Sunday Visits

After spending a few weeks exploring the effectiveness of our efforts in the downtown KC area and finding that the homeless have several resources available in that area, our group began to search for other places to spend our time and energy. Through conversations with others, we were led to an area of KC off Front Street - a commercialized industrial neighborhood. It is in this location that we have spent the last few months building relationships with a small group of homeless that have become like family to us now.

We've met several people, but every Sunday when we head to their "home", we can count on about 6 of the same to be there week in and week out - Marvin, Paula, Dennis, Zach, Whiskey, and Choo-Choo. Our routine is pretty much the same every week whether it's sunny, below zero, sleeting, or blizzarding - we load up a hot meal we've prepared along with bottled water and perhaps some other necessities we know they are in need of and head down there usually on the church bus right after our church is out. On the drive down, the discussion amongst the small group on the bus usually centers on what we'll find when we get there - who will be there today, how they've survived the weather that week, who has hopped on a train and headed for somewhere else, etc. - it's much like we're catching up on the "family" gossip.

When we pull up on the bus where they're usually waiting for us, we honk the horn so those who are back at "camp" can come out, meet us, eat with us, and talk. And that's exactly what happens - we pull out the meal we've prepared, serve it up for them and us alike, we sit down right under the railroad bridge overpass and eat and talk. We spend anywhere from 1/2 hour to an hour chit chatting and sharing stories then we pack up what remains of the food to leave with them and we head home. The return ride always brings discussions of what new things we've learned about our friends that day, what they might need for the next week, who can make the meal the following week and what should it be?

What has always hit me when we leave is the fact that they are very comfortable with where they are - they don't act as if they care to come "home" with us. They are very grateful for the food we've provided, for our company, for other efforts we've made; but they do not make us feel guilty for their situation. They seem very content and satisfied with who they are and where they are in life. It makes me ponder our society - why is it we always want more? We always want what someone else has - why we're never content with what we have?

One thing I know: I hate it when I am unable to go see our friends on a Sunday and I have to wait until the following week to reconnect with them. I look forward to the visits and I believe they center my thoughts and challenge for the week ahead.