't because for those who have access to the most resources, the right to life isn't as important as their personal right to pursue happiness.

And, in the end, that is the worst wrong in the world.

John Doe

2011-03-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

A poem by Patty, a grandmother who lives in her car with her four cats, a member of Anawim.

Winter is chilling to the bone
to those who live without a home
they travel here they travel there
they pass us by but do we care?
For proud is the man who has nothing left
'cause he sees his misfortune as just another test.

But the chilling cold shivers the spine
so he gathers his warmth from a bottle of wine
Just a drunken bum out on the road
Early in years his face looks old
with only a dollar to his name.
Just a drunken bum- should he be shamed?
What can one buy when the price is high?
Will anyone see him if he should cry?
Tonight the Rain dampens his head
As rumor disclosed another friend dead.
Beaten by those who are never without
"Only a bum" did they shout

As angels of mercy reach down for his soul
He sees himself a man who once had a goal
The pain removed at last he's free
he smiles down upon you and me
forgiving strangers who continue their wrong
at last he is home where he always belonged
huddled in darkness with his bottle of wine
he remembers a man he knew for a time
a man such as he put to the test
sipping slowly he awaits eternal rest
to come each and every night

Just a drunkem bum we see in the dawn's early light
Just a drunken bum begging for more
"Get away you-- stay away from my door--"

The Homeless Problem

2011-02-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

An excellent post from Survival Guide to Homelessness:

It has been said before, but it is worth repeating: the homeless problem is the problem the housed have with the homeless.

I was just reading a terrific little blog item about a kid in Washington that had managed to set himself up as a computer consultant using a Starbucks wifi network while homeless. When Starbucks was closed, he spent the night at Kinko's. He scrounged for food and computer equipment. He worked for tips. He kept himself very clean. He surfed the internet for girls. In short, he had created a lifestyle. The blogger who was writing about him gave him a substantial amount of money hoping he would change his life. Of course, he couldn't understand why the wifi kid spent it on computer equipment.

The blogger couldn't understand it because he refused to acknowledge that this man had a legitimate and sustainable lifestyle. When given money, he reinvested it in that lifestyle, as any responsible, reasonable person does. The blogger was angry at him. Why, oh why, didn't he struggle to get a home? The man was already home.

Homelessness changes you. So does having a house. Your priorities become the priorities of the extant lifestyle. What you do with money has much to do with how you are living. All lifestyles are investments, and we continue to add resources in an effort to improve their performance. Abandoning a lifestyle is something we never do without a serious push. Once a lifestyle is comfortable, why should it be abandoned?

This is another reason that charity is so unsavory. It comes from a position of superiority. The charitable feel they have a right to determine the goals, purposes, and uses of their charity. It lacks dignity. I don't mean for the recipient. I mean it is not dignified to try to direct the lives of others, to be so involved in the details of other lives. It's a failure to understand boundaries.

Now I Understand...

2011-02-17T10:41:00.001-08:00

I had a mysterious conversation with the emergency services manager of Gresham and the fire marshal a couple weeks ago. I was talking to them about the need of people sleeping on the street and how much danger they are in, especially when it gets below freezing. I spoke of Fred, whose leg was cut off a couple months ago because he had slept outside in freezing conditions. I spoke of the sixteen year old girls who have been sleeping outside all winter. And about a father and his sixteen year old pregant daughter who found themselves desperate without shelter.

And the response I recieved from them is a lot of fire codes, and how we can't open because we don't have 200 square feet per person and how it is acceptable to have a standard of only opening churches when it gets below 22 degrees. And they told me, "This is not a social problem," and they said, "This is not an emergency," and they said, "You should just let other people deal with this." This was a foreign language to me, so I spoke of fire code with them, because it seemed to be the only language we could both understand.

Only this morning did it dawn on me what they were saying. They were saying that the fact that some people sleep out side and freeze to death is something they can live with. When they say, "This is not an emergency" it means that they don't consider it important that Fred lost his leg. It is unfortunate, I am sure they would agree, but it doesn't keep them up at night. They wouldn't want the sixteen year old girls, pregnant or otherwise, to sleep outside in the freezing cold, but it doesn't actually concern them, either. Because they have accepted that their city, their country, is a place where such things happen.

About seven years ago, I was going out to a homeless camp site to see Bill, just in case there was something I could do to help him. He had night blindness and was beginning to be mentally unstable, so I was going to take him to health professionals and see what could be done. When I found Bill, he was in a ditch, with no pulse. The paramedics told me he had died of hypothermia in the night.

To have leaders in our city help all of us, to treat us all as citizens, we need leaders who have compassion. I understand, it is difficult to have empathy. It is stressful and painful. Empathy can make you lose sleep when you realize that it is freezing outside and there are people suffering out in it. Compassion can make you wake up anxiously because you don't know if you've done enough to help those in need. But a deep care of others is the only thing that will stir us to make things better for everyone. And it may cost us, but it will make our city better, it will make our county livable, and it will make our nation human.

Please, as it freezes these next few nights, think of those who are sleeping in it, and consider what can be done for them. Not just tonight, but for years to come.

Some News

2011-02-16T14:28:00.000-08:00

*A local Hispanic church, Vida Nueva, spoke with our Hispanic visitors on the street. After some deliberation, they decided to rent an apartment, set up some rules, have a couple church members live in the apartment and then invite as many of them are interested to live in the housing and the volunteers would find them paid work. This is the kind of community and church involvement we have been praying for! Another church is considering "adopting" a few of our members along the same lines!

*Zarephath Kitchen, a local soup kitchen, has new stipulations disallowing anyone to speak about God, Jesus or to pray with people in the soup kitchen. Because of this, two of the local churches have decided not to participate in the kitchen. They are looking for new facilities to meet in.

*The city of Gresham emergency services and the local fire marshal has agreed to give permission to a couple churches to open on snowing nights, even though it doesn't meet their criteria for opening. The criteria calls for a permitted opening if, when wet, the temperature is 25 degrees or lower, or dry if the temperature is 22 degrees or lower. Even though it is 30 degrees and wet (thus, snowing), the city agrees that it is permissible for the churches to open. This is a huge victory, as earlier in the season the city didn't give permission even though there was freezing rain and wind!

*Right now in Anawim's facility in Gresham (aka Sanctuary), people are getting warm and eating hot dogs; a class on Mennonite leadership is taking place; leaders are setting up overnight shelters to keep people safe in the freezing cold the next couple nights; and I am talking with another ministry leader who may be using our Red Barn to store food and supplies to pack backpacks for needy school kids. God's work is being done here in Gresham!

Update on Gresham Shelters

2011-02-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

Many of you, including myself, have been concerned about the homeless over the last couple days in Gresham and Portland. There has been inadequate shelter for those in need, and the city has been active in preventing some of us in providing shelter for those in need. They have threatened us with citation and fines should we continue to provide shelter for those in the cold. This is a terrible situation and one that needs to change. The question is, how?

I have just met with some of the staff of the city of Gresham, including the head of Emergency Services, someone from the office of the Fire Marshal and a person in the city planning department. There are two levels of shelter, with different requirements for each level. (There are actually more, but we’re keeping it focused on our concerns, here).

a. Temporary Seasonal Residence—This permits a facility that is not intended for residential occupancy to house people overnight for up to 90 days a year. This facility could be open for any purposes, including freezing temperatures. This would be adequate for our needs, but the requirements for a facility to provide this is high. Some of the difficult policies are:
• A particular kind of fire alarm/sprinkler system
• An R-1 residential permit, which requires certain kind of plumbing, including adequate bathrooms and showers.
• An occupancy limit of 200 square feet per person.
There is no facility in East County that is currently permitted for this use.

b. Emergency Warming Shelter—This permits a facility to be approved for 15 days a year for emergency shelter only. This kind of facility may meet a more flexible occupancy limit and is not required to have a residential permit. However, it must still meet the rest of the fire code, which includes a sprinkler system/alarm.

Emergency Warming Shelters in Practice
There are two buildings in East County that are currently permitted for such use, First Baptist of Gresham and the gym of St. Henry’s. However, they are only permitted to use their facilities based on the standards of “emergency” weather as developed by the city. The Emergency Services of Gresham informs these churches that they are permitted to open a shelter and the churches then decide to follow through or not. The Emergency Services department says that an “emergency” is an unusual weather pattern, which cannot be prepared for, such as freezing rain or temperatures under 22 degrees (as well as other levels). Should there be “normal” weather patterns, even if it constitutes a danger to the homeless population, it is not an “emergency” and thus the city does not permit such requirements.

The Emergency Services’ Department also expressed a concern in another issue. They are only permitted to open an emergency weather shelter 15 days per facility a year. This means that they need to conserve their days to be ready for the worst weather of the year, especially since only two facilities are permitted to open. Thus, while some weather may be dangerous to the homeless population (such as 27 degree weather with a 10 mph wind from the Gorge), it is normal weather, and it strains the limits of the permits.

The Anawim Building
Sanctuary is the property of the Mennonite Conference in Gresham that Anawim has a major role in managing. This includes a church building that is on the ground level, has many exits and has been used as an overnight shelter this year many times (without city permission). Why does the city not permit the Sanctuary sanctuary to open? It may not be used as an Emergency Warming shelter because it does not have either a sprinkler system or an alarm, and thus does not pass the fire code.

Why St. Henry’s and 1st Baptist and not Sanctuary?
The gym at St. Henry’s is permitted by the Fire Marshal for, while it doesn’t have a sprinkler system, it does have a fire alarm. First Baptist has both a sprinkler system and an alarm and meets the fire code in every way for an emergency shelter.

