Help was just around the corner...

Today was probably the most transforming day for me. We ventured out to the "bases" today, which are basically homeless groupings where people sleep out in the open on mounds of garbage. The garbage is filthy and smelly, and yet it is vital to their survival. The garbage keeps them warm at night since heating and shelter are not available. Flies blanket the sleeping men and many of them wear mismatched shoes that they salvaged from the garbage piles. The men were still glad to see us, and were receptive to hearing about the Made in the Streets ministry, which offers them a place to shower, eat, and get an identification card which grants them the power to vote and easier access to employment opportunity.

What was great to see was that one of the Made in the Streets men, Moses, talked to the people at the base, encouraged them to come to their facilities to get food and a clean shower, and then he went and purchased corn meal for them. We then visited a man who was out of comission because of a broken leg. He was intoxicated one night and couldn't escape the wrath of a few men out to get him, and they took a huge rock and dropped it on his leg. I was hit emotionally when I realized that he was unable to move, and therefore unable to work for a couple months, and therefore unable to earn enough to feed himself. Made in the Streets took him to a doctor to get him a cast, and as we left Moses gave 50 shillings to his friend to get him something to eat. Many of the occupations we see involve wheeling carts, selling items, bagging plastic, burning garbage for the government, and collecting scrap metal.

The most heartbreaking part of the base visit came when we reached the California base. There were about 6-7 men and teenage boys sitting on the curb, and we started talking to them. We introduced ourselves, and instantly I could see that many of them were high on glue. They sniff glue so that they can get high and forget about their pain and hunger. One older man was so high that he said his name was Ostrich. As we began talking to them, more came and listened in, which was encouraging, since even though I didn't know if it was because they wanted to see the Jackie Chans or the word of God, they still got to hear the good news. Moses started talking to them about how Made in the Streets comes by that area very frequently, tells them to get off the glue, and yet nothing changes. The irony here was that many of the kids had glue bottles in their sleeves that they held up to their mouths as he was saying that.

He said that they are offering them food, fellowship through soccer, a clean shower, and a chance to go to the Farm, learn a new trade, get clean, and turn their lives around, but they don't take advantage of what is right around the corner. He pointed to one kid sitting on a 4 liter empty container of glue, and started saying how we were there at the facility leading some games and worship, and he was missing it, just because he and the others weren't receptive to their help. We then each began sharing something, and when it got to my turn, I felt the Holy Spirit prodding me to try to reach out to them and make a connection. I began talking about how they have a hard life, much harder than mine, and how I can't even begin to imagine what living on the streets must be like. Ostrich replied, "Yes, we have a very hard life here," so at least he understood what I was saying. I hope he remembers. I then started talking about how even though they face pain, suffering, and hunger, that there are good people like Moses who want to help them turn their lives around. They may use glue to ease the pain and get a high, but it is only temporary. The only lasting happiness comes from knowing Jesus, giving their lives to him, and letting Him transform their situations through His love and mercy. As I was saying this, I looked into their eyes and I just saw that the glue and drugs were separating us, disconnecting them from the truth and hope for a better life. It bothered me how it felt like I was trying so hard to break through to their hearts, but I never knew if they processed anything that I had said. I finished by saying that turning their lives over to Jesus might be the best decision that they ever make in their lives, and at that point, I just had to trust that God was working in their hearts and that He would continue to work after we left. I remembered something I heard a long time ago, which stated that we shouldn't feel bad when we don't see any fruit for our labor, since Jesus is the one they are rejecting, not us, but I just felt disheartened seeing their bondage to such a vicious cycle. Their lives would continue in that downward spiral unless they knew that help and all their hopes and dreams could become a reality if they just turned the corner and asked for help.

This experience for me was definitely more eye-opening than even walking through the slums, since I looked into the eyes of a trapped soul, I shook the hands of addiction, and I bared my heart and soul in front of those who possibly couldn't hear me. The inability to reach past the thick barrier the glue put up around their hearts still bothers me now, but there have been many success stories that I will get to hear about tomorrow when we visit the Farm, and it is evident that even though not all are saved, that area is being transformed by that ministry.