6,300
I was listening to the Nick Beeson radio show on am 1340 on Sunday afternoon. I hardly ever hear someone on the radio talking about the homeless situation in Santa Barbara, but lo and behold someone cares!
He had a guest on from the Santa Barbara housing authority, who shared that on any given day there are 6,300 homeless people in Santa Barbara. Now this number includes all kinds of people, including individuals and families, who are sleeping on floors and couches with others, but nevertheless it is a daunting number.
After two years of meal sharing with these men and women, I can remark a bit about the challenge and some potential solutions… but I think the main need is for men and women to get involved personally and build friendships, and see where it goes from there. Over these few years, some of our solutions are developing organically and because we are together - a process is developing.
Here is where we are headed:
#1 - We are committed to friendships. This is first and foremost, because friendship is redemptive. This is the wonder of the incarnational way, of the leading of Jesus. Other things may grow, but we won’t leave this simplicity.
#2 - We are moving from relief to betterment and development. We have set for ourselves the goal of developing a community that cares for itself and is empowered to do so. This will take some time, but it is where we are going when fall 2008 hits.
#3- We are considering developing a church for our friends without homes. We will keep meal sharing the way it is at the parks, but a few of us are considering a place where are friends can gather more specifically for relevant and culturally saavy prayer, teaching, worship. This dream has come from talking with them as much as from the organic leadership which is developing.
#4 - The dream is no homeless friends on the streets. There are no homeless in heaven, which is the model for earth. Who can forget the memorable words - “on earth, as it is in heaven.”
Today I talked with a friend outside North Star coffee who is willing to work, but his construction skills are not necessarily needed. Two Wednesdays ago I met a family who lost their home, and found us by chance on their way back to the midwest to live with family. And recently I talked with a friend with a mental illness who drinks because he cannot afford medication, and drinking softens the voices.
Remember, there is no one story, so don’t believe those who don’t have friends who don’t have homes. Come join us Wednesday night at 5:30 at Pershing Park and keep the dream of God alive.