Neither facility would be adequate as a Temporary Seasonal Lodging. St. Henry’s does not have a sprinkler system, nor adequate plumbing for a R-1 residency permit. The First Baptist shelter is not at “grade level” , nor does it have adequate plumbing.

Leniency
On a personal level, it seems to me that the Fire Marshal, not the other parts of city government, are actually angry at Anawim. I assume this is because Anawim allowed shelter to exist before their department could come in and check. They are clearly more interesting in following the strict code without leniency to Anawim (such as they provided to the other facilities). In fact, it was recommended to me that Anawim just stay out of the sheltering business, and instead allow other churches to do this.

The Reality: The fact of the matter is, given the current fire code, building code, building requirements and definition of “emergency” in Gresham, there is a slim opportunity for any church with a good heart to open up their facility to those in need if the temperatures are above 22 degrees dry, 28 degrees.

Who Is Responsible?
I want to be perfectly clear about this: This situation is awful, but it is not the fault of the Gresham Emergency Services. Frankly, nor is it the fault of the Fire Marshal—they are not responsible to ignore fire codes that have been handed to them, but to enforce that code. The only thing the city of Gresham has done is to find out what the codes and state ordinances that pertain are. While some of the people involved I would personally consider somewhat callous to the homeless situation, the ordinances that created this situation did not come from the city of Gresham, but from the State of Oregon government. The 200 square feet per person ordinance, the sprinkler ordinance, the residential requirements—these are all state regulations. Gresham is only enforcing what the state has handed to them. The differentiation between 15 and 90 day shelters come from the state. Thus, the fact that we are not permitted to help the homeless on nights below freezing is a result of the state system.

Of course, we want a bad guy, someone to blame this situation on. So who passed these state regulations? Well the fire code is determined by the Oregon Fire Marshal. And they receive some building requirements (such as 200 square feet per person) from the Oregon Building Code Committee. And why do they make such regulations that prevent us to help the homeless? Because those who provide shelter for the homeless has not, as yet, given input to these regulatory agencies. I’m sorry, but there’s no bad guy here. There are only people who don’t know what is needed.

What About Portland?
It can be asked why Portland allows shelters without such restrictions. The comment that was made by those in Gresham about Portland is that they “turn a blind eye” to certain people providing shelter. I can see that. Portland has realized that the State codes hasn’t yet caught up with the need they are experiencing. The homeless issue is bigger than State codes, and Portland realizes this. Gresham is just beginning to take ownership of their homeless issue, which is bigger than they realize. And they don’t feel the need to turn a blind eye to anything. They want to follow the state regulations. Of course they do.
We would all want to do what is legal. Why should Gresham be different?

What can be done?
a. Make an acceptable facility
We can take a building and make it acceptable according to state code for a 90 day seasonal facility. This would require money and time. If we obtained grants or donations. We could bring the Anawim building up to code. First Baptist is the closest building to state code, so perhaps we can provide updates to that building, if that congregation approves. This will take time, but perhaps by next winter we could have a building gotten through the process.

b. A Media Blitz
We could let the media know about the problems that we are having with obtaining permission to help those in need. However, this will not change the fact that the state regulations deny us that very permission. How can we get the media to focus on the state problem instead of blaming particular individuals or certain cities?

c. Change State Regulations
Perhaps our good friends Oregon Center for Christian Values, who have a poverty committee could assist us in changing the state regulations. This would require changing the building code and fire code of Oregon, granting leniency for those in particular health dangers, particularly hypothermia. We could then provide health shelters for those who are in a doctor approved risk group, to stay in shelters, such as churches, that otherwise wouldn’t meet state requirements. I don’t know, this is just an idea. If you have a better one, let me know.

Nevertheless, we have quite a bit of work to do. This will require the support of many communities and many organizations. This is not just a problem with Gresham, but Oregon in general. We need a lot of prayer and a lot of wise action. Let us be wise, but as long as there are people whose needs could be met, let us never stop.

No Shelter

2011-02-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

A poem written in response to the suffering of the homeless in Gresham. Written by someone in the broader Anawim community.

‎"No Shelter" Leanne Tipton

Its been freezing outside for two days now,
The wind is screaming with all of its might.
The cold seeps through the cracks as I lie in my room.
I've not slept one hour tonight.

I toss, I turn, my thoughts filled with you.
You have no shelter, no heat, no pillow, no bed.
I pray, I worry, I get up, pace the floor.
But I can't get you out of my head.

There are so many people praying for you,
that justice and fairness will win.
To turn ones back on the poor and the outcast
Is truly one of the worst of the sins.

I cannot imagine being outside in this,
Its so cold right here in my home.
Though you're there and I'm here
Please try to remember,
You never are truly alone.

I pray through my tears I will see you again.
I pray for your safety while we are apart.
I pray for your health, but most of all
I pray for protection from cold weather and cold hearts.

Hands Raised

2011-01-31T23:30:00.000-08:00

At Anawim, every Sunday and most Tuesdays, we have a worship art table. This is an opportunity to worship God through one's creativity during the worship time. If you click the label below called "Anawim Art" you can see a selection of art created at Anawim by a variety of people, some homeless, some mentally ill, some middle class.

Riders In The Sky

2011-01-31T23:26:00.001-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table.

Woman On Your Corner

2011-01-31T23:25:00.000-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table. By Yvan.

Cute

2011-01-31T23:23:00.001-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table. By Margaret.

Oregon Landscape

2011-01-31T23:22:00.001-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table. By Faithwalker.

"And I Saw Heaven Opened..."

2011-01-31T23:21:00.000-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table. By Yvan.

Angel with a Funky Halo

2011-01-31T23:18:00.001-08:00

Reminds me of Icarus. Made at the Anawim Art Table. By Yvan.

Flowers

2011-01-31T23:15:00.000-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table. By Margaret.

In The Middle of All This Crap

2011-01-31T23:13:00.001-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table.

Leaf

2011-01-31T23:12:00.001-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table. By Beth.

Love One Another

2011-01-31T23:09:00.001-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table.

Ocean Armchair

2011-01-31T23:08:00.001-08:00

Made at the Anawim Art Table

Galaxy Strip

2011-01-31T23:05:00.000-08:00

Pond of Color

2011-01-31T23:03:00.001-08:00

Art made at the Anawim art table.

Light Amidst Shadow

2011-01-31T23:00:00.001-08:00

Art created at Anawim's art table. By Yvan.

The Gresham Underground Emergency Shelter: Our Story

2011-01-25T13:45:00.000-08:00

In the Portland area, it has been a cold, long winter. Since late November, there have been more freezing nights than is usual. For those of you in other parts of the country, you may be saying, “It’s been below freezing all winter for us!” But since here in the Willamette Valley we are used to milder temperatures, most people are not prepared for a more severe winter. And if the homeless and homeless services are not prepared, then there are the possibilities of hypothermia, and even death due to being unprepared in the cold. Anawim has tried to be prepared. Since Thanksgiving, Anawim in Gresham has opened for 13 nights to allow people on the street to get out of the freezing, windy weather to stay in the warmth and safety of our Sanctuary’s fellowship hall. SE Anawim has been open 5 nights in our facility in Portland. There are already city shelters in Portland and Gresham and they are very helpful in saving lives in the most severe weather conditions. However, if, say in Gresham, there is a night that is 27 degrees with a 10 mph wind, the city won’t open their shelters, even if there is the possibility of snow. We opened our shelters with the idea that we would keep the homeless safe from the worst weather, only when the city shelters weren't open.

Recently the city discovered that we were opening our Gresham shelter (which we called the Gresham Underground Emergency Shelter, or GUESs), and the Fire Marshal came to visit. The fire code in Gresham, currently, has a few requirements that we have difficulty meeting for a shelter, such as a sprinkler system with a central alarm, and a limitation of 200 square feet per person. They gave us a one night leave so no one would have to sleep out in the freezing rain and then came the next day and shut us down, until we are able to work with the city.

Now we have a quandary. If we accept all the city’s limitations we would not be able to open on some of the nights of the worst weather. Since we have a requirement from the Lord to love the needy, especially those of our own group, then I have a hard time telling our folks to go out in the snow or freezing temperatures when we have the capacity to help them. Or we could try to meet all the fire code and then we have the freedom to help maybe 15 people in our building (we’ve been hosting as many as 30). Please pray as we work with the city and do our best to love our brothers.

Summin' USA

2011-01-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

This is a part of our Anawim newsletter. If you'd like to read it all, check out our newsletter blog, HERE

If you'd like to receive our newsletter every other month, give me an email and we'll put you on the list: stevekimes@aol.com

Most people don’t know that we live in a third world country.

I don’t mean that ALL of the United States is the third world. But there is a third world section of our nation. We have people who live in slums, in desperate poverty, without adequate shelter or food. There are people who starve in our country, people who freeze to death, and people who live in tents. And on occasion people who live this way need help to live. Sometimes people need food to live to next week. Sometimes people need shelter so they don’t freeze to death. It would be better if they had the means to take care of this themselves, but sometimes relief work has to happen to save lives.

Right now, Anawim is providing a lot of food to those who otherwise might not have it. And we are providing clothes, sleeping bags and tents, to those who have no other means to get it. We really would like to provide a means for people to help themselves, and in time we will. But in the meantime, sometimes lives must be saved.

I was concerned the other night when there was freezing rain. We had two sixteen year old girls in our facility and the city was talking about shutting us down. The last thing I wanted to do was to send those two girls out in the freezing rain to fend for themselves. They didn’t shut us down that night and we were able to help them.

But there were other nights we weren’t able to help. We had freezing temperatures and we weren’t able to open overnight because we didn’t have enough volunteers to help. We had people with not enough clothes because we didn’t have enough people to sort what we already had. We also had volunteers losing sleep (literally) because we didn’t have enough volunteers to share the load equally.

