Today I met a homeless man

He was sitting on a wrought iron fence along Washington Street, shaking his plastic cup holding of a small pile of coins he had collected today. He asked for change, which I gave him. Then, I stopped to talk to him. His name is Willie. He is from Little Rock, Arkansas. He came to Indianapolis to find a job as a machinist, but couldn't find work. He stayed at Wheeler Mission for awhile. Willie met a man who receives mail for him, mostly from his mother in Arkansas. He showed me the envelope of one that he just got today. (He wanted to prove that he wasn't telling stories.)

Then we started talking about food. I asked him if would like some lunch. He said that he would--a hambuger and fries would be nice. Since Panera was the closest place for lunch, I suggested some soup. He said he would like potato soup--and a ham sandwhich. A minute later I found myself in line at Panera (where I often go for lunch) buying lunch for a homeless man (which I had never done before). I held back tears as I scanned the menu for potato soup and a ham sandwhich. I placed my order as anyone else--substituing wheat bread for rye (would Willie like rye? I don't.) and selecting broccoli cheddar (my personal favorite) as potato soup was not on the menu today. I took the meal out to Willie and he was very thankful. He was persistant in telling me that he wasn't a scammer, he was a hard worker, and he really needed some more money so he could could get cleaned up somewhere and stay some more nights at Wheeler. I asked him if knew Jesus, if he had given his life to Christ. He said that he'd heard about Him. I told him that the truth about Jesus was more valuable than money and shared the gospel with him. I felt compelled to give him some more money--trusting that Willie would keep his word and, more importantly, knowing that my money is really on loan from God. I told Willie that I would pray for him and when he asked me to really do it, to really pray for him, I asked if I could pray right then. So, I stood next Willie outside IRT on Washington St and I prayed for him and I prayed for me--that God would keep teaching me what it means to trust him and care for those around me as Jesus would. Willie shook my hand and I said goodbye, praying more for him as I walked down the street.

Why has is taken me so many months to buy lunch for a hungry person I've seen on the street? Working downtown has allowed me to encounter so many homeless people and others asking for money from the workers and shoppers who busily pass by. I talked to Willie about why poeple so often just walk along without giving money or saying anything to him. My answer reflected my own experience--that being one of uncertainty, of fear, and of worrying that the money given may not be put to good use. For years I have been distanced from the povery of my own city. Growing up on the northside of Indy it was not difficult to avoid eye contact with the few people holding cardboard signs near the interstate ramps. Homelessness was not as visible and it wasn't something that I really wanted to think about.

I do struggle with knowing the best way respond to poverty and homelessness. There are books that are on my list to read (like When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert) that would probably help me understand the issues better and figure out what role I may play. As I reflect on my lunch break adventure and my friend Willie I am reminded that just a year or two ago I would have said that I didn't really feel passionate about domestic poverty. Not surprisingly, working a year downtown and reengaging with my home city has changed that. I am praying about how I might adjust my ministry involvement over the next year in order to actively engage in alleviately poverty and sharing Christ's love to those less fortunately than me in my own city.

I know that lunch and $20 is not going to get Willie out of homelessness, but I do pray that he would know that God cares for him and is the ultimate source of lastly hope and life. If you have any stories or thoughts on how to help the homeless and those begging on the streets, please share. I have so much to learn...