homeless

I'm set on becoming homeless for 24 - 48 hours.

this is something ive always wanted to do after i watched "Into the Wild" and read a book called "Under the Overpass". It's about a christian college dude who spent 5 months being homeless by choice. he becomes homeless to reach the homeless.


"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength." -Phil. 4:11-13

i want to experience what it's like having nothing but God. well and a friend for the journey. i may hafta sleep at a park, beg for money, or dig through trashes. this is how homeless survive everyday. if it wasnt for my parents there's no question id be living on the streets. not everyone had a drug/ alcohol past. and no most homeless aren't dangerous at all. it's really hard to make it and survive in america. even with a degree it's hard to make it. people faced family and health issues. a minimum wage job just isn't enough now days. ppl cant make enough to pay for rent. half the world has never even seen a cell phone. we forget how most of the world lives in poverty. look at how much we have. we're rich and spoiled.

My grandma grew up in proverty, and now she refuses to waste any food because she knows what it was like having nothing. most of our parents worked multiple jobs to pay for their own education. everything was pretty much handed to me. i need to value and use money more wisely. i can't imagine how much harder life would be if i grew up in a 3rd world country. it makes 1st world problems look like a joke.

ive made many excuses to not become homeless, mainly because i couldnt find someone willing to do it with me. what's a day or 2 when people do this for years?  this week is the perfect chance, there's nothing stopping me. i'm doing it. I'm actually kinda excited to try it. i found a guy from this past church retreat who'll commit to do it with me. his name is robin. he sorta inspired me because he was talkin about how he doesn't like spending money on nice clothes, and would rather use it for the good of others instead of on appearances. it'd be much harder doing it alone. i think the loneliness would kill me. i think having a partner would be more prudent considering it'll still be difficult. if i had more time i'd wanna do it for at least 1 full week. a day isn't that hard. honestly, it'd be easier in hawaii since its friggen cold at night in CA. it's crazy how ppl live in such tough circumstances without a choice. i jus pray God will lead me to meet the people he has planned and keep me safe. it's easy to get sick sleepin in cold air. don't take your home and family for granted. i found 16 cents on the ground in the gym. for some reason that made my day. to a homeless person, coins have much more value.

I usually don't give money to homeless because you don't know if they use it for substances. but I'm starting to think.. is it really that high of a percentage? Perhaps i use it as an excuse not to give extra change. we need to discern, and be good stewards with what God's given us.

i think i'll jus take my bible and a sleeping bag.. i dunno what i'll do for food since i wont take any money. God will provide. maybe manna will rain! we forget how we have the luxury and access to food. we forget how even pillows and jackets are not necessarily a given. when you're homeless $1 in change can make a big difference. could u imagine how much God would teach you if u didn't have the comforts of home, food, technology? we even take clean water for granted.

i think robin and I will jus pass out sandwiches and food for a few hours, being homeless during the day is sorta jus like being out like any other day. i wonder if i could survive a month. sleeping in my car is my last option. there's always a rescue mission in long beach, or churches if things really do go bad. i heard a testimony over retreat about how this guy spent a year sleeping in his car and showering in 24.

i remember one day i didnt have lunch in high school, and my christian life teacher Mr. Willwebber gave me this apple. it changed my whole day because i know he wanted his apple, but out of his love and humility he reached out to fill my need of hunger. it was probably the best apple ive ever had.

i really wanna challenge myself to not just help their needs but to spend time with them and to get to hear their story. There's so much pain and hurt, and i think just a ministry of presence and relationship can do a lot. Many homeless get ignored and so a simple conversation and prayer can be the best way to be the love of Christ. i feel like God is tugging on me to be more bold in reaching out to family/friends/ and others.

a $20 shirt could feed so many hungry people. I'm convicted with how much wealth we have, and how much we take for granted. The bible teaches us to be generous with money and to use it to win friends and to reach others for his sake. im tired of being selfish or too afraid to approach others with the faith God's called me to. We all have the ability to love, and yet there's a disconnect with our actions and will. im jus tired of living for myself. im debating if i'll blog about my experience because that may possibly rob God of the glory. unless i feel like it'll encourage others and give God the glory. look for ways you can serve and minister to others. Be bold in your faith. Be an act of love.