I guess what I’m saying is that we could use some help. Live, in person help.

Below is a list of areas we could use some volunteer work. If you could help in any of these areas, if you are local and think you can do this, please do.

Lives are at stake. Please, this is serious.

Questions Without Answers

2011-01-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

Today I was closing up the overnight shelter and we had a discussion about whether the shelter will be open tonight. "It depends on whether we get volunteers or not." A., a 16 year old homeless girl, exclaims, "I'll volunteer!" And R., a newly homeless woman asks, "How do you get to be a church volunteer anyway?"

I try to explain the difference between a volunteer from a middle class church and a street volunteer, and how that works, and it all sounds pretty weak. Socially, what is the difference between us anyway? There are good reasons to have both a street volunteer and a middle class volunteer running each shelter, which I will explain in another post, but its easier to explain that to the middle class than to those on the street. Because, in the end, I'm saying that those on the street aren't good enough to take care of themselves. Mind you, if I don't have a middle class volunteer, the night is more likely to have problems, but the intellectual rationale sounds pretty awful.

In the end, why do any of us get something better than another? Why am I in the place I am?

Why is it that after the night shelter, I drop of a half dozen folks to sit in the bitter wind for an hour and a half, waiting for the soup kitchen to open, while I drive back, in my heated van, to the warm church I just drove them away from, check things on my computer and take a hot shower. Mind you, I really needed that shower because I haven't had one for almost two weeks, but that's not the point.

The point is that last night after opening up the shelter, I hadn't eaten dinner and so I could go to a local place and eat a grilled chicken burrito, while they were making brownies from a mix that was so old it was flat.

The point is that I get to sleep in my bed every night under the covers, but those on the street wait for me to make the decision whether the overnight shelter will even be open at all. Who am I to have the power of life and death? Am I so arrogant to think I deserve this, that I am better than anyone on the street? No. I am not.

So it is God who put me in this place, while many worthy people on the street have to sleep in the cold? I'm not saying that there aren't unworthy folks on the street, but there are certainly worthy ones, just as there are people warm in houses who deserve to be on the street. Is this God's justice? Is this humanity's decision? It is simply the way things are?

Damn. I am not satisfied with this. Not at all.

Why is it that I spend money on myself, my own desires, when I could be getting them hand warmers to keep them warm for a day? Why is it that I am helping to run the church, but they don't really get a full say in the operation of it. If they did, they would have it open to them every night all winter. At least. And who am I to say that it can't happen that way?

We who help the homeless or the needy in any part of the world are just so arrogant, unless we set aside our middle classness and become one with them. I can say, "If I were on the street, I couldn't get them a place to sleep when the nights are worst". True. But why aren't I getting them a place to sleep every night? Why, when the winds are frigid and no one could bear to have it against their skin for even a few minutes that I can choose not to have them be out of it. And sometimes I make that choice because I "have" to. I'm not really any better than anyone else who withholds goods from the needy.

I can keep saying, "Next year it will be better." Really? We've made a lot of progress, but we should have made more. Why must we insist that homeless people be homeless? And we do insist, as a society.

Churches-- which often remain empty five days a week-- don't let them in. I suppose because keeping their carpets clean and the heating bill down is more important than Jesus' command to help the homeless.

They are kicked out of abandoned houses that no one is using.

Businesses don't want them sleeping in their doorways, what little protection that offers, as if they are going to lose customers in the middle of the night. "Oh, I see this store lets the homeless sleep in the doorway when they aren't open. I won't shop there again."

The police move the homeless on from public property, or even private property where they are allowed to stay. And then they'll tear up their camps or bedding, just to let them know they aren't welcome.

There are places for the homeless to be, but we have made a decision, as a society, to not allow them to be housed.

And I, and everyone who helps the homeless are complicit in that. Yes, we have our programs, our ways of helping. But if we get a salary for it and we don't use our salary for the homeless we are frankly a hypocrite, a paid flunky for whoever pays us to ease their collective conscience. Every one of us who focuses on our own desires instead of meeting the greater needs are a part of the problem.

Yes, I know there are answers to this morally, but I choose to wallow in this guilt a little bit. And I would recommend that to everyone to made it to the bottom of this post. Wallow in that guilt. Maybe it will encourage just one of us to buy some hand warmers or socks instead of going out to dinner once. Maybe it will encourage just one of us to keep a homeless person with us for a night, and realize that it wasn't so hard. Maybe it will help us realize that programs aren't the answer-- we are. Maybe one more church will open up their doors to the homeless.

Or maybe I'll get just one more person to stay with my folks overnight, so they can have one more night in a warm place.

A Really Good, Rough Week

2010-12-22T12:50:00.000-08:00

Sorry for failing to post in my blogs this week. Not only did my computer crash a week ago, but Anawim has been receiving a record number of in kind donations. We've received dozens of sleeping bags, even more blankets and tarps, and a huge number of clothes.

Also, we've had to open up the Gresham Underground Emergency Shelter (GUESs) a for six nights in the last two weeks. While I'm not in the shelter every night, I do open it up and close it every evening and morning.

This has been really tough on all the Anawim staff, and we're pretty exhausted. And Christmas hasn't even come yet!

Praise God for His ample provision, though! This is the first year I can say that we've provided for our folks in East County according to their need after more than twelve years of ministry there. I pray that next year we will be able to provide more-- and have more staff to help us! And we also received a couple stove/ovens for the Yellow Church, just in time to cook four turkeys for Christmas!

Also a me and a couple other day shelter folks were able to meet with a representative of the Gresham police, and we were able to share our concern for the homeless community and how we are both trying to help them and the security provisions we have. We seemed to have reached a tentative agreement, or at least we had a pleasant conversation!

If anyone is flexible in time and has ample patience and some smarts and would like to help us, we could really use the help. We don't have any salary to offer, but the retirement package is unimaginably great!

Hey, Keep It Down Out There!

2010-12-12T00:27:00.000-08:00

Disrespecting The Poor

2010-12-09T08:12:00.000-08:00

He who mocks the poor insults his Creator
He who rejoices at the destruction of others will be punished by God
But he who has compassion will find mercy.
Proverbs 17:5

My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, "You sit here in a good place," and you say to the poor man, "You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool," have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?
Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court? Do they not blaspheme the fair name by which you have been called? If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
James 2:1-9

Why do you seek me daily and want to know my ways?
Why do you ask me for wisdom and think I am near?
I will not answer your prayers or listen to your cries
Because even as you pray you already have your desire
But you keep from the needy what they deserve.
If you give bread to the hungry from your heart
And satisfy the afflicted soul;
Then shall your light shine forth from darkness
And your darkness shall be bright as midday.
Isaiah 58:2-3,10

Sell your possessions and give to the poor
And you shall have abundance in heaven
Where no thief can steal
And no animal destroy.
Luke 12:33

Blessed are you who are poor
For yours is the kingdom of heaven.
But woe to you who are rich
For you have already received your comfort.
Luke 6:20, 24

The poor is detestable even to a friend, but many are they who love someone rich. One who despises the needy is at fault, one who takes pity on the poor is blessed.
Proverbs 14:20-21

Peacemaking Isn't Easy or Obvious

2010-12-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

A couple of our folks got a ride from a neighbor, whose name is Mort (name changed). Our folks brought their dog with them, who got out of the truck and ran over to another dog, who was easily four times his size. The two dogs scuffled a bit, and the owners separated them. Mort, however, was disturbed by the sight of a small dog he loved being "attacked" by another, larger dog. Mort is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and he just snapped. He talked about getting his .44 and shooting the other dog. When the owner of this dog heard this, he began to threaten Mort. And there was much yelling and many threats, even threats to kill people from Mort.

At this point I got involved and tried to talk to Mort about how we don't allow threats on the church property to which he responded, "I can say whatever I want. And if you try to stop me, I'll shoot you too!" I've been threatened before and it didn't mean much to me, but others in the church were very upset and they were ready to gang up on Mort for threatening the pastor. Then Mic, who is often problematic, goes right up to Mort with his hands outstretched and says, "Hey, it's okay, we don't want any trouble. We're not going to hurt you. We just want everything to calm down." Mic was so clearly peaceable and sincere that Mort decided not to make any more threats and just to leave to contact the police. Since Mort was speaking in such a crazy manner, we decided that him contacting the police wasn't much of a threat. Mort drove away. His friends said, "Did Mort just drive away and leave us? He has our bikes in his truck!' I told them that it was better for him to leave right now.

The incident seemed to be over, but Mort returned in just five minutes. I yelled at everyone, "Okay, just back off. I'll deal with it myself, everyone stay away." However, I was thinking that the time Mort was gone was just long enough for him to get a gun and to make his threats real. I didn't want anyone else hurt, and I didn't want anyone else to make the situation worse by trying to threaten Mort. Everyone backed off, and I approached Mort, saying, "Okay, Mort..." But Mort just looked at me with clear, innocent eyes and an open expression on his face and he said, "Hi! How are you doing?" I was surprised for a bit, but then I noticed that he was walking with a cane and a limp when before he was walking with no problem.

I responded, "Hi, Mort. Were you looking for your friends?" He replied, "Why, yes I am. I was supposed to pick them up." I said, "Why don't I go get them for you. They'll be right out." And I collected them and got them back with Mort and he drove them away, completely peacefully.

I am pretty certain that Mort isn't just bi-polar, but also has multiple personality disorder. If he had been approached with threats, he would have reverted back to the personality that was threatening. Instead, a peaceful approach allowed him to remain peaceful, even after his threats.

Our church is unique, but we have some interesting times. Very interesting.

