If you remember the story of Tattoo, you're maybe wondering if anything has happened since with the guy. Well, as you may have guessed, something has. Why else would I mention it?
Tattoo and another homeless friend showed up at our meeting Tuesday night. I think the question of everyone's mind was, "What the heck do we do now?" Pretty good question if you ask me. Tattoo's friend ended up getting a lift from us to the Greyhound station, and hopped a bus to Iowa City, looking for work. I really think he's got a great chance 2nd chance on life.
Tattoo...well, I don't know what to say. He still scares the heck out of all of us, one way or another. We've got to be pretty careful, but I'm not as worried as I once was (I wonder, how many comments will say "be careful dan!!!"). I think God is doing something, pray for a mighty work. For our safety. For the Spirit of God to work powerfully in Tattoo's life.
***
I entitled this entry "Not Broken Yet" for a reason. Every day I go downtown I am asked for money. Every single time. It breaks my heart. I know each guy asking me for money is lying to me.
The Pacific Garden Mission has been active in Chicago for nearly 127 years. They can feed everyone who shows up, and then some. And there are more organizations out there capable of the same. Heck, they're feeding us at SALT (30 people) a free meal in 2 weeks when we visit. If there wasn't an abundance we wouldn't be able to do this.
Every homeless and needed person knows exactly where they need to go when they really need food or shelter. So why do they beg? As I was told by a professional at PGM, for drugs and booze. Thats it.
I have heard lines by some pretty poor actors. Lines that have been told many, many times. So many times, you can tell they're just regurgitating it. There are good actors though. I think I was had the other day. A pretty clean, well dressed guy asked me for help. He's locked his keys out of his truck and needed a train pass to get back home. His story sounded legit and unrehearsed. I think he was just good at what he does.
Despite being lied too, I still want to have compassion on these people. I see so many people every day I wish I could help in some way. Despite all the lies and tricks, I pray we would never lose our compassionate hearts for the needy.
Posted by dan at June 30, 2004 10:36 PMRemember . . . what ever you do for the least of these, you do to Me.
When I think of the least, I think of poor and needy, but I really think it is more than that . . . it is the shunned, the dorky, the one not liked by everyone else, the liar, the needy, the disfigured, the mentally disabled, the people you don't want to be around, the loud people, the quiet shy people . . . i feel i could go on and on. The least of these are all around us. Most of the time we just think of them as a nusance, but to God they are just as important as us. Labor on Bro . . . and of course . . . be careful . . . innocent as a dove, shrewd as a serpernt!
I think it's a good rule of thumb that... those who are worthy of what they would be begging you for... are too proud to beg in the first place.
Posted by: vos at July 2, 2004 03:08 AM