A Plaintive Note From A Homeless Beggar

2010-12-03T21:53:00.000-08:00

Get a job? Who has the time?
I spend my life standing in line,
waiting to be clothed or fed,
not knowing tonight where I'll lay my head.
What was that? What did you say?
Nothing to spare and I'm in the way?
i'm begging as humbly as I possibly can.
It's been a long day. Please understand.

A million times my feet slap the ground.
No reason to stop, no place to slow down.
I pound the pavement from morning to night,
easily spotting those with my flight.
Sleeping bags are a sure way to know
what they haven't any real place to go.
Backpacks are always a dead giveaway,
that they'll be standing in some line today.
Give them a nod, a laugh or a smile
because if they're standing in line,
they'll be there a while.

I just need a voucher or dollar to two,
to wash my clothes so I won't offend you.
Three hours spent standing in line
for 5 minutes to wash off the filth and the grime.
I look to strangers for kindness each day.
I need your help please don't walk away.
If you must keep walking, just pass me by,
but don't try to peek from the side of your eye.
I search all day to find a safe place.
Any hovel will do even the smallest of space.
Where I won't be told to "get up and go,"
where I won't be frozen and wet head to toe.

With the curb as my pillow and the street as my home.
I'm surrounded by people, but i'm always alone.
I know that sometimes I may not seem "right,"
please don't be rude, it's been a long night.
If I bum a smoke or ask for your name,
please don't ignore me, my needs aren't a game.

Poverty kills all hope and dreams
and being homeless is worse than I make it seem.
No hope for a mate, a family or life,
just me and the streets paved with heartache and strife.
I keep on moving while tragically knowing,
I'm headed nowhere with no place to go.

I can escape to the mall or the airport sometimes
and pretend for a minute this nightmare is not mine.
Sheltered for a night, a moment not more,
knowing the morning has nothing in store.

I'm not ungrateful, don't get me wrong,
it's just been a long month, it keeps dragging on.
Trying to search my way out of this hell
and forgetting that once my life was well.
All my efforts came crashing down.
I lost my house and my life without a sound.
If my house had burned down or a tornado had hit,
it would've been easier than my notice to quit.

All I want is a place of my own,
nothing great just a spot to call home.
I don't mean to sound trite when you have to say no,
it's just been along life and I've nowhere to go.
So please be kind it's been a long year,
one of these days it could be you standing here.
I pray to the lord it'll all end in time,
and I will finally reach the end of this line.

ALTHEA DRAKE
Portland

Schoolmarm Linda

2010-12-02T19:21:00.000-08:00

Taken at St. Henry's

How Long?

2010-12-02T19:18:00.000-08:00

What is Poverty?

2010-12-01T19:29:00.001-08:00

Most of us think of poverty as an economic problem. Poor people are people who don’t have enough money to live. And this is true, poverty certainly has an economic side. But the most significant issue of poverty is not economic, but social. If a person is unacceptable to society, they will never obtain economic increase. If a person is a serious criminal, or mentally ill, or is of the wrong ethnic group or has an irritating personality, they will almost never be able to create a sustainable income. Most people think of the poor as being lazy or simply unlucky. And while these factors may be involved, more likely the poor are those who have been deemed unacceptable by one standard or another.

If a woman is mentally ill, it doesn’t matter that she grew up in a wealthy household, she will not be cared for by her family. She will be institutionalized just as much as if she had been born in a middle class family. If a man is convicted for murder, even if he is innocent, and even if the verdict is overturned, his economic viability is over because no one would want to take a chance on him. If a person has a lot of money in the bank, but no one wishes to speak to him, then he is poor, although rich. Another person can be wealthy, but if no one will take her money because she has some unacceptable disease, then she might as well be completely impoverished.

The worst kind of poverty is separation from one’s fellow human beings. And ultimately, the worst of poverty is characterized by this. Those who end up on the street are those who have no family or friends to support them. The deepest poverty in Africa are not communities in poverty, but those who are alone, desperate, without help. And often communities of poverty grow because of the isolation of those who become poor. When people are separated from their support network and hit a tough spot, they look for others to help them. And some of the most generous communities in the world aren’t benefactors or philanthropists or Christian communities. They are the communities of those who are struck with poverty.

Keeping Warm in the Cold

2010-11-21T21:13:00.000-08:00

So, here in the Portland/Gresham area, we have emergency warming shelters. Basically, if it is freezing, especially if there is snow or freezing rain, then the city sponsor churches to open so that the homeless don't catch hypothermia or die in the cold.

However, there's a catch. If there's less than an inch of snow or no freezing rain or if the temperatures is above 25 degrees, then they won't open the shelters on the first or second night of freezing temperatures.

Now for us, we think that any night outside in snow, even if it doesn't accumulate an inch, that's... bad. And we think that perhaps freezing temperatures isn't the best to be sleeping in. So we are letting people in our church. It's not a huge number of people, and it's only for a night or two until the city system gets in gear.

And that's where I'm at tonight. I'm in Gresham, and Jeff Strong is opening up our SE center. If anyone is interested in helping us next time this situation happens, let me know. We'd love to have more volunteers.

Emergency Winter Shelter

2010-11-19T08:25:00.001-08:00

It's getting cold and it's time for us to start working out shelters for folks in East Multnomah County. We're trying to be better organized than in years past, and this year could be particularly cold. Please pray for us as we attempt to get our folks in warmth in the worst of the weather this year...

The Anawim Church Model

2010-11-17T08:55:00.000-08:00

Most Christians who visit Anawim have a question about how much of a "church" it really is. On a given Saturday, maybe only half the people who come stay for a worship service, and the service itself is pretty chaotic, with people walking in and out and perhaps talking to interrupt the service on occasion. And there is an invitation for those there to participate in the middle of the service, which seems odd to some. And some of the participants are drunk or even high on drugs. Can this really be a church?

This is because Anawim doesn't follow the traditional church model established in the second century AD. In the second century, it is felt that the church was too disorganized, both in meeting and in doctrine. So they established bishops or overseers over many congregations to give a sense of unanimity of doctrine and meeting.

However, in the first century, this was not the case. There were a variety of styles of worship, a variety of different kinds of people and a variety of doctrines, all under the basic creed, "Jesus is Lord". Anawim is attempting to get at a church model that has been rejected millenia ago, but one that was established by Jesus.

We, like Jesus, are trying to establish two groups at the same time-- a community of sinners and a community of disciples. Anawim is really two churches in one, each model based on four separate passages of Scripture.

1. The Sinner’s Church
He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?" And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Mark 2:14-17

He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man called by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and he was rich. Zaccheus was trying to see who Jesus was, and was unable because of the crowd, for he was small in stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see Him, for He was about to pass through that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house." And he hurried and came down and received Him gladly. When they saw it, they all began to grumble, saying, "He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Luke 19:1-10

Principles of the Sinner’s Church
a. We invite the outcast and those whom society considers to be the worst of sinners to church
b. We provide a context in which the worst of the unchurched are comfortable
c. We meet their physical and spiritual needs.
d. We love them for who they are, not demanding anything of them
e. We teach the word of God
f. We encourage repentance and following Jesus by loving them, showing what a disciple looks like and teaching God’s word.
g. We only call for repentance from sins that Jesus taught us, not by the traditions of man
h. We only make rules to make it easier for us to love each other, not to create a human order

2. The Disciple’s Church
So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:41-47

When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
I Corinthians 14:26

Principles of the Disciple’s Church
a. We share the word of God every time we meet
b. We have a meal every time we meet
c. We pray for miracles every time we meet
d. We give to the needy among us
e. We make a place for the needy so we can give and they can share their faith with us
f. We encourage everyone to participate in the service
g. We praise God through psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
h. All disciples are equal in prayer, in love and in power.
i. We discipline only when necessary for everyone to feel save and for everyone to love each other

If you are interested in this model and would like to see it at work, we invite you to come to either of our main services.

Gresham service at Sanctuary
19626 NE Glisan, Gresham
1pm Saturdays

Portland service at the Yellow Church
1821 SE 39th, Porland
4pm Sundays

God Loves the Poor (more than He loves you-- just kidding)

2010-11-07T14:50:00.000-08:00

I'm reposting this from "This Too Is Meaningless" a blog by Mike. Check it out HERE

Don’t get me wrong God as we know loves all people red and yellow black and white we are precious in His sight, as well as the rich. However all through the Bible God seems to favor the poor and lowly people. Well I found ten reasons why God "favors" if you will. PS Please understand I am working with a public high school vocabulary so the word Favor was all that came to mind. Anyway here is the list;

1. The poor know they are in urgent need of redemption.

2. The poor know not only their dependence on God and on powerful people but also their interdependence with one another. (My church Family for instance)

3. The poor rest their security not on things but on people. (My church family for instance)

4. The poor have no exaggerated sense of their own importance, and no exaggerated need of privacy. (My church family for instance)

5. The poor expect little from competition and much from cooperation.

6. The poor can distinguish between necessities and luxuries. (Think I learned that this past year)

7. The poor can wait, because they have acquired a kind of dogged patience born of acknowledged dependence. (Still need work here)

8. The fears of the poor are more realistic and less exaggerated, because they already know that one can survive great suffering and want.

9. When the poor have the Gospel preached to them, it sounds like good news and not like a threat or scolding.

10. The poor can respond to the call of the Gospel with certain abandonment and uncomplicated totality because they have so little to lose and ready for anything.

In summary, through no choice of their own-they may urgently wish otherwise-poor people find themselves in a posture that befits the grace of God. In their state of neediness, dependence, and dissatisfaction with life, they may welcome God's free gift of love.

My note on numbers 2, 3 and 4 give perfect example of how the church body in my opinion is to operate. We depend on God as well as each other, our security rests in our relationships rather than our millions, and we discuss our struggles, doubts and needs freely. It is very humbling to really ask for help as I have found out recently. Without my church family I really don’t know where I would be. PS any of you reading this, I/we LOVE YOU GUYS! We wouldn’t have made without you!

For the record I am in no way poor unless you compare me to the top 3% in this country but when compared to the rest of the NORMAL world all of us here are extremely wealthy.

Ending Homelessness, Final Stage: Getting Housing

2010-10-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

After the homeless are accepted by the community and begins to accept the community around them, the final stage to ending homelessness is getting people homes. However, this is more complicated and more individual than any of the other stages.

Why is housing the final stage? Because if we don't meet the stage of meeting survival needs, the homeless don't have the time to take care of their housing properly. And if there is no community involvement there is no support to keep them in housing. And if the homeless aren't educated and trained, then they will not stay in housing. If we just give the homeless an apartment, most of them will lose it unless there is adequate foundation.

And even at this final stage, there is still work to do before housing is obtained...

Intake:
An experiences social worker needs to sit down with every homeless person to determine a program to get them inside, permanently. An interview will need to be done, discussing the homeless persons’ struggles, needs, employment history, family, housing history, health and more. After the interview, the social worker might make an overall recommendation for a track that the homeless person might go in. One track might be employment, another mental health, another rehabilitation and another social security. Then the social worker and the homeless person can determine what specific programs the homeless person might need in order to reach the goal of escaping poverty. The overall plan might include many steps, including obtaining ID, support groups, a mental health evaluation, addiction assistance, volunteer work, education, employment assistance and a housing recommendation.

Rehabilitation—
There are many different kinds of addiction helps out there, and every person has different kinds of needs that the rehabilitation could assist. For many people, especially serious alcoholics and hard drug users the first step is a detoxification program—this assists a person with a medical detox so they don’t die in the midst of kicking their addiction. After this, there are many options for those struggling with mental addiction. There are work rehabs that offer a combination of full time work and twelve step programs (Salvation Army’s ARC). There are religious programs that work on relationship and religious education (Victory Outreach). There are outpatient rehab support that offer the most flexibility (Many hospitals). There are other kinds of in-patient facilities that provide basic structure and some freedom (DePaul Center) There are also low-key communities offering support and help with life skills. And, of course, there are 12 step programs and other kinds of support groups, religious and secular. For those seeking rehabilitation, the right program should be sought. This means that familiarity with all the programs in a broad area should be known and discussed with the person seeking rehabilitation.

Housing:
Like rehabilitation, housing is not something that can be determined on a cookie-cutter basis. For some, an apartment is too complicated or too enclosed. There are a variety of different kinds of housing that might work for someone who has lived on the streets for years. Some might want to live in a drug and alcohol free community camp (Dignity Village). Others might want to live in a “halfway” house, which offers some of the flexibility of homeless culture, but some of the security of the middle class (Anawim Christian Community). Others might need to live in homes that focus on living in a clean and sober environment (Oxford Houses). Others might prefer to live with family, if that is offered. Others might want to live in religious communities (The Simple Way). Again, the many options should be available and sought.

Support:
Post-homeless counseling-- One of the greatest crisis periods for a homeless person is when they are able to obtain housing. Often, when the homeless get housing, the recently homeless develop depression, guilt, illness and recurring addiction issues. An additional support group helping the post-homeless to deal wit their issues is essential if the homeless are to remain housed. A post-homeless plan should also be laid out and support should be given to achieve it.)

Ending Homelessness, Part II: Community and Independence

2010-10-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

It is easiest just to provide basic services, but poverty will not end for those in need if their basic needs are just provided for them. There must be larger support networks. Just as one of the ways people become homeless is by not having a support network, even so, a support network of community must be formed if the homeless are to escape poverty and to be accepted in the community. So this means that the there must be a variety of ways that the community and the homeless can associate and be educated about each other and how to live together. Also, besides simply providing for the homeless, the community must be providing means for the homeless to help themselves, so they can be independent, even if they are still living an alternative lifestyle.

Welcoming communities—The homeless need communities that they can feel welcome in. There are so many communities that look at them askance or are so formal or well-dressed that the homeless don’t feel comfortable. Some communities need to be open and willing to even seek the homeless to join them. This could be churches, synagogues, or other faiths. It could also be book clubs or chess clubs. It could be 12 step meetings or other kinds of help groups. As long as the homeless know they are welcome, a few will seek the shelter and comfort of community. As well as the coffee.

Community education—Every community has their own misinformation about the homeless, and most housed communities are fearful of the homeless. Education pieces in churches, community groups (such as the Optimist Club) are essential. But to connect to the entire community, it would be helpful to have newspaper articles or even television ads.

Advocates with local government—The homeless and those who work with the homeless should have a group that communicates their needs and concerns to city hall, local police, neighborhood associations and even the state government. This may not change policy, but it can communicate that the homeless are equal citizens with everyone else.

Volunteer Training: For those working with the homeless in day or night shelters, there should be training opportunities, or even required training in the following areas: Basic information about homelessness, preventing prejudice against the homeless, conflict resolution and preventing conflict, relational v. service mentality, preventing burnout.

Service opportunities—It is essential that the homeless feel ownership in the services that are providing for their needs. This gives them self-esteem and it assists how they are seen by the community. Not only that, but the services themselves benefit by having those receiving the services providing input in how services are given. This means that the homeless should be volunteers in shelters, serving food, working on community projects and being on advocacy and networking groups.

Labor—Since one of the most important issues for the homeless is un- or under-employment, there should be programs to give the homeless opportunities for employment. However, different homeless have different labor issues. Some need day labor, but others can’t even work for a whole day. Also some are able to have full time jobs and so just need employment services to assist them in obtaining labor, who will help with resumes, interviewing and other job seeking skills.

Financial services—Some of the homeless cannot trust themselves with finances. They know that they will waste their finances when they get some from labor. They might benefit from some financial services that could help their bills get paid.

Counseling/Support Groups: There are many issues that can be dealt with in a support group level. Not only living homeless in general, but it would greatly assist the homeless to have support groups or counseling services dealing with anger issues, addiction issues and stress management.

Education: Some of the homeless simply need some education to help them get a new start on life. One of the basic classes a number of the homeless could use is basic computer skills. But other classes that might prove beneficial is critical thinking skills (which might be taught through a literature course or a course on everyday logic) or basic life skills, especially in preparation for living indoors. It might be good if a local community college could offer job training skills to those seeking other full time employment. Also, for homeless teens there may need to be a program to get them into public school or to help them obtain a GED.

Pieces of the Puzzle to End Homelessness, Part 1

2010-10-24T14:11:00.000-07:00

Ending homelessness is like a puzzle. Each puzzle has areas of the puzzle that are easy to see and to put together, and other parts that aren’t as obvious and more difficult to fit together. But all are necessary if we are going to finish the puzzle. Even so, ending homelessness is complex and some parts of the solution are difficult to piece together. But if we do not have all the pieces together, then the goal of ending homelessness will not be accomplished. If we put someone in a apartment, but don’t give them assistance with food and counseling, they will not be able to sustain their place in a home.

Basics:
The basic steps of providing the needs of the homeless is fundamentally providing survival for the homeless. It is meeting their basic needs so they can go on with the business of putting their lives together. It is best if an entire community work on this as a whole, rather than piecemeal. A piecemeal approach will mean that there is a lot of overlap and unnecessary redundancy. It also means that where some services will be provided in abundance, other services will not be provided for at all. For this to happen, one of the foundations of helping the homeless is a networking group that will keep all the groups in communication with each other.

Survival:
Food: Providing food is the easiest and most basic level for most people who want to help the homeless. Many churches and community groups provide meals, sack lunches, sandwiches or simply snacks for free. With only a few exceptions, food is the one need that is met for most homeless people in urban areas.

Clothes: This used to be a basic resource for the homeless, but having room to store a variety of clothes is becoming more difficult.

Showers: No one can find a job or feel good about themselves without a shower. For most of the homeless, a shower is an occasional luxury, rather than a part of a daily routine. Only a few centers have the resources to provide showers, so this continues to be a need.

Laundry: Because of a limited amount of clothes, the homeless desperately need laundry facilities. Especially during wet weather, when their bedding and clothing is in need of drying.

Basic Supplies: Some of the basic supplies the homeless have are razors, deodorant, sun screen,

Day shelters: The homeless need a safe place to be during the day where the police and the community won’t be harassing them, and a place where they can have some structure. It is also good to have a central place where they can be found to do labor or provide services.

Night Shelters: Of course, the homeless are most vulnerable to the weather and those who wish to harm them at night. A place where they can sleep safely is important.

ID assistance: Every community should have one or two experts in obtaining one’s identification if it is lost or destroyed. The homeless are especially vulnerable to losing ID, and will need to have both assistance and small financial help to obtain their ID back.

Health--
Health clinics: Free health care with doctors on staff is important for any group that does not have insurance.

Mental health clinics: Given the large number of mentally ill on the street, it is important to have a mental health clinic, which includes mental health evaluations, available to those without insurance.

Dental health clincs: A significant area of health that is often missed is dental health. Poor dental health can not only effect one’s teeth, but lead to other kinds of illness and mental health issues.

Medication aid: Most hospitals and clinics don’t have a program for a full run of medicines, even antibiotics. A program should be established for those with low income to obtain prescriptions at low cost.

Culture, Gospel, Homelessness and the Middle Class

2010-10-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

Some may be offended by my description of homeless culture, because I am giving to them a cultural norm which, in some ways, seems immoral. Some may feel more distant from the homeless than they were before. Some may feel justified in blaming the homeless for having the culture they do. What I have tried to do is to explain why they have this culture, not to justify it, but to explain it. Yes, some of these cultural mores are strictly immoral, no matter how I may explain why it seems necessary to the homeless.

However, to blame the homeless for these cultural mores is to neglect our own cultural excuses for immoral behavior. Why do we think that if a person is unable to pay a utility company that they should be charged more? This is not only immoral, but idiotic. This would make sense if the person was refusing to pay, but if they are unable to pay, why charge them substantially more? Because, in our society, money is the base commodity of value. This means, first, that to charge someone is to communicate the value of something, whether it be an ice cream bar or a late payment. But this means that those who have less money are fundamentally less valuable, and so they have less say as to how society runs than those who have more money, who are clearly more valuable. This is a value of American middle class and upper class society, and it is basic to how it works. This leads to immoral actions because it is a fundamentally immoral principle. We can justify it by explaining economic theory or the development of politics in American society, but we cannot justify it.

The fact is, Jesus and the gospel stands apart from every culture. Every culture, from the standpoint of the gospel, has positive points and negative points. Every culture has their ethical aspects and their immoral aspect. From Jesus’ perspective, one culture has no real right to judge another culture, because they are both blind to their own immoral presuppositions.

For this reason, Jesus’ first public word is to repent and believe in the gospel. We need to look at our own culture and see the repentance we need to do, more than point at other cultures and complain about how immoral they are. We need to recognize what Isaiah recognized, “I live among a people of unclean lips.” Our culture has corrupted us by their own evil standards and thus we have participated in the everyday evil of our culture. It doesn’t matter if you are homeless or wealthy, white or black, immigrant or citizen, European or Asian or American or Hispanic or Slavic or Indian (East or West)—every culture is immoral, every culture has its good points. We can analyze them objectively against either a common standard or God’s standard as communicated by Jesus, but we cannot say that our culture is better than theirs. Nor do we have a right to swallow up one culture because of its immoral aspects or because of its incompatibility with our own.

Rather, we need to encourage all cultures to follow Jesus. Yes, we want people to believe in Jesus, but we also need for the world to realize that Jesus points us to a better way for us to live with each other. Not everyone will believe in our theology about Jesus. This doesn’t mean we need to write them off as human beings. Not only do we need to give them assistance when they need it, but we can show them the way of Jesus as a way of life.

An excellent example of this is Alcoholics Anonymous. Almost every principle of the 12 steps are actually principles of Jesus that are re-contextualized to secular language for addicts. It speaks of dependence on God, repentance, reconciliation, community, accountability, forgiveness and even evangelism. It is not a complete gospel of Jesus, but it is a contextualized semi-gospel that speaks to and revitalizes a hurting sub-culture. A gospel of Jesus, as marginalized as it is, as weakened as it is, is still powerful enough to bring healing.

When most people approach homelessness, they do one of two things. Most will just try to meet the most basic needs that are easiest to fulfill. This helps the homeless in their day-to-day needs, but it does not, in reality, alleviate their poverty, nor bring real transformation.
The second approach is to try to make the homeless middle class. This approach is done by both Christians and non-Christians alike because our cultural values and beliefs are actually stronger than our gospel values and beliefs. We don’t see Jesus’ gospel as actually redeeming the homeless in the needs they have, and so we offer them the middle class, which specifically meets what the middle class thinks the homeless needs most, which is, interestingly enough, accommodation to the values and standards of the middle class.

That which is most frightening to the middle class is that the homeless might not want their values, that they are fundamentally of a different culture. So they want to train them to be like the middle class, and give them “mentors” or teachers to train them to be middle class. I think this is in error, for they will be teaching them not only the positive aspects of the American middle class values—hard work, following laws, etc—but also the weak aspects of the middle class—self-reliance, importance of the nuclear family, a skewed money value.

Rather, we need to do as Jesus said. We need to first evaluate our own culture by the gospel, repent of our own wrong values, before we can tell others how they should rightly live their lives. (Matthew 7:5—“First take the beam out of your own eye and then you can see clearly to take the speck out of theirs.”) We need to repent of our own cultural blindness.

Then, when we approach the homeless or any other culture, we must attempt to give them the values of the gospel and not our own cultural values. We can offer them the deliverance of Jesus, not the deliverance of our powerful, but oppressing, society. We must separate our culture from our gospel, to offer a pure, undefiled religion that comes from God and not our values that mix in.

Then, when we truly understand the gospel apart from our values and have repented of our immorality, can we translate that gospel into the language and culture system of another culture. When we have gone through the process of cultural repentance and gospel conversion ourselves, then we can understand what it means when we ask others to do the same. And when we do so, we do not do it on the basis of a culture that feels that they have a “burden” to replicate their culture, as if their culture is what saves. Rather, we offer the gospel as those who are poor ourselves, and in desperate need of the salvation of Jesus ourselves. We come, not from a place of power, but a place of humility, seeing our own weaknesses and seeing Jesus as the real answer.

How Shelters Dehumanize

2010-10-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

Please read these two descriptions of nights in a shelter:

Shelters Are For Someone Else 1
Shelters Are For Someone Else 2

However we treat the poor, that is how we treat Jesus. When Jesus or His angels come to visit us, is this how we want them to be treated?

When we establish a shelter, let us treat people with dignity and respect. This means that our context has to be one of dignity as well. Posting a hundred rules communicates something. So does insisting that people listen to a sermon before they fill their empty bellies.

We want to help, so let us help. If we want to show Jesus, then let us show love.

Homeless Culture: Not Responsible For Debt

2010-10-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

A street person might collapse. Someone calls 911. An ambulance comes and takes them to the hospital and they are treated. About two weeks later, they receive a bill. Actually, a number of bills. All together they equal a minimum of a thousand dollars. But the street person has no money, no regular means of income. Rather than burden themselves with guilt about a debt they cannot pay, they ignore it. The bills keep coming and they keep throwing it away. Perhaps there is a slight amount of guilt about the bill, but the practical fact is, they can’t pay it.
Most hospitals have programs to help pay for such bills. But with those programs come a lot of paperwork, which most people on the street can’t fill out on their own. Soon, if there is any bill, any debt, it is routinely ignored. They figure that they wouldn’t have much use for a good credit number anyway.

But there is still a small amount of guilt about the debt for many of those on the street. For this reason, they generally avoid any kind of debt. If they are sick, they try to care for themselves, rest and take what few medicines are available to them. But they don’t go to the doctor, because that requires money—a lot of it. And they just don’t have it.

Interestingly enough, even after a person is off the street or obtains a regular income, this attitude persists. Debts are something to be ignored, not held responsible for.

What Kind of Water Do You Drink?

2010-10-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

World Water Day Video

Did you know that a billion people in the world today don't have safe water?

That millions of people in China and Bangladesh have natural arsenic in their water?

That one fifth of all children under five in Africa die because they don't have access to clean water?

Pray for those who need clean water, that they might obtain it.

Support organizations that create clean water for those who need it.

Learn more about the need for clean water

Act now to assist those who need water

Homeless Culture: Telling Authorities About Crimes

2010-10-14T10:11:00.001-07:00

Probably the worst crime of any homeless person is to be a “rat”, that is, to tell the authorities of a crime of another. This is because most of the homeless see everyone on the street as some kind of criminal, so to be a rat is hypocrisy. But it is also a general acknowledgment that injustice should be dealt with inside their own community and not to bring in outsiders.

Homeless Culture: Distrust of Societal Authority

2010-10-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

The homeless have been roused by the police in the middle of the night to be told to move, or simply to be threatened. They are often rousted by the police, even if they are doing nothing that would even give suspicion of criminal activity. They could be ticketed or arrested by the authorities which puts them into the justice system. Once in the justice system, they are often given fines or requirements they cannot fulfill, which keeps them in the system and frequently gives them jail time. Churches may seem to want to help, but most volunteers, secretaries and even pastors are overly authoritative, disrespectful and angry to even be dealing with the needs of the poor. Government help is bureaucratic and often too complex and insisting in too many requirements for the homeless to fulfill.

All of this builds onto a basic distrust of all authorities. Among the homeless communities, authority is not questioned because it is already assumed that authority is manipulative, self-serving and rejecting. This does not mean that there is not the desire for justice, but it is rare that one of the homeless community sees that there is a possibility of justice in societal systems.

This also leads to a resistance of authoritative action. If someone insists that another obey them because they have authority, the homeless person will automatically resist this approach. They will insist upon reasons they can understand, not yelling, not a title, not violence. While someone with a gun or a title might convince them to act in a certain way, it will never develop into respect or obeying the authority for authority's sake.

Homeless Culture: Regretful Use of Violence

2010-10-12T16:56:00.000-07:00

Almost all of the chronically homeless decry violence, but they almost all acknowledge that violence and threats are at times necessary. Almost every female homeless person carries a weapon for protection, although they rarely find it necessary to use them. Many of the male members of the homeless community find it necessary to defend their honor or the honor of their closest companions through violence. Most of the leaders of group camps find it necessary to occasionally use violence to create order. This may belie the statistic above which states that the homeless are convicted of less violent crime. What that statistic really means is that the homeless have learned their place in society, and they will rarely, if ever, use violence against the middle class. But violence between the homeless isn’t that uncommon, but because violence is seen as a form of communication or even sport, then violence within the homeless community is not reported to the authorities.

Homeless Culture: Honor Highly Valued

2010-10-12T16:54:00.001-07:00

As part of the patriarchal system, one’s reputation and show of respect is primary. Every member of the society expects a basic amount of respect given by all. Respect is granted through proper acknowledgement, requesting and acknowledging favors. Disrespect is the worst kind of sin in the homeless community. Disrespect can be shown through insisting upon authority not granted, taking of one’s property, disregarding one’s good act, ignoring another’s presence, insults, or speaking negatively about another person.

Homeless Culture: Patriarchal Culture

2010-10-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

The chronically homeless is almost the only segment of society which is dominated by single men. In the broader homeless population, single men make up 51 percent of the population, but most families, women and children drop off in less than a year. It is mostly single men who find homeless to be an option for survival. This does not mean that women do not also find themselves to be homeless for more than a year, but it is more rare. Among the chronically homeless, in my observation, women only make up less than a third of the population.

Because of this, chronically homeless culture is testosterone-driven. Because of the lack of children, men are less providers than protectors, but they are primarily protectors of their own reputation. Although women are not considered property, women are often expected to follow the values established by men or to face violence. Physical abuse of girlfriends or the girlfriends of friends is relatively common.

On the other hand, some women adapt to the patriarchal value system by taking on male power traits. These women are treated as equals, or even superiors in a matriarchal sense. All women also are protected by the ethics of the society from violence from outsiders or rape from anyone.

Homeless Culture: Infrequent Bathing

2010-10-10T14:11:00.001-07:00

One of the hardest aspects of living on the street is taking a shower. Showers are available, but they are either infrequent or not free. Thus, showers more than once a week are seen as a luxury. Over time, some homeless might seen cleanliness as simply unnecessary, and won’t take the effort to get a shower, even if one is available.

Most of the homeless love the opportunity to get bathed, however, and see it as a comfort. I have heard one person on the street say, “If I had my own place, I would take five showers a day.”

Homeless Culture: Loose, Rough Clothing

2010-10-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

The homeless have a “look.” This look is practical for the weather. They tend to wear layers, with the outside layer being loose fitting. The homeless also tend to wear military gear, because it is made to be durable and good for outdoor living. Because they get clothes from thrift stores or for free, many of their clothes have holes and thin patches, which is another reason for layers. Many of the homeless wear many layers of clothes even during the hot months because they don’t have a closet to store clothes, so they wear them all.

It is important on the street to be practical, because survival is most significant. However, some homeless aren't just interested in surviving, they want to look good, too. As one of my friends told me, "Just because you are a bum doesn't mean you have to look like a bum."

Homeless Culture: Disrespect for the Homeless

2010-10-06T21:46:00.001-07:00

It is a common concept for most communities to have prejudicial ideas about the homeless in general. The homeless are considered lazy, addicts, criminals and general ne’er-do-wells. These stereotypical ideas do not cease necessarily when one becomes homeless. The ideas persist, because they see some people who meet these qualifications. This means that the homeless will often define themselves as a group by these same stereotypes that they are wrongly characterized by.

One of the ways that we know that it is not true is that individual homeless usually see themselves as being the stand out from the rest of their community. “Sure, they are all like that, but not me. I’m still the same as I used to be.” They see themselves as hard working, while others are lazy. They are moral, while others are immoral. This is partly because in these areas there is such a variety of work and a variety of moralities that it is sometimes difficult to see others as actually having something that they have an alternative form of.

And when a person gets off the street they either look at their friends still on the street with either disrespect or pity. But they see themselves as “different” now that they have an apartment or a job.

Blaming the Poor for Poverty

2010-10-06T21:44:00.000-07:00

This is an article I wrote for Leader Magazine, an MCUSA publication:

As we are driving down the road, we approach Tom. He is on the street corner, holding a sign, which says “Homeless. Anything helps.” He looks dirty and disheveled. His face is sad and tired. Just as pity rises in our hearts we think, “But what made him homeless? What keeps him homeless?” And the first thought we come up with is addiction.

Now we see Tom in a different light. We look for indications of alcoholism or drug use, as if we could see into his soul and see a black patch of wickedness. Somehow, we shake off this idea. We remember that we don’t have the right to judge another human being. So we take a bold move. We decide to park and talk to Tom.

“Do I drink?” Tom chuckles at the question. “Well, sure. I drink a 40 ouncer every night so I can get to sleep. Overnight, when it’s so cold that it creeps into your bones you need something. Some nights, I just sit up wondering who is going to approach me. The police might come with their dogs. I’ve had friends attacked by strangers in the middle of the night. I realize that it isn’t likely for these things to happen, but I don’t want to be kept awake by my thoughts. So I drink a beer every night. I can’t afford sleeping pills.” He laughs. “Heck, if I could afford that, I’d probably spend the money on a motel room!”

“Yep,” Tom admits, “some of my other friends drink a lot. And some of them use drugs. But I haven’t met too many folks who came to the street addicted. I can’t blame the ones who turn to it. It’s a hard life. And we spend a lot of our time just on surviving. I suppose they do that stuff so they can forget who they are and where they are. To take some joy in their lives. I don’t like to have my head in a daze, but I can see why they do it.”

In our society, poverty is blameworthy. Rarely is the attitude stated so plainly as by Bill Cunningham, “People are poor in America ... not because they lack money; they're poor because they lack values, morals and ethics.” We certainly don’t agree with Mr. Cunningham. But we know there must be some reason for poverty. And our society all too often blames the poor for their poverty. Thus is the connection between homelessness and addiction born.

The statistics on homelessness and addictions are difficult to pin down, just as most statistics about homelessness. Some say that only thirty percent of the homeless are addicted, others say as many as sixty five percent are (National Coalition for the Homeless). However, the number is far less than a hundred percent. And it is clear that rarely is addiction the cause of homelessness. It is estimated that at least half of the general population of the United States have some kind of addiction issue, so the homeless statistics are probably more than the general population, but not remarkably different.

To paraphrase James 2:2-4, if we look down upon the homeless, assuming their immorality, but we welcome the housed and middle class with open arms, have we not made false distinctions and become judges with impure motives? Our task is to welcome all like Jesus. Our task is to love our neighbor, providing what help we can.

This does not mean we should act foolishly. When I pass someone like Tom, I keep in mind that my pity wants to give him money, but perhaps money isn’t always the best thing to give him. I’d have to know him better to know for certain. But this doesn’t mean I can’t love when I see my neighbor or fellow Jesus follower holding a sign. I carry breakfast bars or pairs of socks in my vehicle so I can give him something he could use now.

There is always a way to help if we set aside thoughts of blame. “Blessed is he who makes plans for the poor…” Psalm 41:1

Homeless Culture: Flexibility Concerning Addiction

2010-10-03T22:30:00.000-07:00

The homeless find themselves in great stress daily. Their stress is not just about other’s behavior, but about life and death issues. This stress builds up over time and creates depression. Pretty soon, the homeless person is desperate to find some joy in their lives. And they can find temporary joy in alcohol or in drugs. Almost none of the homeless are interested in making drugs or alcohol a lifestyle, but a good number of them fall into that, almost by default.

Because of this, the homeless are accepting of other people’s addictions. They will complain about other’s addictions and occasionally make compassionate statements about their friends stopping a life-threatening addiction. But there is little moral quandary about drugs or alcohol. Everyone recognizes it as a survival mechanism, or self-medication.

And yet, at the same time, there is an underlying current of people constantly trying (and usually failing) to quit their addictions, for personal reasons. And the homeless community support these efforts, even if they find themselves unable to do this themselves.

For all this, it must be admitted that there are a number of the chronic homeless who are not involved in drugs or alcohol in any way. Being a part of the community doesn’t necessarily mean that addiction is required. The actual number of addicts on the street is almost impossible to determine realistically, however.

Homeless Culture: Ethics, Not Law

2010-10-02T08:43:00.001-07:00

A person who becomes homeless quickly learns that their economic situation automatically makes them a criminal. It is illegal in most cities to “camp”, which means to sleep outside, even in one’s own car. The intent of these laws is to allow the homeless to be moved about as necessary by the city. Because the homeless are treated as criminals, they develop a casual approach to the law. The law itself isn’t a standard of morality, because they know that not all “criminals” are immoral. Instead, they follow their own morality, without regard to what is legal or not. However, the idea of what is ethical behavior varies greatly, as it does among the general populace. This means that the homeless might be more willing to do actions that are considered unacceptable by other groups. However, statistics show that the homeless are less likely to participate in violent crime than other groups.

Homeless Culture: Immediate Use of Resources

2010-10-01T09:43:00.001-07:00

Because resources are scarce amidst the community—money, food, etc.—and the needs of the community are always there, many resources get used up quickly. But because more resources become available quickly, even daily, there is an expectation that resources can be gotten and so they are used up. In the homeless community, resources are not to be saved or reserved, but used. This is connected with the low-level fatalism in the homeless community, for what happens tomorrow is in the hands of fate and what happens is what will happen.

This idea is also given because of the nature of the items the homeless obtain. That which is given to the homeless, or obtained through inexpensive or free means is low quality and is not meant to last over the long term. Food is on the edge of going bad, the socks they are given are cheap, and even tarps and blankets are usually inexpensive and some are even unable to be washed. This only firms up the idea that what one gets is for today, not necessarily tomorrow.

This also adds to one’s ability to give to others. If resources are not for the morrow, then they can freely share with others what they have today.

Homeless Culture: Freely Sharing What One Has

2010-09-30T12:03:00.003-07:00

Once a person is homeless, they tend to be with others who are struggling with poverty issues. They will meet at soup kitchens or other services for the poor. And as sad as their story is, there are others who have more tragic stories than they. They soon realize that the poor are a community together, and if they do not stand together, they will all fall. At this point it begins to be a habit of taking whatever you have and are not currently using to give it to others. In middle class society, we have a tendency to save items because we might need it in the future. And there are some who store items (see “pack-rat mentality”) who are homeless. But if someone needs something, it is usually given freely and easily. You see the homeless asking and receiving cigarettes all the time—but this is only the tip of the iceberg. Bike parts, food, beer, information, camp sites, even sometimes one’s tent is all shared property for those in need. If there is someone in greater need, or lacking something essential, then it is freely shared.

Homeless Culture: Respecting Ingenious Survival

2010-09-30T12:03:00.001-07:00

Survival is a necessary preoccupation on the street. So when someone comes up with an ingenious way to survive, it is praised and spoken of highly to others. A group of the homeless were honored when they developed a Hogan to live in. Back ways into abandoned houses, shelter in blackberry bushes, camping for months in the woods are all considered praiseworthy, if not always copied.

Homeless Culture: Alternative Labor

2010-09-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Almost without exception, the homeless are not lazy. One cannot be lazy if it is necessary to walk miles for a plate of food. While one is homeless it is very difficult to obtain a full time job even if one was able to work such a job. So the homeless instead depend, for the most part, on alternative kinds of labor. This includes recycling cans or scrap, begging for change, dumpster diving, busking, day labor through an organization or through personal contacts, or stealing. Some would say that some of these kinds of labor isn’t really work at all, but only those who haven’t done it could say so. Just like any other job, the labor might take mental exertion—like begging— and some might take physical exertion. Some might simply be disgusting, like dumpster diving, and some might be immoral, like stealing. Some may not pay much for the effort involved, like recycling cans. And different homeless do different kinds of labor, based on their gifts and moral ideals, but it is all work. There is labor involved, not leisure. No one would be doing it if what they needed were easily available to them. And some of it is really difficult work. Just alternative work.

(I want to make a point that I am not supporting stealing, nor do most homeless people accept stealing as a way of life. I am just saying that it is one example of what some think of as alternative labor, the category is accepted by almost all homeless people.)

Homeless Culture: Respect for Hard Work

2010-09-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

Often being homeless throws one into such a depression that there is only enough energy to survive and not more than that. Other homeless work hard to maintain whatever kind of positive life they can. Some homeless work hard so they can have a few beers at the end of the day. But pretty much without exception, all the homeless respects those who work hard and accomplish something for their work. They do not always respect those who have jobs. But they respect labor, especially manual labor. If that manual labor just means a nice camp, it is respected, even if no money comes from it. The work is enough. And the homeless might do volunteer work just for the self-respect it brings (although they would prefer to work for money).

Homeless Culture: Lack of Fear

2010-09-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

When one lives in a certain context, then that context lacks fear. If one hears gunshots on a regular basis, then gunfire loses all power to cause fear. Even so, those not homeless are scared of living on the street and one can’t imagine how one lives that way. The homeless are scary because they are strange. When one becomes homeless they are nervous about who they will meet and the tragedies that will follow.

Eventually, one learns that homelessness is just another way to live, with its pluses and minuses like any other way to live. But there is no fear of homelessness. For many people who had been homeless and then lived back in a middle class lifestyle, they know that homelessness is always an option, if necessary, and not a frightening one. I know of one man who was homeless and then ended up in an apartment. He couldn’t afford dentures, so he became homeless a while by his own choice so he could save up for a set of dentures. When he was ready, he moved back into an apartment. It was just an option for him. I know of others who become homeless for a month or two every year because they miss the kind of choices it afforded them.

An Explanatory Note

2010-09-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

I just want to explain the reason for giving a description of homeless culture.

This is not in praise or condemnation of homeless culture. I am just trying to describe it. I do this so that we can better understand the cultural changes that happens to one when they become homeless. Some might have had part or all of this culture before they became homeless, but most develop it as they lived on the street over time.

I have heard many people either condemn the homeless because they are "different" from them, or other say "we are all the same." Frankly, the homeless ARE culturally different from the middle class, and if the middle class wishes to help them or condemn them, they should do it with understanding, not ignorance.

Homeless culture is simply a culture. It has good aspects and bad aspects just like every other culture. Just like middle class American white culture has good aspects and bad aspects. And we need to understand that a homeless person isn't "fixed" if they become middle class. And we also have to realize that in certain aspects they won't accept all of middle class society. And that is okay, because homeless culture has some good aspects that we should all accept as normative. And it has some aspects that traps one into homelessness.

I'm just writing this to open our eyes, a little.

Homeless Culture: Fatalism

2010-09-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

Culturally, the homeless learn that for people who are free, they have very little control over their lives. They don’t know whether they will be woken from a sound sleep, whether their possessions will be stolen during the day, or what resources they will gain that day.

Because of this, there are two cultural consequences of living on the street. First is a certain kind of angry fatalism. That they have little control over their own lives and they feel that they should. At times this lack of control leads one to feel furious at others who one feels should provide them what they need. Thus, a homeless person might become angry at service workers or fellow homeless or God because they think that someone is ultimately in control and thus responsible for their lack.

Secondly, there is a dependence on Fate or God. Each day brings its own stresses and joys, its own lack and supply—yet somehow the homeless survive. Ultimately, there is a gratitude to life and what little is given.

Homeless Culture: Dependence

2010-09-24T08:40:00.001-07:00

The homeless also have an equal amount of dependence on the kindness of others. One’s kind heart provides food, another provides funds, another provides clothing. The homeless soon learn that while they are free from the tyranny of middle class life, they are enslaved to the good intentions of strangers.

Homelessness is a certain kind of slavery. Because when one is unable to control the resources they need to live on—food, clothing, etc—then one must do whatever is required in order to obtain these resources. This may mean walking miles, or it may mean holding a sign indicating one’s pathetic state. It may mean humiliation or it may mean standing in a line. Or it may be listening to a sermon. Whatever is required, some will do it. Every “gift” has a price and this price eats at the “freedom” of the homeless.

Just like all life, it is a balance between freedom and tyranny. The homeless have chosen, for the most part, the tyranny of the good hearted.

Homeless Culture: Independence

2010-09-23T10:28:00.001-07:00

There is a sense of freedom that the homeless have that no one else has. No need to pay bills, to clean up house, to deal with neighbors, to mow the lawn, to get up for work at a certain time, to deal with all the stresses that accompany daily middle class life. A few mistakenly assume that homelessness is pure freedom from responsibility—that it most certainly is not. One’s camp still must be cleaned and there are still people to deal with (in some ways more difficult people), but there is certainly less responsibility being homeless than being housed. And this freedom is frustrating at first. Freedom is, of course, a two-edged sword, for less responsibility means less control, less opportunity for self change. But it can mean a reduction of a certain kind of stress, which, over time, the homeless appreciate and cherish.

Homeless Culture: B-Type Personalities

2010-09-22T16:27:00.000-07:00

Our society rewards those who thrive on stress. They are the ambitious, the driven, the go-getters. They are called “A” type personalities. “B” type personalities, however, tend to not be as success-driven. They are content hanging with their family and friends. But they also tend to be not as successful, and so we find that people who are chronically homeless are almost always “B” type personalities.

The same holds true with the Meyer-Briggs personality dual “J” and “P”. The “J” personality is task-oriented, not wanting to finish work on a project until it is completed. They also tend to be on time or early for appointments and scheduled events. The “P” personality is more event oriented. They tend to be late to appointments and they will end a task when their attention is drawn elsewhere, whether the task is done or not. “P”s are not as time-focused as “J”s and are more flexible about… everything.

The homeless tend to be Ps as well as B-type personalities, if only because Js and A-types have a better success rate and if they fail, they tend to get back on their feet easier and quicker. B-types and Ps are more willing to go with the flow, and though they certainly wouldn’t want to be homeless, they find themselves less motivated to do the extra effort involved in no longer being homeless.

Culturally Homeless

2010-09-22T16:16:00.000-07:00

When someone becomes homeless, it is a tragedy, both for themselves and for society. When that person remains homeless for a long period of time, for the sake of survival, they become acculturated to their situation. At this point, homelessness is not simply a situation—tragic or otherwise—it becomes a lifestyle, and that lifestyle eventually becomes a way of looking at life. This would happen to any of us, as human beings, for we are adaptable to various environments. Even the most socially awkward and mentally ill, as long as they aren’t severely developmentally disabled, is able to handle a difficult survival situation. I have seen people who have severe schizophrenia be unable to distinguish the difference between the people in front of them and the ones in their heads, but still be able to survive in the third world context on the street.

Following this, I am going to be posting a number of characteristics of those who are chronically homeless-- homeless for at least a year. These characteristics become a part of their cultural landscape, not just a temporary response to one's circumstances, but a way of looking at life. For this reason, if one becomes homeless long term, they don't just leave it once they are off the street. Homelessness stamps them, changes their outlook permanently.

This needs to be remembered as we offer services to the homeless, especially if we are working on "ending homelessness." In the end, there is no such thing as ending homelessness. Because even if you find a chronically homeless person a home, they still have the culture of a homeless person. Some of this we may want to help change, but much of it we do not.

There should be approximately 20 characteristics of the chronically homeless. If you can't find them all, check the tag: Homeless Culture.

Poverty In the United States

2010-09-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

From Religion News Summary at Crosswalk.com:

The number of people in poverty in America increased to its highest recorded point last year, and the poverty rate rose to its highest level since 1994, according to Religion News Service. The Census Bureau released data Sept. 16 that showed the rate of poverty increasing 1.1 percentage points to 14.3 percent in 2009. A total of 43.6 million live in poverty -- the highest since recording began in 1959 -- and up from 39.8 million in 2008. Social service programs such as Catholic Charities USA are faced with the challenge of increased needs from individuals and working families, budget cuts and a decrease in individual donations. The Rev. Larry Snyder, president and CEO of Catholics Charities, said that while the statistics were staggering, they did not come as a surprise to those who work with people in poverty on a daily basis, especially after two years of recession.

The United States is not a third world country. But there is a third world country within the U.S., and it is growing.